Poultry Production Systems
Dept of Livestock & Wildlife Management
Midlands State University
Module Code
Credit Hours
Lecturer
E-mail
Phone
Period Offered
Lecture Time
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Module Pre-requisites :
Reading Material/Text:
WAP 421
3 hours per week
Obert Tada
tadao@msu.ac.zw
+263 54 260404/260409/260667/260735 Ext 344
March – June Semester
Wednesday 0800 – 1000hrs LAB1
Tuesday
1000 – 1100hrs
Animal Health (WAP 206)
Principles of Animal Breeding (WAP 214)
Homeostasis (WAP 217)
Growth & Development (WAP 218)
Feeds & Feeding (WAP 220)
Feeding Standards & Ration Formulation (WAP 221)
Tropical Agriculturalist: Poultry
Poultry Production Textbooks
Resource Centre Material
Farm Business Management Books
Applied Breeding and Nutrition Textbooks
Research Articles
Internet (relevant material)
Module Description:
The module looks at poultry production aspects in the current world with emphasis in
Zimbabwe. It shows how the production strategies are interchanged to suit prevailing
conditions that have a direct impact on profit margins. The module examines village
poultry production, conventional production, constraints and opportunities associated.
The environmental and bird factors that influence variation in behavior, growth
performance, and morphological structure are penciled out. This module explores
management practices of broiler chickens, layer chickens and breeders. Emphasis is also
on turkeys, ducks, and guinea fowls. It further explores the accumulation of knowledge,
through empirical scientific research, in poultry physiology, health, nutrition and
breeding. The module concludes by looking at the profit maximization principles of
marketing, economies of scale, and record keeping.
Expected Learner Outcomes:
1. Describe traditional poultry production systems.
2. Evaluate the value and contribution of poultry to animal agriculture and food
security.
3. Examine the factors affecting the variation in poultry performance.
4. Describe the specific husbandry practices in poultry production.
5. Describe and conceptualize research findings and identify knowledge gaps.
6. Evaluate production policies in the context of sustainable poultry production.
Learning Tasks and Activities:
Students will review breeds of poultry common to Zimbabwe and the world-famous
related genotypes. In this module, the students will go through activities on husbandry
factors and, as well, develop a project proposal (in pairs) of guinea fowl broiler
production. There will be a mid-semester test at a lecturer-determined date and a final
exam. An unannounced quiz test will be given in class after three weeks of learning
onwards.
Assessment of Outcomes:
One mid-semester test, one quiz test, one homework assignment, one project proposal
and one final exam will be used to assess each student’s cognitive comprehension of the
module topics. Homework assignment and project proposal guideline are at the end of
this module outline. The due-dates are made of stainless steel. Copying is a serious
academic offence. The tests must be taken during the scheduled times. Failure to do so,
with no convincing reason(s), a “0” mark will be recorded. Exceptional cases are;
appointment with a medical or legal practitioner, funeral, and university business
approved by the Department Chairperson. Notify the lecturer in advance to validate your
absence. The following percentage points will be assigned to each evaluation;
Mid-semester Test
Quiz Test
Homework Assignment
Proposal Assignment
Final Exam
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10%
5%
5%
10%
70%
Grading Criterion:
75 – 100%
65 – 74%
60 – 64%
50 – 59%
49 and below
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1
2.1
2.2
3
F
Communication at a Distance:
Successful students communicate often with their lecturers. I would like to get to know
each of you, so feel free to share information about yourself, your weaknesses, study
guide issues, difficult topics or concepts e.t.c. An e-mail address you check oftenly if you
cannot visit my office is ideal. Your success in this class depends on you. You have to
work diligently and turn in assignments on time. Please do not use e-mail attachments to
submit assignments.
Honest Policy:
It will be assumed that you enter the college to better your life through lifelong learning
opportunities. The work that you produce in this class must be original and authentic.
Should dishonesty or misconduct be discovered, the student would receive a grade “F”
for the module, as well as action taken against the student at the administrative level.
Module Topics:
1. Poultry Industry
a. World overview
b. Zimbabwe situation
c. Segments and structure
2. Poultry Production Systems
a. Extensive system
b. Semi-intensive system
c. Intensive system
d. Integrated systems
3. Poultry Breeds
a. Zimbabwe
b. World-famous
4. Genetics and Breeding Programs for Poultry
5. Routine Management Practices, Tools and Equipment
a. Artificial incubation of eggs
b. Housing and Environment
c. Nutrition and feeding
i. Broiler production
ii. Layer production
iii. Breeder production
d. Flock health management
6. Profit Maximization
a. Record keeping
b. Economies of scale
c. Marketing principles