Apparatus and methods for treating the upper and lower beaks of poultry by
non-contact heating of the upper and lower beaks of the bird are
disclosed. The upper and lower beak treatment may include delivery of
energy to the upper and lower beak in amounts sufficient to retard the
growth and/or result in erosion of portions of both the upper beak and
the lower beak. The energy incident on the lower beak may be reflected
from a lower beak energy director (e.g., a reflector) or it may be
provided a separate energy source.