Chicken Anatomy and Physiology

ANATONMY & PHYSIOLOGY

1. Why should we know something about the Anatomy & Physiology of Chicken ?
2. What type of creature is a Chicken ?

                – Short life                                           – High body temp.

                – Rapid pulse                      – High Reproductive rate

                – Quick digestion                              – Physiological activities

                                                                                are inter – related.

3.Parts & functions in a Chicken :

1. Feathers

• Conserves body temperature
• Protects the skin
• Feathering indicates growth
• Hormonal activates – Molt

 

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• 2. SKELETON :
  • Importance in Broilers
  • Respiration
  • Red Cells
  • Medullary bones
• Brain – Spinal Cord

                       -Control of Endocrine glands

                      – Damages to the brain

                      – High temperatures

                     – Injuries

Circulatory System : BODY FRAME

Facts about the skeletal Frame Work :

• Skeletal growth is Rapid
• Reaches max. size weeks before body weight stops increasing.
• 90% of shank length growth is completed by 10
• Only about 45 % of body weight is completed by 10
• Shank lengths reach maximum length by 16 – 18
• Body weights continue increasing till about 40 weeks.
• More difficult to alter skeletal growth than body growth.

Respiratory System :

• Entirely different from mammals
• Larynx Trachea
• Lungs Absorption of Oxygen

                Take away spent gases

• Air Sacs : Help in pumping air IN & OUT
• Hollow bones

Advantages & Disadvantages of the Respiratory Mechanism in chicken.

Nervous System :

 

Heart, Pericardium

Blood & Anemia, Red Cells

Comb – an indicator.

Digestive System

1. Tongue : Swallowing

                                                Amylase

1. Gullet
2. Crop – Storage

                                                – Softening of feed

                                                Crop Mycosis

1. Proventriculus

                                                – Gastric Juices

                                                – HCI & Pepsin

                                                – Papillae

Digestive System

5. Gizzard

                        – Muscles for grinding

                        – Insoluble grit

6. Small Intestines

                        – Duodenum

                        – Villi

Keep intestines in good condition for maximum ABSORPTION

7. Large Intestines : Absorption of water

                        – Loose droppings

           – Dehydration

 

CECA :

                        – Bacterial Fermentation

                        – Digestion of fibre

Pancreas :

                        – Pancreatic Juices , Insulin, Trypsin, Amylase, Lipase

Liver :         

– A Laboratory

1. Bile
2. Met. Of Proteins & Fats
3. De – toxification
4. Processing & distribution of digested food
5. Changes carbohydrates into Glucose
6. Manufactures, alters & Stores many nutrients –

                                                – Vitamins

                                                – Minerals

                                                – Sugar

Liver & Hepatitis

 

 

REPRODUCTION

1. Ovary :  Cluster of Ova : 12000 – 15000 ovarian follicle
   • Ova increase in size in sequence
   • Liver supplies yolk material
   • Increase by Hormonal influence

                                                                                                FSH

• Pattern of maturation

                        Upto 10 days before ovulation : Very Slow

                        9^th & 8^th day                                                                                            : Rapid

                        7 – 4                                                                                                            : Very Rapid

                        Last 3 days                                                                                               : Slow

Ovulation : Leutenising Hormone (LH)

                           (Ca, P, Vitamins)

                           15 – 75 mts after previous egg.

 

2. Oviduct :

                        Infundibulum                 : Grasping

                        (15 mts)     – Fertilisation

   Magnum : (3 hrs)

                        Secretion of Albumen

   Isthmus :

                        Shell membranes        (1½ hrs)

   Uterus or Shell gland

                        – Shell formation & pigment

                        19 – 20 hrs + 15 mts.

 

                                                Estrogen    : Prepares Oviduct

Ovary

                                                Progesterone   : Albumen, Shell

Some Practical Thoughts :

                        – Germinal Disc

                        – Calcium & Shell

                        – Clutch

                        – Jumbo eggs & Lighting

                        – Diseases of Rep. System