Exploring the Poultry Industry Lesson B2-6

Interest Approach Display eggs on a safe surface to show the different colors, grades, and weight classes. Start a discussion asking students to think of reasons that the eggs may be different.

Student Learning Objectives Describe poultry as organisms and identify external parts. Identify poultry terminology. Explain production systems and marketing of poultry. List and describe breeds of poultry.

Terms Bantams Broilers Chick Cockerels Drake Duckling Gander Goose Gosling Hens Layers Poult Poultry Pullet Producers Pullets Roosters Tom

Describe poultry as organisms and identify external parts. Objective #1

What is poultry? Poultry –Group name for all domesticated birds used for meat, eggs, and feathers. –Referred to as fowl. –Have wings, backbones, & feathers. –Some can swim.

What is the difference between poultry and other animals? Digestive System –Has a gizzard instead of teeth. Reproductive System –Egg laying after mating for fertile eggs. –Artificial insemination is needed because some birds are unable to mate naturally because of their mass of flesh.

What is the difference between poultry and other animals? Externally –Most birds are similar. –Features on the head and neck help identify.

External Parts of Poultry

Identify poultry terminology. Objective #2

What are terms associated with poultry? Chickens Layers –Cickens that are used to produce large quantities of eggs. –Eggs used for food and produce chicks. Broilers –Young chickens that weigh about 4 pounds, are 6 to 7 weeks old and used for meat.

What are terms associated with poultry? Chickens Chick –Baby chicken of either sex. Cockerels –Young male chicken.

Poultry Terms Chickens Roosters –Mature males Pullets –Young female chickens Hens –Mature females Bantams –Miniature chickens Turkeys Hens –Mature females Tom –Adult male gobbler Poult –Young turkey of either sex

Poultry Terms Ducks Have down that grows under feathers. Hens –Mature female Drake –Mature male Duckling –Young duck of both sexes. Geese Goose –Female at maturity. Gander –Male at maturity. Goslings –Young geese.

Explain production systems and marketing of poultry. Objective #3

What are ways to market and produce poultry? Consumption of red meat has declined recently, the consumption of poultry meat has increased. Chickens are the main form of consumed poultry. Turkeys sell better near Thanksgiving. Eggs in more demand around Christmas with many people baking.

Areas of Chicken Production Broiler Production Producing as much meat as quickly as possible for maximum profit. Large facilities for 6 to 7 weeks before marketing. Nutrition & environment major consideration. 99% are grown under contract between farmer & processor. Other outlets include live broilers at auctions, to dealers, or processing plants.

Egg Production Produce high quality eggs for consumption. Provide ideal environment for the hens. Proper housing and nutrition is needed. Keep all eggs clean and prevent from breaking is another factor. Marketing eggs is under contract similar to broilers. Other options for eggs include local buyers or through cooperatives.

Pullet Producers Production systems that raise hens for laying purposes. Raise day-old female chicks into replacement hens. Raise until they are 20 weeks old. Delivered to laying farm to begin egg production at 24 weeks of age. Marketing is done between pullet producer and the egg producer.

Breeder-bird production system Grows pullets and cockerels for fertile egg production. Eggs are hatched and the birds become broilers. Marketing includes selling under contract with a poultry company.

List and describe kinds and breeds of poultry. Objective #4

Chickens 4 classes of chickens –Mediterranean –American –English –Asiatic Identification Characteristics –color of eggs, skin, eyes, earlobes, and plumage Andalusian Australorp

Brahma Cornish Game Single-Comb White Leghorn Barred Plymouth Rock

Turkey Breeds Broad-Breasted Large White Most popular breed. Developed from crosses. Males have black beards. All have white feet, beaks, & shanks.

Ducks Breeds used for meat. –Call, Aylesbury, Swedish, Muscovy, Rouen, Cayuga, White Pekin. Breeds used for eggs –Khaki Campbells –Indian Runners

Ducks White Pekin –Most commonly used. –Originated in China. –Weigh 8 pounds. –White feathered with yellowish skin. –Nervous birds. –White tinted eggs.

Pekin Khaki Campbell

Geese Used for meat, eggs, feathers, down and weeding crops. Most common breeds –Toulouse –Embden –Chinese –Pilgrim –African Embden

Review What is poultry? What are terms associated with poultry? What are ways to market and produce poultry? What are different kinds and breeds of poultry?