Breeders, Layers and Hatching Egg Production R. Keith Bramwell, PhD Department of Poultry Science University of Arkansas

Terms Cock: Male chicken Hen: Female Pullett: Female under six months, non laying Capon: Neutered male chicken Broiler: Raised for meat Layer: Egg production Gestation: Chicken: 21 days Production: usually 1 egg per day Comb: Red tissue on top of head Wattle: Red tissue hanging under beak Brooding: the raising of baby chicks

Chickens – layers or broilers: Broilers – young meat chickens (8 weeks old or less). Roasters – mature chickens used for meat. Capons – castrated males 14-17 weeks old. There are more than 200 breeds of chickens in the US. Most layers and broilers are cross-breeds.

Breeds and Varieties

Breeds and Varieties Breed is a type of chicken Leghorn or a Plymouth Rock Variety is defined by the variations within the breed Leghorn – single comb vs rose comb white vs light brown Plymouth rock – White Rock vs Barred Rock

Types of Variations Body shape and structure Modern game, Japanese, rumpless

Types of Variations Leg and feet variations Size Sound? Silkie, Salmon Favorelle, etc Size Bantam, standard Sound? Long crowers!

What is Bantam Chicken? A small version of the larger (standard size) breed Bantams are almost exclusively for exhibition

Types of Variations Feather color Solid coloring Barring, penciled, mottled

Types of Variations Feather type Silkies, frizzles, long tails

Types of Variations Feather distribution Polish, cochins, naked neck

Types of Variations Comb type Single, rose, pea, v-shape, etc

Comb Types Single Comb Rose Comb Blue-hen, Leghorn, Plymouth Rock, New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red Leghorn, Rhode Island Red

Comb Types

Comb Types V Comb Polish

Comb Types Pea Comb Ameraucana, Araucana, Cornish

Fertilization & Embryo Development Fertilization occurs within 5 minutes after ovulation Shell formation takes 24-26 hours to complete Hen’s body temperature 104 - 106o F Laid egg represents 1 days embryonic growth (20,000 - 40,000 cells)

Day 0 of Incubation: Before Egg is Laid Fertile/infertile determination can be made at lay While the egg moves from initial fertilization, to shell membrane formation to shell formation in the oviduct, the embryo develops from the early to late cleavage stages Germinal disc diameter (3-4mm) larger the first few hours after fertilization than at lay

Fertile and Infertile Eggs