POULTRY

SCIENCE
1. What do animal scientists do?
Animal scientists play a crucial role in various aspects of human life,
contributing to food production, clothing, recreation, and even human
health. They work with a diverse range of animals, including farm
animals, wildlife, laboratory animals, pets, and zoo animals, with the
goal of ensuring their health and productivity.
Animal scientists work closely with farmers to improve animal breeding,
growth, and nutrition. By optimizing these factors, farmers can produce
more meat, milk, or eggs for human consumption. Animal scientists
also help farmers reduce the environmental impact of animal
agriculture, promoting sustainable practices. They study animal
products after harvest, ensuring meat quality and screening milk for
pathogens, contributing to the world's supply of nutritious food
Animal scientists play a vital role in the production of animal-based
clothing materials, particularly wool. They work to keep animals like
sheep and alpacas healthy, ensuring a consistent supply of high-
quality wool for clothing in cold climates

Animal scientists contribute to the health and well-being of our

beloved pets. They tackle issues like pet obesity and breeding,
ensuring that pets live healthy and fulfilling lives

Animal scientists play a critical role in protecting human health.

They study how diseases spread between humans and animals,
known as zoonoses, helping to prevent and control outbreaks. They
also use animals as models for human research, studying fetal
development in sheep, for example, to gain insights into human
fetal development
2.Animal Science vs. Veterinary
Medicine
Animal Science essentially focuses on the
production and management aspects of animals and
include nutrition, breeding, animal products
technology, etc.

Veterinary Sciences deals with health aspects of

animals and includes subjects like anatomy,
physiology, pathology, parasitology, microbiology,
biochemistry and biotechnology, public health and
epidemiology, pharmacology, gynecology, surgery,
medicine etc.
3. Importance of Animal Science
Humans rely on animals for food, fiber, labor and
companionship. So it makes sense that we need animal
scientists to keep these animals healthy and productive.
Animal scientists help put food on our tables.
1. POULTRY
Poultry farming, raising of birds domestically or
commercially, primarily for meat and eggs but also for
feathers. Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese are of
primary importance, while guinea fowl and squabs
(young pigeons) are chiefly of local interest.
 A. TYPES OF POULTRY
1.Chickens
Chickens have been domesticated for thousands of years,
originating from the red jungle fowl in Asia. They are valued
for their versatility, providing eggs, meat, pest control, and
even serving as pets. A hen can lay four to six eggs weekly
without needing a rooster. With minimal space and feed
requirements, they are a cost-effective addition to a family
farm, offering various benefits like fresh eggs and organic
manure.
2. Geese
Geese, the earliest domesticated poultry, offer a unique
addition to the farmyard with their friendly nature and
various benefits. They lay 20 to 40 eggs annually, prized for
their large size suitable for omelets. Apart from their
delicious meat, geese provide down for bedding and help
weed broad-leafed crops. They also serve as effective
guard animals with their loud honking. While needing
more space and water access, geese are generally low-
maintenance and can thrive on pasture grazing with
minimal grain supplementation.
3. Ducks
Ducks, farmed for centuries, come in various
domesticated types like runners, muscovies, and mallard
descendants. They do not need a pond but require water
for bathing and eating. Ducks need 4 square feet per bird,
sleep on the ground, and consume around 1/4 pound of
feed daily. While omnivorous, they can be messy due to
their water-loving nature, splashing and playing in mud if
available.
 4. Guiea fowl
Guinea fowl, resembling turkeys with
blue heads and speckled bodies, are
low-maintenance birds originally from
Africa. They can roost in trees for
safety, requiring minimal shelter if
kept captive. With excellent foraging
skills, they eat little feed in summer
and lay around 30 eggs annually.
Known for flavorful meat, guineas also
serve as protectors against pests like
ticks and snakes on the farm. While
loud and independent, they offer
effective pest control and egg
production without needing much
attention.
5. Quail
Quail, similar to pheasants, are small birds ideal for small
farms, requiring only 1 square foot per bird in shelter. They are
prolific layers, producing over 200 eggs annually, considered
a delicacy. Quail are active and enjoy foraging, needing
stimulation in their run. While entertaining to watch, they are
vulnerable to predators due to their small size. Secure shelter
is crucial to protect them from various threats, including
larger pets and smaller predators like rats.
.
6. Turkeys
Turkeys, with their striking
appearance and origins from Mexico
and Central America, are popular for
their meat and eggs. They lay two to
three eggs weekly, which can be
cooked like chicken eggs. Turkeys are
good fliers and can roost out of reach
of predators, requiring about 1/2
pound of feed daily. Despite their
size, adult turkeys can be
affectionate, enjoying human
interaction and even guarding
smaller birds in the flock. Curious and
fearless, turkeys make engaging and
protective additions to the barnyard.
7. Other poultry types
Various birds like emus, peacocks, swans, pheasants,
partridges, and pigeons offer unique benefits on a farm, from
prized meat and eggs to beautiful feathers and personalities.
While these birds require more space and care than
traditional poultry, they can be valuable additions to a
homestead. Expanding the flock to include diverse bird
species can bring unexpected assistance and enjoyment to
the farm.
 B. POULTRY HOUSING
SYSTEM
Poultry housing system can be roughly categorized into
three categories. Selection of any approach depends
upon the capital investment and land availability.
Free-range or extensive system
Semi-intensive system
Folding unit system
Intensive system
-Battery or cage system
-Deep litter system
1.Free range system
This method is oldest of all and has been used for
centuries by general farmers, where there is no shortage
of land.

This system allows great but not unlimited, space to the

birds on land where they can find an appreciable amount
of food in the form of herbage, seeds and insects,
provided they are protected from predatory animals and
infectious diseases including parasitic infestation. At
present due to advantages of intensive methods the
system is almost absolute.
2. Semi-intensive system
This system is adopted where the amount of free spare
available is limited, but it is necessary to allow the birds
20-30 square yards per bird of outside run. Wherever
possible, this space should be divided giving a run on
either side of the house of 10-15 square yards per bird,
thus enabling the birds to move onto fresh ground.

3. Intensive system:
In this system the birds are confined to the house entirely, with no
access to land outside, and it is usually adopted where land is
limited and expensive.This has only been made possible by
admitting the direct rays of the sun on the floor of the house so
that par to the windows are removable, or either fold or slide down
like windows of railway train to permit the ultraviolet rays to reach
the birds.
3.1 Battery or cage system
The battery system for commercial egg farming offers
intensive poultry production in limited space, suitable for
urban poultry enthusiasts. Hens are confined to small
wire cages where they can comfortably stand and sit,
with eggs rolling out for collection. The system requires
proper ventilation, lighting, and hygiene to prevent
parasites. It is successful in tropical regions, reducing the
bird's energy expenditure and heat load. Careful feeding
with a balanced diet is essential, including vitamins,
protein sources, minerals, and grit. As only pullets are
housed in each cage, eggs are not fertilized, suitable for
consumption but not hatching.
.3.2 Deep litter system:
In this system the poultry birds are kept in large pens up
to 250 birds each, on floor covered with litters like straw,
saw dust or leaves up to depth of 8-12 inches. Deep litter
resembles to dry compost. In other words we can define
deep litter, as the accumulation of the material used for
litter with poultry manure until it reaches a depth of 8 to
12 inches. The build-up has to be carried out correctly to
give desired results, which takes very little attention.
Advantages of Deep Litter System:
Ensuring the safety of birds from wild animals and flying
predators can be achieved by housing them in deep litter
intensive pens with strong wire netting. Deep litter not
only provides a safe environment but also serves as a
source of food, supplying essential nutrients like the
"Animal Protein Factor." This factor, combined with
vegetable protein sources like groundnut meal,
contributes to improved feed ration quality, higher
vitamin levels, and enhances hatchability and early
growth of chickens
Disease control:
Well managed deep litter kept in dry condition with no
wet spots around water has a sterilizing action. The level
of coccidiosis and worm infestation is much lower
watered kept on good deep litter than with birds (or
chickens) in bare yards and bare floor sheds particularly
where water spillage is allowed.
Labour saving:
This is one of the really big features of deep litter usage.
Cleaning out poultry pens daily or weekly means quite a
lot of work. With correct conditions observed with well
managed litter there is no need to clean a pen out for a
whole year; the only attention is the regular stirring and
adding of some material is needed.

The valuable fertilizer:

This is a valuable economic factor with deep litter.
According to McArdle and Panda, 35 laying birds can
produce in one year about 1 tonne of deep litter fertilizer.
The level of nitrogen in fresh manure is about 1%, but on
well built-up deep litter it may be around 3 per cent
nitrogen (nearly 20% protein). It also contains about. 2 per
cent phosphorus and 2 per cent potash, its value is about
3 times that of cattle manure.
Hot weather safeguard:
This is an important feature in a hot climate. The litter
maintains its own constant temperature, so birds burrow
into it when the air temperature is high and thereby cool
themselves. Conversely, they can warm themselves in the
same way when the weather is very cool. Accordingly, it is
a valuable insulating agent.
 C. FACTORS TO CONSIDER
IN CHOOSING A GOOD
POULTRY HOUSING SYSTEM
1.Your Research - This is one of the most important first things to do.
Make the best decisions on your poultry housing system from the
valuable information you gather. You may get your information from the
internet, from experts and many other trusted sources.

2. The Purpose- What is the purpose for starting your poultry farm? The
question seeks to guide the choice of the best and suitable poultry
housing system for your farm. The answer to this will help avoid all the
inconveniences and costly readjustments and also help to put up the
right housing for your poultry farm. For example; if the purpose is to
build a hatchery and produce day-old-chicks for sale, then you need to
plan your poultry housing
3. The Climatic Conditions- It is very important to consider the climatic
conditions in the environment you hope to sr before you choose the
right poultry housing system. Enquire from the poultry farmers in your
area to know the climatic challenges they have. It will help you put up a
poultry housing that takes care of those challenges. If it is a cold area,
the housing must be insulated to provide heat for the poultry.
Ventilation is also a key factor to consider. Bad ventilation easily leads to
spread of diseases.

4. The Location- The location of the farm is also an important factor to

consider in poultry housing system construction. If you intend to put up
your poultry farm in an area which is easily accessible to predators, then
consider fencing the farm. Cats, snakes, dogs
5. The Type or Breed of Birds- The space requirement of a
chicken is different from turkeys, guinea fowls, quails, and others.
The number of chickens that are accommodated in a specific
space per time is different from turkeys and other birds, and so is
the space dimensions. Therefore, it is important to know the type
of birds you intend to raise. This will help design the appropriate

2. The Purpose- What is the purpose for starting your poultry farm? The
question seeks to guide the choice of the best and suitable poultry
housing system for your farm. The answer to this will help avoid all the
inconveniences and costly readjustments and also help to put up the
right housing for your poultry farm. For example; if the purpose is to
build a hatchery and produce day-old-chicks for sale, then you need to
plan your poultry housing
 D. CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD POULTRY HOUSING
SYSTEM:
If you have ever been to a good poultry farm, then you sure would realize
that having a good poultry housing system is one way to ensure that
things run smoothly in the
 E. POULTRY PRODUCTION
The common poultry production practices are:
1. Poultry production for meat or broiler purposes; and
2. Layer production or egg production purposes

Broiler Production Egg laying production

 F. IMPORTANCE OF
POULTRY FAMING
1. It provides eggs and meat which are highly nutritive supplementing
foods and have high quality protein.
2. It provides source of income and opportunities of employment at
poultry farms, hatcheries, poultry processing units, and meat and
eggs marketing channel.
3. In rural areas, since less investment is required to start the enterprise.
It has attained a status of “cottage industry”.
4. Quick returns can be expected from the investment.
5. Poultry manure is extremely rich source of nitrogen and organic
matter. It contains 1.0% - 1.8% of Nitrogen (N), 1.4%-1.8% Phosphorous
(P), and 0.8% Potassium (K). NPK is a complete fertilizer for plant
growth.
 G. PHILIPPINE POULTRY
INDUSTRY DATA
Chicken production
In the first quarter of 2024, chicken production increased by 7.67% to
506,277 metric tons (MT). In the second quarter, production
increased by 2.8% to 520,476 MT.
Duck production
In the second quarter of 2024, duck production decreased by 3.3%.
As of September 30, 2024, the duck laying flock inventory was
estimated at 7.63 million birds.
Chicken prices
In the first quarter of 2024, the farmgate price of chicken
broiler decreased by 8.23%. The retail price of whole dressed
chicken fell by 4.51%.
Chicken production regions
Central Luzon was the top chicken producing region in the
second quarter of 2024, contributing 32.0% to the national
total.
Chicken production regions
The poultry industry faces challenges due to an oversupply
caused by a surge in poultry imports. This has led to a decline
in farmgate prices. Other challenges in the Philippine poultry
industry include: El Niño, Bird flu, Typhoons, Market
inefficiencies in the supply chain, and Disparity between
farmgate and retail prices.
 H. IS POULTRY INDUSTRY
GROWING?
1.Growth
In the first quarter of 2024, chicken production increased by
7.67% compared to the same period in 2023.
In the third quarter of 2024, poultry production increased by 6%
compared to the same period in 2023.
By 2028, poultry production is projected to increase to 1.84
million metric tons.
2. Challenges
Typhoons have had an adverse effect on poultry production.
An increase in poultry imports has led to an oversupply, which
has caused a decline in farmgate prices.
The tight supply of day-old-chicks has tempered the growth of
chicken meat production.
3. Other considerations
The poultry sector is the only agricultural subsector to post
growth in the third quarter of 2024.
The poultry sector accounts for 13% of agriculture gross value
added (GVA).
The Philippines' best-performing destinations for chicken meat
include Japan, Oman, Australia, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia
 I. WHAT IS THE
IMPORTANCE OF POULTRY
INDUSTRY IN THE
PHILIPPINES?
The poultry industry plays a crucial role in the Philippine economy as
a significant source of protein for the population, contributing
substantially to the agricultural sector by providing livelihoods for
farmers, generating income, and ensuring food security through
domestic production of chicken meat and eggs, making it a key
driver of rural development; the industry also contributes
significantly to the country's overall gross value added (GVA) in
agriculture. Key points about the importance of the Philippine
poultry industry:
 Food security:
Poultry is a primary source of protein for Filipinos, with chicken
being the most commonly consumed meat.
Economic impact:
The poultry industry generates a substantial portion of the
agricultural sector's income and is a major source of employment
for rural communities.
Livelihood creation:
Poultry farming provides income opportunities for small-scale
farmers and businesses across the supply chain.
Government focus:
The Department of Agriculture actively supports the poultry
sector through programs aimed at enhancing production and
addressing challenges.
J. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
EGG GRADES IN THE
1. Size
PHILIPPINES?
Jumbo: Eggs that weigh more than 70 grams
Extra-large: Eggs that weigh between 65–69 grams
Large: Eggs that weigh between 60–64 grams
Medium: Eggs that weigh between 55–59 grams
Small: Eggs that weigh between 45–54 grams
Peewee: Eggs that weigh less than 45 grams
2. Quality

Grade AA: The highest quality eggs, which are the freshest
Grade A: Very high quality eggs
Grade B: Eggs that are usually used for baking and breaking
stock (liquid eggs)
3. Egg size classification
The size classification of eggs is based on the average weight of a
dozen eggs, not the weight of any individual egg.

4. Egg types
Eggs can be conventional, cage-free, free-range, organic, or
enriched.
 K. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF
POULTRY FARMING IN THE
PHILIPPINES?
1.Disease outbreaks
Virulent diseases: Influenza and other diseases can cause
significant losses to the poultry industry
Parasitic infestations: E. coli and other parasites can cause
enteric disorders
Respiratory diseases: These can be affected by meteorological
conditions and environmental factors

.
2. Market fluctuations
Input and output prices : The price of feed and feed ingredients
can fluctuate, affecting profitability
Supply chain inefficiencies: The disconnect between farm gate
and retail prices can diminish profitability

3. Environmental issues
Air, soil, and water contamination: Litter and manure can
contain pollutants that can contaminate the environment
Dust: Dust from poultry operations can contain pollutants that
can impact the health of people and animals
Odors: Fastidious odors can impact the health and quality of life
of people and animals
4. Market fluctuations
Predation: Birds of prey, snakes, and dogs can prey on poultry
Limited feed supply: Unpredictable climatic conditions can limit
the supply of feed
Poor transportation: Poor transportation can make it difficult to
move poultry
 THANKS
MGA
PAKARAT