Poultry Flashcards
How long does it take to produce a broiler?
6-7 weeks
Process begins with the arrival of 1 day old chicks brought in from parent farm
Process ends when animals reach market weight and are transported to the processing plant
“all in all out” system
Typical pyramid organization of the poultry industry order from bottom to top ?
Production farms–>
Reproduction Farms (Breeders + Hatchery) –>
Genetics/Selection farms (Primary Breeders) top
Rations in feeding poultry must supply which major nutrient categories?
Protein, Carbs, Vits, Mins, Water (Everything except lipids)
T or F: Poultry digest fiber well.
FALSE
poultry have a limited ability to digest fiber
What percentage of the total rations do grains make up in ideal poultry feed?
50-80%
corn/maize is the most commonly used grain
Can oats and barley replace corn entirely for grain source in poultry feeding?
NO
oats and barley have a limit of incorporation => 10-15%
What are the most relevant AAs in poultry feed?
Arginine Glycine Lysine Methionine Tryptophan
What are the most common sources of protein/AA in poultry diets?
Soybean meal,
Canola meal,
Blood meal,
Fish meal
No worry of prion dz in chickens
T or F: Broilers generally require/consume more water than hens.
True
What minerals are required in the poultry diet?
Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Co
*these are normally supplied in the form of premixes included in pelleted diets
What is the source of minerals and vitamins in the normal poultry diet?
Usually supplied in the form of premixes included in pelleted diets*
What is the general life expectancy of a laying hen?
Typically not more than a year and a half
When feeding chicks (age: 0-6 weeks old) for egg production, what percentage of protein do starter rations normally have?
STARTER; 18-20%
When feeding for egg production, what ration should be implemented at weeks 6-14?
GROWER; 15% protein
When feeding for egg production, what ration should be implemented at weeks 14-20?
DEVELOPER; 12% protein
slowly/gradually switch from mesh to pellet
When feeding for egg production, what ration should laying hens (20-80 weeks old) be fed?
LAYING ration; 14.5% protein
*light breeds will consume less than heavy breeds
What is the suggested daily intake of Calcium in laying hens to support proper egg shell formation?
3.4 grams!
@40 weeks, increase to 3.8!!!
What is the amino acid that should be supplemented in laying hens?
Methionine
When feeding broilers, what age is the starter diet implemented?
0-2 weeks
In broiler production, what age is the grower diet implemented and what % CP should it contain?
3-6 weeks; 20-22% CP
In broiler production, what age is the finisher diet implemented and what % CP should it contain?
6 weeks-market; 18-20% CP
*may contain coccidiostats
When feeding turkeys, what are the major differences in nutrient requirements compared to feeding chickens?
Protein levels,
Vitamin composition
**turkeys require much higher protein than chickens
When feeding turkey poults, what should the pre-starter or starter ration include?
28% protein (pre-starter),
26% protein (starter)
*pre starters have high levels of antibiotics (require vet Rx) vitamins, AA, and energy than starters
What are the general changes in energy levels and protein levels as turkeys become older?
Energy levels INCREASE;
Protein levels DECREASE
know for final
When are turkey toms marketed and what is their live weight?
18-20 weeks
23-35lbs.
What age are turkey hens marketed and what is their live weight?
14-16 weeks
14 lbs
Are duckling/gosling rations closer in composition to turkeys or chicken?
Chicken (patterned after broiler diets with certain changes)
What ration of protein should ducklings and goslings be fed in a starter diet?
22% protein
What ration of protein should ducks be fed in a finisher diet?
15-16% protein
What vitamin do ducks and geese require a higher %, when compared to chickens?
NIACIN!
In what forms is energy supplied to chickens?
Grains
Grain by products
Animal and vegetable fats
T/F: Chickens do well being fed ab libitum
TRUE
chickens tend to eat enough to meet their energy needs
T/F: Quantity of the protein provided in poultry diets is more important that quality
FALSE
Quality of the protein is important - should be balanced be AA content rather than CP content
What are some good sources of calcium for poultry?
oyster shell and or limestone
*especially important in laying hens for egg shell formation
What animals should not be fed pelleted feed?
young animals
they will not eat pellets
T/F: Poultry that are feed pelleted feed have a higher intake of nutrients when compared to non pelleted diets
TRUE
What are the different forms of commercial poultry food?
- Mash (usually for young birds)
- Pellets (most chicken feeds are pelleted - similar to TMR)
- Crumble
*pellets reduce wasting
Phase feeding is used in what commercial poultry industries?
Broilers
Turkeys
Laying hens*** (very important in the hen)
What are the feeding costs of a poultry farm?
~66 % total costs
Water should be provided to chickens _____
Ad lib
intake will increase with increased temp
At what age do production hens start laying eggs?
About 20 weeks of age
Starter rations are in the form of _______
mash
Starter rations are in the form of _____
Crumble - then transitioned to pelleted feed
Lower salt content in chicken feeds is given to help decrease the occurrence of ______
Wet droppings
T/F: Chicken farmers can add antibiotics to their feed when they feel necessary
False - must have the rx from a veterinarian to do so
