Backyard Poultry

Question 1

Define ‘free-range’ poultry…

Answer 1

During daylight poultry have access to ground w/ vegetation, mud/ nettles, bark/ woodchips/ gravel/ mesh

Question 2

Normal TPR of chickens…

Answer 2

• Temp = 40-42 degrees
• HR = 120-160bpm
• RR = 20-130bpm

Question 3

Blood sampling sites…

Answer 3

Wing vein, jugular (R = larger)

Question 4

Functions of feathers…

Answer 4

Flight, insulation, behaviour, moulting

Question 5

Wing clipping in chickens…

Answer 5

Clip first 10 long feathers on one wing ONLY w/ sharp scissors

Question 6

Skeletal conditions seen in chickens…

Answer 6

Fractures, Kyphosis, Scoliosis, Spondylosis, bent breastbone, rickets

Question 7

Feather conditions seen in chickens…

Answer 7

Feather pecking, moulting, wing clipping, de-pluming mite

Question 8

Skin conditions seen in chickens…

Answer 8

Fungal infection, pox virus, ringworm, bumble foot, erysipelas, vent pecking

Question 9

Indications of skin conditions…

Answer 9

Discoloured comb, visible parasites

Question 10

Name the internal parasites of chickens found in the intestines…

Answer 10

Capillaria, Ascarids, Trichostrongyles, Tapeworm

Question 11

Which parasite of chickens is found in the caeca?

Answer 11

Heterakis (vector for histomonas)

Question 12

Which internal parasite is fatal to poultry youngstock?

Answer 12

Gizzard worm

Question 13

What is used to treat internal parasites in chickens?

Answer 13

Flubendazole

Question 14

Which parasite causes Cancker in chickens?

Answer 14

Trichomonosis

Question 15

Which parasite causes coccidiosis in chickens?

Answer 15

Eimeria

Question 16

Which protozoal parasite causes ‘Blackhead’ in chickens?

Answer 16

Histomonas gallinarum

Question 17

Infectious respiratory diseases seen in chickens… (6)

Answer 17

Infectious bronchitis, Avian Metapneumovirus, Infectious Laryngotracheitis, Mycoplasmosis, ND, AI

Question 18

Signs of Chlamydiosis…

Answer 18

Purulent ocular/ nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, dull/ depressed

Question 18

Which drug is Chamydiosis unresponsive to?

Answer 18

Macrolides

Question 19

How is Chlamydiosis diagnosed?

Answer 19

Swabs for culture, isolation + ID

Question 20

Signs of Aspergillus funigatus infection…

Answer 20

Dyspnoea, production drop

Question 21

Describe the process of egg production…

Answer 21

1. Infundibulum (capture ovum) -> 0.5hrs
2. Magnum (albumin added) -> 3hrs
3. Isthmus (shell membranes added) -> 1.25hrs
4. Uterus (egg shell added) -> 20hrs
5. Vagina to cloaca

Question 22

How long are eggs in storage for?

Answer 22

More than 24hrs, less than 7 days @ 10degrees

Question 23

How can the fertility of the eggs be determined?

Answer 23

Candling- small bright torch held at broad end of egg

Question 24

Breeder/ layer problems... (5)

Answer 24

- Oviduct infection (E coli) - Egg peritonitis - IBV infection - Mycoplasma synoviae - Egg bound (lack of Ca)

Question 25

How are chickens euthanised?

Answer 25

Pentobarbitone - IV (wing, jugular) - IM (breast muscle)- after masking down - Intra-cardiac - Occipital sinus Neck dislocation <3kg

Question 26

How are blood samples taken from waterfowl?

Answer 26

Medial metatarsal vein