Poultry 6 Flashcards
Advantages of Cages8
Environmental control Reduced hen aggression Small hen colony size Good disease control No threat from predators Economics Ergonomics Egg cleanliness
Cons of cages 3
Lack of space
Weak bones and bone breakage
Feather and foot damage
Modified cage improvements 4
Roosts
More space
Nest boxes
Dust bathing
Advantages of Percher (barn) systems? 6
Varied physical environment Protection against predators Freedom to move within hen house Nest boxes, perches, dust bathing facilities Improved bone strenght Can escape aggression
Disadvantages of Barn system? 6
Cannibalism Difficulty managing waste Broken bones Parasites Ergonomics Economics
Free Range advantages 4
Freedom to move
Graze on vegetation
Dust bathe in soil
Improved bone strength
Free range disadvantages 6
Cannibalism Predators Disease Climate Parasites COST
3 main components of light?
Light Wavelength
Light Intensity
Photoperiod length and distribution
Critical Daylength ratio?
12L:12D
4 points of induction of sexual maturity with regards to light
- Never increase daylength during brooding and rearing
- Increase photoperiod beyond critical photoperiod
- Critical Daylength 12L:12D
- Gradual vs abrupt increase
What should you never do during reproductive phase?
Decrease photoperiod length - Will stop laying
3 Rules of Thumb - know
- Never increase photoperiod length during
brooding and rearing - Minimum of 12 hours of light is required
for maximum stimulation - Never decrease photoperiod length during
egg production
Problems with natural lighting?
- Take into account natural light patterns
What occurs to egg size as hens get older?
Get larger
What happens to incidence of cracked eggs with age of flock?
Increased incidence of cracked eggs with age - less Ca to put into shell
