Age for Debeaking and Marek’s Disease Vaccination

Correct Answer: 1 day old

Both debeaking (beak trimming) and Marek's disease vaccination (HVT-MD vaccine) are performed at day-old chick stage (1 day of age).

Debeaking

• Debeaking prevents cannibalism and feather pecking.
• Done at day-old using a hot blade that cuts and cauterizes the beak tip simultaneously.
• The upper beak is cut slightly shorter than the lower beak.

Marek's Disease Vaccination

• HVT (Herpesvirus of Turkey) vaccine is the most commonly used live vaccine against Marek's disease.
• Administered subcutaneously or in ovo at day-old.
• Marek's disease is caused by a herpesvirus that causes neural and visceral tumours (lymphoma).

Other Age-Specific Management

• Dubbing (removal of comb, wattles, earlobes): Done at 3-day-old chick stage.