| Summary: | 碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 生物科技研究所 === 97 === The purpose of this research was to study the effect of beak trimming on stress responses of layer hens. 45 one-day old chicks were randomly grouped into control, beak trimming and retrimming groups with 15 chicks each. Blood were collected via wing vein at the experimental day before and after beak trimming. Blood samples were analyzed for heterophil to lymphocyte ratio ( H/L ), Hematocrit ( Hct ), red blood cell count ( RBC ) and white blood cell count ( WBC ) count, Glucose, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Creatine Kinase and Corticosterone. Behavior indicators of stress responses including disk peaking, glooming, doping, toe peaking and shaking head after drinking warm water were observed. Results showed that among all blood parameters, serum corticosterone, glucose and cholesterol levels were higher after beak trimming at day 10, but not at 14 weeks indicating no significant stress responses were found. None of the behavior indicators was found to be significant different. Although the growth rate and the egg production of the hens were slightly affected by beak trimming, it is suggested that before the death rate caused by pecking can be effectively solved, beak trimming is considered an acceptable process as long as done by a well trained personnel.
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