Farm Animals

Poultry Feather Pecking: Prevention and Control

Feather pecking in laying hens and broilers causes significant suffering and economic losses, requiring a multi-factorial prevention approach.

Key Facts

Feather pecking is distinct from cannibalism but can escalate to cause severe injuries
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in sodium and amino acids, can trigger feather pecking
Provision of string, pecking blocks, and foraging material reduces feather pecking incidence
Genetic selection for reduced feather pecking tendency is showing promise in research lines

Welfare Considerations

Feather pecking represents a major welfare challenge in poultry production, causing pain, injury, and in severe cases death. Addressing the behaviour requires systematic identification of predisposing factors including diet, lighting, density, and genetic susceptibility.

What You Can Do

Support poultry producers implementing evidence-based feather pecking prevention programmes
Advocate for enrichment provision as a standard requirement in laying hen welfare codes
Engage with research into genetic and environmental factors influencing feather pecking