Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Pre-Vet 3 > 6. Egg Production > Flashcards

6. Egg Production Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most common breed of hen?

A

Leghorn hens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

At what age do hens typically start laying eggs?

A

19 weeks (range 18-24 weeks)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

On average, how many eggs do hens lay per year?

A

250-300

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the two products of the testes in male chickens?

A

Sperm, androgens (drive male behaviour, mating)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What happens to the size of the testes when a male chicken is actively mating?

A

They become large

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of the deferent duct?

A

Transports sperm from testes to cloaca

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

List the four structures of the oviduct in female chickens.

A

Infundibulum, Magnum, Isthmus, Uterus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the term for the number of days in a row a hen lays eggs?

A

Clutch length

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which breed of hen has very long clutches?

A

Leghorn hens and increases production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which breeds of hens have shorter clutch lengths?

A

Broiler breeder and turkey hens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is necessary for hens to initiate egg production?

A

Dark hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What hormone is released and when in hens

A

LH 1 hour after dark

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is development of the comb

A

becoming dark red and shows that sexual maturity is being reached

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What happens if a hen doesn’t have enough dark time?

A

The length of the clutch will decrease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is necessary if a bird is going to lay an egg everyday and how many days does it take

A
  • hierarchy of follicles - need many follicles to develop into eggs
    ~10 days
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the Stigma? And what happens on this line

A

A line across the follicle where no blood vessels cross

Follicle will rupture to release the ova and yolk. if this doesnt happen the yolk will have a blood spot on it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the function of the Sperm glands?

A

Store sperm from males, sperm can remain viable for up to 3 weeks
- the ideal male:female ratio is 6-10% males (decreases fighting)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is this picture representing?

A

Nutritional value is driven by diet, not egg colour
- yolk colour is determined by diet - doesnt impact taste
- greenish eggwhite - b12

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q
A

Eggs are covered in small holes
- as the egg ages, it becomes more porous and air inside increases
- bloom/cuticle: helps keep bacteria and dust out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q
A
22
Q

What is in the egg shell and porosity?

A

40% calcium
- semi-permeable

23
Q

What is the function of the two transparent protein membranes between the eggshell and egg white?

A

Provide defense against bacterial invasion

24
Q

What is the function of the Chalazae?

A

ropes of egg white, Hold the yolk in the center of the egg

25
Q

What is the Air cell?

A

Air space that forms when the contents of the egg cool and contract after the egg is laid
- increases with age

26
Q

What is albumen?

A

Egg white, contains proteins

27
Q

What are the main components of the yolk?

A

Water (48%), fat (32.5%), protein (17.5%), carbohydrates (1%), minerals/vitamins (1%)
- energy and protein source

28
Q

What determines egg size?

A
  1. Average weight per dozen eggs,
  2. age,breed,weight of hen
  3. environment - stress causes smaller eggs
29
Q

List five external factors that can affect egg quality.

A

Cracks, Shape, Color, Cleanliness, Blemishes

30
Q

What are slab eggs

A

imperfections within the egg - safe to eat but not sold

31
Q

What are the factors that influence eggshell quality? (7)

A
  1. length of time in lay
  2. increased environmental temp
  3. egg laying time
  4. stress
  5. body checked and misshapen eggs
  6. disease
  7. drugs
32
Q

What is the internal appearance of egg?

A
  1. air cell size - larger = older
  2. albumen - yolk shadow and distribution/height
  3. blood and meat spots
33
Q

What are the three quality grades for eggs sold in Canada?

A

Grade A, Grade B, Grade C

34
Q

Where are Grade A eggs typically sold?

A

Grocery stores

35
Q

Where are Grade B eggs typically used?

A

Bakeries

36
Q

What happens to Grade C eggs?

A

Processed into pasteurized product

37
Q

Characteristics of eggs

A
38
Q

List the four types of hen housing.

A

Conventional housing, Enriched colony, Free range, Aviary/free run

39
Q

Describe conventional housing for hens.

A

small group settings that enable all birds to have equal access to fresh food and water
Rows and columns of identical cages that are connected and share common divider walls; maximizes food safety

40
Q

Benefits/disadvantages of conventional housing

A

B: clean eggs, manage behaviour
D: cant exhibit natural behaviours

41
Q

When is conventional housing phased out in Canada?

A

2036

42
Q

What are some features of enriched housing?

A

Combines food safety benefits of conventional housing with welfare benefits of open housing
Curtains, perches, nest boxes

43
Q

Describe free-range housing.

A

Hens have access to the outdoors and outdoor vegetation (weather permitting); hens can perch, nest, dust bathe, scratch and forage; must provide protection from predators

44
Q

Describe aviary/free-run housing.

A

Hens have access to the entire barn floor area; hens are able to perch, scratch and lay their eggs in nesting boxes

45
Q

What is a potential issue seen in aviary/free-run housing?

A

Greater instances of pecking and cannibalism

46
Q

What is the length of time in lay’s impact on eggshell quality?

A

The longer a hen lays eggs, the weaker the shells become due to difficulty obtaining enough calcium from her diet

47
Q

How does increased environmental temperature affect eggshell quality?

A

Reduces feed intake (and calcium) and carbonate ions due to panting

48
Q

How does egg laying time affect eggshell quality?

A

Eggs laid early in the morning tend to have thinner shells

49
Q

How does stress affect eggshell quality?

A

Stressed birds lay thinner shelled eggs

50
Q

What causes body checked and misshapen eggs?

A

Birds being startled shortly after the egg enters the uterus and the first layers of calcium carbonate have been deposited

51
Q

What internal factor is used to determine egg quality?

A

Candling - using light to detect defects

Pre-Vet 3 (37 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions