Poultry Flashcards
Why has the poultry meat production rapidly expanded over the last 5- years?
- tolerated by most cultures
- reasonably cheaper
- easily flavoured’
- minimal zoonoses
Why has egg production rapidly expanded over the last 50 years?
- multiple uses
- highly nutritious
- easier storage and safety properties
Explain the advantages of the poultry industry
- low cost of production
- efficient disease control mechanisms
- suitable for backyard, small holders and commercial systems
Approx how many boiler chickens and layers are there?
875 million broiler
36 million layers
What are the two main genetic improvements that have advanced in poultry?
1) increased growth rates
2) increased number of eggs layed
How is the structure of egg production catagorised?
Size of flock
What are the main reasons for veterinary involvement in the poultry industry?
Health - Prevention and treatment Performance Welfare Biosecurity Food hygiene Enforcement
What conditions are required in the environmentally controlled transportation of chicks?
26-29 degrees
70% humidity
How must a house be prepared before the arrival of chicks?
- cleaned and disinfected
- min of 2 weeks downtime without any chicks
- prepare at 33-36 degrees and 60% humidity
- bright light
- food and water supply
How long is the brooding period?
10-21 days depending on type of bird and local climate
What is the correct distribution of chicks during the brooding period?
Chicks are evenly spread
What does uneven feed distribution result in?
- lowered performance
- scratching damage associated with competition
- increased feed spillage
What are the 4 feed forms given to chickens?
Mash, crumble, whole grains and pellets
What are some of the effects caused by an undersupply of nutrition?
- poor chick quality
- decreased egg size, number and quality
- poor shell quality
- impaired hatchability
Which 3 factors of the housing environment need to be continuously monitored?
- Temperature
- Ventilation
- Humidity
What factors are assessed to determine body condition?
- body weight
- skeletal frame size
- overall health
- egg production/fertility
How can the body condition of a flock be determined?
Weekly weighting of up to 50 birds - 2% of females and 10% of males
A further 20-30 females and 15 males picked for physical assessment
What would be assessed during the physical examination of a male?
- alertness and activity
- body condition
- legs and feet
- head
- feathering
What would be assessed during the physical examination of a female?
- skeletal frame
- shank length
- uniformity
- pin bone spacing
- abdominal fat
At how many weeks old are males and females mixed together?
18 weeks onwards
Males and females must feed seperatly, how can this be achieved?
size and height of feeder is different
Controlled lighting is used, for how many hours daily should it be on at age:
1) 0-3 days
2) 4-7 days
1) 22 hours
2) 21 hours
What is the purpose of having a high light intensity?
- promoting early development and growth
- promotes good quality egg shell
- encourages chick activity
What are some broiler/layer routine management procedures?
- debeaking
- comb trim
- de-spun
- toe clip
