Avian

Question 1

T/F: resources allocated for bacterial and viral defenses are lower in commercial birds than in self-selected or non-commercial birds.

Answer 1

true

this is because commercial breeds will be putting most of their resources into growing and reproducing, whereas non-commercial breeds do not have that responsibility and will have more resources towards fighting bacterial and viral pathogens.

Question 2

To start with healthy poultry, what should you AVOID doing?

Answer 2

avoid bird swaps
avoid buying from neighbors unless sure of hx of dz
avoid feed and seed store “holiday birds” due to salmonellosis risk

Question 3

What source should you buy your birds from?

Answer 3

NPIP certified sources

Question 4

What is the NPIP?

Answer 4

a voluntary state-federal cooperative testing and certification program
test to ensure freedom from certain diseases (pullorum, fowl typhoid, salmonella enterica, mycoplasmosis, avian influenza)

Question 5

how long should you quarantine new birds?

Answer 5

40-45 days

Question 6

what is the BEST order of care?

Answer 6

1. healthy young
2. healthy old
3. quarantined
4. sick

Question 7

_________ within housing keeps relative humidity <60% and ammonia and carbon dioxide levels will follow.

Answer 7

ventilation

Question 8

T/F: scratch is a sufficient diet for laying hens

Answer 8

false – scratch is good for normal behavioral purposes, but it is NOT enough for laying eggs or meat.

Question 9

what type of diet is BEST for birds, especially if they are egg layers or meat producers?

Answer 9

a commercially produced diet
(ground corn soy)

Question 10

T/F: rapid changes in diet and poor quality ingredients can lead to dysbiosis

Answer 10

true

Question 11

T/F: pecking order influences feed and water intake.

Answer 11

true
can cause weight loss, feather loss, pendulous crop, etc.

Question 12

what are the 7 major components of the preventative medicine program for poultry?

Answer 12

1. start with good genetics
2. start with healthy poultry
3. maintain good biosecurity
4. maintain healthy environment
5. provide good nutrition
6. maintain gut health & use therapeutics wisely
7. vaccinate

Question 13

List the 7 good biosecurity practices for poultry

Answer 13

1. keep distance – isolate birds from visitors + other birds
2. keep clean – prevent infectious agents from spreading
3. dont haul dz around – clean vehicles, crates, equip.
4. dont borrow dz – dont share tools, careful when obtaining birds from neighbors
5. quarantine new birds – 40-45 days
6. know warning signs of dz – to prevent spread
7. get diagnosis – report unusual signs, unexpected deaths, high mortality, submit samples to state lab

Question 14

What are the advantages to raising poultry in confinement?

Answer 14

better temperature control
protection from predators

Question 15

What are the disadvantages to raising poultry in confinement?

Answer 15

gases (carbon dioxide and ammonia) can accumulate if ventilation is poor.

Question 16

How can we control coccidiosis in poultry?

Answer 16

use coccidiostats in “shuttle programs”
- ionophores or chemical coccidiostats

Question 17

What are the 4 major methods of vaccination for poultry?

Answer 17

1. in-ovo (IO) using inovoject
2. subcutaneous carousel in hatchery
3. spray cabinets in hatchery or house
4. Per os

others: IM (breast), SQ (neck), eye drop (ED), and wing web (WW)

Question 18

What are the 7 reasons for vaccine failure?

Answer 18

1. immunocompromised or subclinical disease
2. inactivation of vaccine prior
3. inactivation during
4. delivery system malfunction
5. suboptimal dosage**
6. improper application (ELDU)
7. evolution of target organism**

Question 19

What are the 6 INNATE normal behaviors of birds?

Answer 19

1. migration
2. communal behavior
3. territoriality
4. courtship and mating
5. nest building
6. egg incubation and young-rearing

Question 20

how is pecking order established and maintained within a flock of birds?

Answer 20

est. by age, color, size, etc. (depends on species)
if those who are higher in the pecking order die, the flock will look for another individual to replace said bird.

Question 21

what would happen if pecking order was disrupted?

Answer 21

stress!! population stability is negatively impacted.

when pecking order is present, birds can “relax” when they know who is at the top and who is at the bottom. Alpha and Beta birds are at the top and they always mess with one another, but the Omega bird is at the bottom and every other individual takes their frustration out on this bird.

Question 22

What are the rearing needs of a precocial species?

Answer 22

able to find food for themselves but are still protected by their parents

Question 23

What are the rearing needs of a altricial species?

Answer 23

reared by parents until they fledge

Question 24

What are the rearing needs of a parasitic-altricial species?

Answer 24

these species have other parent birds rear their young for them.

Question 25

T/F: nest building is typically a shared responsibility among the parent birds

Answer 25

true

Question 26

How long is courtship versus actual mating?

Answer 26

courtship – long and elaborate
mating –short

Question 27

Who do birds exhibit aggression towards normally?

Answer 27

all animals (incl. other birds) entering their territory
or may be only toward other birds of same species

Question 28

T/F: the robin flocks during the spring for migration, segregates and becomes extremely territorial during breeding season, and then flocks back together during fall migration

Answer 28

true

Question 29

What are the GENERAL abnormal behaviors in birds that can be “sick bird” signs?

Answer 29

1. increased / agitated vocalizations
2. decreased vocalizations
3. ruffled feathers, picking feathers, self-mutilation
4. decreased food and water intake
5. solitary
6. unable to stand or fly
7. somnolence when undisturbed, rouse when disturbed.
8. chronic egg laying

Question 30

psittacines have the mental age of 2 years old. They often experiment with undesirable behaviors in order to get attention from you.
What disorder are psittacines prone to?

Answer 30

obsessive compulsive disorders

Question 31

What are the 6 undesirable behaviors?

Answer 31

1. biting
2. screaming
3. physiological regurgitation
4. preferential dieting
5. mate aggression
6. broodiness

Question 32

Turkey nest boxes prevent which undesirable behavior?

Answer 32

broodiness

Question 33

describe how serology can help you design a vaccination protocol

Answer 33

rising titers = pathogen is one that you need to think about including in your vaccination program.