Poultry Production Systems

Poultry

Domesticated birds primarily raised for eggs, meat, feathers, and by-products.

Hen

Adult female chicken.

Rooster

Adult male chicken.

Chick

Young chicken.

Cockerel

Male chicken under a year of age.

Pullet

Chicken raised to lay eggs.

Layer

Adult female hen that lays eggs.

Spent Hens

Adult female hens that no longer produce eggs and are typically used as a meat source.

Broiler

Young chick between 6 and 8 weeks of age used for meat production, weighing 4 pounds or less.

Roaster

Larger chick over 4 pounds and usually over 8 weeks of age used for meat production.

Capon

Male chicken over 6 months of age that has been castrated for increased weight.

Flock

A group of similar poultry.

Gizzard

Organ used by poultry to break down food particles.

Debeak

Trimming the sharp end of a chick's beak to prevent pecking and injuring.

Wattle

Flesh-like projection under the chin of poultry.

Comb

Fleshy growth on top of the head of poultry.

Poult

Young turkey.

Drake

Adult male duck.

Duckling

Young duck.

Goose

Adult female goose.

Gander

Adult male goose.

Gosling

Young goose.

Peacock

Adult male peafowl.

Peahen

Adult female peafowl.

Beard

Small amount of hair beneath the wattle of turkeys.

Knob

Projection located on the top of the beak of some geese and ducks.

Turkeys

About 200 million raised annually in the US.

Turkey Producers

Operate commercial farms with over 100,000 birds.

Turkey Marketing

Usually at 20 weeks of age, males are more popular.

Ducks

Water birds raised for meat, eggs, and feathers.

Duck Down

Soft feather covering under primary feathers.

Duck Population

Over 15 million raised annually in the US.

Geese

Water birds larger than ducks, raised for meat and feathers.

Guinea Fowl

Raised for meat, eggs, and hunting purposes.

Pigeons

Commonly raised for meat and competition.

Quail

Small birds raised for meat and eggs.

Pheasant

Wild species raised for meat and hunting.

Peafowl

Raised for beautiful colors and ornamental purposes.

Ratites

Group of large flightless birds popular in poultry production.

Ostrich

Weigh over 350 pounds, raised for meat, eggs, and feathers.

Emus

Smaller than ostrich, native to Australia.

Rhea

Smallest ratite, native to South America.

Poultry Behavior

Adaptable to environments, social within flock.

Poultry Nutrition

Requires commercial feed tailored to species.

Poultry Handling

Species can be trained for handling and restraint.

Poultry Communication

Maintain contact through sight and vocal cues.

Poultry Aggression

Can exhibit aggression towards humans and other birds.

Poultry Feeding

Offered in automated systems to prevent contamination.

Poultry Training

Species can be trained for observation and examination.

Poultry Housing

Varies from basic cages to elaborate buildings, meeting temperature needs.

Space Requirements

Day-old chicks need 1/4 to 1/3 square feet per bird, increasing as they grow.

Portable Wire Fencing

Used by growers to contain chicks and adjust as birds grow.

Floor and Cage Coverings

Must be gentle, dust-free, often using wood shavings as bedding.

Automated Feeder System

Shown in Figure 22-17, used for efficient feeding.

Proper Lighting

Essential for growth and health, may include timed artificial lights.

Temperature Control

Set at 85-95°F for young growers, decreasing as they age.

Humidity Requirements

Poultry need 50-75% relative humidity, with ventilation and generators for emergencies.

Restraint Techniques

Hold birds securely to prevent flapping, avoiding injury to handler or bird.

Grooming Practices

Feathers can be sprayed to remove dust, nails trimmed, wings clipped for flight prevention.

Molting Process

Natural shedding of feathers for new growth, impacting egg production and calcium levels.

Forced Molting

Triggered shedding to maintain egg production, involves reducing light exposure.

Vaccination Procedures

Administered via needle puncturing eggshells or into the eye membrane or nostril.

Sanitation Control Methods

Include disinfection, insect control, waste management, and limited access for hygiene.

Reproduction Process

Dependent on mating for fertilization, with hens laying sterile eggs unless roosters are present.

Incubation Techniques

Varies by species, temperature, and humidity, often done in controlled incubators.

Vaccination Programs

Essential for immunity to diseases, including in ovo method for fertile eggs during incubation.

Dead Bird Disposal

Critical for preventing disease spread, methods include incineration, composting, or burial.

Newcastle Disease

Viral infection causing respiratory distress, soft-shelled eggs, and no egg production.

Infectious Bronchitis

Respiratory virus affecting chickens, leading to decreased egg production.

Marek's Disease

Herpes virus causing paralysis, weight loss, and death in poultry.

Fowl Cholera

Bacterial infection in poultry causing fever, purple coloration, and sudden death.

Avian Pox

Virus spread by mosquitoes causing respiratory distress and wart-like growths.

Avian Influenza

Virus affecting all poultry breeds, transmitted through body fluids.

Coccidiosis

Intestinal parasitic disease caused by coccidian protozoa, common in birds.

Large Roundworms

Intestinal parasites up to 3 inches long affecting poultry.

External Parasites

Common pests like mites, lice, ticks, and flies affecting poultry health.

Internal Parasites

Common internal pests like coccidia affecting poultry health.

Common Parasites

Poultry susceptible to 10 parasites, controlled through sanitation and prevention methods.

Eggs

Utilized in vaccine research for veterinary and human medicine.

Animal Medications

Increasingly egg-based for treatment and prevention.

Poultry Production Systems

Include broiler, egg, pullet, and broiler egg production.

Tapeworms

Common in outdoor poultry, transmitted through ingestion of hosts like snails and earthworms.

Sanitation

Key for preventing and treating roundworm infestations in poultry.

Broiler Chicks

Raised for efficient growth, mortality rate should be less than 5%.

Starter Food

Given to newborn chicks, contains 18-20% protein for ideal growth.

Pullet Production

Raising pullet hens for fertile egg production, selected for maximum egg production.

Egg Production System

Aims to produce high-quality eggs for human consumption, graded by size and quality.

Candling

Process to visualize internal egg structures by shining a light through the egg.

Egg Quality

Determined by internal appearance, shell quality, and consistency.

Broiler Egg Production System

Involves raising pullets and cockerels together to produce broilers.