Introduction
Poultry farming is an ever-growing industry, providing a significant source of meat and eggs worldwide. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned poultry farmer, or just an enthusiast, understanding poultry-specific terminologies is essential for better farm management, breeding, and marketing
Terminologies Associated with Poultry
| Category | Nomenclature | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| General Terms | Poultry | Domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese raised for meat or eggs. |
| Aves (Avian) | The class of birds, including all species, both wild and domestic. | |
| Chicken | Any domestic chicken, regardless of sex or age. | |
| Poultry Farm | A farm where domestic fowls, especially chickens, are reared for eggs or meat. | |
| Poultry Farmer/Dealer | A person who rears domestic fowls for eggs or meat. | |
| Poultry Farming | The practice of raising domestic fowls for eggs or meat. | |
| Poultry by Age and Sex | Day-old Chick (DOC) | A chick on the day of hatching. |
| Baby Chick | A chick within one week of age. | |
| Chick | A young chicken up to eight weeks old. | |
| Growing Chick/Grower | A chick between 9 and 16 weeks of age. | |
| Pullet | An immature female chicken before laying eggs, under 1 year old. | |
| Hen | An adult female chicken that has laid eggs. | |
| Layer | A hen raised for egg production, laying from around 21 to 72 weeks. | |
| Cockerel | A young male chicken under one year old. | |
| Tom | A mature male turkey, no longer a poult. | |
| Broiler | A young bird bred and grown specifically for meat production.(6-8 week) | |
| Rooster | A male chicken is typically called a “rooster” or “cock” once it reaches sexual maturity, usually around 4-5 months of age (20 Weeks), when it starts crowing and showing interest in hen. On average, roosters can live between 5-8 years | |
| Capon | A castrated male chicken raised for meat. | |
| Poultry Housing & Equipment | Coop | A house or cage where poultry are kept. |
| Brooder | A heated enclosure for raising young chicks. | |
| Battery | A cage system used for housing poultry, commonly in commercial farms. | |
| Nest Box | A box where hens lay eggs. | |
| Poultry Feathers & Anatomy | Axial Feather | Also known as an index feather. |
| Coverts | Feathers covering the primary and secondary wing feathers. | |
| Crest | A ball of feathers on the heads of some chicken and geese breeds. | |
| Crop | A part of the digestive tract used for temporary food storage. | |
| Comb | A fleshy appendage on a chicken’s head. | |
| Snood | A fleshy wattle on the head of certain poultry breeds, especially turkeys. |
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FAQ on Egg Production Cycle (Based on FAO Guidelines)
1. What is the typical duration of an egg production cycle?
- The egg production cycle lasts about 17 months, covering phases from chick rearing to laying.
2. What are the main phases of egg production?
- The egg production cycle consists of three key phases:
- Brooders (0-2 months):
- Small chicks are kept in separate facilities (brooder houses) for warmth and early care.
- Growers (3 months, 9-20 weeks):
- Birds are reared in specialized housing with special attention to reproductive organ development (17-20 weeks).
- Layers (12 months, 21-72 weeks):
- Birds are transferred to layer houses and begin laying eggs around 21 weeks, continuing up to 72 weeks.
3. Why is the brooder phase important?
- The brooder phase (0-2 months) is crucial for chick survival, providing warmth, nutrition, and disease prevention to ensure strong growth.
4. What happens during the grower phase?
- During the grower phase (9-20 weeks), birds develop skeletal and reproductive systems, requiring a balanced diet and optimal housing to ensure proper growth before egg production starts.
5. When do chickens start laying eggs?
- Hens typically start laying eggs at 21 weeks and continue for about 12 months, until around 72 weeks of age.
6. Why are birds transferred to layer houses?
- Birds are moved to layer houses around 21 weeks to ensure optimal space, nutrition, and lighting, which supports consistent egg production.
7. What is the role of lighting in egg production?
- Lighting plays a key role in stimulating egg production, with layers requiring 14-16 hours of light daily to maintain optimal laying rates.
8. What happens after the laying cycle ends?
- After 72 weeks, egg production declines, and hens are usually culled or molted to either be sold or undergo a resting period before a second laying cycle.
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Conclusion
Understanding poultry terminologies is crucial for anyone involved in poultry farming, backyard poultry keeping, or agribusiness. Whether you’re raising layers, broilers, or specialty breeds, knowing these terms will help in better farm management, breeding, and decision-making. By mastering poultry-specific vocabulary, farmers can improve productivity, communicate effectively with industry professionals, and ensure proper care of their flocks.
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