Vent pecking is an
abnormal behaviour of birds performed primarily by commercial egg-laying
hens. It is characterised by pecking damage to the
cloaca, the surrounding skin and underlying tissue. Vent pecking frequently occurs immediately after an egg has been laid when the cloaca often remains partly everted exposing the
mucosa, red from the physical trauma of
oviposition or bleeding if the tissue is torn by her laying an oversized egg. Vent pecking clearly causes pain and distress to the bird being pecked. Tearing of the skin increases susceptibility to disease and may become
cannibalistic leading to
evisceration of the pecked bird and ultimately, death.