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• Types of poultry include:

  • Ratites (Ostriches, Emus)
  • Chickens
  • Ducks
  • Geese
  • Turkeys
  • Game Birds
  • Pigeons (used in Pigeon Racing)
• Chickens make up the largest sector of the poultry industry
• Consumption of chicken worldwide is rising every year because chicken is low in fat, high in protein, and low in cholesterol compared to meats like pork and beef
• There is a strong negative genetic correlation between body weight and egg production in poultry, leading to the development of layers hens for eggs and broilers for meat
• Breeds of chickens include:

  • White Leghorns (used for egg production, produce white eggs)
  • New Hampshire Reds (used for meat and eggs, produce brown eggs)
• The difference between brown and white eggs is purely cosmetic, with the color difference due to the breed of the hen
• Broilers are chickens raised for meat, reaching market weight at 5-6 weeks of age and weighing around 1.7 kg
• Poultry terms:

  • Layer: mature female chicken that produces eggs
  • Pullet: young female chicken less than 5 months old
  • Capon: neutered male chicken for tender and flavorful meat
• The genetic selection of broilers has focused on growth rate and feed efficiency, resulting in hybrids that are healthier and more productive than their parents
• Egg production involves the release of the ovum, fertilization, albumin secretion, shell formation, and laying
• Egg hatching involves incubation for about 21 days, with chicks being sexed, vaccinated, and prepared for either egg production or meat
• Layer hens can lay almost 330 eggs/year, and most eggs sold are unfertilized
• In commercial layer operations, lighting is used to stimulate hormonal activity for increased egg production
• Eggs are graded by size, checked for cracks and interior spots, and coated with mineral oil to prevent carbon dioxide from escaping
• Most eggs produced are by layers in cages, with lighting used to stimulate egg production
• Eggs are naturally produced when days are longer than nights, and they are graded, cleaned, and refrigerated before being sold