Cannibalism in poultry, a nuisance for layer farming

Abstract

Cannibalism in birds may arise from various stress induced factors including inadequate management practices, resulting aggressive behavior, pecking other birds every now and then. As pecking is a vice which the birds tends to follow in a herd very quickly, it might result in significant loss regarding the health and production of birds if not addressed at once. Various other factors may also stimulate cannibalism which includes, overcrowding, excessive lighting, genetics and deficiency of essential dietary nutrients. Layers with more than average body weight tends to have an exposed persistent cloacal mucosal membrane. Other alarming factors are lack of adequate feeding spaces, insufficient minerals and vitamins in diet, skin infection with injury and presence of a dead carcass inside the farm due to negligence of the farm attendant.