Beak trimming of laying hens is still a widespread practice in
Australia – even in 'free range' flocks of birds. The majority of
so-called free range farms are intensive production systems with
flocks of many thousands of hens.
Even the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals -
Domestic Poultry, which provides the only widely accepted national
definition of the term 'free range' states that every effort should
be made to avoid beak trimming by selecting birds which have more
docile tendencies.
But the reality is that intensive free range farms beak trim their
birds as a matter of course because they want to run large numbers
and they chose to use high producing hens developed for the cage
industry. These hens have been selectively cross bred for only two
traits – maximum egg production and minimum feed intake. This often
means they are aggressive and cannibalistic.
It is important to select a strain of bird that is less
aggressive, and to get breeders to breed birds that are more docile.
Research has shown that breeding for low aggression can have a marked
effect in only 4 or 5 generations. Dr Mike Gentle, a U.S. researcher
in this area, has concluded:
" In the
long term, beak trimming
should be phased out
and undesirable behaviour
controlled by environmental
means and by increased
effort being devoted to
the genetic selection of
commercial stocks which do
not engage in damaging
pecking, either in cages
or when floor-housed in
large flocks. "
In our view, hens should be kept in groups small enough to be able to recognise
each other. At Freeranger Eggs we run maximum flock sizes of 250 –
300 birds.
Hens need to express their natural behaviour, including
the strong urge to peck. They must have material in which to forage
and dust bathe.
Good husbandry is a major factor in reducing aggression,
especially preventing conditions that cause frustration in hens. They
must also have an adequate and well-balanced diet, easy access to
food and water, enough space, and minimum disturbance.
Egg
farmers
need
to
make
a
much
greater
effort
to
control
aggression
without
beak trimming.
From
our
experience
talking
with
consumers
at
Farmers'
Markets,
they
do
not
believe
that
'free
range'
production
should
involve
the
beak trimming of
birds.
Aggression
and
cannibalism
is
a
behavioural
problem
which
is
easily
solved
by
effective
poultry
management
and
selection
of
birds.
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