ANIMAL SCIENCE 471
Applied Poultry Science
Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science
University of Alberta
Instructor:
Student Contact: by appointmentDr. Frank Robinson
Room: 3-10E Agriculture-Forestry Building E-mail: [email protected]
Student Learning Coach: Nicole Zukiwsky
[email protected]Lectures 10:00 AM, Monday, Wednesday and Friday
GSB 553
Laboratory 2:00 PM, Wednesday
GSB 553
Course Objectives:
1. To provide students with exposure to the Western Canadian poultry industry.
This objective will be met by providing factual information in lectures and interactions with producers through tours and class visits, and lab sessions in combination with
“hands-on” poultry contact sessions.
2. To create an opportunity for students to obtain experience and certification in poultry handling through the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC).
These topics will be covered in a group as well as independently in the first two lab sessions of the term.
3. To understand principles of poultry science through hands-on laboratory sessions.
Three hands on labs sessions will be carried out on incubation, egg quality and laying hen reproductive status.
4. To provide an opportunity for independent research into a specific area of poultry production followed by a presentation to the entire class. Students will have the opportunity to present a short comprehensive presentation about a technology .
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the four Canadian poultry commodities (source of genetics, typical housing, daily management, feeding programs, animal care, biosecurity and health, product shipping and marketing).
2. Be able to handle chicks, juvenile birds and adult poultry in a manner that is welfare friendly and safe for the birds and the handler.
3. Understand principles of incubation, egg grading and reproductive assessments of hens
using practical knowledge, handling skills and trouble-shooting problems.
Methods of Student Evaluation
Description Date Due Value
Mid-term Exam (Covers material from Sept 6 to Oct 16) 10:00 am, October 18 30%
Incubation Lab 10:00 am, November 10 15%
Name that Technology Project 10:00 am, November 24 15%
Egg Quality Lab 10:00 am, December 1 10%
Final Exam (covers all course material from Oct 20 to Dec 8) 9:00 -11:00 am, December 15 30%
Evaluation
The Name that Technology project work and lab assignments will be evaluated according to the rubric provided when the projects are described in class.
E-LEARNING:
The AN SC 471 eClass website (click the eClass link at the top of any ualberta web page) will be used primarily to post lecture notes and for handing in projects and assignments unless the file sizes are huge (e.g. videos). Exams will include material covered in class that may not be included in the lecture notes posted on eClass. For instructions on assignments please refer to the project section of the syllabus.
References, Readings and Guest Speakers
No one text book is required or recommended for this class. Print material will be circulated from industry sources which will constitute required reading. In some cases link to web-based material will be provided as well. Class content provided by guest speakers in the class and labs will be considered required material for examination purposes unless otherwise noted.
Implementation of Official University Grading System
Throughout the term, raw marks will be assigned to reflect performance on each component of the course. Letter grades will be assigned only to the final distribution of mark totals. Marks will not be curved in assignment of letter grades.
Late Assignments
Specific deadlines (date and time) are listed for project work in the syllabus. Late assignments will result in a mark reduction of 20% per day.
Access to Representative Evaluative Course Material
Sample exam questions to illustrate the format of the exam will be provided early in the term.
Typically, exams are worth 100 points. The instructor has changed so studying based on the format of previous exams may not be the best idea.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices during examinations are restricted. No electronic devices, including calculators, will be permitted. Students will be asked to leave all electronic devices at the front of the classroom for all examinations. If you leave your cell phone in your jacket or backpack during an exam, please remember to turn it off prior to the exam.
Missed Midterm Exam
If a student misses the midterm, a mark of zero will normally be given. Wherever possible, students are expected to discuss with the instructor prior to missing the exam. In some circumstances, where there is an acceptable reason for missing a midterm, a new time may be set between the instructor and/or student for the student to write the midterm or under the discretion of the instructor, the weight of the midterm may be transferred to the final exam.
Missed Final Exam
Instructors can neither give permission to a student to miss the final exam nor grant a request for a deferred final exam. Students are encouraged to check exam schedules prior to making travel or event plans. The decision to grant a deferred final exam can only be granted by their own Faculty (e.g. ALES students go to 206 Agriculture/Forestry Centre to obtain an exam deferral, Science students go to 1-001 CCIS). Acceptable reasons for an excused absence may include illness or bereavement, and unacceptable reasons include weddings, travel arrangements or being on vacation. The University policy on deferred exams can be found in Section 23.3.2 of the University Calendar. It includes specific instructions on how to obtain a deferral.
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at
www.governance.ualberta. ca) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”
Code of Student Behaviour
All students at the University of Alberta are subject to the Code of Student Behaviour, as outlined at:
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStandards/Codeo fStudentBehaviour.aspx.
Please familiarize yourself with it and ensure that you do not participate in any inappropriate behavior as defined by the Code. Key components of the code include the following statements.
30.3.2(1) No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student’s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
30.3.2(2) c. No Student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student’s own work.
Tentative Schedule
Date Lecture Subject Lab Subject (W)
September 6 W Class Overview No lab scheduled
September 8 F The Industry: Local, National, International
September 11 M Introduction to Poultry Handling Poultry Handling - CCAC Parts 1 & 2 Lilydale Hatchery Tour Thursday morning (7 am and 8 am) September 13 W Avian Biology
September 15 F Poultry Breeding
September 18 M Broiler Breeder Management Poultry Handling - CCAC Parts 1 & 2 September 20 W Broiler Breeder Management
September 22 F Broiler Breeder Management
September 25 M Incubation and Hatching Broiler Breeder Production Unit Tour
September 27 W Incubation and Hatching
September 29 F Broiler Management
October 2 M Broiler Management Hatching Egg Assessment
Sort eggs into trays October 4 W Broiler Management
October 6 F Turkey Management
October 9 M Thanksgiving – no class Turkey Production Unit Tour October 11 W Turkey Management
October 13 F Turkey Management
October 16 M Turkey Breeder Management Broiler Egg Candling / Egg Break - Out Lab
October 18 W Midterm Exam
October 20 F Poultry Transportation
October 23 M Meat Processing Broiler Production Unit Tour
October 25 W Table Egg Production October 27 F Table Egg Production
October 30 M Table Egg Production Broiler Hatching / Egg Break-Out Lab
Chick Quality Assessment November 1 W Egg Quality Assessment
November 3 F Egg Grading and Further Processing
November 6 M Issues in Poultry Welfare Table Egg Tour
November 8 W Welfare audits November 10 F Backyard Flocks
November 13 M Fall Reading Week – no classes Fall Reading Week – no lab November 15 W
November 17 F
November 20 M Food Safety/ Quality Assurance Programs Egg Quality Assessment Lab November 22 W Health Programs
November 24 F To be determined
November 27 M Student Presentations Hen Reproductive Assessment Lab November 29 W Student Presentations
December 1 F Student Presentations
December 4 M Student Presentations Careers in Poultry Science
Rural Cafe December 6 W Student Presentations
December 8 F Course Wrap up
Name that Technology Project:
On September 18 students will select a poultry technology from a circulated list. Each student will prepare an 5 minute Powerpoint presentation or video showing:
a) A detailed description of the equipment
b) An explanation of the purpose of the technology
c) An easy-to-follow description of how the technology is applied (where, when, to whom) d) Other facts as though to be appropriate
Presentations will take place in class during the last two weeks of the term.
After the presentation, students will have 3 minutes to answer questions about the technology. Up to two invited guests from the poultry industry may attend class to ask questions each day.
Weekly Laboratory Sessions:
Lab sessions will be held in several locations (the lab classroom or off campus) and will vary week to week. The lab location is indicated in the Tentative Schedule on p. 5. Some off- campus labs will have transportation provided. Labs at South Campus will begin at 2:30 to allow travel time on the LRT. Hatchery tours will take place on an early morning and transportation will be the responsibility of the student. Any information covered in laboratory sessions may be revisited on exams. Students should check this syllabus weekly to ensure that the location of the lab is known.
Two labs will have project work followed by individual assignments:
a. Incubation lab.
Students will be given 12 broiler hatching eggs varying in egg quality. Students will be expected to undertake any egg quality parameters they can and then set the eggs in an incubator. Students will candle the eggs on day 7 to assess embryo viability and fertility. Upon hatching, chicks will be neck tagged and observed visually for chick quality. Chicks will be euthanized for measurement of residual yolk and yolk-free body mass. Students will submit a portfolio showing a detailed analysis of each egg and its incubation fate and an explanation for that fate (15%).
b. Table egg quality lab. Students will be given 12 table eggs varying in egg quality.
Students will be expected to undertake egg quality testing on each egg and submit a portfolio showing a detailed analysis on the quality of each egg (10%).
