Release Date:
The welfare committee of the American Association of Avian Pathologists has reviewed terminology applied to flock management practices in the United States and made the following recommendations:
- “Cages” should be used in place of “batteries.”
- “Beak treatment” is to be used when chicks are subjected to infrared processing at the hatchery.
- “Beak trimming” should be used for manual hot blade trimming. The terms “debeaking,” “beak conditioning” or “beak cutting” should not be used for either process.
- “Induced molting” is preferred to “rejuvenating,” “recycling” or “reconditioning.”
The association welcomes readers’ comments and suggestions.