Poultry Breeding and Genetics Flashcards
(179 cards)
1
Q
What is a class?
A
A group of breeds developed in a particular geographic area.
2
Q
What is a breed?
A
A group of chickens within a class that are similar in shape, body, and form.
3
Q
What is variety?
A
A subdivision of breed that is identified by color or comb type.
4
Q
How many varieties of chickens are listed in the American Standard Perfection List? How many are of commercial importance?
A
- 200.
- 12.
5
Q
What is a strain?
A
A closed population within a breed or variety that possess specific characteristics to meet certain performance objectives.
ex: Meat or eggs.
6
Q
What are strain crosses?
A
Offspring that result from the mating between two or more unrelated strains.
*Usually not highly inbred.
7
Q
What are hybrids?
A
First generation birds that are the result of the cross of unrelated inbred lines of birds.
*Usually achieves heterosis.
8
Q
How many classes are listed in the American Standard of Perfection?
A
12.
9
Q
What are the 12 classes listed in the American Standard of Perfection?
A
- American.
- Mediterranean.
- English.
- Asiatic.
- Polish.
- Hamburg.
- French.
- Continental.
- Game and Game Bantam.
- Oriental.
- Oriental Bantam.
- Miscellaneous.
10
Q
What are the 4 classes in the American Standard of Perfection represent the largest population of chickens?
A
- American.
- Mediterranean.
- Asiatic.
- English.
11
Q
What are the breeds in the American class used for?
A
Egg and meat production.
12
Q
What characteristics are shared among the breeds in the American Class?
A
- Yellow skin and shanks.
- Clean shanks.
- Red earlobes.
- Brown-shelled eggs.
13
Q
How much does the Jersey Giant weigh?
A
10-13 lbs.
*Largest American breed.
14
Q
What are the 2 varieties of Jersey Giants?
A
- Jersey Black Giants.
- Jersey White Giants.
15
Q
What comb style does the Jersey Giant have?
A
Single Comb.
16
Q
What is the plumage color of the Jersey Black Giant?
A
Black plumage
17
Q
What is the plumage color of the Jersey White Giant?
A
White plumage.
18
Q
How many eggs per year does the Jersey Giant lay?
A
260.
19
Q
What is the origin of the New Hampshire?
A
Developed from the RIR.
20
Q
How much does the New Hampshire weigh?
A
6.5-8.5 lbs.
21
Q
How is the plumage of the New Hampshire described?
A
Lighter red in color and less uniform.
22
Q
What variety of comb does the New Hampshire have?
A
Single comb.
23
Q
How many eggs per year does the New Hampshire produce?
A
280.
24
Q
What temperament does the New Hampshire have?
A
Competitive/aggressive.
25
What is considered to be the oldest and most popular American Breed?
The Plymouth Rock.
26
How much does the Plymouth Rock weigh?
7.5-9.5 lbs.
27
What are the 2 most popular varieties of Plymouth Rock?
1. White.
2. Barred.
28
How is the plumage of the white Plymouth Rock described?
Solid white.
29
How is the plumage of the Barred Plymouth Rock described?
Black and white speckled.
30
What type of comb does the Plymouth Rock have?
Single.
31
How many eggs per year does the Plymouth Rock lay?
280.
32
What kind of temperament does the Plymouth Rock have?
Calm.
33
What is the origin of the RIR?
First developed for utility, then as a fancier's breed.
*Rangier looking than the Plymouth Rock.
34
How many eggs per year does the RIR lay?
280.
35
How much does a RIR weigh?
6.5-8.5 lbs.
36
How is the plumage of the RIR described?
Bright red.
37
What two comb types could the RIR have?
1. Single comb.
2. Rose comb.
38
What is the temperament of a RIR?
Hardy.
39
How is the plumage of the white Wyandotte described?
White.
*7 other varieties.
40
How many eggs per year does the Wyandotte produce?
200.
40
What type of comb does the Wyandotte have?
Rose.
41
What is the temperament of the Wyandotte?
Docile.
42
What 2 classes were developed from the Asiatic class?
1. American.
2. English.
43
What are the breeds in the Asiatic class characterized by?
1. Large bodies.
2. Heavy bones.
3. Feathered shanks.
4. Yellow skin.
5. Red ear lobes.
6. Lay brown eggs.
44
What is the origin of the Brahma?
Originated in India and brought to America more than a century ago.
45
How is the plumage of the Brahma described?
Varies from light (with black, white-edged hackle feathers) to buff to dark. Well-feathered.
46
How much does the Brahma weigh?
9.5-12 lbs.
47
What kind of comb does the Brahma have?
Pea comb.
48
How many eggs per year does the Brahma produce?
150.
49
What temperament does the Brahma have?
Calm.
50
What is the origin of the Cochin?
Imported into the United States around 1847.
51
How is the plumage of the Cochin breed described?
Loose, extremely long, and abundant. 4 varieties: Black, Buff, White, and Partridge.
52
How much does the Cochin weigh?
8.5-11 lbs.
53
What kind of comb does the Cochin have?
Single comb.
54
How many eggs per year does the Cochin lay?
160.
55
What is the temperament of the Cochin?
Friendly.
56
What is the origin of the Langshan?
Originated in China, but was imported to the U.S. from England.
57
How is the plumage of the Langshan described?
1. Body feathering is moderately tight.
2. Tail feathers are carried high and are long.
3. Greenish-black feathers for Black Langshan.
4. White feathers for White Langshan.
58
How much does the Langshan weigh?
8-10 lbs.
59
What kind of comb does the Langshan have?
Single comb.
60
How many eggs per year does the Langshan lay?
150.
61
What is the temperament of the Langshan?
Tame.
62
What are characteristics of the English class?
1. White skin (except for the Cornish, which has yellow skin).
2. Fleshing properties.
3. Size.
63
What is the origin of the Australorp?
Developed in Australia from the Black Orpington.
64
How much does an Australorp weigh?
6.5-8.5 lbs.
65
What type of comb does the Australorp have?
Single comb.
66
Per year, how many eggs does the Australorp lay?
250 eggs.
67
How is the plumage of the Australorp described?
Dark black.
68
What is the temperament of the Australorp?
Docile/Hardy.
69
How much does the Orpington weigh?
8-10 lbs.
70
How is the plumage of the Orpington described?
1. Loose feathering.
2. Buff, White, Blue, and Black.
71
What kind of comb does the Orpington have?
Single comb.
72
How many eggs per year does the Orpington produce?
190.
73
What is the temperament of the Orpington?
Calm.
74
What is the origin of the Cornish?
8-10.5 lbs.
75
What type of comb does the Cornish have?
Pea comb.
76
How is the plumage of the Cornish described?
1. White Cornish: Pure white.
2. Dark Cornish: Greenish-black to reddish-mahogany.
77
How much does the Ancona weigh?
4.5-6 lbs.
78
What are the characteristics of the Mediterranean Class?
1. White ear lobes.
2. Large comb.
3. Clean legs.
4. Early maturing.
5. White-shelled eggs.
6. Smaller than the other classes described.
7. Nervous disposition.
79
How is the plumage of the Ancona described?
Greenish-black, white-tipped.
80
What two comb types can the Ancona have?
1. Rose.
2. Single.
*Only way to tell the 2 varieties apart.
81
How many eggs per year does the Ancona lay?
180.
82
What is the temperament of the Ancona?
Active.
83
What is the origin of the Leghorn?
Egg production, especially the hybrids.
84
How much does the Leghorn weigh?
4.5-6 lbs.
85
How is the plumage of the Leghorn described?
White, Buff, Grey, or Brown.
86
What are the 2 types of combs that a Leghorn can have?
1. Single.
2. Rose.
87
How many eggs per year does the Leghorn lay?
280-300.
88
What kind of temperament does the Leghorn have?
Flighty
89
What is the largest Mediterranean breed?
Minorca.
90
How much does the Minorca weigh?
7-9 lbs.
91
How is the plumage of the Minorca described?
Varies.
92
What is one of the comb types the Minorca can have?
Single.
93
How many eggs does the Minorca lay every year?
120.
94
What is the temperament of the Minorca?
Flighty/Noisy.
95
What are turkeys primarily raised for?
Meat.
96
What are the 5 varieties of turkeys?
1. Broad Breasted White.
2. Broad Breasted Bronze.
3. Bourbon Red.
4. White Holland.
5. Beltsville Small White.
97
What 3 traits are highly heritable in turkeys?
1. Color.
2. Size.
3. Conformation.
98
What are the usual mating practices used in turkeys?
1. Individual selection.
2. Mass mating.
99
What are the characteristics of the Broad Breasted White?
All the same as the Broad Breasted Bronze, except for having white plumage.
100
Why is the Broad Breasted White known to be a rapidly growing bird?
It has a high feed efficiency.
101
What two advantage do white feathers have?
1. Eliminates objectionable dark pinfeathers and dark skin pigmentation.
2. Reduced cost of processing the bird.
102
What % of market turkeys are Broad Breasted White?
>95%.
*Started to become the majority in the early 1970's.
103
What is the origin of the Broad Breasted Bronze?
Originated in the U.S. and was the prevalent market turkey from 1940-1960.
104
What kind of carcass does the Broad Breasted Bronze have?
Uniform, well-fleshed.
105
How much does a Broad Breasted Bronze tom weigh?
25-28 lbs.
106
How much does a Broad Breasted Bronze hen weigh?
15-16 lbs.
107
How is the plumage of the Broad Breasted Bronze described?
Black background with iridescent bronze, red, green, and copper.
108
What color do the head and wattle transition to from top to bottom in the Broad Breasted Bronze?
Bluish-white to red.
109
What is the origin of the White Holland?
Originated in Europe and is similar to Broad Breasted Bronze.
*Higher fertility and good egg layer.
110
How much does a White Holland tom weigh?
23-33 lbs.
111
How much does a White Holland hen weigh?
13-14 lbs.
112
How is the plumage of the White Holland described?
Pure white.
113
What color do the head and wattle transition to from top to bottom in the White Holland?
Red to pinkish-white.
114
What is the origin of the Beltsville Small White?
Developed at a USDA facility in Beltsville, Maryland.
115
How much does a Beltsville Small White tom weigh?
12-17 lbs.
116
How much does a Beltsville Small White hen weigh?
7-10 lbs.
117
How is the plumage of the Beltsville Small White described?
Pure white.
118
What color do the head and wattle transition to from top to bottom in the Beltsville Small White?
Red to pinkish-white.
119
What is the Beltsville Small White known for?
Being an egg producer with high hatchability and poor feed efficiency.
120
What is the origin of the Bourbon Red?
Developed in Kentucky. Is an egg producer near extinction.
121
How much does a Bourbon Red tom weigh?
23-33 lbs.
122
How much does a Bourbon Red hen weigh?
14-18 lbs.
123
How is the plumage on the breast, back, body, and wings of the Bourbon Red described?
Dark, rich, chestnut mahogany with black edged feathers.
124
How are the primary and secondary wing feathers of the Bourbon Red described?
Pure white.
125
How are the tail feathers of the Bourbon Red described?
White with a dimly outlined bar of red at the distal end of each.
126
What is the biggest genetic improvement strategy used by the poultry industry?
Selection.
127
What two natural attributes of poultry contribute to faster genetic improvement?
1. Short generational interval.
2. Large number of eggs (offspring?).
128
What are three other factors that affect genetic improvement through selection?
1. Heritability of the trait.
2. Selection differential.
3. Selection intensity.
129
What is heritability of the trait?
The higher the heritability, the faster the genetic progress for that trait.
ex: Growth traits are more heritable that reproductive traits.
130
What is selection differential?
The difference of the base population mean to the mean of the selected individual for the trait.
ex: Individual-Group selected from
131
What is selection intensity?
A measure of how "choosy" breeders are in determining the parents of the next generation.
ex: Only top 10%? Top 5%? Top 1%?
132
What are 5 sources of information used to make selection decisions?
1. Individual performance records.
2. Pedigree.
3. Collateral relatives.
4. Progeny.
5. Genomic information.
133
What is individual performance record?
The stats of the specific animal. Normally measurable traits.
ex: Growth rate, # of eggs produced/year.
134
What is pedigree?
Looking at the traits an animal's ancestors express/-ed as a predictor of the traits the animal will express.
135
What are collateral relatives?
Looking at an animal's siblings when selecting for sex-limited traits.
ex: Looking at the hen relatives when selecting a rooster to breed to hens that will be used as layers.
136
What are progeny used for?
Establishing the genetic worth of an animal based on whether or not the progeny inherited the animal's traits.
137
What is genetic information?
The genotype of every animal in the parent and grandparent stocks. These genotypes are used to get the genomic estimated breeding value (gEBV). Quantitative.
*Allows for ranking of the animals.
138
What is whole genome sequencing?
Having the entire genome mapped out.
*Is becoming more common as the process is becoming more refined and less expensive.
139
What are the 10 traits that are selected for in meat-type chickens?
1. Growth rate.
2. Feed conversion ratio.
3. Carcass yield.
4. Meat quality.
5. Body composition.
6. Disease resistance.
7. Temperament and behavior.
8. Reproductive traits.
9. Environmental adaptability.
10. Carcass composition.
140
How is feed conversion ratio calculated in meat-type chickens?
Total amount of feed consumed/Total weight gained.
141
What does meat quality encompass?
1. Muscle color.
2. Fat content.
3. Tenderness.
4. Flavor.
141
How is carcass yield calculated?
(Carcass wt./Live wt.)*100.
142
What does body composition encompass?
1. Distribution of fat.
2. Distribution of muscle.
*Lean and low fat preferred.
143
What does carcass composition encompass?
1. Breast meat yield.
2. Leg meat yield.
3. Thigh meat yield.
144
What are the 10 traits that are selected for in egg-type chickens?
1. Egg production rate (per hen).
2. Egg quality.
3. Feed conversion ratio.
4. Body weight.
5. Clutch size and pause length.
6. Longevity and persistency in lay.
7. Temperament and behavior.
8. Environmental adaptation.
9. Disease resistance.
10. Reproductive traits.
145
How is feed conversion ratio calculated in egg-type chickens?
Amount of feed eaten/Dozen eggs laid.
146
What is encompassed in egg quality?
1. Egg size.
2. Egg shell quality.
3. Egg color.
147
Why is selecting for body weight necessary?
It is important for reproductive traits such as age at first egg and persistence in lay.
147
What two traits are negatively correlated?
Growth and egg production.
148
What are mating strategies based on?
Breeding animals that are phenotypically similar or dissimilar.
149
What is inbreeding?
Breeding animals that are more genetically related to one another than the average population.
150
What does inbreeding lead to?
Inbreeding depression.
151
What is crossbreeding?
Animals from 2 dif. species breeding together.
152
What does crossbreeding result in?
Heterosis/hybrid vigor.
153
What type of animals is crossbreeding commonly used in?
Meat-type.
154
How many generations does it take to pass down the traits that affect the eggs and meat we eat?
At least 5.
155
What are the sex chromosomes of a male avian?
ZZ, homogametic.
156
What are the sex chromosomes of a female avian?
ZW, heterogametic.
*Decides sex.
157
What are the two methods for sexing chicks used in hatcheries?
1. Vent sexing.
2. Feather sexing.
158
What is vent sexing?
When the chick is held upside down with one hand, the fecal matter expelled, and the vent area is everted in order to look for the presence or absence of a rudimentary sex organ.
*Requires extensive training.
159
In which sex is the rudimentary sex organ present?
Males.
160
How does sexing occur in RIR and New Hampshires?
Male chicks have a white spot on the down over the wing web.
*Lost when the chick down is shed.
161
How does sexing occur in the Barred Plymouth Rock?
Via the barring gene.
162
Which sex chromosome is the barring gene carried on?
The Z chromosome.
163
What is the phenotype of males that are homozygous for the barring gene?
Feathers with broader white bars than those of the female.
164
How many barring genes do females have?
1, which makes them overall lighter in color.
165
How is the sex of a purebred Barred Plymouth Rock determined?
The size and shape of a light colored spot on their head.
*Males have a larger spot than females.
166
What is the accuracy of the spot method in sexing purebred Barred Plymouth Rock birds?
80%.
167
What offspring does the following cross produce: Z^B Z^B x Z^B W?
a. Genotypic: 50% broad white bars, 50% narrow white bars.
b. Phenotypic: 100% barred.
168
What is the result of a non-barred male and a barred female mating?
Female offspring will be non-barred and male offspring will be barred.
*Barred male x non-barred female will not work.
169
What happens when a silver (S) female and gold (s) male mate?
Male offspring are silver and female offspring are gold.
170
Where is the silver and gold feather sexing technique used?
1. Egg industry.
2. Meat industry.
171
What other feathering technique is combined with silver and gold feather sexing technique?
Barred and Non-barred.
172
What is the result of the following cross: Gold, non-barred RIR male x Silver, Barred Plymouth Rock female?
Female offspring are black and red and non-barred. Males are black and white and barred.
173
What is another sex-linked trait that is used commercially in the U.S.?
Rapid or fast-feathering.
174
What is the result of the following cross: Rapid-feathering male x Slow-feathering female?
Male offspring will be slow-feathering and have shorter wing feathers as compared to females. Female offspring will be rapid-feathering and have longer wing feathers as compared to males.
175
What is the difference in feather length in females?
Covert feathers are always shorter than primary feathers.
176
What is the difference in feather length in males?
Covert feathers are as long or longer than primary feathers.
