Pecking and cannibalism are one of the major welfare problems that can affect laying flocks. Its appearance can be triggered by a combination of multiple factors. The most common causes include nutritional imbalances, management issues that lead to competition for food and water, high stocking densities, bright lighting, boredom, and genetic factors.

The exposure to these stressors (or a combination of them) can ultimately contribute to create a spiral of stress-triggered learnt behaviour of difficult solution and severe welfare consequences for the affected site.

There is not a single tool that can prevent aggressive behaviour. However, a combination of several factors can help to prevent it. These include:

• Choosing calmer breeds which are less prone to pecking issues
• Correct stocking densities and adequate bird feeder/drinker ratio.
• Drinkers and feeders in good working order so that there is sufficient feed and water for the birds
• Nest boxes working properly so that birds don’t pile in certain nest boxes leading to aggression and smothers.
• Adequate diet for breed, age of the bird and production levels.
• Provide environmental enrichment: this can be strings, plastic lids, buckets, balls, hanging plastic bottles, lucerne balls, pecking blocks, etc.
• Ensure the light period is fit for the type of birds and for each stage of the production cycle and that the light sources’ brightness is adjustable
• Magnesium and essential oils/herbal extract supplements with calming effect such as Avikalm, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and sedative effects.

If aggressive behaviour starts to become apparent, all of the above points should be carefully considered. Immediate intervention is essential, as aggression is a learned behaviour that can become very difficult to manage once it is established within the flock.

Any severely injured birds need to be culled on welfare grounds, and your veterinary surgeon needs to be contacted immediately in order to put a plan together to safeguard the welfare of the birds and to prevent secondary health conditions such as E.coli septicaemias which can lead to high mortalities.

If you are seeing the early stages of aggression (this can start with gentle feather pecking,