Poultry 2 Flashcards
What are some environmental and management keys to success when brooding and rearing chicks?
Proper housing (rearing vs production)
Management:
- stocking density
- Temp, humidity
- ventilation
- feed
- water
- lighting
Disease prevention and biosecurity
What are two types of single age, controlled environment housing systems used for commercial pullets?
Floor rearing Rearing in cages
What type of production is floor rearing suitable for?
All types
What type production is rearing in cages suitable for?
Layers destined for cage production
What are the optimising temp and humidity levels during rearing phase?
Vary with are of bird
(brooding 32-35C)
Relative humidity: 60-70%
In a floor based system, how can you judge whether the temp and humidity are correct when rearing?
Behavior of the chicks (huddled under heat= too cold etc.)
What do you want a house design and ventilation to do?
Prevent- build up of noxious gas
Promote- circulating oxygen
Help maintain- optimum temp and humidity
Name a few types of feeders/drinkers
Bell drinkers
Chain feeders
Pan feeders/nipple drinkers
What are the 5 components of poultry food and describe what they’re used for.
Carbohydrates- energy source (cereal grains)
Fats- energy and essential fatty acids
Proteins- needed for synthesis of body tissue, physiological molecules (hormones, enzymes), feathers, and for egg production
Vitamins and minerals- especially calcium (egg production)
Water
What are the factors that affect the nutrient requirements of poultry?
Age
Genetics
Sex
Temp
Housing system
Health
Production aims
What is the biggest cost to egg and meat producers?
Feed
What are four ingredients used when formulating feed?
Cereal grains- cereal by products and distillers dry grains with solubles
Vegetable protein- meal or cake form,by-products of oilseed crops
Fish meal- source of essential amino acids (NO MEAT OR BONE MEAL)
Premixs- source of essential amino acids (methionine), minerals, and vitamins
What are the three types of diets fed when rearing commercial layers and what do they promote?
Starter diet- rapid growth and feather development, high in energy, protein and vit/min.
Grower/developer diet- energy requirement reduced, want to maintain growth rate without encouraging obesity
Prelay diet- increase in some nutrients (ca) needed for laying
What is the goal of a layer diet?
To optimise egg production and provide nutrition required to maintain health and weight
How is a lighting program important when rearing/brooding layers?
Used to control sexual maturity
What are the basic rules of lighting programs with brooding/rearing layers?
Never increase OR decrease the number of hours or intensity during the rearing period
How often is an egg produced?
Every 24 hours
What production system for layers was just banned in the UK?
Conventional ‘Battery’ cages
What are the current types of production systems used in raisling layers?
Furnished cages and Floor based Systems
With or without access to open range (free-range)
What features do furnished cages contain?
Nest, litter, perch
What are the pros and cons of non-cage systems?
Pros:
- Hens can express normal behavior
Cons:
- At greater risk of contracting health problems (exposure to wild bird populations)
- Eggs production generally low and conversion efficiency generally lower, therefore more expensive
In general, what should flocks be vaccinated against?
Marek’s Disease
Newcastle Disease
Infectious bronchitis
Infectious bursal Disease
Avian Encephalomyelitis
Draw and explain
% hen housed production= number of eggs produced on any day relative to the number of birds originally placed in that house (not taking into account death of hens)
% hen housed production= number of eggs produced relative to number of hens in the house
What are the two types of bone fractures that are a welfare conern for layers?
Old fractures:
- Occur in lifetime
- More common in non-cage systems (flying to perches)
New Fractures:
- Occurs at depopulation with handling
- More common in cage systems
List some of the welfare issues in laying hens
Fractures
Feather Pecking
Cannibalism
Beak trimming
