New pecking block trials a resounding success

New pecking block trials a resounding success

It is generally well known that poultry behaviour is an indication of welfare status – that healthy, happy birds will display certain behavioural characteristics. Scientific studies have shown that allowing birds to exhibit their natural behaviour in a commercial environment can significantly improve the overall welfare of a bird, allowing it to flourish. Pecking is one such behaviour, so it’s important to allow birds to do this in a safe and healthy way. We’ve recently been conducting an on-farm trial with a new product, our mineral Agrivite Nutri-Peck Block.

Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks in trials on laying farm

Jim Hough runs Harrington Farming Enterprises in Lincolnshire on behalf of William Price and Paul Broughton – a free range, multi-tier laying farm with 32,000 birds. He was keen to trial Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks to keep his flock occupied whilst under housing orders.

 

Four 10kg blocks were placed in each pen, providing one block per 1,000 birds. Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks have been nutritionally enhanced with essential minerals, electrolytes and trace elements, so that each bird is getting adding benefit from using the block. They are also extra hard, designed to last 6-10 weeks to maintain the birds’ interest over a long period of time and so keep costs down. The trial started 19th January and are still going strong.

 

Jim tells us: “I’m keen to improve welfare wherever I can, whilst keeping an eye on efficiency as well. Nutrition is important too. These blocks have lasted really well and the birds find them very palatable and are nicely active around them. We’re more than five weeks in and the blocks are still in place and still attracting the birds – that’s a resounding success as far as I am concerned.”

The benefits of Agrivite Nutri-Peck Block

  • Supports natural beak wear
  • Provides prolonged enrichment activity
  • Helps reduce feather pecking, with better plumage as a result
  • Reduces stress
  • Promotes activity and mobility
  • Provides essential minerals
  • Contributes to eggshell quality
  • Supports good skeletal health
  • Overall a happier and healthier bird
  • Individually wrapped to maintain biosecurity

What’s the best way to position a pecking block?

The Agrivite Nutri-Peck Block has a handy strap so it’s easy to carry one in each hand for positioning in pens. They work well placed 3-6 inches off the floor and we have noticed that the birds are more attracted to the block if it is sitting on something colourful. We also observed in the trial that the birds start using the block sooner if it is placed once the lights are dimmed, or even turned off, rather than in broad daylight.

An enhanced-nutrition pecking block

Nutritional benefits:

  • Calcium carbonate - eggshell quality and skeletal health
  • Sodium chloride - feed utilisation
  • Monocalcium phosphate – metabolism and nervous and immune systems
  • Magnesium oxide – metabolism and skeletal health
  • Dicalcium phosphate – metabolism and growth
  • Trace elements such as zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium - essential for critical body functions and optimal results from high performing poultry.

When should pecking blocks be used?

Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks come in two sizes – the larger 10kg size is suitable for layers and broiler/layer breeders, and the smaller 5kg size is less dense and suitable for pullets, broilers and game birds. Pecking blocks are suitable for birds at any stage because of the obvious welfare benefit attached to facilitating natural pecking behaviour. This is especially pertinent when flocks are subject to housing orders.

Successful trial

Our Account Manager, Carson Pridham, has kept in close contact with Jim throughout the trial to monitor its progress. He reports: “The blocks have lasted really well – Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks are a consistently dense block. As well as providing enrichment through natural pecking activity, they are also delivering essential minerals for optimum health within the bird. We’re really pleased with the results of the trial and we believe it’s the best all round block for simultaneously providing natural enrichment, beak wear and added nutritional benefit.”

Discover the Agrivite Nutri-Peck Blocks for yourself >