Cooperative Exterisi S Poultry Talk The University of Arizona College of Agriculture Tucson, Arizona 85721 P’ Kenneth Olson, Extension Specialist, 4.H You won’t be around poultry breeders long before you will hear some strange sounding terms and you’ll be wondering what they mean. Poultry people like all groups have terms they understand, that are useful as they discuss their specialty with each other. As a newcomer to poultry either as a business or a hobby it is important that you learn these terms so that yoU too can take part in “Poultry Talk.” Here are some of the terms, listed in alphabetical order, for your convenience in looking up a term you may hear and not understand. ABDOMEN — The underpart of the body from the general weight, and often a variety of colors andlor breast to the tall. combs. A.B.A. — The initials of an organization devoted to the BRONZE — The metallic colored cast sometimes promotion of miniature sized poultry. (American found in plumage of black varieties. Bantam Association) BUTTERCUP COMB — A comb consisting of a single A.O.C. — The initials used to designate the remainder leader from the base of the beak to a hollow crown of the colors after listing several specific colors. set firmly on the center of the head surrounded by a (Any other color) circle of regular points. A.O.V. — The initials used to designate the remainder CAPE — The short feathers at the juncture of the back of ‘iarleties after listing some of the varieties in a and neck underneath the hackle and between the breed. (Any other variety) shoulders. A.P.A. — The Initials of America’s first livestock CARRIAGE — The posture of the bird. Also applies to organization which is devoted exclusively to the the angle of the wing, tail and/or back. poultry industry. (American Poultry Association) CLOSE FEATHERED — Term used to describe a bird AXIAL FEATHER — The short feather growing between whose feathers are held tight to the body. the primaries and secondaries of the wing. COCK — A male fowl one year old or more. BACK — The top of the body from the base of the neck COCKEREL — A male fOwl less than one year old. Jo the base of the tail. COMB — The fleshy protruding part on top of the head BANTAMS — Miniature fowl which are about 14 the size of a fowl. It is larger in the male than female. of standard fowl. CONDITION — The state of a fowl in regard to health, BARRING — Two alternating colors on a feather run including sufficient fleshing and cleanliness and ning across the width of the feather. brightness of plumage. BEAK — The horny formation projecting from the front COVERTS — Those feathers which cover the base of of the head of chickens forming tfle forward mouth- the primary and secondary wing and main tail parts. feathers. BEARD — A cluster of longer feathers hanging from CREST — A globular tuft of feather on the topof the the upper throat of some breeds. head of some breeds. BIRD — A term often used to refer to an individual of CROP — The enlarged part of the gullet lying between any breedof poultry. the neck and body and in which the food is stored BLADE — The portion of a single comb below the and moistened before passing Into the gizzard. • points. CROW HEAD — A narrow, shallow head with an abnor BLUE — A term used in referring to the siaty color of mally long beak. some varieties of poultry. CUSHION — The mass of feathers over the back and BODY — That portion of a bird exclusive of head, neck, base of tail of a fowl giving it a rounded effect. wings, tail, thighs, shanks and toes. CUSHION COMB — A solid low, moderately small BOW-LEGGED — A deformity in which the legs are far comb that is smooth on top. The front, rear and ther apart at the hocks than at the feet. sides are nearly straight with rounded corners, It Is BRASSINESS — A term describing the light yellowish free of spikes. metallic cast commonly found In the plumage of DEFECT — Anything short of perfection. varieties. DEWLAP — A growth of skin which hangs under the BREAST — The entire forward part of the body from the rear of the beak and upper throat. juncture of the neck and body down to the rear point DISQUALIFICATION — A term used to describe a of the keel bone. serious deformity or a defect which prevents a bird BREED — An established group of fowls, related by from receiving an award. breeding, possessing a distinctive shape, the same DOWN — The soft, fine, fluffy covering of a baby chick __~I____fl ~ ~ - UI LII~ ~UI L, IIUI I)’ pai LU’ d I~dLI)Cl U~IUW LlI~ WeU. — lIIcluU~ IFIW upper ariu lower tnign allu SudS!’.. EAR — The small opening on each side of the head LOPPED COMB — A comb which falls over to one side. covered by a small tuft of stiff feathers. LUSTER or SHEEN — A glossy appearance of the EARLOBES — A round fleshy patch of bare skin on feather due to the reflection of the light rays. It each side of the head varying in size, shape and col usually indicates good physical condition. - or according to the breed. MAIN TAIL FEATHERS — The straight, stiff, long FACE — The skin around and below the eyes on either feathers of the tail. side of the head of a fowl. Usually red in-color but MEALY — Term used to describe plumage flecked with may be white or purple In some breeds. a lighter color as if dusted with flour. FAKING — The removal or concealing of a disqualifica MOSSY — Indistinct or irregular markings which tion or serious defect, thus creating merit which destroy the desirable contrast wit the ground color. does not naturally exist. When found the bird is dis MOTTLING — Plumage in which the surface is spotted qualified. with colors or shades of color that differ from the FEATHER — One of the epidermal outgrowths, which ground color. - collectively forms the external covering or plumage MUFFS — A cluster of feathers below and around the of a bird. sides of the eyes and extending from upper throat to FEATHER-LEGGED — A term used to designate those the earlobes. birds having feathers on the outer sides of shanks, NOSTRILS — The openings of the respiratory system and on the outer, or the outer and middle toes. as the base of the upper portion of the beak. FEATHER WEB — That portion of a feather formed by OIL GLAND — A large gland on the back at the base of barbs united by little hooklets that give a solid ap the tail which secretes an oilyfluid which is used in pearance to that portion of the feather and which preening the bird’s feathers. give the surface color to the bird. PEA COMB — A medium length, low comb, the top of FLUFF — The soft downy portion of a feather located which is marked with three low lengthwise ridges, on the lower part of the shaft. Also the soft downy the center one slightly higher then the outer ones. feathering on theinner sides of the lower thighs and The top of the ridges have a wavelike appearance or below the vent. have small rounded pointed. FOWL — A collective term applying to chickens, PEARL EYE — A creamy white or very pale bluish gray ducks, geese and turkeys. Poultry means the same colored eye. thing. PENCILING — The narrow concentric linear markings FRIZZLE FEATHER — A term used to describe feathers inside the edge of the feather web. which are curled or which curve outward and for PLUMAGE — The collective feather covering of the en ward. It is a desirable characteristic of certain tire body of a fowl. breeds. POULTRY — The general term applied to all GAMY TAIL — A term used to describe a tightly folded, domesticated fowl, including chickens, turkeys and slim, tapering, whip-like tail. A desired characteristic waterfowl, etc. Fowl means the same thing. of some breeds and a defect in others. PRIMARIES — The long stiff feathers of the wing, GROUND COLOR — The basic or primary color of the growing from the pinion or outer segment of the web of a feather. In laced, penciled, barred, spangl wing. ed and mottled varieities, it is the basic color to PUBIC BONES — The thin, rear portion of the hip which the markings are added. bones that form part of the pelvis. Considered impor HACKLE — The rear and side neck plumage of a bird. tant in evaluating productivity of the female fowl. HEAD — The term Used to describe the part of the bird PULLET — A female fowl less than one year old. which includes the beak, skull, face, eyes, ears, ear PUPIL OF EYE — The round, black center of the eye lobes, comb, and wattles. through which light is admitted. HEN — A female fowl usually one year old or more. QUILL — The hollow and transparent hornllke portion HEN FEATHERED — A male having oval instead of which attaches the feather to the fowl’s body. pointed sex feathers in the hackle, saddle, wing bow ROACH BACK — A deformed, humped back. and sickles. ROSE COMB — A solid, broad, flat topped, low, fleshly HOCK — The joint between lower thigh and shank. comb, which comes to a point at the rear. The shape HORN — A term used to describe the various shadings of this comb varies in different breeds. of color in the beak of some breeds such as the SADDLE — The rear of the back of a male fowl, covered Rhode Island Red, Silver Spangled Hamburgs, etc. with long pointed feathers.