Hatchery
Name at least 2 factors that need to be controlled during incubation and why
Temperature - proper growth of chick
Humidity - to make sure the membrane is not too dry
Turning - circulation of nutrients and oxygen
Ventilation - remove expelled Carbon dioxide from the incubator
What are 3 examples of litter that can be used for broiler chickens
sawdust, wood shavings, rice hulls, straw, paper products, peanut shells, shredded sugarcane
What is value adding and provide 3 examples
Involves changing a product from its original form, with the aim of increasing its value
Ex: chicken nuggets, kebabs, marinated wings/legs, kievs.
Litter
Odour
Waste water
Define stocking rates
the number of animals kept in a given area
Name the 2 stages of incubation and some of the main differences
Setter - first 18 days, eggs on end and turned at 45-degree angles, humidity 55%
Hatcher - last 3 days, horizontal, humidity 70%
List 2 reasons why nutrition is important to the broiler industry
Weight gain in broilers
Efficient conversion of feed to muscle
Proper nutrition = good health = less diseases
Nutrients essential to egg laying of parent stock
How does production cost effect consumer price?
the more it costs the farmers to raise the birds, the more the consumer will have to pay for the product
Name 3 cereal grains and 2 non-cereal ingredients in chicken feed
wheat, barley, rye, rice, maize, oats, millet
soybean meal, Canola meal, cottonseed meal, sunflower meal, peas, lupins, meat meal, fish meal, poultry by-product meal, blood meal, feather meal
Define Clutch
The number of eggs produced without a break in the laying season
Name the 3 types of vaccines given to chickens (hint: not the mode of delivery)
Live
Attenuated
Killed
Describe the process of thinning out in the broiler sheds
Harvesting on a number of occasions to give the remaining birds more room to grow
What are some of the waste products from processing chickens and how are they managed?
feathers, organs, skin, carcass - ground and processed into animal feed
How can broiler farms manage odour?
removal of litter, tree line, ventilation
Define incubate
To sit or artificially heat eggs to hatch
State 4 ways of administering vaccines to chickens
In ovo, intramuscular, ocular, nasal, drinking water, cloacal, feather follicle, wing stab, and spray
Why are the birds harvested at night?
It is cooler, they are more settled and with the lower light, they are easier to handle.
State 2 advantages to pelletizing the feed
The high temperatures in pelleting production destroys potential pathogens
There is less waste
Chickens get a full balanced diet
How can broiler farms manage the environmental concerns of deep litter?
collected from the sheds after harvesting the chickens and used as fertiliser and compost
Define hybrid
offspring of chickens which are different breeds
Why is biosecurity such an important aspect of a broiler production system?
Producers must ensure that systems are in place to prevent the entry of disease from other birds and people. Intensive housing, also increases the risk of disease transmission because of the crowded conditions. Examples of biosecurity include, wearing overalls, disinfecting footwear and restricting entry to workers only
List the 5 steps involved in a full shed clean-out after the chickens have been harvested
All deep litter is removed, feed pans are scrubbed, water lines are cleaned and flushed, ventilation fan blades are cleaned and rodent bait stations are checked.
What is the formula for Food conversion ratio, what does it tell us, and why is it important to the farmer
FCR= Total food eaten/ Total weight gain
Tells us the amount mass gained from each 1kg of food eaten - how efficient the animal is at utilising food
The lower the FCR, the more efficient the animal is at converting its food to muscle, therefore saving the farmer money and increasing profits. The FCR can help the producer decide which animals to use for breeding.
What is vertical integration and why is broiler production a good example of this system of business management?
Vertical integration is a strategy that allows a company to streamline its operations by taking direct ownership of various stages of its production process rather than relying on external contractors or suppliers.
Broiler production is a good example of vertical integration, as the producer controls all stages of production, from the breeding farms to slaughter, the only stage they outsource is the growing sheds, where contractors, grow the chickens out before slaughter.
Define residues
traces of chemicals found in a carcase after slaughter