observations on 6-10 day old precision beak trimming b281 ... - Lyon

1690 Brandywine Avenue,
Chula Vista, CA 91911, U.S.A.
Telephone (619) 216-3400
Fax (619) 216-3434
Email: info@lyonusa.com
www.lyonusa.com
Observations on
6-10 Day Old
Precision Beak
Trimming
Bulletin No.
281-150
8/07
STANDING VS. SITTING: it is often said “The mind can absorb only what the seat can endure”. This can more pronounced
when standing. Try standing in a fixed position one hour without moving around. Better still try it for only one-half hour. when
beak trimming in a standing position the problem can become more severe as the operator must move their arms
through a rhythmical and constant motion. Despite this we expect beak trimming done while standing to be accurate
with maximum production.
When the operator sits, the position of the body becomes basically stationary and only the arms move to accomplish the
task. Even while beak trimming in a sitting position, consideration must be given to the height of the table. Standard table
tops vary in height from the floor from 29-34 inches. With the Debeaker set on the table top, the position of the bird can
be higher than the elbow on some people, adding to operator fatigue.
We feel that the table top should be such that when the operator is beak trimming, the forearm is horizontal (approximately
90 degrees to the upper arm). This position becomes the most natural one for the person to function properly for
long periods of time.
One of the best 6-10 day beak trimming set-ups we know of is the use of the old classroom type seat with its writing arm.
The back of these chairs aided the students posture and permitted ease in writing. Mounting a Debeaker on the arm at
the proper distance from the operator produced good beak trimming, quantity and reduced operator fatigue.
If possible have precision beak trimming done in a sitting position. It’s basic: if the operator is not comfortable-quality and
quantity of beak trimming will suffer.
POSITION THE DEBEAKER PROPERLY: From the previous paragraphs, it is obvious that the human element contributes to
good or bad beak trimming. For this reason the position of the Debeaker with respect to the operator is also important.
Don’t just set a Debeaker on a table, sit the operator down and start beak trimming.
We constantly see Debeakers positioned on a table with operator sitting centered on the Debeaker . In precision beak
trimming this means the operators hands will be in a unnatural position while holding the bird being beak trimmed. Try it
with the Debeaker centered on the body, the hand will bend OUT to the forearm, tiring in time.
Consider centering the Debeaker on the shoulder line of the operator. For right-handed operators center the Debeaker
on the right shoulder, for left-handed operators, center on the left shoulder.
Now the arm and hand is in a natural position when holding the bird at the beak trimming gauge. If the Debeaker is
positioned back so that only slight forward movement is required to insert beak into the gauge, less operator effort is
required-thus less fatigue with time.
When the Debeaker is properly positioned the movement of the operator becomes a rhythm as they pick up the bird
with one hand while beak trimming a bird with other, then drop the trimmed bird and with an arc motion transfer the next
bird to be trimmed to the trimming hand, then pick up the next bird to be trimmed with the free hand, etc.
Proper Debeaker
positioning aids in the rhythm of operation with minimum operator fatigue.
THE GAUGE: The basic gauge used in precision beak trimming has three holes in it. The size of these holes allows the operator
to use the hole most suitable to the size and age of the bird (6-10 days).
The gauges are supplied with or without an attached tube. The tube is used for water cooling the gauge. It takes a very
small flow of water to keep the gauge cool.

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Some operators prefer the gauge without the cooling tube and feel the hot gauge aids in the cauterization process. You
should know however that a properly heated blade will approach 1400 o F and over a period of operation can raise the
gauge temperature to 600-1000 o F which can easily burn the operators fingers. When beak trimming this way the operators
finger should be taped for protection. The position of the gauge (regardless of the one used) to the blade is very
important. It should be centered on, and be square with, the blade and adjusted to the inside to a point tat the blade
strikes the back of the gauge slightly as it comes down. This produces a scissor action on the beak and makes a square
cut. You will note that the top edge of the gauge is bent out at an angle to allow the blade to complete the action without
jamming the blade and gauge.
The gauge is made of stainless steel and is quite thin. It must be this way. Too thick of a gauge would cause areas of the
gauge to sear any area of the beak it is in contact with and would not be flexible enough for good scissors action.
Finally-but of utmost importance-it is at this point that a lot of poor precision beak trimming takes place. The birds beak
should be inserted into the hole with the birds head square and straight with the gauge. How the head is held is how the
beak trimming will be done, square or crooked, (This is why we emphasize operator and Debeaker positioning). The
beak should be held in this position THE ENTIRE TIME THE BLADE IS IN CONTACT WITH BEAK. Failure to do this will result in
improper cauterization time. The growth of the beak roots will not be inhibited properly and the beak may grow out again.
If this does occur another beak trimming will required. A handrest will aid greatly in holding the bird properly and steady
during the beak trimming operation.
THE BLADE: The blade most often used for precision beak trimming is the BC type. It has two cutting edges so that when
one edge becomes dull it can be turned over and the other edge used.
The blade is mounted so that the FLAT EDGE of the cutting edge used is towards the operator (the beveled edge is away
from the operator). This produces the scissor action discussed in the paragraph on the gauge. We are amazed at the
amount of people who mount the blade with the beveled edge towards the operator.
When the blade is mounted wrong, the cutting takes place away from the gauge hole (Blade thickness and the balance
of the beak is literally seared off to the back of the gauge. A mutilated beak results, often with tenderness to the beak
that inhibits eating for the life of the bird. A needless loss.
We stressed the point that the birds head must be square and straight during the beak trimming and cauterization
process. If the birds head is not square, a blade cut made at an angel can leave a sharp protrusion that negates the
whole value of beak trimming as the bird still has an effective means to peck despite the end of the beak being gone.
DETERMINED BLADE TEMPERATURE BY COLOR: When the precision beak trimming method was first introduced, the innovator
said the blade must be “Cherry Red”. It didn’t take too long to find however, that what one person called “cherry red”
was considerably different from another. We found that the difference between peoples interpretation of “cherry red”
resulted in temperature differences by measurement of up to 600 o F.
When the blade is first heated (each time, new or old) it builds up resistance to current as it heats up. This increase of resistance
lowers the current flow through the blade up to 6% when it becomes completely hot. For this reason a slight readjustment
of color may be required about 5 minutes first being turned on.
Another factor to consider in determining blade color vs. temperature is that a new blade is bright in color when new. As
it heats, oxides are produced on its surface causing the blade to become a dull color. It is the color observed on an oxidized
blade that is most accurate in determining temperature. Once a setting is determined for use it should be left there.
The only change necessary would be if the line voltage for the Debeaker should drop and stay lower for a period of time.
A new contact high temperature thermometer which can accurately and quickly measure precise blade temperature is
now available from Lyon at a reasonable cost. It enables you to set your Debeaker (s) at the correct temperature setting
and to maintain that temperature for optimum results. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE TO ALL USERS! Inquire
about Catalog# 500-025.

You might ask why we have such a wide range of heat? We have 20 different types of blades used on many types of
beak trimming: broilers, layers, turkeys, ducks, game birds for day-old, 6-10 day, 12-14 weeks etc. All require different
blades, different temperatures. A separate Debeaker for each method would be prohibitive, hence one Debeaker with
full range to accomplish all the various needs.
A final note on blades. When new they are tempered (hardened on the surface). Running a blade at high heat (above
1500 o F) tends to anneal the hardness out of the blade. The blade may bow or warp badly resulting in poor contact with
gauge. Blade life is also reduced from very high temperature as the cutting edge will lose its sharpness faster than with
the lower heat.
Remember: to read the color properly, shield the blade from surrounding light.
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GAUGE & BLADE CONTACT: Many people like to keep the blade in contact with the gauge even when the blade is up.
They say it helps the operator insert the beak in the gauge and push forward to maintain full contact during the cauterization
time. This is true, but a lot of pressure isn’t needed and there is a drawback to maintaining contact between the
blade and gauge.
First, the gauge becomes very hot (can go over 1000 o F). The gauge blackens and carbonizes and soon loses its strength.
This results in a diminished gauge life.
Second, due to the input voltage of the Debeaker 120 or 240 volts, the entire case is grounded as a safety precaution.
The output leads to the blades are very low in voltage (less than one volt)but high in current. WHEN THE BLADE IS LEFT IN
CONTACT WITH THE GAUGE IT IS PARTIALLY GROUNDED. THIS DRAINS OFF CURRENT FROM THE BLADE AND THEREFORE DRAINS
HEAT. All of us have seen the dark area develop around the birds beak on the blade while cutting. This is simply heat leaving
the blade to a cold surface (the birds beak is cold in relation to blade heat), to do its job. The color recovers immediately
as the beak cauterizes. The blade in contact with the gauge works the same way except the drain of heat is constant.
THE CONTROL METHOD: Two types of Debeaker
the Foot Switch.
controls are used to actuate the machine, the Finger Touch control and
The Finger Touch Control was the most popular method with operators. It has in our opinion draw backs that caused the
introduction of the Foot Switch which is rapidly growing in popularity.
Previously, we made reference of the importance of operator position and Debeaker position to reduce operator fatigue
and obtain quality beak trimming.
So we have the operator positioned correctly, the Debeaker in the right place, the birds beak is inserted in the gauge
square and straight-ready to trim and cauterize. If a Finger Touch Control is used, it is now necessary to move one or two
of the fingers holding the bird in place to trigger the unit into operation. Everything is right unless the operator moves the
bird when actuating the Finger Touch Control.
A Foot Switch sits on the floor and is easily operated with the operators toes. This leaves the operators hands free at all
times throughout the beak trimming cycle to concentrate on doing a quality job.
CONCLUSION: We have attempted in this bulletin to explain in additional detail, some of the things we feel important to
the beak trimming operation not covered in specific bulletins.
Quality beak trimming is the result of proper equipment usage, operator training and proper set up. Production comes
from good beak trimming practice and developed operator skill with proper supervision. We hope this bulletin has been
of help to you in achieving quality beak trimming.

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LYON EQUIPMENT FOR 6-10 DAY-OLD PRECISION BEAK TRIMMING
SUPER V PRECISION DEBEAKER
The Super V Precision Debeaker is a complete powered unit equipped and ready to operate with minimum adjustment.
For full information, send for Bulletin SV-2. FOOT SWITCH STANDARD WITH UNITS.
CATALOG NUMBER
A-C INPUT VOLTAGE
TYPE OF ATTACHMENT GAUGE
950-092
950-093
950-094
950-095
120 VAC
230 VAC
120 VAC
230 VAC
BP GAUGE (Waterless)
BP GAUGE (Waterless)
B GAUGE (Water-cooled)
B GAUGE (Water-cooled)
PRECISION DEBEAKING-PAK
Consists of a Super Debeaker , Pow-R-Pak Unit and Attachment selected by user and Control as selected by user. System
is completely assembled at the factory prior to shipment.
CATALOG NUMBER
A-C INPUT VOLTAGE
TYPE OF ATTACHMENT GAUGE
960-030
960-031
960-032
960-033
960-034
960-035
120 VAC
230 VAC
120 VAC
230 VAC
120 VAC
230 VAC
B ATTACHMENT (Water-cooled)
B ATTACHMENT (Water-cooled)
BP ATTACHMENT (Waterless)
BP ATTACHMENT (Waterless)
8BC ATTACHMENT (Water-cooled)
8BC ATTACHMENT (Water-cooled)
To order a system with a Finger Touch Control, add the suffix TC to Catalog Number. To order a system with a Foot Switch
Control, add suffix FS to the catalog number. (See current price schedule).