Beak trimming methods and their effect on the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) during lay

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONA total number of 720 Japanese quail females, reared under identicalmanagement conditions, and receiving feed and water ad libitum, wasused. Quails were housed and reared from 1-35 days of age in litterpens in a rearing house, and then were transferred to a quail layerhouse. This study aimed at verifying if different beak trimming methodcould optimize egg production and quality by reducing stress andcannibalism among birds. A completely randomized experimental designwas used, with six treatments in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with twobeak trimming ages (14 and 21 days) and three beak trimming variants(non-trimmed, 1/3 of the beak trimmed, or ½ of the beak trimmed),with 6 replicates of 20 birds each. Performance was evaluated by feedintake, percentage of lay, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per dozeneggs and per kg eggs, and mortality. Performance was influenced bybeak trimming variant, with the best results obtained by birds with intactbeaks and those with 1/3 of the beak trimmed. Better specific gravity wasobserved in quails submitted to beak trimming at 21 days of age, whereasthe other egg quality parameters did not present significant results. Basedon the results obtained in the present study, it is recommended to submitquails to beak trimming either at 14 or 21 days of age.INTRODUCTIONThe expansion of quail production in Brazil, currently established atindustrial level, must be highlighted due to the generation of jobs, theuse of small areas, the need of low investments, the fast return oninvestments, as well as a animal protein source.Beak trimming is considered as necessary as a routine managementpractice in commercial layer production, aiming at the prevention ofcannibalism and at reducing social stress. According to Cloutier et al.(2000), beak trimming is the main method used to prevent featherpecking and cannibalism in the poultry industry. However, its use is stillcontroversial in quail production. Beak trimming is condemned byenvironmentalists, which perceive it as a painful mutilation. In addition,feed intake is impaired during the days immediately after beak trimming(Gentle, 1986).On the other hand, producers consider this practice an essentialprocedure in young birds, in order to reduce feather pecking andcannibalism later, thereby improving performance, and positivelycontributing to bird welfare.According to Hughes & Gentle (1995), beak trimming is indicating insome cases, such as environmental factors (light intensity, environmentaltemperature, type of poultry house), social factors (flock size and density),and genetic lines (more or less aggressive birds). Cunningham (1992)adds that, although beak trimming is usually considered as a stressful