COMPETENCY BASED LEARNING MATERIAL

Sector:
AGRI-FISHERIES
Qualification Title:
Animal Production (Poultry-Chicken)NC II

Unit of Competency:
Trim Beak

Module Title:
Trimming Beak
Technical Education Skills Development Authority
SURIGAO DEL NORTE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND
TECHNOLOGY
Magpayang, Mainit, Surigao del Norte
HOW TO USE THIS COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING MATERIAL

The unit of competency, “Trim Beak”, is one of the competencies of

ANIMAL PRODUCTION (POULTRY-CHICKEN) NC-II, a course which comprises
the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a TVET trainee to possess.
The module, Trimming Beak, contains training materials and activities
related to conduct preparatory, trim beak, re-trim beak and carry-out
completion.
In this module, you are required to go through a series of learning
activities in order to complete each learning outcome. In each learning outcome
are Information Sheets, Self-checks, Operation Sheets, Task Sheets, and Job
Sheets. Follow and perform the activities on your own. If you have questions,
do not hesitate to ask for assistance from your facilitator.
Remember to:
 Read information sheet and complete the self-checks.
 Perform the Task Sheets, Operation Sheets, and Job Sheets until you are
confident that your outputs conform to the Performance Criteria
Checklists that follow the said work sheets.
 Submit outputs of the Task Sheets, Operation Sheets, and Job Sheets to
your facilitator for evaluation and recording in the Achievement Chart.
Outputs shall serve as your portfolio during the Institutional
Competency Evaluation. When you feel confident that you have had
sufficient practice, ask your trainer to evaluate you. The results of your
assessment will be recorded in your Achievement Chart and Progress
Chart.
You must pass the Institutional Competency Evaluation for this
competency before moving to another competency. A Certificate of Achievement
will be awarded to you after passing the evaluation.

You need to complete this module before you can perform the module on
Breed Chicken.
 ANIMAL PRODUCTION (POULTRY-CHICKEN) NC II
COMPETENCY BASED LEARNING MATERIALS

LIST OF COMPETENCIES
No. Unit of Competency Module Title Code

1 MAINTAIN POULTRY MAINTAINING POULTRY AGR622101

HOUSE HOUSE

2 BROOD AND GROW BROODING AND GROWING AGR622102

CHICKS CHICKS

3 PERFORM PRE-LAY AND PERFORMING PRE-LAY AGR622103

LAY ACTIVITIES AND LAY ACTIVITIES

4 TRIM BEAK TRIMMING BEAK AGR622104

UNIT OF COMPETENCY : TRIM BEAK

 MODULE TITLE : TRIMMING BEAK
LEARNING OUTCOMES : Carry-out preparatory activities

List of Competency-Based Learning Materials

Content/topics Learning Activities CBLM (Print) CBLM(non-pint)

• Materials, tools and Identify the different Information sheet PPT on different
equipment in beak materials, tools and Task sheet materials, tools
trimming equipment in beak Self- Check and equipment in
trimming Answer Key beak trimming

 Conditioning of Observe the step in Information sheet Video Clip on

birds conditioning of birds Self- Check conditioning of
Answer Key birds

 Animal welfare act Observe the good Information sheet PPT on animal
and occupational animal husbandry Job Sheet welfare act and
Safety and health practices and animal Self- Check occupational
standard welfare act. Answer Key safety and health
standard
 Information Sheet 4.1-1

Materials, Tools and Equipment in Beak Trimming

Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the different materials, tools and equipment in beak trimming.

Introduction Statement

In trimming operations it needs hand tools in order to perform the activity.

Trimming beak is one of the operations in preparing your poultry chicken become
productive. As the operation grows, specialized tools may be required. Larger
operations may need large machine tools and even structures like trimming machines
and as follow

1. Dipper one that dips, especially a

container for taking up water.
2. Pail a round container that is open at the
top and usually has a handle

3. Net an openwork fabric made of threads or cords

that are woven or knotted together at regular intervals.

4. Medicines

Analgesic is those drugs that mainly provide pain relief.

Blood coagulants a substance that aids or produces coagulation.

5. Debeaking machine hot blade beak trimming machine,

with an electrically heated blade to remove
the upper and lower beak.
6. Hand sprayer is a jet of fine particles of liquid, as medicine,
Insecticide, paint, perfume, etc., discharged from
an atomizer or other device for direct application
to a surface.

7. Heater any of various apparatus for heating, especially

for heating water or the air in a room .
 Self-Check 4.1-1
Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is a jet of fine particles of liquid, as medicine, insecticide, paint,

perfume, etc., discharged from an atomizer or other device for direct
application to a surface.

a. spray b. power sprayer c. knapsack d. all of the above

2. It is a kind of machine that is use in beak trimming in the poultry

house.

a. cutter b. debeaker machine c. generator d. all of the above

3. A round container that is open at the top and usually has a handle.

a. basin b. drum c. pail d. container

4. Drugs that mainly provide pain relief in trimming beak of a chicks.

a. analgesic b. paracetamol c. amoxicillin d. biogesic

5. It is a kind apparatus for heating, especiall for heating water or the air.
a. heater b. freezer c. Vacum d. generator
 Answer Key 4.1-1

1. a
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. a
 Task Sheet 3.2-2

Title: “Identify tools, equipment in poultry farm”

Performance Objective: I
. The trainee must be able to identify the materials, tools and
equipment for beak trimming.

Materials:

Equipment:
Debeaker

Steps/Procedure: Identify tools and equipment

1.) Used appropriate PPE
2.) Prepare tools and equipment
3.) Know how to used tools and equipment

Assessment Method:

Demonstration
Hands-on

Performance Criteria Checklist 3.2-2

Trainee’s Name ________________________________ Date________________

Criteria YES NO
1. Used appropriate PPE
2. Prepare tools and equipment to be identify
3. Know how to used tools and equipment

Comments / Suggestions:

Trainer:________________________________________ Date________________

Information Sheet 4.1-2

 Conditioning the Bird

Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to :
1. Identify the kind of drugs of be taken of a chick before to undergo beak
trimming.
2. Differentiate the conditioned and unconditioned birds.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
In poultry house there are many activities that we must attain,
like beak trimming we just need to choose the healthy chicken in
order to not lose your commercial products.

Provide anti – stress preparation to the layers through the drinking water at
least 2 days before debeaking and 1 day after debeaking is done.
To help in the blood clotting process during debeaking give a blood coagulants
(antipyretic and analgesic).
Antipyretic
A drug that lowers fever, like aspirin or acetaminophen.
Analgesics
Are drugs that alleviate pain without causing anesthesia. These
analgesics are usually used to relieve severe pain
Do the debeaking in the late afternoon when most of them have laid or if
possible, do the trimming at night when they are less active.
If available, use an electric debeaker or any similar equipment as the hot metal
blade cuts the beak, it burns and seals off the portion, thus preventing the
occurrence of bleeding.

Conditioned birds
1. Don't beak trim when birds are under any kind of stress.
2. Don't rush when beak trimming. Learn to do the job correctly, speed will
follow.
Unconditioned Birds
3. Do keep plenty of feed available after beak trimming.
4. Do keep water available, deep enough so the bird can drink easily.
5. Do keep blade clean and in good condition.

Self-Check 4.1-2
True or False

1. Do the debeaking in the late afternoon when most of them have

laid or if possible, do the trimming at night when they are less
active
2. Provide anti – stress preparation to the layers through the drinking water
at least 1 week before debeaking.
3. Provide anti – stress preparation to the layers through the drinking
water at least 2 days after debeaking.
 4. Don’t keep plenty of feed available after beak trimming.
5. Do beak trim when birds are under any kind of stress.

Answer Key 4.1-2

1. True
2. False
3. False
4. False
 5. False

Information Sheet 4.1-3

Animal Welfare Act and Occupational Safety and Health Standards

Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Determine the Good Animal Husbandry Practices and Animal Welfare Act.
2. Differentiate the Animal welfare act and animal cruelty act.
3. Enumerate the five freedom of animal welfare act.
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

It’s a good question and worth looking into.

The aim of this article is to explore the meaning of
animal welfare from the point of view of codes of practice, industry
standards, legislation and science,and hopes to avoid the more
emotive and ethical arguments advocated by others.
Animal Welfare

Essentially, animal welfare from a poultry perspective means that the basic
needs of the birds are being met on a day to day basis. These needs are:
1. Food and water are readily accessible
2. Freedom to move, stand, turn around, stretch, sit and lie down
3. Birds can see each other (visual contact with other members of the species)
4. Shedding or housing which protects birds from the weather and which
doesn’t harm or distress the birds
5. Prevention of disease, injury and vice. If animals are diseased or injured, or
there are outbreaks of feather pecking or cannibalism, they must be
treated or
The above five basic needs have been paraphrased from the Model Code of
Practice for the Welfare of Animals, Domestic Poultry (2001).
Five freedoms of Animal Welfare
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet
to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment
including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease: by prevention through rapid

diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space,
proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment
which avoid mental suffering.
The above are guidelines and are not enforceable in their own
right, however they may be used in evidence as part of an
investigation and subsequent animal welfare prosecution.
Animal Cruelty

Animal cruelty is defined by POCTA as instances

where animals are unreasonably, unnecessarily or
unjustifiably:
1. Beaten, kicked, killed, wounded, pinioned, mutilated,
maimed, abused, tormented, tortured, terrified or
infuriated
2over-loaded, over-worked, over-driven, over-ridden or
over-used
3. exposed to excessive heat or excessive cold, or
4. inflicted with pain (suffering and distress)
According to the Act, a person in charge of the animal must also:
 exercise reasonable care, control or supervision of an animal to prevent the
commission of an act of cruelty upon the animal
 where pain is being inflicted upon the animal, take such reasonable steps
as are necessary to alleviate the pain, or
 where it is necessary for the animal to be provided with veterinary
treatment, whether or not over a period of time, to provide it with that
treatment.
The Act also defines aggravated cruelty as instances which result in:
 the death, deformity or serious disablement of the animal, or
 the animal being so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical
condition that it is cruel to keep it alive.

Information Sheet 4.1-4

Trimming Beak
Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Define trim beak
2. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of trimming beak.

Introductory Statement

Every industry has particular needs, and in

the chicken industry this is just one of them. To
understand chicken beaktrimming it is necessary to
understand pecking, which is perfectly normal
behavior in the chicken world. This is where the
term “pecking order” originated. Every chicken
knows its place in the pecking order although some
will (rather like humans) decide they want to be
higher in the chainof command! But even that isn’t
usually an issue. Rather, it’s more like a squabble
between feathered friends that want to either keep
increase their authority.
Beak trimming or “debeaking” is the removal of part of the top and bottom
beak of a bird. The needed measurement in cutting of a beak of a chick is 1/3
inch

Advantages of Beak trimming

• Beak trimming not only stops a chicken from pecking one another. It also
promotes excessive mortality in egg production and most significantly, the
vicious habit of cannibalism.

• Numerous studies have backed up beak trimming, suggesting that it is

beneficial to the pullet production criteria.
• Also, this practice is effective when it comes to the reduction of feed
consumption as well as the improvement of feed efficiency.
• Beak trimming can also delay sexual maturity in your flock. Most
importantly, it improves egg production because it minimizes cases of hens
eating their own eggs.
• Chicken debeaking will promote a positive attitude in your flock. This is
true especially in breeds of chickens such as White Leghorn where it
reduces the loss of feathers by preventing pecking and fearfulness.
• Taking into account the practice of beak trimming at the right time can
help minimize some problems in your bird’s future life.
•
Disadvantages of Beak Trimming
• Contrary to the positive contributions brought about by chicken
debeaking. Animal welfare groups have criticized the practice, claiming
that it is inhuman. The groups further explain that by trimming your birds’
beaks. You are inflicting pain to them and this can have a negative impact
on their wellbeing.
• Even though beak trimming to solve many problems among poultry. The
practice is also destructive in one way or the other. Your flock could show
visible physical damage as a result of debeaking.
• This process causes wounds to the birds, leading to bleeding from their
beaks. The wounded areas can affect the feeding habits of your chickens.
This can promote pecking from other birds due to the presence of open
wounds around their beaks.
• There are stories of excessive beak trimming. This could cause permanent
impairment to the beak functionality. One should use lot of care when
 performing beak trimming. This will protect your birds against injuries and
possible impairment.
• Insufficient beak trimming can lead to beak regrowth. This means that you
will have to subject your bird to yet another session of debeaking. Which is
painful, costly and stressful to the affected chickens.
The Process of Beak Trimming
 To beak trim, hold the bird with the left hand and use the right hand to
grasp the upper neck near the head.
 When the bird's beak is in position, hold the head square with the blade
and operate the foot pedal or power unit so that the cauterizing blade
cuts through the beak at a constant rate.
 Avoid burning the tongue. Bleeding can occur if beak trimming is done
too fast or the blade is not clean. Use only the amount of heat necessary
to stop bleeding and keep the beak against the blade a sufficient time to
obtain proper cauterization.
 Do Not move the bird's head from side to side or remove the bird's beak
too quickly and then re-cauterize repeatedly. If the bird's head is held at
a high angle, it will not rest on the beak support properly.
When only the upper beak is removed, the lower beak will continue to grow
and occasionally become quite long. While this is not considered to be a
disadvantage if feeders of sufficient depth are used, the lower beak can also be
cut off slightly to retard its growth and allow the bird to eat more easily.

How is beak trimming done?

It is most commonly done using a hot blade beak trimming machine with an
electrically heated blade. An infrared beak trimming method is also in use,
particularly for beak trimming of day-olds in the hatchery. It uses a non-
contact, high intensity, infrared energy source to treat the beak tissue. Initially
the beak surface remains intact but after a few weeks the sharp hook of the
beak erodes. Experiments have also been conducted using lasers for beak
trimming, however this technology is not used for beak trimming on farms.
 Self-Check 4.1-4
PART 1
1. Define beak trimming.
PART 2
ENUMERATION
Advantages of beak trimming
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Dis-advantages of beak trimming

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
 Answer Key 4.1-4

PART 1

1. Beak trimming is the removal of part of the top and bottom beak of a bird.

PART 2

Advantages of Beak trimming

1. Beak trimming not only stops a chicken from pecking one another. It
also promotes excessive mortality in egg production and most
significantly, the vicious habit of cannibalism.
2. Numerous studies have backed up beak trimming, suggesting that it is
beneficial to the pullet production criteria.
3. Also, this practice is effective when it comes to the reduction of feed
consumption as well as the improvement of feed efficiency.
4. Beak trimming can also delay sexual maturity in your flock. Most
importantly, it improves egg production because it minimizes cases of
hens eating their own eggs.
5. Chicken debeaking will promote a positive attitude in your flock. This is
true especially in breeds of chickens such as White Leghorn where it
reduces the loss of feathers by preventing pecking and fearfulness.

Disadvantages of Beak Trimming

1. Contrary to the positive contributions brought about by chicken
debeaking. Animal welfare groups have criticized the practice, claiming
that it is inhuman. The groups further explain that by trimming your
birds’ beaks. You are inflicting pain to them and this can have a negative
impact on their wellbeing.
2. Even though beak trimming to solve many problems among poultry. The
practice is also destructive in one way or the other. Your flock could
show visible physical damage as a result of debeaking.
3. This process causes wounds to the birds, leading to bleeding from their
beaks. The wounded areas can affect the feeding habits of your chickens.
This can promote pecking from other birds due to the presence of open
wounds around their beaks.
4. There are stories of excessive beak trimming. This could cause
permanent impairment to the beak functionality. One should use lot of
care when performing beak trimming. This will protect your birds against
injuries and possible impairment.
5. Insufficient beak trimming can lead to beak regrowth. This means that
you will have to subject your bird to yet another session of debeaking.
Which is painful, costly and stressful to the affected chickens.
LEARNING OUTCOME #3 RETRIM BEAK
CONTENTS:
 Retrimmed beak procedures
 Restrained birds to facilitate calm
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

1. Beak are trimmed in appropriate age following standard industry

procedures.

2. Birds are restrained with net to facilitate calm capture.

3. Task is performed observing safety practices and following Good Animal

Husbandry Practices.

CONDITIONS: The student/trainee must be provided with the following:

 Debeaking machine
 sprayer
 heater
 materials

ASSESSMENT METHODS:
 Written examination
 Oral evaluation
 Demonstration with questions

Learning Experiences
Learning Outcome 3

Retrim beak

Learning Activities Special Instructions

Read Information Sheet 4.3-1: This Learning Outcome deals with the
“Retrimmed birds procedures ” development of the Institutional
Competency Evaluation Tool which
trainers use in evaluating their trainees
after finishing a competency of the
qualification.

Go through the learning activities

outlined for you on the left column to gain
the necessary information or knowledge
before doing the tasks to practice on
performing the requirements of the
evaluation tool.

The output of this LO is a complete

Institutional Competency Evaluation
Package for one Competency of Animal
Production NC II. Your output shall
serve as one of your portfolio for your
Institutional Competency Evaluation for
Trim Beak.

Feel free to show your outputs to your

trainer as you accomplish them for
guidance and evaluation.

After doing all the activities for this LO,

you are ready to proceed to the next LO:
Carry-out work to completion.

Information Sheet 4.1-5

Re-trim Birds
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you must be able to:
1. Define re-trimming.
2. Determine the re-trimming procedures
3. Identify the steps in re-trimming.

Introductory Statement
Re-trimming is any beak trim after a bird has al-
ready been trimmed. Re-trimming may also be
carried out if a beak grows back enough to cause
pecking damage. Birdsare often re-trimmed at 8-12
weeks of age to avoid thishappening. Some non-
trimmed adult birds may need trimming if a pecking
outbreak occurs.
When re-trimming, there is greater variability
between beaks than when beak trimming younger birds.
This means that beak trimmers must assess the trim requirements for each
bird carefully and be prepared to adjust as required. Beak trimmers need to
maintain good bird control, as birds will be bigger and stronger. Farm
managers should ensure that the gap between the top and bottom beak is
maintained.
Re-trimming may not be required in many birds but is done to avoid
subsequent cannibalism.

Steps in re-trimming beak

1. Squarely place the beak on the cutting blade.

2. Use marks on the base plate, or use a blade stop, to align the blade
to the position where the cut is to be made.
3. Gently lower the blade on the top of the beak, or insert the beak
into the appropriate hole in the gauge plate.
4. Hold the beak in position for about two seconds to allow
cauterization to occur as the blade makes contact with the bottom
bar.
5. Take care that the bird does not move during cutting.
6. Remove the beak residue from the blade regularly (at least every 15
to 30 minutes).

ADVANTAGES

1. Pecking is reduced.
2. Helps in preventing feather picking and cannibalism.
3. Feed efficiency is improved.
4. Liveability is better.
5. Lesser number of culls.
6. Uniformity of the flock is better.

DISADVANTAGES.

1. Birds lose weight for 1 to 2 weeks after debeaking.

2. Growth rate is reduced after debeaking.
3. Late debeaking may slightly delay sexual maturity.
( Courtesy: Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd “Pulletin”)

Self-check 4.1-5
PART I
 1. What is re-trimming?

PART II

Sequence the steps in re-trimming numbers 1-6 put your answer in the space
provided in the left side.

____Hold the beak in position for about two seconds to allow cauterization to
occur as the blade makes contact with the bottom bar.
____Remove the beak residue from the blade regularly (at least every 15 to 30
minutes).
_____ Squarely place the beak on the cutting blade. Gently lower the blade on
the top of the beak, or insert the beak into the appropriate hole in the gauge
plate.
_____Take care that the bird does not move during cutting.
_____Use marks on the base plate, or use a blade stop, to align the blade
to the position where the cut is to be made.

Answer Key 4.1-5

PART I
1. Re-trimming is any beak trim after a bird has already been trimmed.

PART II

4
6
1
3
5
2
 Information Sheet 4.3-2

Restrained Birds to Facilitate Calm

Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, the trainee must be able to:

1. Determine how to restrained bird to facilitate calm in beak trimming.

Introductory Statement
When handling day-old birds, beak trim crews
should be asked to pick them up by one hand,
wrapping the fingers gently around the chest and
abdomen. Birds can also be scooped with both hands
cupped. Up to four chickens can be handled in this
manner, ensuring they do not spill from the sides of
the hands.

Restraining Chicken

Five-to 10-day-old birds can be gently caught whilst still contained

within the brooding surrounds. Birds can be picked up by one or two legs and
transferred directly to the beak trimmer. With 7-to 10-day-olds, five birds can
be held in each hand. Alternatively, birds can be gently pushed into a large
laundry bucket held on an angle, or placed into crates before beak trimming.
The crates should be sufficient height for birds stand, be properly maintained
and prevent escape or entrapment. Crates should not tilted while birds are still
in the crate. Birds should not be held in crates for more than 2 hours before
beak trimming.
When birds are reared in cages they can be very flighty. Some birds may
clutch the cage floor and will need to be held by both legs to loosen their grip.
Birds suffer from bone breakage when handled roughly and must not be lifted
or carried by the head, neck, tail or wing.
The operator can reach over the lower fence to pick up buckets or a crate
of birds, or receive them directly from the catcher. For 7-to-10-day old birds
the catcher should be located close to the beak-trim operator. The catcher
should collect five birds in each hands and hold them by both legs, or by one
leg. Birds should be prevented from flapping, as flapping will cause them to
overreact when trimmed. With a bucket of birds between the knees or on a
suitable stand at hip height, the right-handed operator uses his or her right
hand to hold the bird that is being beak-trimmed. Alternatively, birds can be
held in the left hand of the operator and one bird at a time transferred to the
right hand. Holding birds upside down for extended periods may result in an
increase in beak bleeding after trimming. When birds are being handled for re-
trimming it is recommended that no more than 10 birds(five per hand), each
weighing up to 2 kg. be carried.

Self-Check 4.3-2
True or False
1. When handling day-old birds, beak trim crews should be asked to pick them
up by one hand, wrapping the fingers gently around the chest and abdomen.
2. When birds are being handled for re-trimming it is recommended that no
more than 10 birds(five per hand), each weighing up to 2 kg. be carried.
3. Birds should be allowed from flapping, as flapping will cause them to
overreact when trimmed.
4. Birds suffer from bone breakage when handled roughly and must not be
lifted or carried by the head, neck, tail or wing.
5. Holding birds upside down for extended periods may result in an increase in
beak bleeding after trimming.

Answer key
 Self-Check 4.3-2

1. True

2. True

3. True

4. False

5. True
 Job Sheet 4.3-2

Title: “Re-trimming Beak”

Performance Objective: Materials to be used for beak trimming are

presented. The trainee must perform beak trimming.

Materials: net, pail and medicines

Equipment: debeaking machine

Steps/Procedure: Re-trimming
1.) Gather all the materials needed.
2.) Clean the place to perform re-trimming beak.
3.) Make a trial run of the equipment to be used.
4.) Restrained the bird properly.
5.) Follow the procedures in beak re-trimming base on the industry
standard.
Assessment Method:

Demonstration
Hands-on

Performance Criteria Checklist for Task Sheet 4.3-2

Re-trimming Beak
Trainee’s Name ________________________________ Date________________

Criteria YES NO
1. Are the materials needed ready?
2. Are the procedures in re-trimming beak followed?
3. Are the safety precautions and procedures observed?

Information Sheet 4.4-1

 RECORDKEEPING

Learning Objectives:
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Determine importance of recordkeeping.

Introductory Statement
Even if maintaining your small flock is a hobby,
recordkeeping helps keep track of your expenses.  It
can aid in monitoring the progress of your flock. 
Recordsare important to the financial health of a
business or operation. Efficient and profitable
poultry operations are not guaranteed by good record
keeping, but success is unlikely without them. Records
are essential tools for management to maintain a
successful flock. Recordkeeping involves keeping,
filing, maintaining, and categorizing inventory,
financial and production information for your
flock. This can be accomplished by hand recording or
by using computer software.
Recordkeeping is important. Records tell an owner or manager where the
business/operation has been and the direction in which it is going. Records
show the strength and weaknesses of the poultry operation. They provide
useful insite to financial stability for your flock. If there are any shortcomings,
records will show where adjustments can be made. Along with showing where
adjustments can be made and being a good reference tool, there are several
other purposes of recordkeeping. 

Purposes of Records
1. Measure profit and access the financial ability of the business/operation.
2. Provides data for business/operation analysis.
3. Assists in obtaining loans.
4. Measure the profitability of individual operation.
5. Assist in analysis of new investments.
6. Help prepare income tax returns.
Records assist in avoiding management problems, helping prevent potential
problems with your flock.  More so, producers are being encouraged to keep
accurate records about the activities on their farms due to increasing
environmental concerns. Farm records consist of three distinct categories:
inventory, financial, and production records. All records are used to compile
useful information that is used in record analysis for an individual operation or
the entire business. Records are only useful when maintained and categorized
correctly.

What Should I Record?

The needs and size of your small flock will determ in e the type of records you
as an owner or manager should keep. Financial statements are an intricate
part of recordkeeping. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the enterprise, the
more detailed records and financial statements should be kept. Regardless of
flock size, records should always be kept up-to-date. Examples of financial
statements include:
      Flock Management Plan(link is external)
      Balance Sheet(link is external)   
      Farm Income Statement(link is external)
      Statement of Cash Flow(link is external)
      Poultry Enterprise Budget (link is external)
Other records that should be kept along with financial records include:
       Where, when, and types of birds acquired
      Poultry Registration Papers
      Age and number of birds in each flock
      Vaccination dates
      Vaccine expiration dates
There are several types of financial statements that can be used to help
organize information for your flock. Many records are interrelated and used to
create other records. In order to determine how an enterprise is doing, the
balance sheet and income statement are needed. A larger enterprise may need
to elaborate by preparing cash flow statements and a statement of owner's
equity (Duvick, 2001). The types of financial statements used to maintain
records are determined by the flock needs. Detailed record sheets may be
necessary for larger flocks whereas, others may need only a basic format.

Methods of Recordkeeping
Traditionally, growers have kept records by hand. In many cases, a hand
recording system is still useful for many growers. Yet, the use of computers
and computer software has expanded on farms in recent years because of
better record accuracy. The farm manager decides on the system that best fits
his/her situation. Gerloff et al. (1995) has listed advantages to both hand
records and computer records.
Hand-Recording System               
   - low initial out-of-pocket expense     
   - easy to start                              
   - requires only pencil & paper
Computer Recording System         
   - more accurate & faster
   - tax deductible as an expense 
   - much easier to create analysis
Recordkeeping can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. All farm records
should provide accurate and necessary information, fit into the farm
organization, and be available in a form that aids in decision-making (Gerloff et
al., 1995). Accurate records aid an owner in making good management
decisions. Managing an operation requires an individual (usually the manager)
to possess skills to allocate scarce resources while conducting business
towards the farm. Skills necessary for management include reducing costs of
production, having knowledge of the industry, and willingness to adapt to
change. Examples of scarce resources are (but not limited to) feed, water, fuel,
building materials, and money. Possessing skills of a good manager allow good
records to be maintained, which allow you to accomplish a specific purpose -
raising and producing health birds!
The records that must be kept are: 
 each species of bird and the number of birds of that species entering or
leaving the premises
 the address of the premises
 the name and address of the person from whom the birds were obtained
 the date of the birds’ arrival at, and departure from, the premises
 the birds’ destination on leaving the premises (if known)
 the purpose for which the birds left the premises
 the name and address of the person to whom the birds were transferred

Self-Check 4.4-1
True or False

1. The record for at least 12 months from the date the birds leave the premises
and will be required to produce your records to an inspector if requested.
2. Computer Recording System more accurate & faster ,tax deductible as an
expense and much easier to create analysis.

3. Records assist in avoiding management problems, helping prevent potential

problems with your flock.

4. Records provide data for business/operation analysis.

5. Recordkeeping involves keeping, filing, maintaining, and categorizing
inventory, financial and production information for your flock.

Answer key
Self-Check 4.4-1

1.True
2.True
3. True
4. True
5. True