Eggs that are produced for eating are not fertilized and will never form into a chick. The life cycle of a chick begins in an egg. For a more in-depth lesson on genetics and Punnet Squares, see Peas in a Pod. Farmers research the genetic characteristics of chicken breeds and choose the best breed or breeds for their farm. These characteristics are particularly important to poultry farmers. Examples include rate of growth and egg production. Some genetic characteristics you cannot see by simply looking at a chicken, but you can measure these traits by keeping good records. Skin color, feather color, feather patterns and textures, body size, and egg shell color are all characteristics you can see. Chicken feed is a mixture of corn, grains, meat, fish, vitamins and minerals.Īs you learn more about and compare breeds of chickens, you will notice many different characteristics which are a result of genetic variation within the domestic chicken species. Chickens raised on large farms in chicken houses eat a prescribed diet of chicken feed and water. Both broilers and layers are known to be omnivores with a diet consisting of grain, seeds, and insects. In Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania the largest numbers of chicken eggs are produced. The leading producing states of meat chickens in the United States include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and North Carolina. Chickens ability to produce both meat and eggs make them more diversified than other farm animals. Descriptive pictures of the chickens' digestive and reproductive systems, drawings of eggs in different stages of development, and many interesting facts make this text a colorful and clear account of the domesticated chicken.Ĭhickens are essential to the agriculture industry in that Americans consume its meat more than any other meat-producing animal. Whether chickens are raised on large farms inside of chicken houses or small farms as free range chickens their history with humans has been one of a large food source priced less expensive to produce and purchase compared to pork and beef. Each stage of the life cycle is explained and identified with different physical features for all three the rooster, the hen, and the chick. Students will be exposed to how quickly a young chick grows into a rooster or hen for producing the 8 billion chickens consumed in the United States per year and the 250 eggs eaten yearly per person. The text also looks at how their bodies function, how they live, and their domestication by humans. Chicks and Chickens is a children's non-fiction text that describes the different breeds of chickens, their physical traits, and depicts the life cycle of chickens from an embryo to an adult. Refer to the book, Chicks and Chickens by Gail Gibbons to learn some of the terminology used in the poultry industry. Raising chickens for eggs, meat, or as a hobby is not new, it has been acknowledged that chickens were raised by people beginning over 4,000 years ago. Some breeds of chickens are not particularly good egg or meat producers, but are raised as pets, as a hobby, or for shows. Broilers grow quickly and are heavy with a lot of muscle. Broiler is a term used for a breed of chicken that is raised for their meat. A laying hen can produce 1 egg per day after she reaches maturity. Layer is a term used for a breed of chicken that is a very good egg producer. There are over 113 different breeds, each with different genetic strengths and characteristics. Chickens are thought to have come from wild fowl found in Southeast Asia however, today chickens are raised on farms for their meat and eggs.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |