Egg and Broiler Production - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Chapter: Improvement in Food Resources | Topic: Egg and Broiler Production
EGG AND BROILER PRODUCTION - UNSOLVED PRACTICE SET
Topic: Egg and Broiler Production
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Hens raised specifically for egg production are called:
- Broilers
- Layers
- Breeders
- Roosters
Q2. Broiler chickens are raised for:
- Egg production
- Meat production
- Feather collection
- Breeding only
Q3. The ideal temperature for broiler chicken farming is maintained at about:
- 0°C
- 35°C in the first week, gradually reducing
- 50°C
- Room temperature without any control
Q4. Which of the following is an important factor in egg production?
- Keeping hens in complete darkness
- Proper lighting (14-16 hours of light per day), balanced feed with calcium, and clean water
- Feeding only rice
- Keeping hens in crowded cages without ventilation
Q5. The feed given to broilers is rich in:
- Calcium for egg shells
- Protein and vitamins for rapid muscle growth and weight gain
- Fibre only
- Water and nothing else
Short Answer Questions
Q6. Differentiate between layers and broilers in terms of their purpose, feed requirements, and farming duration.
Q7. Why is temperature control crucial in broiler farming? What happens if the temperature is too high or too low for young chicks?
Q8. What is the role of lighting in layer farming? Why do farmers provide 14-16 hours of artificial light to hens in commercial farms?
Q9. A poultry farmer finds that his layers are producing eggs with thin, fragile shells that break easily. What nutrient is likely missing from their diet, and what should he add?
Long Answer Questions
Q10. Explain the production of eggs and broilers in commercial poultry farming. Describe the management practices for layers (housing, lighting, feed with calcium, egg collection) and for broilers (temperature control, protein-rich feed, hygiene, vaccination). Why has India become one of the world's largest producers of eggs and poultry meat?
Q11. "Commercial poultry farming is highly efficient but raises ethical concerns." Discuss this statement by explaining the benefits of commercial poultry (cheap protein, employment, self-sufficiency), the methods used to maximise production (battery cages, growth promoters, antibiotics), and the concerns about animal welfare, antibiotic use, and the conditions in which birds are kept. What is your view on balancing productivity and ethics?
APPLICATION / ANALYSIS
Q12. Case Study — Layer Farm Economics:
A commercial layer farm in Andhra Pradesh has the following data:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of hens | 5,000 |
| Egg production per hen per year | 280 eggs |
| Mortality rate | 5% |
| Feed cost per hen per year | Rs 400 |
| Selling price per egg | Rs 5 |
| Other costs (labour, electricity, medicine) | Rs 2,00,000 per year |
Answer the following:
(a) Calculate the total number of eggs produced per year after accounting for mortality.
(b) Calculate the total annual income from egg sales. Then calculate the total annual expenditure. Is the farm profitable? Show all calculations.
(c) If the farm switches to free-range layers (lower density, more space, organic feed) with 20% lower egg production but 30% higher egg price, would total income increase or decrease? Calculate.
Q13. Real-Life Application - School Poultry Entrepreneurship:
Your school wants to start a small broiler farm as a student entrepreneurship project.
Available: ₹15,000 budget, 50 square metres of space, 8 weeks before a school event where chicken will be served.
Market price: ₹120 per kg live weight
Expected weight per bird at 8 weeks: 1.5 kg
Answer the following:
(a) How many broiler chicks can you buy if each chick costs ₹30? What other major expenses must you plan for?
(b) Calculate the expected total live weight and total income if all birds survive.
(c) Broilers are ready for market in 6-8 weeks, while layers take 5-6 months to start laying. Why is broiler farming more suitable for a short-term school project?