88. Although female chicks are not beak trimmed, it is common to beak trim male chicks so as to lessen the likelihood of aggressive pecking when the birds are older and thus reduce the level of damage during mating. Avoiding injurious pecking by male broiler breeders is a significant problem and research workers and the poultry industry must continue to search for ways to minimise feather pecking and cannibalism without recourse to beak trimming. In our report on laying hens (1997), we called for improved liaison between the government, research bodies and the industry because a combined approach is more likely to achieve results. This we reiterate and it is essential that the broiler breeder industry plays its part.
89. Breeding companies have the opportunity to investigate the relationship between strain of bird, stocking density, house environment and feeding regimen. Selection against traits which have a negative effect on welfare, such as injurious pecking behaviour, should be pursued with vigour. There appears to be potential for genetic selection to overcome the problems of feather pecking and cannibalism and hence eliminate the need for beak trimming. We urge breeding companies to make strides to reduce significantly the tendency to injurious pecking.
90. All beak trimming must be carried out within the law which states that not more than one third of the upper and lower beak may be removed. In practice, only the tip of the upper mandible is removed from male broiler breeders; this is done at about 5 days of age which allows the chicks to establish eating and pecking behaviours before the operation takes place. Beak trimming of older birds causes acute pain at the time of the operation and, in the longer term, chickens suffer chronic pain resulting from neuromas. Recent evidence indicates that beak trimming at under 10 days of age results in little long-term pain and industry practice suggests that 5 days is the optimum time.
91. Beak trimming is a most undesirable mutilation which should be avoided, if at all possible, and used only if veterinary advice is that the procedure is essential to prevent worse welfare problems of injurious feather pecking and cannibalism. It is unnecessary to beak trim female broiler breeder chicks.
92. The prevention of injurious feather pecking and cannibalism is a most important topic for research. The government, the poultry industry and research scientists must work together to find a solution which does not entail beak trimming.
93. If beak trimming of male chicks is deemed essential, it should be carried out in the first 10 days of life, ideally at 5-10 days, and only the tip of the beak should be removed.