Livestock Production Ms. Boyt The Poultry Industry Livestock Production Ms. Boyt

Today we will… Define common terms used in the poultry industry. Distinguish between breeds of commercial chickens and turkeys Categorize poultry according to their uses. Explain the stages of commercial chicken production.

Poultry Domesticated fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, or geese, raised for meat and/or eggs

Common Terminology Chick Poult Pullet Hen Cockerel Capon Rooster Tom Layer Broiler

A young chicken of either sex

Young poultry of either sex

Hen Mature female chicken

Pullet Young female chicken

Cockerel Young Male Chicken

Castrated male chicken Capon Castrated male chicken

Rooster Mature male chicken

Tom Mature male turkey

Hen that is kept for egg production Layer Hen that is kept for egg production

Young chicken of either sex marketed for meat Broiler Young chicken of either sex marketed for meat

Broilers Raised for their meat in large poultry houses Marketed at 6 to 8 weeks of age Weigh 6 to 8 pounds when marketed 9 billion broilers produced each year 37 billions pounds of chicken marketed

Characteristics of Broiler Breeds Grow faster and larger More disease resistant Larger breast meet yield More efficient feed conversion

Broiler Breeds White Cornish White Plymouth Rock Cornish Cross Very broad and meaty chest White Plymouth Rock Docile and dual purpose Cornish Cross Can grow to 4 to 5 pounds in 6 weeks

Broiler Breeds Cornish Cross White Cornish White Plymouth Rock

Turkey Production 45 Million turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving 2009- 253 Million turkeys raised Processed at 10-18 weeks

Broad Breasted White Most common commercial turkey breed Shorter breastbone and legs than natural turkeys Produce more breast meat Grow faster White feathers (pin feathers) Less visible on product

The Poultry Industry There are many segments of the poultry industry. These segments are all interlinked and often owned by the same company. This type of ownership is called vertical integration.

Vertical Integration Allows for maximum control over products produced. Much like a ladder as each step relies on the step below to supply what it needs. Allows for products to be produced efficiently and of high quality.

Vertical Integration of the Chicken Industry

Breeder Flock Develop and reproduce strains of chicken that meet the requirements of chicken producer/processing companies Aim to achieve desirable characteristics such as abundant white meat and efficient feed conversion. Breeder chicks with the appropriate mix of desirable characteristics are then sold to integrated chicken firms.

Feed Mill Convert raw materials into finished feed according to specific formulas. Produce about 4-5 formulas to feed all of the different nutrition stages of chickens

Breeder House Raise breeder chicks to adult birds Offspring of breeder parents will be raised to become broilers for the market

Hatchery Fertilized eggs are placed in incubators Carefully monitored to ensure proper temperature and humidity Towards end of incubation, eggs are placed in hatching trays

Broiler Farm Newly hatched chicks are transported to farms where farmers raise them to market weight Chicks reach market weight in 6-7 weeks and are then transported to the processor

Processing Plant Harvests birds by humane standards and are inspected by the USDA Carcasses are chilled to limit growth of bacteria Carcasses are then either distributed whole, cut up into parts, or further processed (cooked, marinated, etc.)

Distribution Chicken products are transported from processing plants to grocery stores, restaurants, and other consumers

Tell me what you know… What is a broiler? What are common breeds used for broiler production? What is the most common breed used for turkey production? Why have commercial poultry been selected to have white feathers? What is vertical integrations and its benefits? What are the stages of commercial poultry production?

Today we… Defined common terms used in the poultry industry. Distinguished between breeds of commercial chickens and turkeys. Categorized poultry according to their uses. Explained the stages of commercial chicken production.