Chapter 12 - Egg-Type Poultry

Question 1

For individual nest boxes with a single opening, a minimum of how many nest boxes per 8 birds should be provided?

Answer 1

1 nest box/8 birds

Question 2

Egg-laying chickens housed in cage-free systems instinctively use what at night?

Answer 2

Perches

Question 3

What two rules MUST be followed for optimum growth and production performance? What egg-type poultry do these rules apply to?

Answer 3

1. Never increase duration or intensity of light during the growing period
2. Never decrease the duration or intensity of light during the egg production period.
   Rules apply to both layer breeders and layer hens.

Question 4

What are the two acceptable methods of beak trimming? When should they be performed? How much beak should be trimmed and why? What length of beak should remain distal to the nostrils? How long should the lower beak be in comparison? If a second trim is needed, when should it be performed?

Answer 4

Infrared beak treatment at hatchery and hot-blade beak trimming at 6-10 days or younger. Amount of beak trimmed should be 50% of less to prevent neuroma formation and allow keratinized tissue to regenerate. Upper beak should be 2-3 mm distal from the nostrils, with lower beak slightly longer. Retrimming should be done before pullets are 8 weeks of age to avoid decrease in egg production.

Question 5

Is toe trimming recommended in egg-laying chickens?

Answer 5

Not recommended, except in certain situations where strain identification is needed.

Question 6

What is dubbing? Dubbing should not be performed in what birds? If dubbing is performed, when should it be done and why?

Answer 6

Removal of part of the comb and wattles. Should not be done in birds housed in facilities that are not appropriately cooled in the summer, as they are appropriate for thermoregulation. If performed, done after first few days of hatching if comb rubs or frequently gets caught in wire openings.

Question 7

What is the purpose of induced molting?

Answer 7

Minimize length of feed withdrawal period.

Question 8

What are acceptable methods of euthanasia?

Answer 8

Injection of overdoses of anesthetics

Question 9

What are acceptable with conditions methods of euthanasia?

Answer 9

Use of CO2, CO, N2, argon, or mixture of argon with CO2. Cervical dislocation (manual or with mechanical assistance), decapitation, manually applied blunt force trauma, electrocution, gunshot (not recommended for captive poultry where restraint is feasible), and penetrating and nonpenetrating captive bolt.

Question 10

What are acceptable adjunctive methods, provided what?

Answer 10

IV or IC potassium chloride of magnesium sulfate and exsanguination, if bird is anesthetized or rendered unconscious first.