CPT Poultry Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the normal body temperature range for a healthy adult chicken?
- 105–107°F (40.6–41.7°C) (Correct answer)
- 98.6–100°F (37.0–37.8°C)
- 103–104°F (39.4–40.0°C)
- 108–110°F (42.2–43.3°C)
Correct answer: 105–107°F (40.6–41.7°C)
Chickens maintain a core body temperature of approximately 105–107°F (40.6–41.7°C), which is significantly higher than the human norm due to their elevated metabolic rate.
Question 2: Which hormones work together to regulate calcium mobilization and eggshell calcification in laying hens?
- Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and estrogen (Correct answer)
- Insulin and glucagon
- Thyroxine and calcitonin
- Prolactin and progesterone
Correct answer: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and estrogen
PTH mobilizes calcium from bone and increases intestinal absorption, while estrogen stimulates medullary bone formation and calcium transport proteins, both essential for eggshell calcification.
Question 3: What is the approximate resting heart rate of an adult chicken?
- 250–300 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 60–100 beats per minute
- 120–160 beats per minute
- 400–500 beats per minute
Correct answer: 250–300 beats per minute
Adult chickens have a resting heart rate of roughly 250–300 beats per minute, reflecting the high cardiac output needed to sustain their elevated metabolic rate and body temperature.
Question 4: What is the Harderian gland in poultry and what role does it play?
- A lacrimal gland behind the eye that produces mucus and plays a role in ocular immune defense (Correct answer)
- A gland in the liver responsible for bile acid conjugation
- A male reproductive gland that accessorizes sperm maturation
- A gland on the tongue that secretes salivary amylase
Correct answer: A lacrimal gland behind the eye that produces mucus and plays a role in ocular immune defense
The Harderian gland is located in the posterior orbit of the eye and secretes mucus to lubricate the nictitating membrane; it also contains lymphoid tissue important for local immune responses.
Question 5: What is the primary function of the ceca (cecal pouches) in poultry?
- Microbial fermentation of undigested fiber and water reabsorption (Correct answer)
- Enzymatic protein digestion via pepsin
- Mechanical grinding of coarse feed particles
- Absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K
Correct answer: Microbial fermentation of undigested fiber and water reabsorption
The paired ceca harbor a dense microbial community that ferments dietary fiber and produces short-chain fatty acids; they also reabsorb water and electrolytes from cecal contents.
Question 6: How many air sacs does a typical healthy chicken possess?
- 9 air sacs (Correct answer)
- 4 air sacs
- 6 air sacs
- 12 air sacs
Correct answer: 9 air sacs
Chickens have nine air sacs: one interclavicular, two cervical, two anterior thoracic, two posterior thoracic, and two abdominal — all working together to drive unidirectional airflow through the lungs.
Question 7: Which section of the avian digestive tract is responsible for the initial reception, moistening, and temporary storage of ingested feed?
- Crop (ingluvies) (Correct answer)
- Proventriculus
- Gizzard
- Duodenum
Correct answer: Crop (ingluvies)
The crop is an expandable pouch in the esophagus that stores and softens feed with mucus and moisture before controlled release into the proventriculus for enzymatic digestion.
CPT Poultry Anatomy & Physiology 2
What is the normal body temperature range for a healthy adult chicken?