Term
| What are the major types of poultry? What are their characteristics? Breeds? |
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Definition
Broiler (Ross & Cobb)
-fast growth, high breast yield, large body
Layers (Lohmann, Hyline, Shaver, Bovan)
-light weight, high egg production
Turkeys (Broad Breasted White)
-heavy boned, large body, programmed for high breast yield
Breeders
-used to produce fertilized eggs for the next generation of broilers/layers/turkeys |
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Term
| What are the minor poultry types? |
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Definition
Ducks & geese
Ratites (ostriches, emus, rheas)
Pigeons
Game birds (quail, partridges, pheasants) |
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Term
What are the following?
Pullet
Cockerel
Poult
Tom |
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Definition
What are the following?
Pullet - immature female chicken
Cockerel - immature male chicken
Poult - baby turkey
Tom - male turkey |
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Term
| How is poultry supply managed in Canada? |
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Definition
-government endorsed partnership regulates production & import
-quota is set, divided by province, based on consumption levels
-producers must purhase quota
-price fluctuates
-quota is huge financial investment for farmers! |
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Term
| What is the maximum population size at which you can raise poultry without quota? |
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Definition
50 turkeys
99 layer chickens
300 broiler chickens |
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Term
| What are the 3 pillars of supply management? |
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Definition
Production planning
-keep steady supply based on pre-determining how much to produce each quota period
Import controls
-crucial in determining how much product needs to be produced to meet needs
Producer pricing
-negotiated by farmers to establish a fair price base on costs |
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Term
| What are the goals of supply management? (3) |
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Definition
-match supply & demand for the commodity
-pay steady prices to farmers that cover production costs & allow for steady income
-consumer have consistent supply of high-quality product at reasonable prices, without government subsidies! |
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Term
| What provinces are the main poultry producers? |
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Definition
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Term
True or False
Chicken is the largest source of protein consumption in Canada? |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| laying hens who are no longer productive, and are shipped for meat |
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Term
| What are the primary broiler breeding companies? Multiplier companies? Commercial producers? |
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Definition
Primary
-Great grandparent & grandparent lines
Multiplier
-parent flock & hatcheries
Commercial producers
-commercial flock |
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Term
| At what age do birds begin laying fertilized eggs? How long is their laying cycle? |
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Definition
approx. 26 weeks of age
34-36 week laying cycle |
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Term
| How many eggs will a breeding hen lay in her lifetime? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the average 'hatchability' of eggs produced? |
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Definition
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Term
| How are broiler hens fertilized? |
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Definition
live cover (don't use AI)
10 hens : 1 rooster |
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Term
| Describe the light duration/intensity for housing conditions of broiler breeders |
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Definition
<21wks = 8hrs, low intensity (short day)
>21 wks = 11hrs, higher intensity (long day) |
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Term
| What are the typical storing conditions of broiler hatching eggs (before incubation)? Time, temperture, humidity, position? Why is this important |
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Definition
7 days
12-16 degrees C
75% humidity
Small end downwards
This prevents embryo from developing & prevents moisture loss |
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Term
| What are the stages of incubation? |
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Definition
Setter (day 1-18)
Hatcher (day 18-21) |
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Term
| Describe the conditions during the setter phase of incubation (temp, humidity, position) |
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Definition
38 C
58-60% humidity
Turn eggs every hour |
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Term
| Describe the conditions during the hatching phase of incubation. What also occurs during the hatcher phase of incubation? |
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Definition
65% humidity
In-ovo vaccination for Marek's disease |
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Term
| Describe the processing that occurs for broiler chicks in their first day of life |
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Definition
-health check
-sexing (sometimes)
-spray vaccination for bronchitis & coccidiosis
-placed into shipping box, transported to commercial farm |
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Term
| Describe the process of preparing the barn for chick arrival |
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Definition
-remove manure & old litter
-dry clean to remove dust
-wet clean using water & detergent
-disinfect barn surfaces & equipment, water lines
-add clean bedding (shavings/straw)
-lower feed & water lines
-pre heat barn
-place chick paper, supplemental feeders & waterers
-turn on heat lamps |
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Term
True or False
Chicks cannot maintain their own body temperature at early stages of life |
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Definition
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Term
| What can you do to ensure chicks find feed & water stations upon arrival to the commercial farm? |
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Definition
-place chicks on floor in strategic locations
-provide 23 hours of light for first 1-3 days so they can see the feeders & waterers |
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Term
| Why would you use lower light intensity in broiler barns? |
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Definition
| Reduces aggression, to minimize scratches which would lower carcass value |
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Term
| What are the key requirements for optimal growth & quality of broiler flocks? (8) |
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Definition
-health
-feed
-air/ventilation
-light
-temperature & humidity
-water supply
-stocking density
-litter |
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Term
| At what age are broilers marketed? |
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Definition
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Term
| What are the 'categories' of broiler markets? |
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Definition
Cornish game hens (young hens)
-the small whole chickens you can purchase
Fryer (pullets)
-'KFC' market, drumsticks, etc
Broiler
-'Swiss Chalet' market
Roaster
-3kg |
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Term
| Describe the processing that takes place for layer chicks in their first day of life |
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Definition
-health check
-sexed
-beak trimmed
-spray vaccinated against bronchitis & coccidiosis
-placed in shipping box, transported to rearing farm |
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Term
| Why is it important to raise laying pullet flocks in the same type of housing system as the production facility where they will later be transferred? |
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Definition
| Because they learn how to navigate a system when they are young, and may not be able to learn a new system efficiently enough to maximize weight gain later |
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Term
| What is the goal of a pullet grower? |
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Definition
| -grow a uniform flock of pullets capable of achieving their genetic potential in the layer barn |
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Term
| What are the key management factors when raising pullet flocks (6) |
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Definition
-achieve target weight for age
-maintain flock uniformity
-consistent environmental temp & air qual
-minimize feed waste
-health management & vaccination programs
-proper light stimulation |
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Term
| Describe the typical diet of pullet flocks |
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Definition
-chicks are started on a high-protein diet which is gradually stepped down
-2 weeks before laying diet must be high in calcium to build medullary stores |
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Term
True or False
Pullets are vaccinated almost every week of their lives |
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Definition
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Term
| Why is it important to control day length when rearing pullet flocks? When would you increase day length and why? |
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Definition
-repro tract development accelerates as day length increases
-day length influences hormones released from pituitary which control ovary development
-gradually increase day a few weeks before entering laying barn, once pullets have reached target weight |
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Term
| Describe a typical lighting program for pullets & layers |
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Definition
23hr day for 1-3 days of age
Gradually decrease length from 4d to 20 wks
Increase a few weeks before laying, and through laying from 20-72 wks of age to 16-17hr days |
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Term
| At what age are pullets transferred to the production barn? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe the housing systems of layer flocks |
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Definition
Conventional cages
-4 to 7 tiers high, 5-7 birds/cage
-manure belts
Furnished/Enriched Cages
-4 tiers, 40-80 birds/cage
-manure belts
Free run, aviaries, free range
-may or may not have manure belts in aviaries |
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Term
True or False
There are no differences in space requirements for brown vs white birds |
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Definition
False
Brown birds are slightly larger, need more space per bird |
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Term
| How long does it take to form an egg? How many eggs does a laying hen lay per year? What is the average life span of a laying hen? |
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Definition
24hrs
320 eggs/year
17 months |
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Term
| What nutrients should be supplemented to prevent cage layer fatigue? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the target size of an egg in production? |
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Definition
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Term
True or False
Extra large & jumbo eggs are more highly valued |
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Definition
False
Producer don't get any extra income for extra large or jumbo eggs |
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Term
True or False
Canada is a major exporter of turkey poultry genetics |
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Definition
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Term
True or False
Hens and toms (turkeys) are housed together and bred live-cover |
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Definition
False
House separately, bred via AI |
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Term
| How is the incubation period at a turkey hatchery? What are the phases? |
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Definition
28 days
25d in setter
3d in hatcher |
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Term
| Describe the processing involved for poults in their first day of life |
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Definition
-health check
-sexed (always)
-beak trimmed, toe-trimmed, de-snooded
-spray vaccinated against coccidiosis (sometimes)
-transported to commercial farm |
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Term
| Describe the housing system in the brooding phase of turkey flocks. What age are turkeys in this phase? |
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Definition
Up to 5/6 weeks old
-closed floor barn
-wood shavings
-brooder ring to feed
-supplemental heat
-supplemental feeders & water sometimes to prevent piling |
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Term
| Describe the housing system in the growing phase of turkey flocks. What age are the turkeys? |
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Definition
Up to 11-17 weeks of age
-single level, closed or curtain-sided floor barns
-star or wood shavings, litter often re-used |
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Term
True or False
Turkeys kept in the 'growing' phase are given fresh litter when moved from the brooding barn |
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Definition
| False, the litter is often re-used |
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Term
| At what age are turkeys marketed? |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe the different major markets for turkey |
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Definition
Broilers (5.3kg)
Hens (7.9kg) typical whole-bird market
Toms (14.8kg) these are usually further processed |
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Term
| Describe the general infection cycle in poultry |
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Definition
1. Pathogens shed in droppings, dander, aerosols
2. Direct transmission (bird to bird) or indirect (equipment/insects to bird)
3. Repeat! |
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Term
| What are the 3 tiers of biosecurity? |
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Definition
On-farm disease control
Prevent pathogen entry to farm
Prevent pathogen spread within farms |
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Term
| What are the aspects of on-farm disease control |
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Definition
Prevention
Early detection
ID & treatment of dieases |
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Term
| Describe the zones of access control in biosecurity |
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Definition
Controlled Access Zone
-poultry production area, with a secured, controlled access point
e.g. entire facility incl. bins & outbuildings
Restricted Access Zone
-inside the CAZ, more restricted
e.g. barn
Controlled Access Point
-defined entry points through which all traffic must enter the CAZ & RAZ
e.g. driveway entrance, parking lot entrance |
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Term
| What are the main aspects of poultry health management |
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Definition
Bird introduction/movement/removal
Pest control
Manure & deadstock mangement
Down time
Cleaning & disinfection
Monitoring flock health |
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Term
| Why is bird introduction/movement important? |
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Definition
all-in all-out system within 7 days enables proper cleaning, no contamination between flocks
-historical records of all pullets
-know that the source supplying the flock has a disease control program |
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Term
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Definition
period of time between barn emptying and intro of new birds
-the longer it is the more pathogens are reduced |
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Term
| Why is cleaning & disinfection important? |
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Definition
-removal of manure & dry cleaning reduces the down-time to 14 days
-washing & disinfection reduces to 7-10 days |
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Term
| What are some important aspects of monitoring flock health? |
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Definition
-daily observation
-daily mortality/cull counts
-vaccination & medication records
-disease diagnosis records
-feed & water consumption monitored
-output records (e.g. egg prod.) monitored |
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