Pullet rearers may have a key role to play in defeating the menace of pecking in free range flocks. That is one of the key conclusions to emerge from the round of beak trimming workshops held by Defra last autumn.
A total of 138 delegates, including producers, feed specialists, packers, vets and breeders, attended the seven workshops held around the country. Their conclusions have now been detailed in an official report to Defra officials.
On the question of what creates a non-peck flock the key responses all focused on the rearing. The most important factors to emerge in creating a peck-free flock were:
• Quality pullets from good genetic stock, of the correct bodyweight and of even size and weight.
• Birds reared to high standards with the provision of “toys” like hanging string and perches.
• Housing conditions in rear closely matching those in lay and so providing a seamless transition from rearing to laying.
• Good communication between rearer and egg producer.
When asked to identify the main “triggers” to pecking outbreaks the workshops saw the transition from rearing unit to laying farm as particularly important. But among the other factors they identified were penning birds off litter for nest box training and alterations in feed formulation. Changes in the birds’ daily environment were also seen as critical including those caused by the weather, predators, visitors and equipment malfunctions. It was felt that while a flock might cope with one type of stress at a time, difficulties arose when they were faced with several stressors bombarding them at the same time.
Asked what needs to be done to take the issue forward the delegates again focused on the rearing process. They thought that the most useful piece of progress would be further research into the influence of rearing on the propensity to peck. The key issues they wanted examined in this were matching the housing, environment and management during the rearing period to that the birds will experience during lay. And creating pullets with a robust temperament that are more tolerant to stress.
They also wanted progress in efforts to produce birds more suited to extensive systems. The fact that white feathered birds are thought to be less aggressive than brown strains was mentioned frequently and some delegates even suggested that some breeds of white-feathered birds lay brown eggs. It was also suggested that if it were possible to breed a bird with a blunt beak this might be a quicker and more effective than attempting to produce a strain of layer with increased docility.
There was also a call for more research on nutritional factors and in particular the impact of withdrawing meat and bonemeal from diets and many delegates felt that pecking had become more of an issue since this change. More research into beak trimming was also suggested as well as changes to the piece work system of payment to trimmers which, it was suggested, encouraged speed sometimes at the expense of accuracy.
