Occurrence: Worldwide.
Species affected: All.
Age affected: All.
Causes: Predisposing factors include insufficient feed or feeder space, high density rearing, excessive light, too much heat, nutritional deficiencies or irritation from external parasites.
Effects: Injuries to the vent, head or feet, missing feathers. Injuries can be severe.
Detailed causes:
Predisposing factors include insufficient feed or feeder space, high density rearing, excessive light, too much heat, nutritional deficiencies or irritation from external parasites.
Clinical signs:
The following are common forms of cannibalism seem in commercial poultry operations:
Vent-picking
Picking of the vent or region of the abdomen several inches below the vent is the most severe form of cannibalism. This is generally more common in high-production or overweight pullet flocks. Predisposing factors are prolapse or tearing of the tissues by passage of an abnormally large egg. Vent picking can result in anaemia.
Feather-pulling
Frequently seen in flocks kept in close confinement resulting in lack of sufficient exercise. Nutritional deficiencies may contribute to the problem.
Toe-picking
Most commonly seen in young birds. Inadequate feeder space or inability of the chick to find the feed will lead to toe-picking.
Head picking
Follows injuries to the comb or wattles.
Diagnosis:
Injuries seen around the head, vent and feet, or observation of cannibalistic activity are indicative.
Treatment and control:
Prevention
Provide adequate feed and feeding space, reduce bird density, reduce light, beak trimming, toe and comb trimming in breeders and wattle trimming in cage birds. Coloured light can help to reduce the problem. Give "toys" for the birds to play with like straw, branches etc.
(beak trimming, toe and comb trimming and wattle trimming will soon be forbidden in Western Europe).
Chick feeder lids or paper should be filled with feed and be in place prior to the reception of the chicks.
Automatic feeders (pan-shaped or troughs) should be available no later than 7 days of age. Feed lids and automatic feeders should overlap by 3 days to ensure smooth transition between the two feeding systems.
