Abstract

The first experiment aimed to compare the effects of manual and electric beak-trimming on feed intake, body weight, and some biochemical parameters of eight-week-old pullets. A total of 20 pullets aged 3 weeks were assigned to two treatment groups; those in group A were manually debeaked while the samples in group B were electro debeaked. The findings indicated that 2 hours post-beak-trimming (PBT), the packed-cell volume of group A was significantly higher than that of group B. Plasma cortisol level of group A was significantly higher than that of group B at 2 and 6 hours PBT while total plasma protein level of group A was significantly lower than that of the group at 2 and 72 hours PBT. Furthermore, feed intake and body weight markedly decreased in the pullets debeaked with both methods until 72 hours PBT. The chickens’ beak trimmed with both methods experienced intense pain of varying degrees lasting up to 72 hours. In the second experiment, 40 eight-week-old pullets were assigned to four groups; group A was the control, group B was treated with a vitamin supplement, group C was treated with acetaminophen, and group D was treated with vitamin supplement plus acetaminophen. After 24 hours, chickens were beak-trimmed using a manual cutter. The results revealed that 2 hours PBT, plasma cortisol level in groups B, C, and D were significantly lower than that of group A. Blood glucose was lowest in groups A and D at 6 and 24 hours PBT, respectively. It is concluded that the pre-treatment with vitamins and NSAIDs could reduce stress and pain in debeaked chickens.