4-H BC Poultry Manual Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic terminology, anatomy, nutrition, care, breeding, and production terms from the 4-H BC Poultry Manual.

Poultry

All birds raised for meat, eggs, or show, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese.

Trio

A 4-H poultry project group consisting of one male and two females of the same age and breed.

Urban Trio

A 4-H poultry project group consisting of three females of the same age and breed, intended for members in areas where city bylaws prohibit roosters.

Five Freedoms

The five fundamental principles of farm animal care: Freedom from Hunger and Thirst, Freedom from Discomfort, Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease, Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour, and Freedom from Fear and Distress.

Jungle Fowl

The wild ancestor of domesticated chickens, originating in Asia over 5,000 years ago.

Broiler

A fast-growing crossbred chicken raised specifically for meat production, reaching market size in 6 to 7 weeks.

Cockerel

A male chicken less than 1 year of age.

Cock

A male chicken over 1 year of age.

Pullet

A female chicken less than 1 year of age.

Hen

A female chicken over 1 year of age (or over 19 weeks in laying management contexts).

Capon

A castrated male chicken that had its reproductive organs removed at a young age.

Slips

Caponized male chickens that show signs of developing combs and wattles and should not be exhibited in a capon class.

Snood

A fleshy growth at the base of the beak on a turkey.

Caruncles

Red, bumpy, fleshy tissue covering the head and neck of a turkey.

Beard (Turkey)

A tuft of long, bristly, black, coarse fibers attached to the breast of a male turkey.

Poult

A young turkey.

Tom

A male turkey of any age.

Bean

An extra structure located at the tip of a duck's bill.

Duckling

A young duck.

Drake

An adult male duck.

Duck

An adult female duck.

Gosling

A young goose.

Gander

An adult male goose.

Dewlap

A fleshy growth of skin extending from the base of the lower bill along the top of the throat in certain goose breeds.

Rachis

The hollow supporting main shaft of a feather.

Barbules

Small side branches off feather barbs that hook together to form a tight, smooth feather web.

Proventriculus

The chemical stomach of a bird where digestive juices (HCl and gastric juices) are secreted.

Gizzard

The muscular physical portion of a bird's stomach that grinds down feed using muscle movement and grit.

Ceca

A pair of tubes in the poultry digestive tract where fermentation of undigested feed and breakdown of dietary fiber occur.

Cloaca

The internal common chamber into which the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts discharge in poultry.

Vent

The external opening exit for the gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive tracts in birds.

Brooding Period

The critical early life stage of poultry from a few days before receiving chicks until about 4 weeks of age.

Northern Fowl Mite

A small spider-like insect parasite that spends its entire life on birds, sucking blood and lower vitality.

Scaly-Leg Mite

A microscopic parasite that burrows under the scales on the shanks and toes of poultry, causing crusts or irregular eruptions.

Infundibulum

The funnel-shaped upper part of the oviduct that receives the yolk, where fertilization occurs and the first albumen layer is deposited.

Magnum

The section of the hen's oviduct where the majority of egg albumen is deposited around the yolk.

Isthmus

The section of the oviduct where inner and outer shell membranes are added to the developing egg.

Uterus (Poultry)

The region of the oviduct where the egg spends 20 to 26 hours to add remaining albumen and build the calcium carbonate shell.

Chalazae

Twisted cords of protein fiber at each end of the yolk that anchor it in the center of the egg shell cavity.

Broody Hen

A hen that has stopped laying eggs and exhibits a strong maternal drive to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs.

Pipping

The act of a hatching chick or duckling breaking through the inner shell membrane and air cell using its egg tooth.

Free-run

A housing method where poultry are allowed to run around freely within an open barn or enclosure without cages.

Free-range

A housing method where poultry are allowed access to outdoor areas for part of the day.