PSA Environment and Management: Pullets, Hens, and Eggs

Previous research toe clipping day old Leghorn pullets reduced bird hysteria with no impact on feed consumption or BW to 16wk (Ruszler, 1974). Egg production was greater and mortality was reduced compared to control birds. Recently, toe trimming turkeys and broilers with a microwave technology has demonstrated reduced carcass tears and downgrading. Therefore, three Leghorn strains at 1d of age were banded and half the chicks/strain (n=75) were treated for 0.6 s with 2.45 ghz of microwave energy (NovaTech Engineering, Wilmer, MN) at the toenail cuticle of three toes/foot. The chicks were caged at 142 cm2/bird to 6wk of age. At 7d all birds were beak trimmed. At 6wk half the birds/cage were moved to a new cage increasing space to 284 cm2/bird to 18wk of age. Feed intake, BW, and mortality were recorded during the study. Within 24h after microwave treatment the chicks toenails turned white, and by 3d had sloughed off. BW at 1d, 6 and 18wk was significantly influenced by pullet strain. Microwave toe-trimmed pullets (TT) at 6 and 18wk weighed significantly less than control birds (437 vs 454g, and 1289 vs 1332g, respectively). Both strain, and treatment significantly influenced feed intake from 1d to 3wk of age. Control birds consumed 17.1 g/bd/d compared to 14.8g for the TT during the same period. No significant strain, or treatment effect was observed for feed intake from 3 to 6wk of age. Initial mortality was high due to brooding challenges, but not significantly influenced by treatment or strain. Total mortality averaged 3.8% from 3 to 18wk. Body scratching was scored at 18wk of age with no scratching = 0 to severe = 4. Strain scores were significant, but low, ranging from 0.07 to 0.56. TT pullets had significantly more body scratches (0.39) than controls (0.24) although scores were low. Overall, microwave toe trimming of Leghorn pullets was associated with reduced feed intake, reduced body weight and greater body scratches than control birds. The impact on hen house performance is yet to be determined.