NEWSLETTER KEPRO JANUARY 2017 FEATHER PECKING AND CANNIBALISM IN POULTRY Feather pecking and cannibalism remain major welfare issues in the laying hen industry. In large flocks of birds with intact beaks, feather pecking and cannibalism are much more difficult to control, which will probably result in more feather damage and increased mortality levels. Different forms of bird-to-bird pecking can be distinguished: - Gentle feather pecking: gentle pecks to the tips of the feathers. - Severe feather pecking: this is the more damaging form, which includes forceful pecks and vigorous pulls. This often results in removal of the feathers. The plucked feathers are frequently eaten by the pecker. In the denuded body areas of the victim, cannibalistic tissue pecking can develop, resulting in the wounding and death of the victim. - Aggressive pecking: these pecks are directed to the head or neck of the bird and are used to maintain the dominance hierarchy. Aggressive pecking usually results in little damage in laying hens. Feather pecking can result in poor plumage, patches of feather loss, skin damage and even death. Where feather pecking develops into injurious pecking and the protective function of the bird’s plumage is lost, cannibalism can be triggered. There are different causes of feather pecking behavior: - Stress. Some breeds are more prone to stress and are more likely to show feather pecking behavior. - Sudden, unexpected changes in ration. - Parasites, like red mite and chicken lice. - Suboptimal nutrition intake. - Lighting variations. Treatment and management If you come across a flock with feather pecking behavior, there a few things which need to be checked: 1. Do the birds eat the feathers? If this is the case, then it is likely that a nutritional problem is the cause of the behavior. Also, if you can see that they are pecking especially at the gland at the vent, it is likely that they are lacking nutritionals. This gland is producing a salty substance, which is attractive if they lack minerals. If you suspect a nutritional problem, add minerals, amino- acids and vitamins to the drinking water. Products to be used: Vitamino Trace Oral, Amino Acid Oral. Image 1 - Gland at the vent which produces a salty oil. ECTO BLASTER 1,000 ml TL1683 V06-16 (Essential oils) COMPOSITION: Essential oils (Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil, Citronella oil) INDICATIONS: Ecto Blaster can be used to combat and prevent mites (including red fowl mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, Northern fowl mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum, Tropical fowl mite, Ornithonyssus bursa and Scaly leg mite (nemidocoptes mutants) ticks, biting lice (Mallophaga) and flies in poultry. Ecto Blaster can be used in a fully occupied barn, in the presence of water and food. PRECAUTIONS: Use safety masks, gloves & goggles. If contact with eyes or skin occurs, wash with water. To prevent harming honey bees: Apply only during late evening, night, or early morning. SIDE-EFFECTS: None. DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Shake well before use. During infestations : Mix 150 ml of Ecto Blaster with 5 liters of water and spray thoroughly (using a spray gun) on the chickens, cage surfaces and the inside walls of the barn. Repeat dosage after 2 days. Prevention : Mix 100 ml of Ecto Blaster with 5 liters of water and spray on the chickens, cage surfaces and the inside walls of the barn once a week. The prepared solution should be sprayed within 12 hours. VETERINARY USE ONLY VETERINARY WITHDRAWAL PERIOD: None. STORAGE: Store closed in a cool and dry place. Batch no. : : Man. date Exp. date : KEPRO B.V. - Maagdenburgstraat 17 - 7421 ZA Deventer - Holland E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.kepro.nl 2. Is there any sign of parasites? For lice, look onto the chickens between the feathers on the skin. For Red mite, do not only look onto the chickens, but also in the building. They like to hide in dark spots. If there are parasites, treat the parasites with Ecto blaster or Kepromec Oral. Please note, that if you are using Kepromec Oral, you also need to treat the building with an appropriate treatment, like disinfectants or insecticide. For more information about Red mite in chicken, you can also read the Kepro newsletter from August 2016 in the Kepro Academy. 3. Are there any recent changes in ration? Avoid sudden changes in ration, by slowly mixing the new ration into the old ration. Give the birds vitamins like Powervit wsp or Stress aid wsp at moments which can cause stress, like feed changes or vaccination. 4. Avoid lighting variations or too much bright light. Lighting should be installed to give an even distribution of light and should incorporate some means of adjusting light intensity to control aggressive pecking when this occurs. KEPRO WILL BE PRESENT AT VIV ASIA From March 15 to 17 Kepro will be present at VIV Asia 2017 in Bangkok. Kepro has its own booth: no. 426 in hall 103. New products Kepro will introduce new products during this VIV Asia. We will present our new line of GMP+ Nutritional products as well as several new pharmaceutical products. Our sales team will be happy to welcome you and inform you about these new items! Please register by clicking on this link. When you fill out the pre-registration, you will be sure not to wait in the line for on-site registration at the exhibition. About VIV Asia With almost 1,000 international exhibitors, VIV Asia offers a unique selection of global market leaders as well as major national Asian companies. Professionals active in the production of poultry, pigs, cattle and fish all have numerous reasons to meet up in Bangkok. For more information please also visit the website of this event: www.vivasia.nl/en VETERINARY SOLUTIONS FROM HOLLAND.