Poultry Science Equipment Identification and Uses, Comprehensive Poultry Science: Anatomy, Breeds, and Industry Development, Poultry Farming: Key Terms and Processes for Beginners

Chick Waterer

To provide water to newly hatched chicks during brooding.

Chick Feeder

To provide feed to newly hatched chicks during brooding.

Adult Feeder

To provide feed to chickens after brooding and adult chickens.

Adult Waterer

To provide water to chickens after brooding and adult chickens.

Egg Candler

To view the inside of an egg, checking for fertile/infertile eggs, developing embryo, blood spots, and meat spots.

Egg Scale

To weigh and sort eggs into small, medium, large and extra large categories based on their weight.

Egg Tray

To store and organize eggs in a safe manner that prevents rolling.

Egg Micrometer

To measure the thickness of an egg shell, also used to measure the high point of the Albumen for egg freshness.

Incubator

To artificially simulate natural egg brooding by maintaining an ideal temperature and humidity to hatch eggs.

Tabletop Incubator

Used in research settings in specific experiments, studying embryos etc.

Dissection Kit

To provide various tools to dissect a fowl.

Wing Band

A device used as identification for chicks.

Wing Band Applicator

To apply a Wing Band to a chick's wing.

Brooding Lamp

To provide supplemental heat during brooding period.

Scalder

To use heated water to loosen up a fowl's feathers. Used prior to defeathering machine.

Defeathering Machine

To use a spinning motion to remove feathers from a bird after scalding.

Debeaking Machine

To permanently remove the tip of a chick's beak. Effective for preventing cannibalism and lessening food waste.

Egg Basket

To safely store eggs, often used while multitasking.

Killing Cone

A funnel-shaped cone used to restrain a bird headfirst during humane slaughter.

Hydrometer

To measure the salt concentration and density of a solution used for determining an egg's specific gravity.

Egg Tester

A single machine that tests an egg shell's thickness, albumen height, yolk color, and other internal and external qualities.

Venier Caliper

To measure the length and width of an egg. Can also be used to measure eggshell thickness.

Chicken Catcher

To hook onto the legs of a chicken to collect/catch without chasing them.

Yolk Fan

To objectively measure and score the color of an egg yolk.

Colorimeter

To measure the exact color of edible products (eggs, chicken, beef etc.) to determine quality and freshness.

What does Poultry Science study?

The study of poultry, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other birds.

What are the nutritional benefits of poultry?

High quality nutritional content, low fat, low prices, taste/flavor, and cooking versatility.

Top states for turkey production

Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas

Top Countries in Turkey Production

USA, Brazil, Germany

What is the scientific name for the domestic chicken?

Gallus gallus domesticus.

Ornamental birds

Kept for appearance and features. Game types.

From where is the domestic chicken derived?

The Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus bankiva).

Exhibition birds

Standard breeds used for competition

How long ago were chickens domesticated?

Over 7,500 years ago.

What were early uses of chickens?

Food (meat and eggs), religious and ceremonial purposes, cockfighting, and scavengers.

How were chickens raised in early farming?

As an informal farmyard activity, with each family raising a flock for meat, eggs, manure, and feathers.

What is the significance of Joel M. Foster in poultry history?

He was a pioneer promoter of humane and environmentally responsible mass production of eggs and birds. Million Egg Farm

What ancient civilization is credited with the first mass production of eggs and chicken?

The Egyptians.

What technological advancement in poultry production began around 1870 in the US?

Development of artificial incubation.

What factors led to the development of specialized poultry farms?

Availability of uniform chicks from hatcheries and advances in feed milling, transportation, and mechanization.

When did poultry production start in the United States?

In Jamestown in 1607.

What was the status of chicken meat consumption in the US up to the 1920s?

Chicken meat was only eaten on special occasions and was a sign of prosperity.

What is the scientific name for the domesticated turkey?

Meleagris gallopavo.

What are the top three countries in broiler meat production?

1. USA, 2. China, 3. Brazil.

What are the top three countries in poultry egg production?

1. China, 2. India, 3. Indonesia.

What significant changes occurred in US poultry production by the mid-20th century?

Production became specialized, with geneticists breeding for specific traits in layers and broilers.

What is Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE) and how has it changed for broilers from 1940 to 2018?

FCE improved from 4.7 in 1940 to 1.8 in 2018.

What advancements in disease prevention have improved poultry health?

Use of vaccines, coccidiostats, and proper sanitation and biosecurity measures.

What is the impact of automation on labor requirements in poultry production?

Increased efficiency, reducing the work hours needed to produce chicken meat significantly.

What are the changes in poultry processing from the past to now?

Shift from 'New York dressed' to fully dressed and marketed chilled or frozen poultry.

What role did European settlers play in poultry production in the US?

They brought poultry to the US, starting the practice of raising chickens for food.

What was the primary use of chickens before they became a staple meat source?

Chickens were primarily used for egg production and considered a by-product for meat.

What was the role of geneticists in poultry production?

They developed strains specifically for egg and meat production through crossbreeding methods.

What is the significance of vertical integration in poultry production?

It allows for greater control over the production process and efficiency in operations.

How did the introduction of mechanization affect poultry farming?

It increased production efficiency and reduced labor requirements.

What is the importance of proper nutrition in poultry production?

Feeds are formulated to meet the specific needs of layers for egg production and broilers for fast growth.

What significant change occurred in the time taken to produce 100 lbs. of chicken meat?

It decreased from 8.5 work hours to 0.1 work hour.

What are the changes in chicken processing methods?

Transitioned from 'New York dressed' to fully dressed and marketed chilled or frozen, with further processed and ready-to-eat options available.

What factors contributed to the increase in per capita chicken consumption in the US?

Low prices, increased variety of ready-to-eat meals, and fast-food chicken menus.

Define vertical integration in the context of poultry production.

It is the process in which a single company owns two or more stages in the supply chain with common management control.

Name the top three broiler producing states in the US.

Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas

Name the top three egg producing states in the US.

Iowa, Ohio, Illinois

Which country is the number one in broiler production?

USA

Which country is the number one in egg production?

China

Name two major US poultry companies.

Tyson Foods and Cargill

What is the scientific name for domesticated chickens?

Gallus gallus domesticus.

Male duck

Drake

What is the zoological classification of poultry?

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Sub-phylum: Vertebrate, Class: Aves, Sub-class: Neonithes.

Oil gland used during preening

Preen gland

What are the two superorders in poultry classification?

1. Ratitae: Flat, raft-like breastbone; 2. Carinatae: Keel-like breastbone.

Another term for outer or body covering

Integument

What are the five economic types of poultry?

1. Meat Production Types, 2. Egg Production Types, 3. Exhibition Types, 4. Dual Purpose Types, 5. Game Types.

What characteristics define meat production types in poultry?

Primarily broilers, fast-growing, slaughtered at approximately 7 weeks of age.

What defines egg production types in poultry?

Small body size, high egg production, good feed efficiency, heat resistance, and disease resistance.

What are exhibition types in poultry?

Birds bred for competition, usually purebreds with ideal characteristics for each variety.

What defines dual purpose types in poultry?

Raised for both meat and eggs, medium body size, producing brown and white shelled eggs.

What are game types in poultry?

Strictly ornamental birds descended from old fighting birds.

What are the four major geographical classifications of poultry?

American, Asiatic, English, Mediterranean.

What are the characteristics of American poultry breeds?

No feathers on shank, yellow skin color, red ear lobe color, brown eggshell.

What defines Asiatic poultry breeds?

Feathered shanks, yellow skin color, red ear lobe color, brown eggshell, largest breeds.

What are the characteristics of English poultry breeds?

No feathers on shank, white skin color, red ear lobe, brown eggshell.

What defines Mediterranean poultry breeds?

No feathers on shank, yellow or white skin color, white ear lobe, white eggshell.

Define 'breed' in the context of poultry.

An established group of fowl related by breeding, possessing a distinctive shape and the same general weight.

What is a 'variety' in poultry classification?

A subdivision of a breed distinguished by color pattern and/or comb type.

What is a 'strain' in poultry breeding?

Chicken-breeding stock produced through at least 5 generations of closed flock breeding, selected for specific purposes.

What is inbreeding in poultry?

Breeding of closely related individuals for several generations, increasing homozygosity and potentially bad genes.

What is the purpose of studying poultry biology?

To understand functions related to production efficiency and to manipulate those functions for maximum production.

What are feathers?

Epidermal outgrowths that form external coverage or plumage in birds.

What percentage of a bird's live weight do feathers make up?

About 4-9%.

What protein are feathers composed of?

Keratin.

What is the function of the uropygial gland?

Acts as a water repellent for the bird's feathers.

What determines the skin color of chickens?

Pigments in the upper and lower layers of the skin.

What pigment causes yellow skin and shanks in chickens?

Carotenoid pigment in the epidermis.

What is the skeletal system of chickens and turkeys like?

Light-weight, compact, and strong.

What is unique about the vertebrae of birds?

They have movable vertebrae in the neck and tail, with only one movable vertebra along the body.

Name three primary bones of a bird's skeleton.

Humerus, Scapula, and Sternum.

What are pneumatic bones?

Hollow bones that connect the skeletal system to the respiratory system, reducing weight during flight.

What are medullary bones?

Bones that fill the marrow cavity and serve as a source of calcium, found in laying hens.

What is the principal contractile organ of a bird's body?

The muscular system.

What are the three main types of muscles in birds?

Smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.