Poultry Vocabulary
What is the technical term for birds?
Avian
What facility hatches eggs using incubators?
Hatchery
Before the poultry industry specialized birds, chickens were raised to produce what two things?
Meat and Eggs
What breed is commonly used for white egg production?
Leghorn
Before the 1950s, most chickens were used for both meat and eggs. What is this called?
Dual-purpose
What is a group of chickens called?
Flock
What facility produces feed for chickens by mixing grains and nutrients?
Feed Mill
What housing system includes cages with added features like perches and nesting areas?
Enriched Cage System
What breed is known for laying brown eggs?
What event helped increase the demand for chicken meat in the United States?
World War II
What is the difference between a Pullet and a Hen?
A pullet is a young female chicken that has not started laying eggs yet, while a hen is a mature female chicken that lays eggs.
What facility cleans and grades eggs before they are sold?
Processor
What are the main feed ingredients used in diets for laying hens?
Corn, soybeans, and other grains
What breed is often called the “All American” chicken?
Plymouth Rock
Broilers are selected to produce large amounts of what type of meat?
Breast meat
What are eggs called when they are removed from the shell and sold in liquid form?
Breaker eggs
About how many pounds of feed does it take to produce one dozen eggs?
About 3 pounds of feed
What housing system includes cages with added features like perches and nesting areas?
Enriched Cage System
What breed is used in commercial broiler crosses?
Cornish
What two chicken breeds are crossed to create most commercial broilers?
White Cornish × White Plymouth Rock
What two vocabulary terms describe the two main types of chickens used in modern poultry production?
Broilers and Layers
About how many eggs can a laying hen produce in one year?
About 300–325 eggs
Which egg-laying housing system allows hens to perform natural behaviors like flying short distances and moving throughout the building?
Aviary System
What breed has fluffy feathers and is considered an ornamental chicken?
Silkie
Name two traits poultry producers look for when breeding broiler chickens.
Fast growth
Large breast meat
Efficient feed conversion
Strong legs and bones