THE EFFECT OF BEAK TRIMMING ON 2 STRAINS OF COMMERCIAL TOM TURKEYS .1. PERFORMANCE TRAITS

Two commercial strains (Strains A and B) of tom turkeys were either be ak trimmed or left with intact beaks. These strains responded similarl y to beak trimming for performance traits, with the exception of a hig her incidence of beak-inflicted injuries among Strain B toms with inta ct beaks. Turkeys with trimmed beaks had higher body weights at 8, 12, and 16 wk. Feed efficiency was better in beak-trimmed birds from 4 to 8 wk, 12 to 16 wk, and 0 to 18 wk. Beak treatment did not effect mort ality. Leg abnormalities caused the majority of culling or resulted in death or culling from beak-inflicted injuries. Beak trimming seems to be a beneficial practice in tom turkeys because feed efficiency of be ak-trimmed toms was improved and injuries were reduced in a strain tha t tended to exhibit a high degree of beak-inflicted injuries. The resu lts suggest that the need for beak trimming tom turkeys may be reduced when feed efficiency of toms with intact beaks is improved.