Effect of beak trimming on cannibalism and mortality of Kadaknath chickens Verma Upasana1,*, Dinani OP1, Bhagat Vandana1, Shrawan Smriti2, Kashyap Kiran1, Kasyap Sandhya1, Bara Swarnalata1, Shastri Jaya3 1Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg, 491001, Chhattisgarh, India 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Odisha, India 3Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Odisha, India *Email for correspondence: drupasana.verma11@gmail.com
Online Published on 26 October, 2023. Abstract An experimental trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of beak trimming on cannibalism and mortality of Kadaknath chickens at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Durg, Madhya Pradesh in completely randomized block design. A total of 300 Kadaknath chickens were allocated to 5 equal groups with 3 replicates in each group viz control with no beak treatment (T0), beak trimmed at 1 day (T1), at 7 days (T2), at 49 days (T3) and at 84 days (T4). Beak trimming was done by hot blade method. Cannibalism level was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the beak-trimmed birds than control birds. Beak trimming performed at 49 days of age reduced cannibalism at the most. The total mortality and birds dying or culled due to cannibalism was higher in control in comparison to all other treatments. Four birds from the control group (T0), two birds each from T1 and T2 and 3 birds each from T3 and T4 groups died during the experimental period. Top Keywords Kadaknath, Beak trimming, Mortality, Cannibalism. Top |