Broiler Breeders - Lecture Notes Review

These flashcards cover critical terms and definitions related to the broiler breeder industry and management, providing a useful study aid for the upcoming exam.

Broiler

Chickens raised for meat.

Broiler Breeder

Parents of the broiler; they lay hatching eggs.

Primary Breeder Companies

Companies that own the grandparents, great grandparents, and pedigree lines of broiler breeders.

Hybrid vigor

The phenomenon where offspring from crossbreeding exhibit superior characteristics compared to their parents.

Terminal strain cross

The system used in broiler chicks' genetic lines that utilize four-way crosses of male and female strains.

Cockerel

An immature male chicken.

Pullet

An immature female chicken.

Feed Restriction Programs

Programs implemented to maximize egg and chick production and reduce metabolic disorders in broiler breeders.

Photostimulation

The use of longer daylengths to activate the reproductive axis in chickens.

Sex Ratio

The ratio of males to females in a breeding flock, which affects fertility and mating behaviors.

Fertility

The ability of broiler breeders to produce viable eggs, generally aimed for 92%.

Hatchability

The success rate of fertilized eggs hatching, targeted at 85% for broiler breeders.

Breeder house

Facility where pullets and cockerels are moved and stimulated to prepare for egg production.

Breeder management

The practices employed to ensure the health, productivity, and welfare of breeding stock.

Mating Dance

A behavior exhibited by male chickens to attract females during the mating process.

Artificial Insemination

A method used in breeding to introduce sperm into a female without natural mating.