1/20/2012. think of reasons the eggs may be different. Spent hens are hens that are no longer laying.

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1 Animal, Plant & Soil Science Lesson C7-10 The Poultry Industry Interest Approach think of reasons the eggs may be different. What are the major birds classified as poultry? Poultry is the group name for all domesticated birds used for meat, eggs, or feathers. Poultry is also referred to as birds and fowl. These birds have wings, backbones, and feathers; some can even swim. A. The main group of poultry is chickens. Chickens are the largest segment of the poultry industry. These birds are raised for meat and eggs. Many types and breeds of chickens exist. Many chickens are raised in commercial settings. What are the major birds classified as poultry? B. Turkeys are the next largest division of the poultry industry. Turkeys are raised for meat products. The white meat from turkeys is consumed widely in the United States. C. The third sector of the poultry industry is ducks. Meat, eggs, down, and feathers are the main products. Down is the soft, feathery covering that grows under the feathers. In the United States, ducks and duck products are not used or consumed as much as chickens and turkeys. What are the major birds classified as poultry? D. Geese are raised for several reasons. Meat, eggs, feathers, and down are the main products from geese. Geese provide specialized meat/food products for special occasions. They are also used for weeding fields. E. Some other birds are classified as poultry but are not produced in numbers as large as the birds mentioned previously. These include peafowl, swans, ratites, and guinea fowl. Several species are raised for specialized products. To discuss poultry, familiarity with common terms is important. A. Chickens are classified as layers or broilers. Layers are chickens used to produce large quantities of eggs. Some eggs are used for food, and other eggs are used to produce chicks. Spent hens are hens that are no longer laying. 1

2 These hens will go to the meat market and will be used for processed foods. Soups and baked chicken commonly use meat from spent hens. Broilers are six- to seven-week-old chickens weighing about 4 pounds that are used for meat because they are tender. B. Chickens are grouped by sex and age. A baby chicken of either sex is a chick. A young male chicken is a cockerel. A castrated (neutered) male chicken is a capon. A mature male chicken is a rooster. A young female chicken is a pullet. A mature female chicken is a hen, as is a mature female duck, turkey, or pheasant. A miniature chicken is a bantam. A group of chickens is a flock. C. Turkeys are grouped by sex and age. An adult male turkey is a tom or a gobbler. A mature female is a hen. A young turkey of either sex is a poult. Commonly, a young turkey is called a tom poult or a hen poult. A group of turkeys is a flock. D. Ducks have down that grows under the feathers. A drake is a mature male duck. A hen is a mature female duck. A duckling is a young duck of either sex. E. A young goose is a gosling. A male goose at maturity is a gander. A female goose at maturity is a goose or a hen. When not flying, a group of geese is a gaggle. F. Externally, most birds are very similar. Features on the head and neck help identify them. Breeds of birds have different colored shanks, and pigments are different if the hen has been laying eggs. Ducks and geese live around water and can swim. Thus, the external structures of their feet are different from those of chickens and turkeys that cannot swim. Male birds typically have larger head features, such as the knob in geese, the comb in chickens, and the beard in turkeys. 2

3 There are more than 300 breeds and varieties of chickens. A breed is a group of animals of the same origin with similar characteristics that differentiate them from other breeds within the same species. A variety is a subdivision of a breed. With poultry, a variety may have a distinguishing color, a particular comb size or type, or a beard. A strain is a population within a variety that possesses common traits. Commercial poultry producers use strains for specific purposes in production. A group of birds developed in the same geographic area is categorized as a particular class. In the United States, chickens are commonly grouped into four main classes. The classes are Mediterranean, American, English, and Asiatic. A. Common Mediterranean breeds: 1. Leghorns are a common breed used for egg laying. Leghorns prefer to wander around and are good foragers. They are known for their ability to take flight. Leghorns produce white eggs. They express yellow skin, yellow shanks, white earlobes, and reddish-bay eyes. Leghorns are the most popular breed, with 12 common varieties and the highest production numbers in the United States. The White Leghorn is a popular variety. 2. Minorcas are the largest of the Mediterranean breeds. They have long tails and large, wide feathers. Minorcas also have a large comb. The Black Minorca is a popular variety. Minorcas produce white eggs. They express white skin, dark slate shanks, white earlobes, and brown eyes. Because of their narrow bodies, they are typically not raised for their meat. 3. Andalusians have a distinctive blue color produced by the breeding of a black Andalusian and a white Andalusian. Birds of this breed are small in frame, are active, and are rarely seen in large numbers. They produce white eggs. They express white skin; dark, slaty blue shanks; white earlobes; and reddish-bay eyes. Blue Andalusian birds are typically raised for their beauty and for ornamental purposes. 3

4 B. Common American breeds: 1. Plymouth Rocks are used for meat and egg production. They have broad backs and deep, full breasts. Other external characteristics are yellow skin, yellow shanks, red earlobes, and reddishbay eyes. Females are primarily used as commercial broilers. Popular varieties are Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Plymouth Rocks. The breed lays brown eggs. 2. New Hampshires are known as medium-sized meat chickens. They are average egg layers. New Hampshires are aggressive chickens and make good mothers. Their color is a medium to light red. They lay brown eggs. Hampshires have yellow skin, yellow shanks, red earlobes, and reddish-bay eyes. 3. Rhode Island Reds have two varieties: single and rose comb. They are known for being hardy, with the ability to produce eggs, despite a poor diet and poor housing. The Rhode Island Red is a dual-purpose breed, raised for meat and eggs. The breed is dark red and lays brown eggs. Rhode Island Reds have yellow skin, yellow shanks, red earlobes, and reddish-bay eyes. C. Common English breeds: 1. Cornish chickens are known as the ultimate meat birds. The arrangement and development of muscles give the carcass excellent shape. There are four common varieties of Cornish chickens: Dark, White, White Laced Red, and Buff. Cornish chickens have broad bodies and widely spaced legs. They do not perform well in the cold and do need protection. Cornish chickens like to move around and need space to exercise and develop their muscles. They lay brown eggs. 2. Australorp chickens are good layers and are considered one of the best dual-purpose birds. They are black with dark eyes. The breed lays tinted eggs. Australorp chickens are used in the production of crossbreeds. D. Common Asiatic breeds: 1. Brahmas are commonly used for meat production and crossbreeding purposes. 4

5 Brahmas lay brown eggs. There are three varieties of Brahmas: Light, Dark, and Buff. They have a large structure and yet are gentle. They possess an intricate color pattern. 2. The Cochin is another Asiatic breed. There are four varieties: Black, Buff, Partridge, and White. Cochins have yellow skin and lay brown eggs. They are known for their excellent mothering ability and are typically used as ornamental birds. In appearance, they are described as big, fluffy balls of feathers. What are different breeds of turkeys, ducks, and geese? Knowing breeds of poultry is important when deciding what types of birds to raise on a farm. A. There are several varieties of turkeys. These varieties are Bronze, Narragansett, Black, Slate, Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, and White. Most turkeys raised for meat are of the White variety. The poultry industry has pushed for large, white turkeys for meat production. Broad-Breasted Large Whites are the most commonly grown birds in the United States. They were developed from crosses. The males have black beards, and all birds have white feet, beaks, and shanks. What are different breeds of turkeys, ducks, and geese? B. Some duck breeds are used for meat and others are used for eggs. 1. Duck breeds used for meat include the Call, Swedish, Rouen, White Pekin, Aylesbury, Muscovy, and Cayuga. White Pekins are the most commonly used birds for meat production in the United States. White Pekins originated in China and weigh 8 pounds at maturity. They produce excellent carcasses and have yellow skin with white feathers. They are nervous birds that produce white-tinted eggs. 2. Egg-laying breeds include the Khaki Campbell and the Indian Runner. The Khaki Campbell is used in some countries for commercial egg production. What are different breeds of turkeys, ducks, and geese? C. Geese raised in the United States are used for meat, eggs, feathers, down, and the weeding of crops. The five most common breeds of geese are the Toulouse, Embden, White Chinese, Pilgrim, and African. The Toulouse, Embden, White Chinese, and Pilgrim are good for meat production purposes. Toulouse geese are gray in color and are the largest in size. Embden and White Chinese geese are considered the best of the medium-sized carcasses, have rapid growth rates, and have heavy coats of white or nearly white feathers. Pilgrim males are creamy white, whereas the females are olive-gray. What are the advantages and disadvantages of poultry production? 5

6 Poultry production has several advantages and disadvantages. A. The advantages of raising poultry are: 1. Capital investment is usually low compared to other livestock operations. In controlled environment operations, because of the birds size, little land or building space is required. 2. Caged birds decrease labor for the producer. 3. Current genetics in all breeds have improved over the years, allowing for better meat and egg production. 4. The opportunity exists to contract with a large company. What are the advantages and disadvantages of poultry production? 5. Producers provide wholesome poultry products to the consumer. 6. Jobs are provided throughout the poultry industry. 7. Small flocks are still present, just not as many as 50 years ago. These operations serve as hobby farms. They have opportunities in niche markets for free-range birds. 8. Poultry provides opportunities for FFA and 4-H projects. What are the advantages and disadvantages of poultry production? B. The disadvantages of raising poultry are: 1. Because of vertical integration, large operations have taken control of production in many segments of the poultry industry. 2. Large operations require housing and equipment. Capital investment increases. 3. Disease outbreaks can destroy an entire flock. 4. Nutritional diseases and deficiencies are common in poultry. Good nutrition management is critical in poultry production. 5. A small operation s labor is higher than in other livestock ventures because of the cost of gathering eggs. Statistics show the leading states and nations in poultry production and the major export and import markets for the United States. A. The leading states, based on poultry/egg cash receipts for 2009, are the following: (1) Georgia, (2) Arkansas, (3) Alabama, (4) North Carolina, (5) Mississippi, (6) Texas, (7) Delaware, (8) Missouri, (9) South Carolina, (10) Virginia. The top 10 egg producing states (2009) are the following: (1) Iowa, (2) Ohio, (3) Indiana, (4) Pennsylvania, (5) California, (6) Texas, (7) Florida, (8) Nebraska, (9) Minnesota, (10) Georgia. B. The top 10 states in production of young meat chickens for harvest (2009) are the following: (1) Georgia, (2) Arkansas, (3) Alabama, (4) North Carolina, (5) Mississippi, (6) Texas, (7) Delaware, (8) Missouri, (9) South Carolina, (10) Virginia. 6

7 The top 10 turkey producing states (2009) are the following: (1) Minnesota, (2) North Carolina, (3) Arkansas, (4) Virginia, (5) Missouri, (6) California, (7) Indiana, (8) Pennsylvania, (9) South Carolina, (10) Iowa. California is the leader in organic poultry production, and New York is second. C. The leading chicken producing nations (2009) are the following: (1) United States, (2) Brazil, (3) Mexico, (4) India, (5) United Kingdom, (6) Spain, (7) Indonesia, (8) Japan, (9) France, (10) Russia. The leading nations in hen egg production (2009) are the following: (1) China, (2) United States, (3) India, (4) Japan, (5) Russia, (6) Mexico, (7) Brazil, (8) France, (9) Indonesia, (10) Turkey. D. The leading nations in turkey meat production (2009) are the following: (1) United States, (2) France, (3) Germany, (4) Italy, (5) United Kingdom. The leading nations in duck meat production (2009) are the following: (1) France, (2) Malaysia, (3) Vietnam, (4) Thailand, (5) India. The leading nations in goose meat production (2009) are the following: (1) Hungary, (2) Egypt, (3) Taiwan, (4) Poland, (5) Madagascar. E. The leading U.S. broiler export markets (2009) are the following: (1) Russia, (2) Hong Kong, (3) Latvia, (4) Mexico, (5) Japan, (6) Canada, (7) Lithuania, (8) Cuba, (9) Ukraine, (10) Taiwan. The leading U.S. turkey export markets (2009) are the following: (1) Mexico, (2) China, (3) Russia, (4) Canada, (5) Hong Kong, (6) Taiwan, (7) Panama, (8) Greece, (9) Korea, (10) Haiti. Japan is the largest market for egg product exports. Canada and Mexico are also markets for egg product exports. U.S. poultry imports are only a very small percentage compared with exports. The major supplier is Canada. The poultry industry has gone through major changes in the past several years. Vertical integration has allowed the poultry industry to increase largesized farms and to produce more poultry products by reducing labor and by improving overall efficiency. The poultry industry has gained acceptance from health-conscious people who eat more chicken because of its leanness and nutritional value. A. Approximately 99 percent of all broilers are produced under contract. Company-owned farms have allowed U.S. poultry producers to reduce costs and improve efficiency through scientific advancements, improved technology, and greater management/health control of birds. All stages are controlled to utilize resources and facilities with maximum efficiency in the 7

8 production of more uniform birds. Controlled environmental buildings have allowed improved feed conversions and better livability. B. Avian influenza has had a huge impact on the poultry industry and will continue to do so. Poultry industry groups continue to educate the public and media to ensure the safety and quality of U.S. poultry meat and egg products. Poultry imports to the United States are minimal, with Canada being our main supplier. As global markets continue to rebound from 2004 Avian influenza and disease outbreaks, the United States continues to be a huge exporter of quality, healthy poultry products. C. Poultry niche markets are becoming popular in urban areas. The demand for free-range, antibiotic-free, and/or organic birds/eggs is increasing. Organic consumers want more poultry products. Specialized farms are growing in numbers to meet the demand. Efficiency factors are critical in specialized production, which challenges the industry and the producer. D. Currently, we consume about 81 pounds of chicken per person per year, making poultry a popular selection for the dinner table. The United States produces about 75 billion eggs per year. That is about 10 percent of the world egg supply. The poultry industry is important to the U.S. economy. As the poultry industry continues to provide highquality meat and egg products, demands for poultry will remain strong, and exports will rise. Poultry industry groups, such as the National Chicken Council and the American Egg Board, will have to meet the challenges of continuing education for consumers and producers. Review What are the major birds classified as poultry? parts of poultry? 43 Review What are different breeds of turkeys, ducks, and geese? What are the advantages and disadvantages of poultry production? 8

9 44 Review major export and import markets for the United States? 9