Birds may pile without a discernible cause, resulting in suffocation. Identifying time periods when birds tend to gather or pile can provide important clues to identify the reason for piling. Walking in the flock during these times may prevent piling and smothering.
Potential causes of piling:
- Panic in the flock caused by a flight response to a predator or heavy rodent populations.
- Hot and poorly ventilated areas within the facility environment.
- Sunlight shining directly into the facility creating bright spots on the floor.
- The search for a nesting area.
- High light intensity or sudden changes in lighting.
- Flickering of the lights for any reason, such as a generator test.
- Human or other activity that attracts the birds to gather in one location.
Management steps to prevent piling:
- Round off corners to prevent birds from congregating there.
- Place pallets or similar objects in known piling areas to help disperse the birds.
- Install partitions to reduce piling in some nest boxes.
- Playing music in the facility may keep birds calm and less reactive to sounds. This is good practice to begin from the rearing phase.
- An afternoon feeding before lights go out will spread the birds out in the facility.