C2-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August IS, 1992 iuli Poi [try Penn State Poultry T \ Pointers r BEAK TRIMMING REDUCES STRESS OF BROILER CHICKS Magdi M. Mashaly Associate Professor Poultry Science Beak trimming of poultry has been practiced for many years. The practice is used to reduce feather picking and plumage loss, to reduce carcass damage associated with establishing pecking orders, and to reduce cannibalism. Cannibalism and social interac tions are important considerations for poultry producers as they attempt to improve the efficiency of their operations without reduc ing performance by increasing population densities. When considering the effects of beak trimming, it is important to consider the amount of the beak MF 393 83-PTO HP 1 \ - Another reason MF continues to be the world leader in agricultural tractors! Introducing the NEW MF 393 ■ Independent PTO ■ 2WD or-4WD ■ Dual auxiliary hydraulics ■ Cab or non-cab I 4-cylinder Perkins engine | Best value in its class ARNETTS GARAGE N.H. FLICKER & Rt. 9 Box 125 SONS, INC. Hagerstown, MD 21740 Maxatawny, PA 19538 (301) 733-0515 (215) 683-7252 S.G. LEWIS AND SON West Grove, PA 19390 (215) 869-9440 869-2214 R.W. KELLER SALES Perkasie, PA 18944 (215) 257-0101 M.M. WEAVER & SON N Qroffdale Rd Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-2321 which is removed. It has also been shown that the type of feed mash or pellet may affect per formance following beak trimming. ' We conducted a study to exa mine the effects of beak trimming on the performance, carcass qual ity, and level of stress in broiler chickens. Male Hubbard x Hubbard broil er chicks weae used in this study. At hatch, the birds were divided into two groups—a beak-trimmed group and a control group. On the day of hatch, the beak-trimmed group had 'A of the upper and low er beak removed by a hot blade. The birds were housed in floor pens at 0.7 square foot/bird (25 birds/pen) using wood shavings for litter. Birds received 14 hours of light per day at an intensity of 0.5 foot-candle 12 inches above the floor. The birds were given feed (mash CTF SALES & SERVICE, INC. Comly’s Turf Farm, Inc Forest Grove Rd Wycombe, PA 18980 (215) 598-7157 LEB^1 AI £ EY TRIPLE H equipment IMPLEMENT CO. p eac h Bottom, PA 17563 700 E Linden St. (717) 548-3775 Richland, PA 17087 (717) 866-7518 GUS FARM EQUIPMENT Seven Valleys, PA 17360-0085 SCHREFFLER EQUIPMENT ( 71 7/ 42 8-1967 Pitman, PA 17964 (717)648-1120 PEOPLE’S SALES & SERVICE Oakland Mills, PA 17076 (717) 463-2735 type) and water ad libitum. Body weights, feed consumption, mor tality, and feed efficiency were measured. At 47 days of age, immediately prior to slaughter, some birds from each group were bled to provide blood samples for differential white blood cells as a measure of stress. Percentages of lymphocytes (L) and heterophils (H) were obtained, and H/L ratios were cal culated. Following slaughter, some birds were chosen at random from each group and carcasses were graded. We found that beak trimming did not have an effect on body weight, weight gain, feed efficien cy, or mortality. This indicates that beak-trimming at least up to 'A of the beak has no detrimental effects on the performance of broiler chicks. The average grade for the beak trimmed birds was higher than the control birds and the percentage of Grade A carcasses was increased. This could be because of to decreased cannibalism. Improved carcass quality would lead to an increased profit for the flock of birds that is beak-trimmed this reflects an advantage of beak trimming broiler chicks. Percentages of circulating lym phocytes were lower in the control birds than in the beak-trimmed birds, while percentages of circu lating heterophils in the control birds were higher than in the beak trimmed birds. This resulted in the control birds having higher H/L MASSEY FERGUSON WhyMF For 29 consecutive years, more farmers world wide have purchased MF tractors than any other brand. ** * i . . K'.'nWi As* » *„> » V* For More Information On M.F. Tractors See On Display At Ag Progress Days August 18, 19, 20 - Located B. 3rd St. THEN SEE YOUR LOCAL MF DEALER ratios than the beak-trimmed birds. It is known that higher H/L ratios are associated with an increased level of stress. Our results show that beak trimming may in fact serve to Grange Sets Legislative Conference HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) —The Pennsylvania Stale Grange annual convention may not be un til October but preparation is al ready under way for the 120th State Session. To get ready, the Grange is sponsoring a precon vention legislative conference for committee members at the Shera ton Inn Harrisburg. The conference will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mon day, August 24. The purpose of the conference is to familiarize committee members with upcom ing issues. "The Grange is a grass-roots or ganization with all our policies coming from individual members and local Granges," said Brenda Shambaugh, Grange legislative director. “This conference high lights some of the major issues which will be discussed during our October convention. With the information our committee mem- is still reduce long-term stress as is indj. cated by the lower H/L ratios observed in the beak-trimmed birds. Certainly reducing stress in a flock of birds is beneficial both to the welfareof the birds as well as to the profit of producers. bers receive here, they can make more informed decisions.” Topics for this year’s confer ence will be the pros and cons of nutrient management, health care issues, low-level radioactive waste, and various priorities in the Department of Agriculture and state legislature. Experts in each field will discuss these issues with the Grangers. Policy for the State Grange is developed through resolutions at the local level. These resolutions are then passed through the state and national level to become Grange policy. Legislative initia tives such as rural mail delivery, nutrient management, and road side market protection have all started this way. Stop by your MF dealer today to see the MF products that are your best value for today’s needs MASSEY FERGUSON
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