Beak trimming of laying hens is performed to prevent feather pecking, but causes acute and chronic pain. Better alternatives address the root causes of feather pecking through management and genetics.
Beak trimming represents a welfare trade-off: the procedure causes definite pain, while untrimmed hens in poorly managed flocks may suffer severe feather pecking injury. The better approach addresses root causes of feather pecking rather than its consequences. Adequate enrichment, appropriate stocking density, balanced diets, and low-feather-pecking genetics can substantially reduce pecking incidence without trimming. Infrared trimming causes less pain than blade trimming but still causes chronic changes in beak sensitivity. Several European countries have phased out beak trimming with careful management transitions. The regulatory trend is toward elimination of routine trimming supported by improved husbandry practices.