Hatchery
How long is the incubation period for chickens?
21 days
Name 2 external parasites of chickens
Lice, mites, fleas, and ticks
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 Broody
a female that is sitting on the nest and wanting to incubate eggs
What is the temperature for housing day old chicks
33 degrees Celsius
Name 2 internal parasites of chickens
Roundworm, Tapeworm, coccidia and caecal worm
Name 4 jobs in the broiler industry
Processing plant manager, Researcher, Feed analyser, Hatchery worker, Graphic designer, Retailer, Meat chicken grower, Veterinarian, Chef, Grain producer, Mechanic
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 Litter
bedding material on the floor of poultry sheds, normally wood shavings
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%
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
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
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
Define Intensive production
production of large numbers of livestock in a small area e.g. battery chickens and broiler sheds
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 is the average weight and age of broilers when harvested?
35 days 2.5Kg
What are the 2 largest broiler companies in Australia?
Steggles and Inghams
How is the litter managed?
collected and sold as fertiliser
precautions to ensure that animals are not exposed to disease e.g. overalls and shoe disinfection.
Marek's Disease
What is the difference between free-range and organic chickens?
Free range chickens have freedom to roam, while organic chickens have not been fed any feed containing chemicals or come into contact with synthetic chemicals of any form.
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 stocking rates
the number of animals kept in a given area