Performance of Broilers with Different Methods of Debeaking

Broiler chicks were debeaked at one day and 10 days of age. These were compared to broiler chicks that were not debeaked. By the end of the first week the non-debeaked chicks were slightly heavier than those debeaked at one day of age but by the second week all three groups were approximately the same weight. The group debeaked at 10 days of age gained less the third week. At 8 weeks of age the non-debeaked group was heavier than the two debeaked groups. No difference was noted for the three groups as to feed efficiency or mortality.