Peckstone
The poultry industry can change the pecking order
York Ag is an authorized U.S. distributor of PECKStone™, a unique enrichment tool designed specifically to prevent and reduce abnormal pecking behavior and improve animal welfare — superior to other poultry pecking blocks.
Pecking (or picking) is a common problem among domesticated chickens, turkeys, and other poultry. Birds will peck to forage for food, and they will peck one another to establish order or hierarchy or to relieve stress or boredom. Although it’s natural for chicken pecking to occur, it can lead to some very unnatural outcomes. Injury, mortality, and cannibalism are all possibilities as bully birds work to the top of the pecking order.
Even the best managed flock can suffer from persistent pecking. PECKStones are the easy, effective, and economical solution. Contact our team and let us collaborate on your poultry operation.
PECKSTONE - POULTRY BLOCKS VIDEO
PECKING BEHAVIOR
Aggressive, abnormal pecking behavior is a common and serious welfare and economic threat to poultry farming.
PECKStone™ poultry blocks can help decrease this harmful behavior, thus increasing poultry productivity. Newer housing systems in poultry farming may increase feather pecking, incidences of skeletal injuries, and mortality1,2 – one of the key current issues in the poultry industry.
- 55-80% of producers report signs of feather pecking—many want to know how to stop feather pecking in chickens
- Preventing poultry behavioral disorders is ideal
- Once abnormal pecking starts, it’s very difficult to stop
- It is critical to diagnose and intervene immediately to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism in chickens
Environmental enrichment with poultry supplies and equipment can help:
- Satisfy birds’ extremely strong desire to forage, scratch, and peck.
- Minimize undesirable, harmful behavior, including aggression, feather pecking, cannibalism, flightiness, and distress.
National and global poultry organizations have developed guidelines for poultry management that are increasingly focused on animal welfare and enrichment.
"Thus, the main practical strategy to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism is to provide and adequate substrate throughout life, from the start of the rearing period onwards."3
References:
1. Lay DC Jr., Fulton RM, Hester PY, et al. Hen welfare in different housing systems. Poult Sci. 2011;90:278-294.
2. Weeks CA, Nicol CJ. Behavioural needs, priorities and preferences of laying hens. Worlds Poult Sci J. 2006;62:296-307.
3. Blokhuis HJ, Wiepkema PR. Studies of feather pecking in poultry. Vet Q. 1998 Jan;20(1):6-9
#1 Enrichment Tool in Europe
Now Available in the US
PECKSTONE™
Poultry Enrichment Tool
PECKSTONE™ BENEFITS
PECKStone is a unique enrichment tool designed specifically to prevent and reduce abnormal pecking behavior — superior to other poultry pecking blocks.
- Provides an effective chicken pecking block target — redirects aggressive pecking behavior to prevent poultry cannibalism
- Supports beak conditioning as it can be used in conjunction with beak trimming or as a tool to aid natural beak conditioning if trimming is not employed
- Durable yet destructible, all natural, enhances animal well-being, and easy for any operation
- Vital salts and minerals incorporated, but no impact to overall nutrition/diet
- Available for all poultry: layers, pullets, broilers, breeders, and turkeys.
PECKSTONE™
Available at York Ag
HOW TO USE PECKSTONES
PECKStones are suitable for layers, breeders, broilers, pullets, and turkeys. We commercialize two types: STANDARD (one piece stone) and DUO (one stone that can be split in two).
LAYERS & BREEDERS
BROILERS & PULLETS
TURKEYS
HOW TO PLACE PECKSTONES
STEP 1
Unpack and
select a location
STEP 2
Remove stone
from tub
STEP 3
Place stone
on top of tub
STEP 4
Step back
and watch
PECKSTONE - PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Rate: Place 1 PECKStone™ for every 500 - 800 birds
Disposal: PECKStones can be left to naturally degrade and be destroyed by pecking. Residual stone remnants and empty bucket can be discarded with other waste from operation. The tub may be recycled.
Ingredients: Calcium carbonate, Monocalcium phosphate, Magnesium oxide, Sodium chloride, Magnesium sulfate, Sugar cane molasses, Sodium sulfate.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca) (Min) | 20.50% |
| Calcium (Ca) (Max) | 23.50% |
| Phosphorus (P) (Min) | 2.20% |
| Salt (Min) | 8.40% |
| Salt (Max) | 9.90% |
| Sodium (Na) (Min) | 3.50% |
| Sodium (Na) Max) | 4.50% |
| Magnesium (Mg) (Min) | 5.20% |
| Crude ash (Max) | 89.00% |
| Produced 24 months prior to the best before date indicated. |
PECKSTONE™
Poultry Pecking Blocks
ABOUT VILOFOSS
York Ag's supplier Vilofoss®, is a European-based, global leader in the premix and animal nutrition sector, with more than 90 years of experience and presence in 60 markets worldwide. With 17 manufacturing plants in Europe and 375,000 tons of premixes produced, Vilofoss is one of the world's most productive, competitive, resource-efficient and sustainable agricultural production companies.
PECKStone™, the logo, and the tagline “Change the Pecking Order” are registered trademarks of Vilofoss®.
