Abnormal behavior in birds kept in captivity can manifest in various ways and may indicate underlying physical or psychological issues. Here are some examples of abnormal behavior commonly observed in captive birds: Feather plucking or self-mutilation: Birds may engage in excessive preening, leading to the loss of feathers and even self-inflicted injuries. This behavior can be caused by stress, boredom, lack of mental stimulation, improper diet, or health problems. Stereotypic behaviors: Birds may develop repetitive and seemingly purposeless actions, such as head bobbing, wing flipping, or pacing back and forth in their enclosure. These behaviors are often associated with frustration, confinement, or the absence of natural behaviors like flying or foraging. Aggression: Captive birds may exhibit aggressive behaviors towards other birds, humans, or even objects in their environment. This can be a result of overcrowding, territorial disputes, or the absence of appropriate social interactions. Abnormal vocalizations: Birds may display excessive or unusual vocalizations, such as screaming, screeching, or constant chirping. This can be a sign of distress, attention-seeking, or an attempt to communicate their needs. Fearfulness or avoidance: Birds that are constantly fearful, overly skittish, or avoid human contact may have experienced traumatic events or inadequate socialization. They may be displaying signs of anxiety, stress, or a lack of trust. Abnormal eating or drinking habits: Birds may exhibit changes in their eating or drinking behaviors, such as refusal to eat, overeating, or excessive water consumption. These changes can be indicative of physical health issues or underlying stress. Nesting or breeding difficulties: Some captive birds may exhibit difficulties in nesting or breeding behaviors, such as repeated nest destruction, lack of interest in mating, or inadequate parental care. These issues can be related to improper environmental conditions or hormonal imbalances. It's important to note that abnormal behavior in birds should not be taken lightly, as it can be an indication of their welfare being compromised. If you observe abnormal behaviors in captive birds, it is recommended to consult with avian experts, veterinarians, or animal behaviorists who can provide appropriate advice and interventions to address the underlying causes and improve the well-being of the birds.

2. Topic:
Abnormal behavior of
poultry and preventive
measures
Zahid Waqas
Reg No. 058

3. Abnormal behavior of birds in captivity
 Abnormal behavior of birds in captivity can be defined in several ways.
 Statistically, ‘abnormal’ is when the occurrence, frequency or intensity of a
behavior varies statistically significantly, either more or less, from the normal
value.
 This means that theoretically, almost any behavior could become ‘abnormal’
in an individual.
 Less formally, ‘abnormal’ includes any activity judged to be outside the
normal behavior pattern for captive birds of that particular class or age.

4. Abnormal behavior includes
 Feather Pecking
 Egg Eating
 Vent Pecking
 Cannibalism
 Toe Pecking

5. Feather Pecking
 Feather pecking means when one bird pecks or pulls at the feathers of
another.
 Feather pecking can damage plumage and injure a bird's skin, and
sometimes this behavior leads to serious problem in flock (cannibalism).
 Feather pecking is an important behavioral problem in poultry. It is also a
type of social hierarchy found in all types of poultry birds.
 Pecking usually occurs when there is stress to poultry birds or poor
management practice in poultry farm.

6. Egg Eating
 A chicken may begin eating their eggs.
 Egg breakage is a major reason why hens start eating eggs. Excessive
traffic in the nesting area increases the chance of egg breakage.
 Many eggs are cracked due to a lack of protective padding in nesting
boxes.
 Some small producers will cut carpet pads and place in the bottom of
their nests to prevent breakage.
 If a chicken coop is crowded, a chicken can very easily break an egg.

8. Vent pecking
 Vent pecking in poultry farming can simply be defined as an abnormal
behavior of birds performed primarily by commercial egg-laying hens /
chickens.
 It is characterised by pecking damage to the cloaca, the surrounding skin
and underlying tissue.
 Vent pecking and cannibalism are an ongoing concern for free-range egg
producers as it does not only affect their production and the general
performance of the chickens.
 It also sometimes leads to the death of the chicken when severely affected
which causes a great loss for the poultry farmer.

10. Cannibalism
 Cannibalism in poultry is abnormal behavior and involves a chicken
pecking at the skin or completely removing the feathers of other birds.
 They may also peck at the cloaca of other birds after they have started
laying eggs.
 This behavior is generally related to the hormonal shifts in the animal.

11. Toe Pecking
 Toe pecking is a relatively rare abnormal behavior of birds in captivity.
 It involves one bird pecking the toes of another and has been reported in
hens and ostriches.
 Hens exposed to toe pecking have significantly enlarged adrenal glands
indicating increased physiological stress and step off a raised platform more
quickly than control hens, poss.

13. Prevention Measures Of Feather Pecking
 Prevention is always better than cure so consider the following.
 Check for overcrowding, thermal stress, check for underlying lice or mite
infestations. Remove any individual bird’s that are seen regularly pecked
and bullied by others... it is fair to say happy hens do not feather peck.
 Ideally, rearing your own pullets from chicks is the best way to go as they
are raised under your system of management and get to know your routine
from day one. Remember chooks are creatures of routine and habit.
 Make sure birds have access to free range from as early as possible.

14. Prevention Measures Of Feather Pecking
 Ensure all birds are free ranging. Having longer access to free range and
ensure all birds go out together helps to reduce the levels of feather pecking.
 Make the range area is attractive and as interesting as possible, plant cover
crops and provide shelters.
 Ensure the range is safe by discouraging aerial predators and preventing
land-predators by using secure netting runs or electrified poultry netting.
 Provide enough feed and water and make sure birds have easy access to it.
Sometimes having two feed and water stations means everyone gets a good
feed and drink when required.

15. Ways to Control Vent Pecking
 Improving on spacing with chickens properly.
 Isolate those that have been pecked and Spray the wounds with Alamycin
spray.
 You can improve on the Ventilation by opening brooder curtains during
day. Portion feeds the right way so that chicks always have feeds to avoid
idleness.

16. Egg Eating Preventions
 Reduce Traffic in the Nesting Area.
 Egg breakage is a major reason why hens start eating eggs.
 Never have less than four nesting boxes.
 Always locate the nests at least 2 feet off the ground and at least four feet
away from the roosts.
 Keep 2 inches of clean, dry nesting material in the nests at all times.

17. Ways to Control Vent Pecking
 Control the amount of light that enters the brooder, mostly that from the
sun.
 Use a thermometer in the brooder because you will be able to properly
regulate brooder temperatures because too much heat can lead to the same
condition (due to constipation)
 Give chicks water with glucose and Multivitamin for 30 minutes prior to feed
introduction.
 Give in water an Anti-stress after you have identified this condition in birds,
it facilitates faster healing.

18. Poultry Cannibalism Prevention
 Allow the birds to use up their energy in an enclosed outside run. This will
keep the birds busy and allow them to peck greens, ground and insects
instead of other birds.
 Give the birds a large handful of fresh greens like clover grass or weeds,
each day. This increases the fiber in the birds' diet. A high fiber diet will
keep the birds' gizzard full and keeps the birds more content. Small parts of
baled green leafy hay will also give the birds something to pick at.
 Use of mechanical devices like plastic peepers or blinders in aggressive
birds like game birds is advisable.

19. Poultry Cannibalism Prevention
 Placing colored or shiny items for the birds to pick at and occupy their
time can draw attention away from other birds. Hanging shine cans
just above eye level can serve as a toy.
 Finally, beak trimming is used in problem flocks. Trim the beak by
removing about 1/3 of the tip of the beak providing a square tip. This
makes it difficult for the birds to harm each other. However, beak
trimming should be done by someone experienced in proper
trimming.

20. Treatment for a cannibalism outbreak
Since cannibalism can be caused by several conditions, you may not be able to
determine the exact cause of the problem. However, stress no matter how
slight, is usually the main factor.
 Try to correct any practices which may have lead to cannibalism.
 Darkening the facilities by using red bulbs.
 Remove any badly injured birds.
 Applying an "anti-peck" ointment on any damaged birds usually stops
pecking.
 Lower the pen temperature a bit if possible.