The reasons for cannibalism are:

The reasons for cannibalism are:

1- Overcrowding in the poultry breeding hall: Overcrowding causes the poultry to be crowded together. At this time, pecking may begin.

2- Temperature: The high temperature of the poultry breeding hall makes the birds uncomfortable and may cause them to peck at each other.

3- Light: Light with high brightness increases the pecking hall of the bird. Also, cannibalism occurs much less in daylight or low light in the hall.

4- Gender and age: pecking at the toes, beak and feathers is more common in chickens and pecking at the anus, head and wings is more common in adult birds.

5- Ventilation and disinfection of the poultry breeding hall: poor ventilation and disinfection of the hall severely irritates the eyes and nostrils, which are one of the most important factors of pecking. The bedding should always be kept dry because wet or damp bedding causes feces to stick and accumulate on the chickens’ toes.

6-Equipment and devices: drinking troughs and feeders with improper shape and very sharp edges cause wounds in poultry, which in turn is the starting point of cannibalism.

7- Insects and parasites: Worms, lice and parasites can cause itching, nervous tension and feather pecking.

8- Invasion due to territoriality: most male birds are heavily attacked during puberty or mating season, and in addition, overcrowding and overcrowding or small mating space can cause acute pecking.

9- Nutrition: The most important cause of cannibalism can be found in nutrition. High energy and low fiber diets cause cannibalism.

This post is written by Mahdi_1319