Poultry Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
7 cards from real CPT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Poultry Anatomy & Physiology flashcards as text
In a commercial laying hen, approximately how long does it take from ovulation to oviposition (egg lay)?
Answer: 24–26 hours
The total transit time through the oviduct is approximately 24–26 hours, which is why hens typically lay one egg per day when in peak production.
In the hen's oviduct, which section is responsible for depositing the shell membranes around the egg?
Answer: Isthmus
The isthmus is the narrow section of the oviduct where the inner and outer shell membranes are formed around the albumin-covered yolk before the egg moves to the uterus for calcification.
Where are the testes located in a male chicken (rooster)?
Answer: Internally within the abdominal cavity, near the cranial kidneys
Unlike mammals, roosters have internal testes located retroperitoneally near the cranial pole of the kidneys, which means sperm are maintained at body temperature rather than a cooler scrotal temperature.
What are the chalazae in a hen's egg?
Answer: Twisted, rope-like strands of dense albumen that anchor the yolk centrally within the egg
The chalazae are spiral-twisted cords of thick albumen attached to opposite poles of the yolk; they suspend the yolk in the center of the egg and rotate to keep the germinal disc oriented upward.
Which section of the hen's oviduct is responsible for depositing the bulk of the egg white (albumen) around the yolk?
Answer: Magnum
The magnum is the longest section of the oviduct and secretes the dense and thin layers of albumen (egg white) over approximately 3 hours as the egg passes through.
What is the vitelline membrane of an egg and what does it enclose?
Answer: A thin, transparent membrane that directly surrounds and contains the yolk
The vitelline membrane is a thin, selective barrier that directly encloses the yolk, maintains its spherical shape, prevents premature mixing with albumen, and supports the germinal disc.
What is the typical interval between consecutive egg lays in peak-production commercial laying hens?
Answer: Approximately 24–26 hours, resulting in roughly one egg per day
Because oviduct transit takes approximately 24–26 hours and ovulation is triggered by the previous lay, hens in peak production lay approximately one egg per day, with the lay time shifting slightly later each day.