Publications

Neurobiological basis of sensory perception: welfare implications of beak trimming

The practice of beak trimming in the poultry industry occurs to prevent excessive body pecking, cannibalism, and to avoid feed wastage. To assess the welfare implications of the procedure, an emphasis of this paper has been placed on the anatomical...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Kuenzel, W. J. 2007. Neurobiological Basis of Sensory Perception: Welfare Implications of Beak Trimming. Poultry Science 86(6), 1273–1282.

Infrared beak treatment method compared with conventional hot-blade trimming in laying hens

Infrared lasers have been widely used for noninvasive surgical applications in human medicine, and their results are reliable, predictable, and reproducible. Infrared lasers have recently been designed for the express purpose of providing a less painful, more precise beak-trimming method...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Dennis, R. L., Fahey, A. G., Cheng, H. W. 2009. Infrared beak treatment method compared with conventional hot-blade trimming in laying hens. Poultry Science 88(1), 38–43.

Pain issues in poultry

This review highlights the possible pain experienced by layer and broiler poultry in modern husbandry conditions. Receptors which respond to noxous stimulation (nociceptors) have been identified and physiologically characterised in many different part of the body of the chicken including...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/Mutilation, Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Gentle, M. J. 2011. Pain issues in poultry. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 135(3), 252–258.

Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches

Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches Beak trimming is used in the egg industry to prevent mortality from cannibalism and minimise injurious pecking, vent pecking, aggressive pecking at the head and all...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Glatz, P. C., Underwood, G. 2020. Current methods and techniques of beak trimming laying hens, welfare issues and alternative approaches. Animal Production Science, 61(10), 968–989.

Feather pecking and cannibalism

This well attended Workshop stimulated lively discussion that continued throughout the Conference. It addressed a behavioural problem in laying fowl that causes concern from both welfare and economic standpoints, particular in the context of the current trend towards alternative colony...

Year Published: 1995Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken, Fowl

Citation: Savory, C. J. 1995. Feather pecking and cannibalism. World’s Poultry Science Journal 51(2), 215–219.

The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: identifying the underlying principles

The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: Identifying the underlying principles Feather pecking (FP) in laying hens remains an important economic and welfare issue. This paper reviews the literature on causes of FP in laying hens. With...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Rodenburg, T. B., Van Krimpen, M. M., De Jong, I. C. et al. 2013. The prevention and control of feather pecking in laying hens: Identifying the underlying principles. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 69.

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus) Feather pecking (FP) and cannibalism in laying hens are disadvantageous to the well-being of the birds. We investigated whether stress could be proposed as...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: El-lethey, H., Jungi, T. W., Huber-Eicher, B. 2001. Effects of feeding corticosterone and housing conditions on feather pecking in laying hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Physiology & Behavior 73(1), 243–251.

Comparison of changes in the plumage and body condition, egg production, and mortality of different non-beak-trimmed pure line laying hens during the egg-laying period

The spread of both alternative and non-cage laying hen housing systems and the more forceful European refusal of beak trimming generate new problems in commercial egg production. The hybrid layers, which have been genetically selected under cage housing conditions for...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Milisits, G., Szász, S., Donkó, T. et al. 2021. Comparison of changes in the plumage and body condition, egg production, and mortality of different non-beak-trimmed pure line laying hens during the egg-laying period. Animals, 11(2).

Welfare consequences of omitting beak trimming in barn layers

Beak trimming is used worldwide as a method of reducing the damage to feathers and skin caused by injurious pecking in laying hens. However, beak trimming also causes some welfare issues as trimming the beak results in pain and sensory...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Riber, A. B., Hinrichsen, L. K. 2017. Welfare consequences of omitting beak trimming in barn layers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 4.

A review of pain assessment methods in laboratory rodents

Ensuring that laboratory rodent pain is well managed underpins the ethical acceptability of working with these animals in research. Appropriate treatment of pain in laboratory rodents requires accurate assessments of the presence or absence of pain to the extent possible....

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Turner, P. V., Pang, D. S., Lofgren, J. L. 2019. A review of pain assessment methods in laboratory rodents. Comparative Medicine 69(6), 451–467.