Poultry husbandry Flashcards
How much broiler meat was produced in 2021, and how much came from the UK?
Globally 128 million tonnes, 2 million tonnes from the UK.
How many eggs were produced in 2022 and how much came from the UK?
87 million tonnes of eggs globally, 11.1 million eggs produced in the UK.
What is the structure of the UK poultry industry?
All-in-all-out system
What production systems for eggs does the UK have?
Cage eggs, barn eggs and free range eggs.
What are commercially-farmed poultry species other than chicken?
Quail, geese, guinea fowl, pigeons, ostrich, game birds include pheasants and red-legged partridge.
What are the different stages of chicken meat production?
Breeding stock: owned by large multinational companies.
Grandparent stock produce parent stock.
Parent stock produce broiler eggs that will be sold to broiler farms.
Broiler stock will be slaughtered for meat & never produces any eggs.
What is the breeding stock?
Genetically selected chickens that are produced by 2 breeding companies worlwide.
What are the different stages of egg production?
The breeding company owns & produces genetically selected stock.
Commercial layer suppliers hatches eggs.
Rearing farm is where chicks grow from 1 day old to 16 weeks old.
Commercial layers is where chickens live & lay eggs until their death.
How long does change to the breeding stock take before effects are seen?
5 years to reach the broiler chicken.
What is the FMO3 gene in chickens?
Selecting against this gene allows chicken to be fed 10% more rapeseed before the meat develops a fishy taste which lowers feeding costs.
Why is poultry popular?
Eggs are very versatile.
Poultry is easily flavoured, easily transported live, cheap & convenient.
Efficient FCR, short generation time, disease control relatively easy, pop. size to suit every farmer.
What is the role of the poultry vet?
Monitor flock health (on-site analysis, pathology)
Identify health issues affecting production
Prepare for rapid diagnosis of problems
Work with poultry breeding company to set health goals.
Can deal with meat exports or pharmaceutical/breeding/integrator companies or private specialist vets.
