Pecking and cannibalism in laying hens

Pecking and cannibalism in laying hens is a real problem. These are usually a consequence of some stress problem suffered by the hens...

Pecking and cannibalism in laying hens is a real problem. These are usually a consequence of some stress problem suffered by the hens.

Stress problems can be classified into four groups:

• Desirable: caused by growth/production.
• Necessary: caused by treatments and/or movements.
• Inevitable: caused by the climate and the interior environment, inadequate temperatures, sudden changes in temperature, faulty ventilation, wet litter, excess light...
• Avoidable: caused by insufficient feeding, lack of vitamins, poor management, lack of space, poor feed condition, few feeders or drinkers, poor water quality, etc.

They can also be of pathological origin: the presence of diseases, external or internal parasites... Of diverse origin are those cases caused, for example, by startles, noises, or turning on the night light.

A stress situation caused by any of these factors can lead to multiple problems that are difficult to detect and solve. For example, a degenerated pecking process in its hardest phase results in cannibalism.