Sri Vijaya Puram, Nov. 5: Beak trimming is practiced in Poultry farms to control injurious pecking and cannibalism. The process of beak trimming of poultry birds uses a hot blade procedure which is a violation of section 11(1)(1) of the prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which prohibits mutilation of an animal. This can be replaced with a humane alternative where automated machinery is used to treat day old chicks at the hatchery with a focused infrared beam and the beak tip sloughs off naturally within 2 to 3 weeks with no open wound. Infrared-treated birds show better body weight, feed in-take, feed conversion than hot blade-trimmed birds.
All commercial hatcheries and poultry chick suppliers are advised to ensure compliance with the following guidelines and promote humane and welfare-oriented poultry farming practices:
• Prohibition of Routine Hot-Blade Beak Trimming: Hot-blade beak trimming causes pain, tissue damage, stress and potential long-term complications, including chronic pain and impaired feeding. Hence, it shall be discouraged as a routine management practice in view of animal welfare concerns and the applicable provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• Adoption of Infrared Beak Treatment (IRBT): Wherever beak treatment is considered necessary, hatcheries are advised to adopt Infrared Beak Treatment (IRBT) at the hatchery level as a comparatively humane alternative to conventional hot-blade trimming, subject to applicable legal requirements.
• Promotion of Bird Welfare and Productivity: Adoption of humane beak treatment practices can help improve feed intake, body weight gain and overall flock performance, while minimising avoidable pain and suffering in poultry birds.
• Improved Husbandry and Management Practices: Poultry farmers shall be sensitised to prevent injurious pecking and cannibalism through adequate space, appropriate stocking density, balanced nutrition, suitable lighting and proper environmental management.
