Poultry Husbandry Flashcards
Briefly describe the structure of most commercial poultry operations.
Vertical integration
-each complex includes:
1. Feed mill (centrally located)
2. Breeder farms
3. Hatchery
4. Growout farms (for meat birds)
5. Processing plants (for whole birds)
6. Further processing plants (into chiken nuggies)
7. Distribution hubs
Describe the structure of table egg operations
- Feed mill
- Pullet farm (young birds preparing to lay)
- Layer farm
- Egg processing plant
T/F: Primary breeder facilities are a part of the traditional commercial poultry operations
False- they are separate facilities and have contracts with the companies
What percent of production of poultry does feed make up?
70%- why so much effort is made to reduce this cost using low cost products (specifically corn and soybean based products)
When does grit need to be added to a ration?
When there are seeds in the ration
-birds do not have the anatomy to break down seeds like we do, so they need a little help
-grit is small stones that when ingested ends up in the proventriculus where they help to grind down fiber
Describe the differences between the Certified Organic, Antibiotic Free, Raised without Antibiotics, No Antibiotics ever, and Raised without added hormone classifications?
Certified Organic: birds must eat only organically grown feed without animal byproducts and they cannot be treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics. They also must be free range
Antibiotic Free: Appropriate withdrawal periods were observed to ensure that antibiotic residues are not present (this should always be the case)
Raised without antibiotics: the bird received no antibiotics throughout its lifetime after hatching (use in egg is permitted)
No antibiotics ever: Same as above but egg injections are not permitted
Raised without added hormones: no hormones used (but these never have been used in poultry production so this is a marketing gimick)
What does free range mean?
That the poultry have access to the outdoors. Does not indicate size of area or substrate/grass present in area.
What is the difference between a chick, pullet, hen, cockerel, and rooster? What about cornish hens, broilers, roasters, or laying birds?
Chick: Young chicken
Pullet: Immature female
Hen: mature female
Cockerel: immature male
Rooster: mature male
If used for meat-
Cornish hen: 32 day old male or demale
Broiler: 42 day old male or female
Roaster: 77 day old male or female
Laying bird: broiler breeder
What breed of chicken are most commercial meat chickens?
White Plymouth rock X white cornish
How many birds are housed in an average broiler house in virginia?
35,000
How are most commercial broilers raised?
Reared on pine shavings with nipple drinkers
-fed formulated corn-soy crumble ration
-houses are force ventilated (negative pressure is generated within hour by exhaust fans)
What is the average feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens in america?
1.8 pounds of feed per pound of gain
What is the difference between a poult, hen, tom and laying bird?
Poult: young turkey
Hen: female turkey
Tom: male turkey
Laying birds: turkey breeders (includes males and females)
What is the main difference between the ways that poults and chicks are reared?
Chicks automatically enter the broiler operation vs poults have an acclimation period (they are brooded on one side of the barn from 0-6 weeks, then moved to finisher area)
How large is the typical flock of commercial turkeys?
6,000 for toms and 12,000 for hens
