Poultry Production Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the importance of records in poultry farming?

  • They only track feed consumption.
  • They allow farmers to make informed decisions based on data. (correct)
  • They are unnecessary for small-scale farmers.
  • They help track health issues in flocks.

    • What does the feed conversion ratio (FCR) indicate in poultry production?

  • The daily water intake per chicken.
  • The total feed cost per meat bird.
  • The amount of weight gained per day.
  • The efficiency of feed usage to achieve weight gain. (correct)

    • How do cage and barn eggs differ regarding gross margin?

  • Barn eggs have lower production costs and lower selling prices.
  • They have the same production costs but different selling prices.
  • Both have identical gross margins regardless of production methods.
  • Cage eggs usually have lower production costs and higher selling prices. (correct)

    • What factors can affect the feed conversion ratio of meat chickens?

    <p>The type of feed quality and protein content.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should be taken first to set up brooders for poultry?

    <p>Set up two identical brooders with feed, water, and litter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum amount of floorspace required for each hen in a conventional cage production system?

    <p>550 cm²</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of furnished cages in layer production systems?

    <p>Inclusion of perches and nesting boxes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant consumer concern regarding conventional cage systems for poultry?

    <p>Animal welfare issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In barn production, how many birds can be kept indoors in large sheds?

    <p>30,000 birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature does cage production offer to help keep eggs clean?

    <p>Eggs roll to trays at the front of the cage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the mortality rate of hens in cage systems compare to other production systems?

    <p>Lower mortality rates than other systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum floorspace required for each bird in barn production?

    <p>800 cm²</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method allows for monitoring the growth and development of chicken embryos within the egg?

    <p>Candling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What system is characterized by animals being kept at high stocking rates in small areas?

    <p>Intensive production systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one advantage of free-range poultry systems compared to cage systems?

    <p>Natural roaming behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To enhance the growth rate of chicks, which technique can be employed?

    <p>Implementing various light colors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a critical concern when comparing different poultry production systems?

    <p>Ethical implications versus production efficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What feature distinguishes poultry as a specific category of livestock?

    <p>Domesticated birds raised for meat or eggs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of poultry system is becoming increasingly popular despite higher production costs?

    <p>Free-range systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a common feature of poultry rearing for chicks in their early life stages?

    <p>Extra warmth provided by brooder lamps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What historic harvesting practice was used by Aboriginal peoples to ensure sustainable emu populations?

    <p>Leaving some eggs in the nest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of poultry is specifically referenced as being farmed alongside chickens for their contributions to meat and eggs?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bird is not typically included in the definition of poultry?

    <p>Cow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary reason for the location of poultry farms near major towns or cities?

    <p>To lower transportation costs to markets</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ideal temperature range during the incubation of poultry eggs?

    <p>37.4–37.6°C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does humidity change during the hatching period compared to incubation?

    <p>Humidity must increase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common management practice for reducing temperature during the brooding period?

    <p>Increasing the distance of brooder lights from chicks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor is crucial to monitor in order to maintain optimal conditions for poultry?

    <p>Microclimate around the birds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What economic factor has led to the establishment of more poultry farms in regional areas?

    <p>Increased land prices in urban areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What management strategy helps avoid problems during the hatching process?

    <p>Increasing humidity in the final incubation days</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a consequence of the growing concern over noise and pollution from poultry farms?

    <p>Increase in poultry farm regulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor that needs to be controlled for optimal poultry production?

    <p>Chemical fertilizer levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the impact of increased demands on poultry farms regarding location?

    <p>Farms are relocating to regions with abundant grain</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key requirement for certified organic meat chickens?

    <p>They must only receive certified organic feed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a feature of RSPCA-approved meat systems?

    <p>High stocking density</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might free-range, barn, and pastured eggs require washing while cage eggs do not?

    <p>Cage eggs are produced in a cleaner environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one reason why meat birds are thinned out instead of harvested all at once?

    <p>To facilitate easier management and reduce stress.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following features is typically evaluated when comparing different egg production systems?

    <p>Mortality rates of the hens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant benefit of keeping laying hens for a second season?

    <p>Reduced cost of production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key feature of pastured egg production?

    <p>Enhanced exposure to predators.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which condition must be provided to RSPCA-approved meat chickens?

    <p>Access to perches and enrichment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of using a brooder in poultry management?

    <p>To provide warmth for young chicks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might be a common misconception about the need for washing eggs in different production systems?

    <p>All eggs should be washed to ensure hygiene.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Poultry Production Systems

    • Most poultry enterprises are intensive, meaning animals are kept at high stocking rates in relatively small areas.
    • Cage production involves groups of between four and 20 hens housed in stacked cages inside large sheds, each containing up to 100 000 birds.
      • Each bird must have a minimum of 550 cm2 of floorspace.
      • Feed and water are delivered automatically and eggs roll along the sloping floor to collection trays at the front of the cage, keeping them clean and free from damage.
      • Manure is collected and moved along on conveyer belts to avoid soiling the cages below.
      • Consumer concerns about animal welfare have reduced the popularity of this production system.
      • Hens housed in cages have lower rates of mortality and cannibalism than other production systems.
      • Hens housed in cages are also safe from potential predators.
    • Furnished cages are a new, more bird-friendly version of cage production.
      • These cages are fitted out with perches, nesting boxes and areas for dust bathing.
    • Barn production involves up to 30 000 birds being kept indoors in large sheds.
      • Each bird is required to have a minimum of 800 cm2 of floorspace.
      • Birds are free to roam around the shed and have access to nesting boxes in which to lay their eggs.
    • Organic meat chickens must only receive certified organic feed.
      • They also must not receive vaccinations (unless legally required) or certain medications, including antibiotics.
      • Certified organic meat chickens can be raised in barn or free-range conditions.
    • RSPCA-approved meat systems require birds to be housed at a lower stocking density and have access to perches and other enrichment objects.
      • Producers must also use approved lighting regimes and bedding materials.

    Poultry Production Management

    • Poultry farms have traditionally been located near major towns or cities to reduce the cost of transport to markets and allow access to services such as electricity.
    • As cities have grown, increasing land values and environmental complaints about noise and pollution have put poultry farms under pressure.
    • More farms are now being set up in regional areas close to grain growers, to reduce the cost of feed.
    • Climate needs to be monitored and controlled.
      • Temperature, airflow, humidity and air quality can vary over short distances, so it is important that the microclimate around the birds is measured and assessed.
      • During incubation, temperature is kept at 37.4–37.6°C but relative humidity is increased during the hatching period.
      • During brooding, the temperature needs to be gradually reduced over the first five weeks.

    Poultry Production Record Keeping

    • Feed conversion ratio (FCR) is a measure of how efficiently an animal can convert feed into weight gain.
      • Weight of feed (kg) / Weight gained (kg) = Feed conversion ratio
      • The lower the FCR, the more efficiently the food is converted to weight gain.
      • Meat chickens have FCRs of approximately 1.8, meaning they need to eat 1.8 kg of feed to gain 1 kg in weight.
      • The type of feed also affects the FCR. Cheaper feeds may be poorer quality and contain less protein and energy than more expensive feeds, meaning more needs to be fed to achieve target weights.
    • Gross margin analysis can be used to determine the relative profitability of different enterprises.
      • Cage and barn eggs have different production costs, but they also sell for different prices.

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    Description

    Explore the various poultry production systems, focusing on intensive methods like cage production and furnished cages. Learn about the implications for animal welfare, management practices, and the efficiency of these systems. This quiz delves into the advantages and challenges faced by poultry enterprises today.

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