Just a nerdy Animal Science major sharing notes, posting photos that make good studying aids, and occasionally venting. You will find info on several classes including Intro to Animal Science (Dr. Hembry), Meats (Dr. D. Johnson), Growth & Development (Dr. S. Johnson), Genetics (Dr. Kenworthy) ** all entries prior to Aug 2009 are Intro to Animal Science **

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Poultry, Friday, July 10th

Larger bird= more meat for deboning
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Broilers
Body weight at market age 6.6#
Feed consumed to reach that weight 11.22#

Feed conversion ratio
11.22/6.6= 1.70:1

Feed efficiency
6.6/11.22= .588= 58.8%
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If mortality is to occur, the younger the better so not so much money is wasted.

less than 4 wks = bone & muscle (a lot of water)
more than 4 wks = fat

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There are 60 breeds of chickens
Three main purposes: MEATS, EGGS, ORNAMENTALS (pets)
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Primary breeders genetically select and sell chickens
"the heart of today's poultry industry"
No other animal industry has the degree of centralization that the poultry industry has

GOAL: To improve genetic performance capabilities of different strains & to maintain sufficient numbers.

Very high biosecurity -----------------Elite

GGPs

GPS

Parent Stock

Low biosecurity ---------- Commercial Broilers & Layers


Elite & GGPs - major genetic selection for "desired traits"
GPs & Parent Stock- US & UK provide breeding stock
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Broiler houses have no cages/laying boxes because the birds never make it to sexual maturity. We harvest them young.
Broiler Breeder houses do have cages/laying boxes because we want their eggs to hatch to produce the next generation of broiler roosters & hens. These are chickens that have desired genetics and we wish to keep the genetic strain going.

Meat birds will reach sexual maturity at 23 weeks
Egg layer birds reach sexual maturity at 18-19 weeks

AT THE HATCHERY
Fertilized eggs are collected and placed in setting trays. These trays do not have sides.
At 18 days, the eggs will be moved to hatching trays (have sides).

AT THE CHICKEN HOUSE
Partial house brooding. "Brood" is German for supplemental heat.
Wood shavings are "bedding" when clean & "litter" when dirty.
Litter is composted, not bedding (bedding is clean)!
A serviceperson is the inspector/representative for the poultry company.

Beef cattle can eat poultry litter. Good for the grass too. High in nitrogen. Can be burnt as well but burning it "is a waste." Composting @ temps of 140-160*F kills all pathogens. Compost is a biologically stable organic matter; it is no longer excrement.


----- Chicken House Facts
  • 45,000 broilers average
  • 264,000# of live birds
  • 440,000# of feed consumed
  • 160,000 gallons of H2O consumed
  • 66,000 of manure produced
  • 2009 = 9 BILLION BROILERS!
Accounting for inflation, broilers cost 1/2 of the 1966 price.
...why? better breeding, birds, health, equipment, mgmt, processing, marketing, & nutrition. All around better.

1955- 95% of birds were sold whole @ $2/lb
2008- 95% of birds are sold cut up @ <$1/lb when on sale

THREE A's
(KNOW!!)
Affordability
Appealing
Available everywhere

Poultry accounts for 1/3 of all meat consumed per year.
There are no age, cultural, or religious barriers when it comes to poultry.

"Broiler Belt"-- Broilers are produced in the SOUTHEAST
Three companies produce 40% of the broilers
1. Pilgrim's Pride =280# per second 24/7/365
2. Tyson Foods
3. Perdue Farms

Tyson uses 12million tons of feed per year. They eat corn for energy and soybean meal for protein

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Broiler- Contract Farms
Referred to as Broiler "GROWERS"
Average broiler house is 40x400ft
VERTICAL INTEGRATION
describes the structure of the broiler industry

Who is responsible for what?
Grower
Land
Labor
Broiler house
Equipment
Litter

Company
Hatchery
Birds
Feed
Service person
Processing plant
Marketing
Final product distribution

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Layers
A layer should produce 300 eggs per year
When they are young, they are called "pullets"
When they mature, they are called "layers"
The comb size & color changes when they reach maturity
Egg size is related to the size (body weight) of the bird. As a young layer, the bird will produce small eggs. As the bird ages, the eggs will get bigger.






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