Assignment: Poultry Project

Animal Husbandry Poultry Project: On-farm research and extension report

Project Description:

Students will acquire 32 birds of two difference breeds from Murray McMurray Hatchery, Big Red (16) and Jumbo cornish crosses (16), to observe which breed performs best, taking into account growth rate, feed usage, and ecosystem services under the specific management and conditions at Merry Lea Sustainable Farm.

Students will weigh birds at the start of the experiment and track feed consumption and weight gain at 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Students will also make observations about bird behavior as chicks and as birds grow and mature. At 8 weeks each student will butcher at least one bird. Students will work collaboratively to create an extension-type report of their findings.

June 2nd/3rd: Chicks arrive; Weigh all birds

June 10th: Observe bird behavior #1; Time budget of chick breed behavior

June 17th: Weigh all chicks at 2 weeks old

June 24th: Move bird to outdoor mobile units; Observe bird behavior #2; Time Budget breed behavior

**Introduction Draft Due: 6:00 PM

July 1st : Weigh all birds at 4 weeks old

**Methods draft Due 6:00 PM

July 15th: Observe bird behavior #3; Time budget breed behavior

July 29th: Butchering- each student will butcher at least one bird; Weigh the carcass of butchered birds

Aug 2nd: **Group Extension Report Due

** Peer Review Evaluations Due 10:00 AM