Effect of Beak Trimming on Body Weight and Feed Intake of Broiler Roasters Fed Pellets or Mash

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of beak trimming on feed intake and growth of roasters when feed is in mash or pellet form. Roasters were beak trimmed at 50 days of age by removing one-third or one-half of the top beak only or a block cut with one-half of the top and bottom beak removed.After beak trimming, for roasters fed mash, feed consumption and weight gain depressions were observed from 50 to 56 days of age, and then normal feed consumption and weight gain from 56 to 70 days, compared with corresponding values for mash-fed controls. After beak trimming, roasters fed firm pellets with essentially no fines experienced feed consumption and weight gain depressions from 50 to 70 days of age compared with corresponding values for controls. When birds were changed from mash to pellet diets at 42 days of age, a significant initial increase in feed intake and body weight gain occurred for broilers receiving the pelleted diet when compared with broilers receiving the mash diet.