Feather Pecking and Cannibalism in Non-Beak-Trimmed Laying Hen Flocks-Farmers' Perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Pecking-related problems are common in intensive egg production, compromising hen welfare, causing farmers economic losses and negatively affecting sustainability. These problems are often controlled by beak trimming, which in Finland is prohibited. An online questionnaire aimed to collect information from farmers about pecking-related problems in Finnish laying hen flocks, important risk factors and the best experiences to prevent the problems. Additionally, the farmers' attitudes towards beak trimming were examined. We received 35 responses, which represents about 13% of all Finnish laying hen farms with ≥300 laying hens. The majority of respondents stated that a maximum of 5⁻7% incidence of feather pecking or 1⁻2% incidence of cannibalism would be tolerable. The majority of respondents

SUBMITTER: Kaukonen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6406704 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature