Poultry Husbandry

Question 1

T/F: primary breeder facilities are essential suppliers of genetic stock, but are not part of the company-owned complex

Answer 1

true

Question 2

What is meant by a “least cost formulated” that is produced by commercial feed mills?

Answer 2

rations made from a variety of ingredients purchased at lowest cost, but technically meet the nutritional requirements of the birds.
They use these because feed is most (70%) of the cost of production.

Question 3

How do geneticists select breeding stock?

Answer 3

by performance indicators such as Feed Conversion Ratios (lbs of feed, lbs of body weight gain, or # eggs prod)

LOWER FCR = better (less feed required to produce meat or eggs)

Question 4

Why should scratch never be used as a sole feed source?

Answer 4

It does allow them to partake in normal/natural behavior, however, it requires MORE energy to obtain the feed than it will provide. It does NOT provide all necessary nutrition in order to produce a decent # eggs and meat.

Question 5

What type of feed is fed to most commercial and backyard birds?

Answer 5

corn-soy based rations in either pellets, crumble, or mash.

Question 6

What is the purpose of pelleting mash?

Answer 6

It kills any bacterial organisms found in the feed material through temperature and pressurization.

Question 7

___________ means birds must eat ONLY organically grown feed (no animal byproducts) and cant be treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics. They must have access to outdoors (free range). They cannot be cloned.

Answer 7

Certified organic

Question 8

__________ means that the appropriate withdrawal period was observed to ensure that antibiotic residues are not present.

Answer 8

antibiotic-free

Question 9

___________ means that the bird never received antibiotics over its lifetime POST-HATCH, but excludes egg injection.

Answer 9

raised without antibiotics

Question 10

_______ means that the bird never received antibiotics over its lifetime including pre- and post-hatch periods.

Answer 10

no antibiotics ever

Question 11

_____________ means that the bird received no synthetic hormones.

Answer 11

Raised without added hormones (including steroids), no hormones administered, or no synthetic hormones.

Question 12

T/F: broiler chickens can be bred naturally.

Answer 12

true

turkeys require artificial insemination

Question 13

Define the typical age and weight of the following:
- Cornish Hen:
- Broiler:
- Fryer:
- Roaster:

Answer 13

• Cornish Hen: <35d, 1-2lbs
• Broiler: 37-45d, 4-4.5 lbs
• Fryer:49-70d, 4.5+ lbs
• Roaster: 74-140d, 5-7 lbs

Question 14

Why do turkeys require special nest boxes that kick them out once their eggs are laid?

Answer 14

because they are broody and will sit on the eggs after laying them.

Question 15

Define the following turkey’s by age and weight:
- Light hen
- Heavy hen
- Tom

Answer 15

• Light hen: (12-14 wk, 14 lbs)
• Heavy hen (14-16 wks, 20 lbs)
• Tom (16-20 wks, 40 lbs)

Question 16

T/F: FCR is typically lower for hens than toms

Answer 16

true

Also: feed efficiency in turkeys decreases as age increases.

Question 17

Why are poults placed into brooder rings during the first 5-7d after hatching?

Answer 17

they are cold
to avoid them piling up and suffocating one another, they keep them in these smaller rings to warm them.

Question 18

How many table egg chickens are in one house?

Answer 18

150,000 birds

Question 19

how many eggs are produced in 1 house per year by table egg chickens?

Answer 19

39.6 million

Question 20

What is the potential downside to cage-free birds?

Answer 20

they are walking on their droppings and diseases like salmonella have the potential to spread faster.

Question 21

T/F: Range-reared birds are certified organic birds.

Answer 21

true
they live on the pasture and are supplemented organic feed. At night, they are secured into a coop that protects them from predators.

Question 22

T/F: gamebirds are birds used illegally for fighting

Answer 22

false – gamefowl are

gamebirds are birds like guineas, peafowl, pheasants, and quail

Question 23

what are the 4 components of a dust bath given to backyard chickens?

Answer 23

sand, hardwood ashes, dry topsoil, and diatomaceous earth

can add permethrin dust if mites are problem, or dried lemon balm, lacendar, oregano, pennyroyal.

Question 24

why do chickens need adequate feeder space?

Answer 24

they have pecking order, so birds who are lower in the pecking order will be bullied and not allowed to obtain food if the space is limited.

Question 25

Describe a force-ventilated house?

Answer 25

negative pressure is generated within the house with exhaust fans.

Question 26

Why is oyster shell added to rations?

Answer 26

source of Ca/P for laying hens to prevent osteoporosis.

Question 27

T/F: cock fighting gamefowl is no longer legal in 49/50 states (misdemeanor), although people are still allowed to own the birds.

Answer 27

true