Abstract
1. Plumage loss was assessed by visual scoring in 288, 78‐week‐old hens, housed as groups of four in battery cages, which differed in the design of the cage front and the position of the nipple drinkers. 2. Half the hens had undergone beak trimming at 18 weeks, but in many cases regrowth had occurred. 3. Plumage damage and loss was significantly reduced in beak‐trimmed birds compared with birds with normal beaks. Tier and cage design had no effect. 4. This finding supports the idea that feather pecking is the important factor in causing plumage damage, rather than abrasion. 5. A comparison between 64 birds in which beak regrowth had occurred, and 64 in which it remained truncated, showed that both groups had similar plumage scores. 6. It appears to be the beak‐trimming procedure which is important; subsequent regrowth being irrelevant.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
