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Chronic neurophysiological and anatomical changes associated with infrared beak treatment and their implications for laying hen welfare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

DEF McKeegan  and
AW Philbey
DEF McKeegan*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Bearsden Road G61 1QH, UK
AW Philbey
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow G61 1QH
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: dorothy.mckeegan@glasgow.ac.uk
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Abstract

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The long-term effects of infra-red beak treatment (IRBT) in laying hens were investigated by examining beak-nerve function and anatomy over a range of ages. In IRBT and control (intact) birds that were ten, 30 or 50 weeks old, the responses of single sensory nerve fibres were recorded from the intramandibular nerve, which provides sensation to the lower beak. The beaks were also measured and subject to microscopic and radiographic examination. The responses of 386 nerve fibres were recorded including mechanoreceptors, thermoreceptors and nociceptors. Receptive field positions indicated that the entire lower beak was sensitive to thermal and mechanical stimuli, regardless of age or treatment. There was no evidence of a treatment effect on nociceptive thresholds at any age. Beak measurements demonstrated that application of IRBT at day-old affected, on average, 36% of beak area, and resulted in a 44% reduction in beak length by four weeks of age. Radiographs produced no evidence of adverse or pathological change in relation to IRBT. Microscopic evaluation of beak-tip anatomy revealed evidence of healing including re-epithelialisation, fibrovascular hyperplasia and bone remodelling. By four weeks of age there was limited nerve regeneration in IRBT beaks, including re-population of mechanoreceptors in some birds. In older birds, re-innervation and scarring was visible, but no neuromas or abnormal proliferations of nerve fibres were observed at any age. Collectively, the results suggest that IRBT does not result in chronic pain or other adverse consequences for sensory function.

Keywords

animal welfarebeak trimminginfra-red beak treatmentlaying henpainnociceptors
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , May 2012 , pp. 207 - 217
Copyright
© 2012 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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