animal nutrition exam #4: chickens

What type of digestive system do poultry have

A: Poultry are monogastric omnivores.

What does monogastric mean

A: Having a one-compartment stomach.

What percentage of feed annually mixed in the U.S. is used for poultry

A: 54%.

Approximately what percentage of poultry production cost is feeding

A: Approximately 75%.

Why is there considerable interest in effectively formulating poultry feeds

A: Because feed accounts for approximately 75% of poultry production costs.

What factors influence animal nutrition in poultry

A: Genetics, physiology, disease, and environmental conditions.

What type of companies dominate poultry production

A: Vertically integrated companies.

What may vertically integrated poultry companies own

A: Everything from bird genetics to restaurants serving finished products.

What feed-related facility do vertically integrated poultry companies often own

A: Feed mills.

Where are the majority of poultry, broilers, laying hens, and turkeys raised

A: In confinement systems.

What are the objectives of feeding poultry

A: Transform nonedible materials into edible products, meet physiological requirements of the bird, and be economical.

What must feeding management consider first

A: Nutrient requirements for the specific type of bird.

What regulatory knowledge is necessary in poultry ration formulation

A: Understanding FDA rules and regulations regarding medications in poultry feed.

Who usually handles ration formulation and feed manufacturing

A: Commercial feed companies.

What do vertically integrated poultry companies often have in addition to commercial feed operations

A: Their own feed mill and mixing operation.

How do broiler protein requirements change with age

A: Protein requirements vary with age.

What is the approximate protein level of broiler starter feed

A: Around 18% protein.

How are chicks typically fed from hatching to 6–8 weeks

A: On a free-choice (ad libitum) basis.

What forms can broiler feed be provided in

A: Mash, pellets, or crumbles.

What feeding strategy is usually employed for broilers

A: Multiple-stage rations.

What additives may broiler diets contain

A: Antibiotics and coccidiostats.

Can broiler feeding systems be automated

A: Yes.

What happens to energy content as protein content decreases in phased feeding

A: Energy content either remains constant or increases slightly.

What is the age range and crude protein level for pre-starter broiler feed

A: 0–3 weeks old, 23% crude protein.

What is the age range and crude protein level for Starter 1 broiler feed

A: 3–6 weeks old, 20% crude protein.

What is the age range and crude protein level for Starter 2 broiler feed

A: 6–8 weeks old, 18% crude protein.

What feeding method improves feed conversion in broilers

A: Meal feeding.

How are broilers fed during the first 3 weeks in meal feeding programs

A: Ad libitum.

During the 4th week, how often are broilers fed in meal-feeding programs

A: 4 times per day, every 6 hours.

What determines the length of feeding time in meal feeding

A: The age of the birds.

What is the objective of cleanup time in meal feeding

A: To have 1–2 hours of cleanup time before the next feeding.

What is a pullet

A: A young female breeder that will later be moved to the laying flock.

Are low-level antibiotics desirable in starter rations for replacement pullets

A: Yes.

Is the need for antibiotics in developer rations for pullets certain

A: No, it is questionable.

Should coccidiostats be used in pullet rations

A: Yes.

Why is restricted feeding desirable in broiler flock replacement pullets

A: It slows sexual maturity, allows larger final body size, results in larger egg weights earlier, increases later egg production, and reduces mortality.

What is the main energy source in poultry feeds

A: Corn.

What is the main protein source in poultry feeds

A: Soybean meal.

What other protein sources may be used in poultry feeds

A: Animal and plant protein sources.

At what age do laying hens usually reach sexual maturity

A: 16–18 weeks.

What is sexual maturity in laying hens

A: The age at which they lay their first egg.

Why is calcium important in laying hen diets

A: Adequate calcium is required for egg production and shell formation.

What supplemental calcium sources may be provided free-choice to laying hens

A: Oyster shell granules or other calcium-containing grits.

What is the goal of phase feeding in laying hens

A: To target nutrient requirements according to stages of production for increased economic return.

What nutrient intake is phase feeding especially related to

A: Protein intake.

What role does energy play in phase feeding

A: A regulatory role.

What type of records are required for successful phase feeding

A: Detailed production and management records.

What information is needed for phase feeding programs

A: Stage and rate of production, body weight, feed consumption, energy and protein content, environmental temperature, and type and management.

What occurs during Phase 1 of laying hen production

A: Birds are still growing and peak in production.

What age range corresponds to Phase 1 in laying hens

A: 20–40 weeks.

Up to what production percentage is another laying hen phase described

A: Up to 65% production.

What production period follows the 65% production stage

A: 65% production to 80 weeks.

What crude protein level is commonly used in single-stage laying hen rations

A: 16% crude protein.

When might single-stage rations not be appropriate

A: When environmental temperatures are high and high-energy diets are fed.

How is feed generally provided to commercial egg-producing strains

A: On a free-choice basis.

What management practice is often used with heavy breed layers

A: Some degree of feed restriction.

What factors are feed intake in laying hens closely correlated with

A: Production rate, body weight, and environmental temperature.

Why can excessively large eggs be a problem economically

A: They can negatively impact economics.

What nutritional factors can affect egg size

A: Energy intake, protein intake, methionine, cystine, total fat, and linoleic acid.

What effect does increasing nutrient levels have on egg size early in the cycle

A: Improves early egg size.

What effect does decreasing nutrient levels have later in the cycle

A: Controls egg size.

What is a possible consequence of reducing egg size

A: Reduced egg numbers.

What is natural for birds regarding production cycles

A: Molting.

Why is molting used in flock recycling programs

A: To improve rate of lay, shell quality, and egg albumen height.

When is induced molting usually used

A: When birds begin losing desirable production traits later in production.

What management changes are commonly used to induce molting

A: Reduction of light and feed.

During molting, should water intake be reduced

A: No.

How do birds usually respond after molting

A: They rebound and production parameters may exceed pre-molt levels.

What fat-soluble vitamins should breeder diets contain increased levels of

A: Vitamins E and K.

What water-soluble vitamins should breeder diets contain increased levels of

A: Riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and cobalamin.

What trace mineral should be increased in breeder diets

A: Manganese.

When should males be introduced into breeder flocks

A: At least 4 weeks before fertile eggs are required.

What does restricted feeding of breeders involve

A: Limiting feed intake during the growing period.

Why is body weight monitored in broiler breeders

A: To prevent birds from becoming overly fat.

What factors should be considered in restricted feeding programs

A: Environmental conditions and bird strain.

Besides reducing lipid content, what additional benefits come from growth reduction in breeders

A: Reduced ascites and leg problems.

What is ascites

A: Fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity of birds.

What does successful feed restriction depend on

A: Highly fortified diets to compensate for restricted intake.

What nutrients are of concern during restricted feeding

A: Thiamine, biotin, vitamin B12, manganese, and zinc.

What additional vitamins need increased levels during restricted feeding

A: Riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and folacin.

How are breeder males and females often fed separately

A: Raised feeders for males and narrow limited-access feeders for females.

Why should breeder males be checked periodically for body weight

A: Because weight losses of 10–15% can reduce fertilizing capacity.

What is the recommended breeder ratio of females to males

A: 8–10 females per male.

How do turkey protein requirements change with age

A: They decrease from 28% in starting poults to 14% in mature breeders.

What are the energy requirements for growing turkeys

A: Approximately 2,800–3,300 kcal/kg.

What is the energy requirement for breeder turkeys

A: About 2,900 kcal/kg.

What form of feed is recommended for turkeys

A: Mash feeds.

During what periods are mash feeds recommended for turkeys

A: Growing and laying periods.

Are antibiotics and coccidiostats desirable in turkey starter rations

A: Yes.

Is the use of antibiotics and coccidiostats optional in turkey developer rations

A: Ye