CLASSIFICATION OF METHODS FOR THE PREVENTION AND CORRECTION OF INJURIOUS PECKING IN GAME BIRDS AND POULTRY

The fight to control injurious pecking in routine practice in game birds (pheasants, partridges, quails, etc.) or in poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys, etc.) farming is divided into two basic groups of methods. The first group consists of direct (symptomatic) methods that aim to stop the damaging behaviour, through individual manipulations on the birds, without correcting the predisposing factors. These include beak manipulations (thermal and mechanical beak trimming, the use of special devices such as spectacles, bits, bumpabits, etc.), administration of medications (sedatives, tranquilizers, and repellents), and the identification and isolation of cannibalistic birds for individual treatment. The second group includes indirect (management) methods that address the predisposing factors for IP. These approaches take time to show results and do not stop pecking immediately, but are essential for the long-term prevention of feather pecking and cannibalism. They include adjustments in nutrition, lighting and changes in the spatial parameters of breeding, as well as environmental enrichment. In poultry, the most innovative method to counteract this harmful behaviour include genetic and molecular approaches, through the development of selection programs.