Poultry Flashcards
List some poultry organisations
British poultry council
The poultry club
The british waterfowl association
What are important factors in broiler management
- nutrient / energy concentration
- temperature
- lighting regime
Describe the DEFRA lighting rules for chickens
Lighting must:
- follow a 24-hour rhythm cycle (at least 8 hours of artifical lighting each day)
- include periods of darkness lasting at least 6 hours in total
- have at least 1 uninterrupted period of darkness of at least 4 hours
At what point in their lives are broiler chickens slaughtered
before reaching sexual maturity
What are eggs ranked upon?
yolk colour
shell thickness and strength
shell colour
What is the optimum temp for egg production
21 deg c
How many eggs per year of what size are produced when chickens are kept at 25 deg c
around 300 60g average sized eggs per year
If chickens are kept at 15 deg c how does this effect egg size and numbers
produces fewer but larger eggs
If chickens are kept at above 25 deg c how does this affect egg size and numbers
produces more but smaller eggs
what type of day breeders are poultry
long day breeders
why is ovulation at lower rate in free range birds
because they are under the influence of the natural photoperiod
When are controlled intensive birds reared under short days
until puberty
what does increasing photoperiod and maintaining long days stimulation
ovulation
For which 2 key reasons do we control the environment of poultry
- is a consequence of maintaining any animal or bird in houses anyway
- provides the optimum conditions for max biological performance at an economically acceptable level and allows metabolic wastes to be removed
What problems can poultry dust cause
respiratory problems
what gas can cause poultry performance problems
ammonia
why is ammonia produced in poultry sheds
due to the bacterial degradation of excrement
How should poultry shed be ventilated? give 4 features
- removal of waste gases, heat, water vapour and dust
- provide fresh air
- occur in a clockwise direction
- ensure that cold air isn’t circulated to the chickens
For what 2 reasons should poultry be insulated
- conservation of metabolic heat intemperate climates
- prevention of condensation of inner surfaces
List common housing problems
- inadequate design
- poor ventilation
- unsuitable bedding
- poorly maintained premises /old building
List common management problems
- Poor attention to detail
- poor practices/ lack of knowledge
- insufficient amount of staff to run farm
why is precision of food delivery vital
- wasting food is expensive
- once it spills it can ferment which reduces the floor litter quality
Why is precision of water delivery vital
- wet litter can cause bacteria to thrive and ammonia to be produced
- risk of pathogen proliferation
- carcass downgrading
- fabric of building will deteriorate
List some components of enriched cage systems
perches seperate nest box abrasive material as a claw shortener a seperate area for scratching around nest mat nest curtain
What can lead to reduced egg quality in non-cage system
The number of cracked eggs on the floor
List common problems amongst poultry sue to aggression
- cannibalism
- feather picking
- bullying
What routine procedure is carried out on day old chicks
beak trimming
When can beak-trimming be carried out on chickens
- less than 10 days old
- must be intended for laying
Biosecurity
A set of management practices which when followed collectively reduce the potential for the introduction and spread of disease causing organisms onto and between sites
What are 3 biosecurity procedures followed on pultry farms
- foot dips
- do not share equipment with other avian operations
- try to surround the area with as much concrete as possible
What does notifiable
animal diseases that you’re legally obliged to report to the animal and plant health agency, even if you only suspect that an animal may be affected
List some common viral diseases of poultry
Avian influenza
Newcastle disease
List some common bacterial diseases of pultry
Salmonellosis
Escherichiosis
Campilobacteriosis
Define endemic
a disease already present in the UK
Define exotic
a disease not normally present in the UK
