This NebGuide discusses reasons why cannibalism occurs in poultry, and provides management procedures for preventing it, including three methods of beak trimming. This problem can be very expensive for the producer and can make life for the flock very uncomfortable. Once cannibalism starts, it readily becomes a habit that must be stopped. For our purposes, cannibalism includes feather pulling, toe pecking and head, wing, and tail picking.
Prevention is much easier for man and bird than is treatment.
Cause It is usually impossible to pinpoint any one reason for the start of this behavioral problem in birds. There are many management conditions that are known to be involved or related to an outbreak. Insufficient feeder, waterer or nesting space. Dietary absences or deficiencies. Lame birds left in the flock.