The effect of beak trimming on two strains of commercial tom turkeys. 1. Performance traits.
Two commercial strains (Strains A and B) of tom turkeys were either beak trimmed or left with intact beaks. These strains responded similarly to beak trimming for performance traits, with the exception of a higher incidence of beak-inflicted injuries among Strain B toms with intact beaks. Turkeys with trimmed beaks had higher body weights at 8, 12, and 16 wk. Feed efficiency was better in beak-trimmed birds from 4 to 8 wk, 12 to 16 wk, and 0 to 18 wk. Beak treatment did not effect mortality. Leg abnormalities caused the majority of culling or resulted in death or culling from beak-inflicted injuries. Beak trimming seems to be a beneficial practice in tom turkeys because feed efficiency of beak-trimmed toms was improved and injuries were reduced in a strain that tended to exhibit a high degree of beak-inflicted injuries. The results suggest that the need for beak trimming tom turkeys may be reduced when feed efficiency of toms with intact beaks is improved.
Noble
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Department of Poultry Science, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster 44691.
Muir
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Krueger
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Nestor
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D000818:Animals; D001502:Beak / Q000601:surgery*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004435:Eating; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D014422:Turkeys / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D015430:Weight Gain