Cannibalism in birds should be easier to stop than to treat. Most people would be surprised to know that the cause has a genetic component but management conditions play a key role. Notable causes of cannibalism include inadequate nutrition, injured or dead birds in the flock, intermediate flock size, abrupt changes in management and combining flocks of different ages and colours. Cannibalism has also been linked to deficiencies in protein, sodium and phosphorus. Extremely high energy and low fibre diet causes the birds to be aggressive. Feed lacking in the amino acid methionine will also cause birds to prick feathers. A mash diet rather than pelleted feed may also help prevent outbreaks of cannibalism because birds sift through a variety of particles and take longer to consume the feeds.
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