Theory question 101
Poultry Production(a) State six activities that could be carried out in the brooding of chicks. (b) Explain each of the following management practices in poultry production: (i) deworming; (ii) culling; (iii) debeaking (iv) delousing. (c) State four signs of ill health in poultry. (d) Mention two organs in the circulatory system of farm animals.
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(a) Any six: clean and disinfect the brooder house before arrival; spread dry litter (wood shavings); provide and regulate heat (about 32–35 °C at first, reduced weekly); watch chick behaviour to adjust heat; provide clean water and feed at all times; give glucose/vitamins on arrival; vaccinate (e.g. Newcastle, Gumboro); ensure ventilation and light; remove dead or weak chicks; widen the brooder space as chicks grow; keep records
(b)(i) Deworming: giving drugs (in water, feed or by mouth) to rid birds of internal worms
(ii) Culling: removing unproductive, sick, weak or unwanted birds from the flock by selling or killing them
(iii) Debeaking: cutting off part of the upper (and lower) beak with a hot blade to prevent cannibalism, feather pecking and egg eating
(iv) Delousing: removing lice from birds by dusting, spraying or dipping in insecticide
(c) Any four: dullness and ruffled feathers; loss of appetite; drop in egg production; diarrhoea or abnormal droppings; pale comb and wattle; discharge from eyes or nostrils; difficult breathing/coughing; isolation; twisted neck
(d) Any two: heart; arteries; veins; capillaries; blood
One short sentence to explain each practice.