(Image: Ingo Mardink)
Focus on behavioural disorders in laying hens – How to recognise and manage feather-pecking and toe-pecking
In layer hen farming, there are frequent reports of outbreaks of feather pecking and cannibalism, with toe pecking being a specific form of cannibalism. At an event organised by the office of the Poultry Animal Welfare Competence Centre, participants were able to learn how good feeding management and the use of automatic enrichment systems can help prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. In addition, Wissenschaft & Praxis presented the latest findings on toe-pecking. Finally, participants were shown how to detect the onset of feather loss and skin injuries at an early stage within a flock.
Dr Peter Hiller, poultry specialist at the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture, kicked off the session. He explained that feather pecking and cannibalism are caused by multiple factors. To prevent them, however, particular attention should be paid to pullet rearing, the use of enrichment materials, animal health and optimal feeding management.
Although underestimated by some layer farmers, the rearing of pullets and the transition phase into the laying period are of particular importance. During rearing, it is necessary to accustom the birds to a high feed intake so that they do not experience a growth depression during the move to the laying house and the subsequent onset of laying activity. This is because the move to the laying house is usually accompanied by a change in feed to starter or layer feed. Unfamiliar feed and the transport of pullets cause stress for the birds and can trigger feather pecking and cannibalism. Dr Hiller therefore emphasised how important communication is between pullet rears and layer farmers. A handover report must list key rearing factors such as feed, feeding times, stocking density, light management and the flock’s stage of development.
As Dr Hiller has already mentioned, enrichment is of great importance for laying hens to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. Ingo Mardink (farmer) has therefore addressed this issue in depth in several projects. Among other things, the farm manager has installed an automatic pipe conveyor system in his laying hen house, which he uses to distribute organic material throughout the house six times a day. Mainly maize silage is used for this, but other materials such as alfalfa hay and shell grit are also employed. Mr Mardink also explained that the manure scrapers beneath the aviaries contribute to the birds’ activity by turning over the litter, thereby making it more interesting for the birds.
The third speaker, Dr Sabine Gebhardt-Heinrich from the University of Bern, reported on her research into toe-pecking. This behavioural disorder has become increasingly common in recent years, particularly among white laying hens. In contrast to feather pecking, the factors influencing toe pecking have so far been little researched, but are equally multifactorial. Possible causes are highly likely to include the quality of lighting in the house (e.g. light intensity, light distribution), injuries caused by house fittings in aviaries with metal slats, and other stress factors such as a high risk of infection. As white-feathered layers are primarily affected, the genetic component also appears to be significant. Improvement through targeted breeding could be a possible approach here. When toe-pecking occurs, the most effective measures are providing attractive enrichment materials, reducing light intensity and selectively turning off the lights in parts of the house.
Subsequently, Dr Birgit Spindler, from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, and Ingo Mardink reported on their practical experiences with toe-picking. Light quality and the arrangement of perches were cited as the primary causes of the behavioural disorders. However, as Dr Gebhardt-Heinrich had already reported, injuries caused by the housing design cannot be ruled out as a factor. The main countermeasures employed were monochromatic blue light to conceal the wounds and (automatic) enrichment.
Finally, Dr Daniel Gieseke (University of Kassel) demonstrated how feather damage and skin injuries are recorded according to the assessment scheme in the KTBL guidelines. In these guidelines, 50 birds are randomly selected for examination at regular intervals during the rearing and laying periods. In a practical exercise, participants were able to give their own assessments of feather damage and skin injuries. Anyone who is still unsure about the assessment can take part in digital or practical training courses offered by the Animal Welfare Academy, Dr Gieseke explained at the end.
Authors: Katja Kulke, Jule Schättler and Alina Kathrin Lückemann, Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture