Poultry farming

Poultry Farming

Poultry farming is the process of raising domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese for the purpose of farming meat or eggs for food.

Pronunciation

Poultry Farming: /ˈpoʊltri ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/

Etymology

The term "poultry" comes from the French "poule" which has been derived from the Latin "pullus", meaning small animal. "Farming" is derived from the Old English "fearn", meaning food or supplies, and the suffix "-ing", indicating an action or process.

Related Terms

Broiler: A type of chicken raised specifically for meat production.
Layer: A type of chicken raised specifically for egg production.
Free Range: A method of farming where the animals are allowed to roam freely outdoors.
Battery Cage: A confinement system used in poultry farming where each bird is kept in a small cage.
Biosecurity: Procedures intended to protect humans or animals against disease or harmful biological agents.
Avian Influenza: An infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus.

Poultry Farming

Poultry farming involves raising domesticated birds commercially, for the purpose of producing meat or eggs. The most common types of poultry include chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese. The methods used in poultry farming vary widely. Some farms specialize in broiler chickens for meat, while others raise layer chickens for eggs.

In some cases, poultry may be raised in free range conditions, where the birds are allowed to roam freely outdoors. However, many commercial operations use more intensive methods, such as battery cage systems. These systems can be controversial due to concerns about animal welfare.

Poultry farms must also take steps to ensure biosecurity, to prevent the spread of diseases such as avian influenza. This can involve measures such as vaccination, quarantine, and disinfection of equipment.