Judging of poultry

Judging Live BirdsJudging Live Birds

Created by Connie PageCreated by Connie PageEmanuel County Extension AgentEmanuel County Extension Agent

P.O. Box 770P.O. Box 770129 N. Anderson Drive129 N. Anderson Drive

Swainsboro, GA 30401Swainsboro, GA 30401478478--237237--1226 FAX 4781226 FAX 478--237237--84518451

[email protected]@uga.eduApril, 2006April, 2006

Judging Live BirdsJudging Live BirdsJudged on past egg productionJudged on past egg production

PersistencyPersistency

Longest period of productionLongest period of productionPigment Loss = amount of yellow coloringPigment Loss = amount of yellow coloringMolt = replacement of feathersMolt = replacement of feathers

IntenstityIntenstity

Current rate of productionCurrent rate of productionHandling Qualities Handling Qualities ––

softness and pliability of softness and pliability of

abdomenabdomenAbdominal Capacity Abdominal Capacity ––

width and depth of abdomenwidth and depth of abdomen

Health and VigorHealth and Vigor

--

shape and brightness of the shape and brightness of the eye, proportional shape of the head and the condition eye, proportional shape of the head and the condition of the comb and wattles of the comb and wattles

Judging Live Birds Judging Live Birds -- PigmentPigmentYellow pigment, Yellow pigment, xanthrophyllxanthrophyll, is put into , is put into skin, beak, shanks, and feet while bird is skin, beak, shanks, and feet while bird is

a growing pullet.a growing pullet.

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Judging Live Birds Judging Live Birds -- PigmentPigmentAt 16At 16--22 weeks, the hen begins laying eggs. Bleaching is 22 weeks, the hen begins laying eggs. Bleaching is

the loss of yellow pigment from the henthe loss of yellow pigment from the hen’’s body. The s body. The yellow color goes into the egg.yellow color goes into the egg.

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Parts Parts of theof theHenHen

toes

Live Birds Live Birds –– BleachingBleaching

The pigment leaves in order:The pigment leaves in order:

VentVentEyeringEyeringEarlobeEarlobeBeak (base to tip)Beak (base to tip)ShanksShanksTop of Feet & ToesTop of Feet & Toes

Live Birds Live Birds –– BleachingBleaching

mnemonic = memory devicemnemonic = memory device

vvery ery eearly arly eeveryone veryone bbut ut ssusieusie

ttalkedalked

vvent, ent, eeyeringyering, , eearlobe, arlobe, bbeak, eak, sshanks, hanks, ttoesoes

Parts Parts of theof theHenHen

toes

Live Birds Live Birds –– Egg ProductionEgg Production

You can estimate the number of eggs laid You can estimate the number of eggs laid from the bleaching:from the bleaching:

Vent = 10 eggsVent = 10 eggsEyeringEyering

= 8= 8--12 eggs12 eggs

Earlobe = 10Earlobe = 10--15 eggs15 eggsBeak (base) = 25 eggsBeak (base) = 25 eggsBeak (tip) = 35 eggsBeak (tip) = 35 eggsShanks = 100Shanks = 100--160 eggs160 eggsTop of Feet & Toes = 180 eggsTop of Feet & Toes = 180 eggs

Live Birds Live Birds -- VentVentShould be bleached, moist, oblong in shape

Good LayerGood Layer Poor LayerPoor Layer

Live Birds Live Birds -- HeadHead

Eye Ring

Earlobe

Beak

Eye Ring

Earlobe

Beak

Good LayerGood Layer Poor LayerPoor Layer

Live Birds Live Birds -- MoltMolt

Molt = lose and replace feathersMolt = lose and replace feathers

Axial feather = short feather between primary Axial feather = short feather between primary and secondary feathersand secondary feathers

Birds have 10 primary feathers, outside of axial Birds have 10 primary feathers, outside of axial feather toward wing tipfeather toward wing tip

Birds have14 secondary feathers from axial Birds have14 secondary feathers from axial feather toward henfeather toward hen’’s bodys body

Birds lose and replace both primary feathers Birds lose and replace both primary feathers and secondary feathers. Concentrate on and secondary feathers. Concentrate on primary feathers.primary feathers.

It takes 12 weeks to complete a molt.It takes 12 weeks to complete a molt.


Birds molt from axial feather to

wing tip.

To check for molt,spread out

wing feathers.


One Feather MoltOne Feather Molt


Four Feather MoltFour Feather Molt

Live Birds Live Birds –– Regaining ColorRegaining Color

Pigment (color) returns in the same order Pigment (color) returns in the same order that it left.that it left.

Always check vent and head for signs of Always check vent and head for signs of returning color.returning color.

Hens that have yellow pigment in the Hens that have yellow pigment in the vent and head are poor layers.vent and head are poor layers.

Live Birds Live Birds –– Close PigmentClose Pigment

If hens have similar bleaching then If hens have similar bleaching then consider:consider:

Handling QualitiesHandling QualitiesHandling qualities refers to the condition of the pubic Handling qualities refers to the condition of the pubic

bones and abdomen.bones and abdomen.

SkeletonSkeletonof theof theHenHen

Live Birds Live Birds -- Handling QualitiesHandling Qualities

Good: Thin and pliable pubic bones, lean skin and soft abdomen

Poor: Thick pubic bones, thick skin, hard abdomen (means fat in the abdomen)

Live Birds Live Birds –– Checking Handling QualitiesChecking Handling Qualities

Gently feel the pubic bones for sharpness and Gently feel the pubic bones for sharpness and flexibility.flexibility.

Take a pinch of skin just below the pubic bone.Take a pinch of skin just below the pubic bone.

Roll this skin gently between your thumb and finger to Roll this skin gently between your thumb and finger to feel its thinness.feel its thinness.

Feel the softness or hardness of the abdomen:Feel the softness or hardness of the abdomen:

Softness means a lack of fat (and a good layer)Softness means a lack of fat (and a good layer)

Hardness means the presence of fat (and a poorer layer)Hardness means the presence of fat (and a poorer layer)

Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePracticeHandling Qualities

Thickness of Pubic Bones

Thinness of Skin

The bird on the left hasthinner pubic bones indicatinghigher handling qualities.

The bird on the left hasthinner skin indicatingbetter handling qualities.

Live Birds Live Birds –– Abdominal CapacityAbdominal Capacity

Use your fingers to check distance Use your fingers to check distance between pubic bones = widthbetween pubic bones = width

Pubic BonesThis hen has a

three-finger spreadbetween pubic bones.


Use your fingers to check distance between Use your fingers to check distance between pubic bones and keel bone = depth.pubic bones and keel bone = depth.

Pubic BonesThis hen has a

four-finger spreadbetween pubic bones

and keel bone.

Keel Bone


Comparison of Comparison of WidthWidth = Space between = Space between pubic bonespubic bones

3-finger = Excellent Layer 2-finger = Fair Layer


Comparison of Comparison of DepthDepth = Space between = Space between pubic bones and keelpubic bones and keel

4-finger = Excellent Layer 3-finger = Fair Layer

Live Birds Live Birds –– Health & VigorHealth & Vigor

Head Head ––

Broad; Somewhat flat on top; Wide Broad; Somewhat flat on top; Wide between eyesbetween eyes

Face Face ––

CleanClean--cut; Smooth; Wrinklecut; Smooth; Wrinkle--freefree

Comb Comb ––

Bright red; Smooth; WaxyBright red; Smooth; Waxy

Eyes Eyes ––

Large and bright; Reddish color; Round Large and bright; Reddish color; Round pupilspupils

Live Birds Live Birds –– Health & VigorHealth & Vigor

ExcellentExcellent FairFair PoorPoor

Live Bird Live Bird –– Placing ClassPlacing ClassRank the birds in order from the best layer Rank the birds in order from the best layer

to the poorest layerto the poorest layerFind your placing andmark your card

All the placingsthat begin withnumber one.

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All the placingsthat begin withnumber two. ▬►



All the placingsthat begin withnumber three.

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All the placingsthat begin withnumber four.

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Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePracticeBird # 3 is most

BleachedTOP BIRD

Bird # 4 is leastBleached

BOTTOM BIRD

Bird # 2 has morePigment than

Bird # 11 over 2

Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePractice

Bird #3 is an easy top. She is the most Bird #3 is an easy top. She is the most bleached in the class.bleached in the class.

Bird #4 is an easy bottom. She is the most Bird #4 is an easy bottom. She is the most yellow bird in the class.yellow bird in the class.

Bird #1 and bird #2 are close. But if you look Bird #1 and bird #2 are close. But if you look carefully, #1 is more bleached (less yellow) carefully, #1 is more bleached (less yellow) than #2.than #2.

3 3 –– 1 1 –– 2 2 –– 44Placing:




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X

Be sure your“X” fits inside

the lines beside the

placing you choose

Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePractice

Birds #s 3 & 4 are similar in

bleachingTOP PAIR

Birds #s 1 & 2 are similar in

bleachingBOTTOM PAIR

Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePracticeComparison of Handling Qualities

Bird 3 Bird 4

Thickness of Pubic Bones

Thinness of Skin

Live Birds Live Birds -- PracticePracticeThe class can be placed on pigmentation. The class can be placed on pigmentation.

Two birds (# 3 & #4) are more bleached, and Two birds (# 3 & #4) are more bleached, and have less pigment. 3 has better handling have less pigment. 3 has better handling qualities. The top pair is 3 over 4.qualities. The top pair is 3 over 4.

Two birds (#1 & #2) are less bleached, and Two birds (#1 & #2) are less bleached, and have more pigment. 2 is more yellow than 1. have more pigment. 2 is more yellow than 1. In the bottom pair 1 goes over 2.In the bottom pair 1 goes over 2.

Placing :Placing : 3 – 4 – 1 – 2




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X

Be sure your“X” fits inside

the lines beside the

placing you choose

Live Birds Live Birds -- ReasonsReasons

You will give one set of reasons at the You will give one set of reasons at the Area Contest on Class B Area Contest on Class B ––

Live Birds.Live Birds.

At the State Contest there will be two At the State Contest there will be two sets of Oral Reasons.sets of Oral Reasons.

Reasons for your placing are given in Reasons for your placing are given in front of an adult judge.front of an adult judge.

Sound convincing, confident, and sure of Sound convincing, confident, and sure of yourself.yourself.

Live Birds Live Birds –– Taking NotesTaking NotesTake notes on the class for which you will Take notes on the class for which you will

give oral reasonsgive oral reasons

Live Birds Live Birds –– Oral ReasonsOral Reasons

Organize your placing into pairsOrganize your placing into pairs

If your placing is 1If your placing is 1--22--33--44

Top pair = 1 / 2Top pair = 1 / 2Middle pair = 2 / 3Middle pair = 2 / 3Bottom pair = 3 / 4Bottom pair = 3 / 4

Use standard reason formatUse standard reason format

Live Birds Live Birds –– Oral ReasonsOral Reasons

I placed this class of White Leghorn hens, I placed this class of White Leghorn hens, 11--22--33--4.4.

In the top pair, I placed 1 over 2 because . . In the top pair, I placed 1 over 2 because . .

In the middle pair, I placed 2 over 3 In the middle pair, I placed 2 over 3 because . . . because . . .

In the bottom pair, I placed 3 over 4 In the bottom pair, I placed 3 over 4 because . . . because . . .

For these reasons, I placed this class of For these reasons, I placed this class of White Leghorn hen 1White Leghorn hen 1--22--33--4.4.

Good afternoon. I am contestant # 261.

Practice WebsitePractice Websitehttp://www.animal.ufl.edu/Youth/poultry/past_production/pastprodlist.htm

www.animal.ufl.eduwww.animal.ufl.edu

Click on Youth Poultry JudgingClick on Youth Poultry Judging

Click on Show Me HowClick on Show Me How

Click on Go to Main Practice MenuClick on Go to Main Practice Menu

Click on Past Egg ProductionClick on Past Egg Production

Live Birds Live Birds -- CreditsCredits

http://http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/index.htmwww.ansi.okstate.edu/poultry/index.htm

http://http://www.animal.ufl.edu/Youth/poultry/showme.htmwww.animal.ufl.edu/Youth/poultry/showme.htm

Judging of poultry

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