Comparison between infrared and hot-blade beak trimming methods in white and brown pullets: performance, organ and bone development

P.C Guarnieri,G Zaccaron,G.E Bosetti,H Pagnussatt,E Aniecevski,C.S Facchi,F Leite,G Rossatto,F.C Tavernari,M.M Boiago,T.G Petrolli,F.D.A Valentini,A Dal Santo,S.M.B Artoni

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-11964

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate infrared beak trimming versus hot-blade beak trimming on performance, organ and bone development of laying pullets, using 240 birds, at 0-16 weeks of age, from two strains (white layer - Hy-Line W36 and brown layer - Hy-Line Brown). Infrared debeaking was performed on the first day of life in the hatchery, whereas hot-blade beak trimming was performed at eight days of age. Zootechnical performance at 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age was analyzed. At the end of the trial, one Bird per experimental unit was euthanized for liver, gizzard, proventriculus, heart and small intestine relative weight evaluation. Both tibiotarsus were collected to measure bone breaking resistance, bone mineral content and bone densitometry. There was higher body weight and feed intake in both bird strains submitted to infrared beak trimming. Additionally, hot-blade white layers presented lower body development and feed intake. The debeaking methods did not influence relative organ weights or tibiotarsus parameters evaluated. We conclude that the infrared beak trimming method promotes better pullet body development than the conventional hot-blade method, improving feed intake, without compromising organ and bone development, being a more adequate debeaking method to be used in layer production.

Highlights

Substantial consumer pressure demonstrates that some practices adopted by the poultry industry should be revised as soon as possible, those related to the management of debeaking methods
Laser debeaking was performed in the hatchery on the first day of life, using Nova-Tech Poultry Service Processor (PSP) (Nova-Tech, Willmar, MN, USA), an equipment that emits infrared energy on the tip of the beak, causing tissue death and subsequent separation of this portion on the second week of life
Differences were observed on feed intake of birds, where pullet beaks trimmed by infrared radiation had higher feed intake (P

Summary

Introduction

Substantial consumer pressure demonstrates that some practices adopted by the poultry industry should be revised as soon as possible, those related to the management of debeaking methods. Whole beak pullets waste and select feed grains, compromising flock performance and, in more severe cases, mortality by cannibalism (Yamauchi et al, 2017). Beak trimming is widely practiced in the poultry industry (Gonçalves et al, 2010; Oka et al, 2017), usually twice, with the first one being done between eight and 10 days of life, and the second one between eight and 10 weeks of age. Hot blade debeaking is performed at 700 to 800°C, being described as a practice to reduce feather pecking and cannibalism, and if done in an adequate way, it reduces feed waste and mortality, as well as improving feed conversion (Laganá et al, 2011; Struthers et al, 2019)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion