Dietary fibre could help pecking problem

Source: Ranger www.bfrepa.co.uk

Changes in light intensity, competition for feed and other factors such as nutrient deficiencies are all recognised as potential triggers for feather pecking.

But what is less well known is the role that fibre in the diet can play and a leading nutritionist believes that more research is needed to identify the ideal level of fibre required by flocks.

Addressing a meeting of the Midlands Free Range Discussion Group, Steve Pritchard of Premier Nutrition said that laying diets typically included fibre at levels ranging from 2.5 to 5 per cent, depending on the quality of the ration.

"The better diets tend to have lower fibre levels because compounders are trying to maximise nutrient density," explained Mr Pritchard. "But the limited research that has been carried out shows that increased fibre levels can lead to less feather pecking."

While there is a vital balance when formulating rations between getting the fibre level right and achieving optimum productivity, Mr Pritchard nevertheless believes that one day compounders could be making rations to a minimum fibre level.

"It's no use feeding the hens something with so much fibre in it that the nutritional value of the ration drops to a point where they don't lay eggs but we do need to take a closer look at fibre levels."

Rations too low in fibre can even lead to flocks supplementing their diet by eating the short feathers shed by birds at various stages throughout the laying period.

"I've been in some poultry houses where the floor is covered in fathers and in others where there isn't a single feather in sight because the birds have eaten them as soon as they've dropped," said Mr Pritchard. "When those feathers are no longer available, does that lead to the birds pulling them from each other? I think it could."

As well as optimising fibre levels as an avoidance tactic for feather pecking, the nutritionist advised producers to keep their birds occupied, telling them a "busy bird is a happy bird". And the way the diet is presented to the flock can have a big impact on this.

"If fed pellets a hen can consume its daily feed requirement in around 100 minutes involving 9723 pecks or 11.8 milligrams per peck," revealed the nutritionist. "That's a relatively short feeding time which leaves it with a lot of time to find something else to do. In crumb form this eating time is extended to 154 minutes requiring 15,874 pecks. That's a rate of 7.4 mg per peck.

"But if you feed the bird a mash, it's going to take it 234 minutes to consume its daily intake leading to 22,845 pecks in total, equivalent to 5.2 mg for every peck. And if you don't believe me, you're welcome to count it for yourself! "

This eating time will also be affected by the coarseness of the ration, went on Mr Pritchard, as he called into question the often accepted view that 'big is best'.

"Producers usually want to see a coarsely ground ration, even including a few whole wheat grains. But research has shown that when it comes to avoiding pecking a maximum particle size of 2mm is best.

"But as with fibre levels, it's a case of achieving the right balance. When it comes to free range, intake is our friend and in early lay the bird needs to build bodyweight to prepare it for the demands that lie ahead and a coarse ration will aid this process. But later in lay and if pecking problems have developed, feeding the flock a more finely ground ration could keep the birds occupied for longer."

As Mr Pritchard continued his theme of exploring the less obvious, the discussion group learnt about the role that preen oil could play in feather pecking.

Examination of the preen oil from birds identified as being pecked had revealed that its composition was different to the oil produced by the birds doing the pecking.

"It's an interesting discovery even though we don't know yet which is cause and effect. Are the birds targets for pecking because their preen oil is more attractive or has their preen oil changed in composition because of the stress of being pecked?"

Another study, went on Mr Pritchard, had offered birds washed and unwashed feathers and the results proved conclusively that they prefer the unwashed variety.

"This again suggests that when it comes to pecking, birds are finding something attractive in the preen oil. It's one more piece of the jigsaw, even if we don't fully understand how the jigsaw goes together. "But may be one day we'll be formulating rations to influence the composition of the preen oil," he concluded.