Poultry Showmanship Senior|Ques ons and
answers | Updated RATED A+ 2026
What is the func on of the vent? Is it common for all poultry?
It is the uro-genital opening of the bird, the external por on of the cloaca. All poultry have one.
It is where the egg, uric acid and feces all exit
In order for a female to lay eggs, does she need the presence of a male?
No, only for fer le eggs to be produced
What part of the hen's reproduc ve tract is the shell produced?
Uterus or shel gland
What are the following? Pullet, Hen, Cockerel, Rooster, Capon?
Pullet is young female, hen is a female that has laid eggs for about 6 months, cockerel is a young
male, rooster is mature male and a capon is a castrated male chicken.
What is the importance of calcium in the diets of laying hens?
Needed for the calcium of the egg shell
What precau ons must be taken when you introduce new birds into your home flock?
First check for disease, next quaran ne for three weeks, and check for any symptoms
What are the differences between the plumage of most adult male and female chickens
Male: long, sharp hackle feathers, saddle feathers and sickle feathers on tail. Female: short,
blunt hackle feathers, no saddle feathers and no sickle feathers on tail
Other than feathers, what other anatomical features are unique to the male chicken?
Larger comb and wa1les, coloring, spurs
What are the major external parasites of poultry? How do you perform a parasite check on
chickens or poultry?
Lice and Mites, check vent, under wings, on skin under feathers by preen gland, general body
area
If you found external parasites how should you treat them?
, Use Sevin powder or liquid, dust or spray birds and dust nest boxes
What are the two other names for the breast bone of chickens?
Sternum or Keel
How many eggs can a hen poten ally lay in one year?
365, one a day
What nutrients do chickens and other poultry require each day?
Protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, vitamins,water, oxygen
What are the most common feed ingredients used in poultry diets in the United States?
Corn and Soybean meal
It has been said that eggs are an almost perfect food, however they are missing one vitamin,
what is it?
Vitamin C
What does depth of body indicate?
Size of abdomen and ability to hold a forming egg
What does width of body indicate?
Size of body across the pelvic bones, room for egg
Why do we measure flexibility of the pubic bones?
To see if they will open enough for an egg to pass
Why does the judge ask to see the feet and legs of birds?
To check for deformi es and disease and for parasites
What does "molt" mean rela ve to chickens?
Lose feathers, reproduc on stops, renews the bird for another reproduc on cycle
Why should birds be removed from and replaced into cages head first?
Prevent possible wing damage, to maintain control
What is the func on of the uropygial (preen) gland?
Produces an oily substance the bird wipes on its feathers with its beak, for preening. In ducks
and waterfowl it helps to waterproof their feathers
answers | Updated RATED A+ 2026
What is the func on of the vent? Is it common for all poultry?
It is the uro-genital opening of the bird, the external por on of the cloaca. All poultry have one.
It is where the egg, uric acid and feces all exit
In order for a female to lay eggs, does she need the presence of a male?
No, only for fer le eggs to be produced
What part of the hen's reproduc ve tract is the shell produced?
Uterus or shel gland
What are the following? Pullet, Hen, Cockerel, Rooster, Capon?
Pullet is young female, hen is a female that has laid eggs for about 6 months, cockerel is a young
male, rooster is mature male and a capon is a castrated male chicken.
What is the importance of calcium in the diets of laying hens?
Needed for the calcium of the egg shell
What precau ons must be taken when you introduce new birds into your home flock?
First check for disease, next quaran ne for three weeks, and check for any symptoms
What are the differences between the plumage of most adult male and female chickens
Male: long, sharp hackle feathers, saddle feathers and sickle feathers on tail. Female: short,
blunt hackle feathers, no saddle feathers and no sickle feathers on tail
Other than feathers, what other anatomical features are unique to the male chicken?
Larger comb and wa1les, coloring, spurs
What are the major external parasites of poultry? How do you perform a parasite check on
chickens or poultry?
Lice and Mites, check vent, under wings, on skin under feathers by preen gland, general body
area
If you found external parasites how should you treat them?
, Use Sevin powder or liquid, dust or spray birds and dust nest boxes
What are the two other names for the breast bone of chickens?
Sternum or Keel
How many eggs can a hen poten ally lay in one year?
365, one a day
What nutrients do chickens and other poultry require each day?
Protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, vitamins,water, oxygen
What are the most common feed ingredients used in poultry diets in the United States?
Corn and Soybean meal
It has been said that eggs are an almost perfect food, however they are missing one vitamin,
what is it?
Vitamin C
What does depth of body indicate?
Size of abdomen and ability to hold a forming egg
What does width of body indicate?
Size of body across the pelvic bones, room for egg
Why do we measure flexibility of the pubic bones?
To see if they will open enough for an egg to pass
Why does the judge ask to see the feet and legs of birds?
To check for deformi es and disease and for parasites
What does "molt" mean rela ve to chickens?
Lose feathers, reproduc on stops, renews the bird for another reproduc on cycle
Why should birds be removed from and replaced into cages head first?
Prevent possible wing damage, to maintain control
What is the func on of the uropygial (preen) gland?
Produces an oily substance the bird wipes on its feathers with its beak, for preening. In ducks
and waterfowl it helps to waterproof their feathers
