Poultry and Egg Production Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the lecture notes on poultry and egg production systems.

Poultry

Domesticated birds bred in captivity to create products of value to humans.

Domesticated

A species that has been genetically altered through selective breeding to suit a human need.

Breeder

Individuals or farms that produce chicks by mating parent stocks.

Hybrid vigor

The phenomenon whereby crossbred individuals exhibit superior qualities to their parents.

Supply Management System

System controlling the production and pricing of agricultural products to stabilize the market.

Quota

The right to produce and sell a specific amount of a product at set prices.

Vertical integration

A management style where a company controls multiple stages of production.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Heritability

The proportion of observed variation in a population that can be attributed to genetic factors.

Cage layer fatigue

A condition in laying hens characterized by poor bone health due to excessive egg production.

Pullet

A young female chicken, especially before or just after the first egg is laid.

Ascites

A condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, often due to heart failure in poultry.

Biosecurity

Precautionary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of harmful diseases in poultry.

Photoperiodic

Relating to the effect of day length on physiological responses of organisms.

Aviary systems

A poultry housing system allowing birds some freedom of movement and access to natural light.

Nutrient partitioning

The distribution of nutrients to different physiological functions such as growth or reproduction.

Feed conversion ratio (FCR)

The amount of feed required for an animal to gain a unit of weight.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of an antibiotic.

Contract growing

An arrangement where producers grow poultry for a company under specified conditions.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.

Calcium deficiency

A lack of calcium, which can lead to weakened bone structure and decreased egg production in hens.

Genetic selection

The process of breeding animals for specific genetic traits to enhance productivity or quality.