Dr Lily Ngullie
ACTO (Animal Science) KVK Longleng
Cannibalism:
Cannibalism is a condition in which birds fight and peck each other and eat its flesh, which may result in deep wounds and heavy mortality. Once this vice is established, it spreads to all birds in the flock. Vent pecking is common in laying birds. Cannibalism includes head pecking, wing and tail pecking, vent pulling, vent prolapsed and toe pecking where the bright colour blood attracts the other birds to peck in these regions.
Some common causes of cannibalism are-
1. Overcrowding: Overcrowding in the poultry house which gives less opportunity for movement and the less active birds pick up vices. Large breeds of chickens should be allowed: ¼ sq.ft./bird for first 2 weeks, ¾ sq.ft./bird for 3-8 weeks, 1.5 sq.ft./bird from 8-16 weeks of age, 2 sq.ft./bird from 16 weeks on.
2. Excessive heat: When the birds become uncomfortably hot they can become extremely cannibalistic. Temperature of the poultry house should be adjusted according to the available breed guidelines. A general recommendation is to brood young poultry at 35°C for the first week and then gradually decrease the temperature at -15°C per week, until 21°C or the outside temperature. Temperature should be measured at the height of the birds when standing directly under the heat source. Birds should be observed to assess whether the temperature is adequate or not.
3. Excessive light: Extremely bright light or excessively long periods of light will cause birds to become hostile towards one another. When raising birds 12 weeks of age or older, use 15 or 25 watt bulbs above feeding and watering areas. It is not recommended to provide birds with more than 16 hours of light per day. Constant light can be stressful to the birds. Intermittent light for the first week of life is often recommended for commercial poultry.
4. Absence of feed or a shortage of feeder or drinker space: Pecking activity will increase if the birds have to fight for food and water or if the birds are always hungry. Sufficient water and feed should be available ad libitum. Pecking order determines which birds get to eat and when there is inadequate feeder space, birds at the lower end of the pecking order may never be allowed to eat. Extremely high energy and low fibre diets can cause birds to be extra active and aggressive. Feeds deficient in protein and other nutrients, particularly the amino acid- methionine, will also cause birds to pick feathers. Balanced diet appropriate for the age and types of birds should be fed. Protein deficiency in the diet or provision of less diet or excess of corn in the diet plays an important factor. Deficiency of arginine and methionine, minerals and salt are supposed to be more responsible for development of cannibalistic activity.
5. Mixing of different types, sizes and colours of poultry: Mixing different ages and sizes of poultry or birds with different traits may promote pecking by disrupting the flocks’ normal pecking order. Different species of poultry should never be brood together in the same pen. Curiosity can also start pecking. Toe pecking in the first few weeks is often started due to curiosity of the different colors or traits.
6. Slow feathering birds: Slow feathering birds are more prone to cannibalism. Extra precautions should be taken for slow feathering birds. Most cannibalism occurs during feather growth in young birds. Birds with slow feathering have immature tender feathers exposed for longer periods of time leaving them open to damage from pecking.
7. Abrupt changes in environment or management practices: Abrupt changes of location of poultry birds to new environment develop stress to the bird. Therefore it is recommended to move some of their feeders and waterers with them in order to help them adapt. Layer pullets raised in cages should not be moved to a cage-free lay house.
8. Bright lit nests or shortage of nesting boxes: Bright lights should not be placed near the nesting areas. If nest lights are used, they should be turned off as soon as birds begin to find the nests. A general recommendation is to allow 1 nest for every 5 hens; however, the exact ratio required may vary depending on the species, breed and housing type. Vent pecking by layers is also a common problem.
9. Allowing cripples, injured or dead birds to remain in a flock: Birds will start pecking crippled or dead birds in their pens because of the social order and curiosity. Once pecking starts it can quickly develop into a vicious habit. It is best to remove sick or injured birds from the flock as soon as possible. In some cases, aggressive birds should be removed from the flock.
10. Introducing new birds to the flock: New birds should not be introduced in the flock as it disrupts the pecking order of the flock. It is best to introduce new birds into the pen by splitting the pen with a wire mesh for at least a week to help the birds to get to know each other. Introduction of new bird also poses a risk of introducing disease into the farm.
11. Genetic predisposition- Cannibalism tend to be more common in some breed of birds.
12. Loss of feathers: Loss of feathers from the body or haemorrhage from the skin due to parasitic infestation may predispose to cannibalism.
13. Haemorrhage: Haemorrhage in the external genetalia due to laying of large eggs by new hens attracts other birds and once the birds develop taste for blood and meat they develop the habit of cannibalism.
tween the birds may also serve as a stimulus for cannibalistic activity.
Prevention:
1. Cheapest way to avoid cannibalism is debeaking which can be done right from the day old chicks to any age. While debeaking one third of the upper beak and just the tip of the lower beak should be trimmed with temperature of 32°C.
2. Affected birds should be isolated and treated for wounds.
3. Birds with extensive cannibalism vice can be culled.
4. Avoid overcrowding by providing proper space to the birds.
5. Sufficient quantity of feed should be increased by maintaining minerals, salt, protein and amino acids (especially arginine and methionine) in the feed.
6. Laying nest must be built in peaceful place.
7. Red bulbs can be kept near the laying area in order to prevent this habit.
Conclusions:
Birds which develop abnormal behaviour should be taken care of as soon as possible. Birds should be occupied by supplying grass in the unit for them to pick on. Regular debeaking of birds will prevent the vice of cannibalism. Adequate nutrient should be supplemented. Injured birds should be immediately removed and treated gently.
