Free Poultry Science MCQs with Answers
60 Poultry Science MCQs from Veterinary Science, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers the breeds, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, housing, breeding, incubation and management of chickens and other domestic poultry. It includes brooding, vaccination, biosecurity, egg formation and quality, meat and egg production, common diseases, and the distinction between layer and broiler management.
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60 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. To observe embryo development
- B. To measure shell calcium content
- C. To determine the hen's breed
- D. To calculate the egg's protein content
Explanation: Candling uses transmitted light to reveal the air cell, blood vessels, embryo development, and some cracks.
Correct answer: To observe embryo development- A. To increase the egg's calcium content
- B. To prevent the embryo from adhering to membranes
- C. To make the yolk produce more albumen
- D. To shorten the genetic generation interval
Explanation: Turning prevents the developing embryo and extra-embryonic membranes from adhering to the shell membranes and supports normal development.
Correct answer: To prevent the embryo from adhering to membranes- A. Keeping litter moist and compact
- B. Increasing stocking density during winter
- C. Improving ventilation and litter dryness
- D. Reducing access to drinking water
Explanation: Ammonia forms when uric acid in manure is broken down, especially under wet conditions.
Correct answer: Improving ventilation and litter dryness- A. No mature ovarian follicles after hatching
- B. Two equally functional ovaries and oviducts
- C. A functional right ovary and left oviduct
- D. A functional left ovary and left oviduct
Explanation: In most domestic hens, the left ovary and left oviduct develop functionally, while the right reproductive system remains greatly reduced.
Correct answer: A functional left ovary and left oviduct- A. Paired ceca
- B. Gizzard
- C. Proventriculus
- D. Small intestine
Explanation: The paired ceca contain microbes that ferment some undigested carbohydrates and fiber.
Correct answer: Paired ceca- A. Germinal disc of the yolk
- B. Stigma of a mature follicle
- C. Infundibulum of the oviduct
- D. Medullary bone cavity
Explanation: Ovulation occurs when the mature follicle ruptures at the relatively avascular stigma.
Correct answer: Stigma of a mature follicle- A. To accelerate skeletal growth beyond genetic potential
- B. To increase fat deposition before sexual maturity
- C. To prevent excessive body weight and improve reproduction
- D. To eliminate the need for a lighting programme
Explanation: Controlled feeding keeps breeder pullets near the target body-weight curve and supports better reproductive performance.
Correct answer: To prevent excessive body weight and improve reproduction- A. Thymus
- B. Cecal tonsils
- C. Spleen
- D. Bursa of Fabricius
Explanation: Infectious bursal disease causes lymphoid depletion in the Bursa of Fabricius, particularly affecting developing B-cell populations.
Correct answer: Bursa of Fabricius- A. Xanthophyll pigments
- B. Sulfur amino acids
- C. Calcium phosphates
- D. Medium-chain fatty acids
Explanation: Xanthophylls from ingredients such as maize and alfalfa are deposited in the yolk and deepen its yellow colour.
Correct answer: Xanthophyll pigments- A. Reduced respiratory rate
- B. Panting with increased respiratory rate
- C. Marked shivering with vasoconstriction
- D. Complete cessation of water intake
Explanation: Chickens lack functional sweat glands and lose heat mainly through respiratory evaporation, so panting increases during heat stress.
Correct answer: Panting with increased respiratory rate- A. Infectious laryngotracheitis virus
- B. Eimeria tenella
- C. Mycoplasma gallisepticum
- D. Fowl pox virus through mosquitoes
Explanation: Mycoplasma gallisepticum can be transmitted vertically through the egg, producing infected progeny and respiratory disease.
Correct answer: Mycoplasma gallisepticum- A. To sterilize the poultry house environment
- B. To give immediate passive antibodies from another bird
- C. To replace all biosecurity measures on the farm
- D. To provide active immunity using a weakened organism
Explanation: A live attenuated vaccine stimulates the bird's own immune system while using an organism weakened in disease-producing ability.
Correct answer: To provide active immunity using a weakened organism- A. Insufficient loss of egg weight and a small air cell
- B. Excessive loss of egg weight
- C. Premature closure of the shell pores
- D. Complete prevention of yolk formation
Explanation: High humidity reduces water loss from the egg, leaving the egg heavier and the air cell smaller than expected at hatching.
Correct answer: Insufficient loss of egg weight and a small air cell- A. Feather sexing
- B. Vent sexing
- C. Autosexing by plumage colour
- D. Ultrasonic sexing
Explanation: Vent sexing determines sex by examining the cloacal region for sex-linked anatomical differences in newly hatched chicks.
Correct answer: Vent sexing- A. Plymouth Rock
- B. Cornish Cross
- C. White Leghorn
- D. Rhode Island Red
Explanation: White Leghorn has been selected primarily for high egg production and efficient feed use.
Correct answer: White Leghorn36. Which part of the hen's oviduct receives the ovulated ovum and may be the site of fertilization?
- A. Uterus
- B. Magnum
- C. Isthmus
- D. Infundibulum
Explanation: The infundibulum is the funnel-shaped first part of the oviduct that catches the ovulated ovum.
Correct answer: Infundibulum- A. Panting
- B. Sweating
- C. Shivering
- D. Hibernation
Explanation: Chickens lack functional sweat glands over most of the body, so they mainly cool themselves by panting and increasing evaporative heat…
Correct answer: Panting- A. They lack haemoglobin
- B. They retain a nucleus
- C. They are always spherical
- D. They contain no cell membrane
Explanation: Mature avian erythrocytes are oval and retain their nuclei, unlike mature mammalian red blood cells.
Correct answer: They retain a nucleus- A. Nervous tremors from low vitamin E
- B. Rickets from poor calcium use
- C. Poor epithelial integrity
- D. Perosis from manganese deficiency
Explanation: Vitamin A is important for normal epithelial tissues, vision, immunity, and reproduction, so deficiency can produce poor epithelial…
Correct answer: Poor epithelial integrity- A. Sodium chloride
- B. Limestone powder
- C. Fish meal
- D. Maize grain
Explanation: Maize grain supplies substantial metabolizable energy through its starch and is widely used in poultry diets.
Correct answer: Maize grain