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Birds

Last modified on June 5, 2010

Taxonomy Anatomy Physiology Behavior

For husbandry and housing of pigeons, check the Resource Management section.

Taxonomy

Phylum Cordata
Class Aves
Orders (there are 27 total) 
    Galliformes: domestic fowl, quail, pheasants, turkeys, partridges, grouse, guinea fowl

    Anseriformes: ducks, geese, swans

    Columbiformes: pigeons, doves, sand grouse{3568}

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Anatomy

Pneumatic bones have direct channels from the air sacs{3568}
Small birds lack teeth
Most birds have a crop; pigeons and pet birds feed their young by regurgitation{3568}
Only the left oviduct and ovary are functional in the hen; the right side has remnants only{3568}
Blood volume is about 10% of body weight{3568}
Chicken blood hematology is given in the following table: 

Cell type   

 x 103/mm3
RBCs    3400
Platelets    29
Total WBC    23
Lymphocytes    63
Heterophils    24
Eosinophils    2
Basophils    2.4
Monocytes    9.1

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Physiology

Death in very young chicks (<2 weeks) may be due to chilling, overheating, crowding or omphalitis{3568}.

Death in chicks from 2-6 weeks may be due to coccidiosis or enteritis{3568}. 

Brooding temperature should be 90-95°F and gradually reduced to 75-80°F by the 3rd week. For egg laying, 50-70°F is ideal. Birds can tolerate temperature fluctuations for short periods as long as the relative humidity stays low.{3568} For a table of thermoneutral zones that includes the chicken, click here.

Relative humidity 30-40% ideal; less than that and they have poor feathering, more and there will be more disease{3568}.

Ventilation: for young chicks, 0.5 ft3/min; for older birds, 1 ft3/min{3568}.

For egg laying, light:dark of 14-16:10-12 hours is adequate{3568}.

Birds are coprophagic, making disease transmission in unsanitary conditions more likely{3568}.

Diet: Protein should be 17-20% depending on age and species; fat 4-6%, fiber 2.2-3.5%; Calcium 1-3%, Ca:P ratio should be 2:1 for young chickens. {3568}.

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Behavior 

Poultry are easily startled by sudden noises or lights. Hysterical birds may collide with the walls causing self-injury.{3568} 

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©1999, Janet Becker Rodgers, DVM, MS, DipACLAM, MRCVS

All rights reserved.

Comments? Send an email to janet.rodgers@vet.ox.ac.uk