Virtual Poultry Farm Tour Activity

Virtual Poultry Farm Tour Activity

By Patricia Tuxford

​Did You Know? More than 90% of the chickens raised for human consumption in the United States are produced by independent farmers who contract with a poultry company to raise chickens.

Multiple Choice

How does Bell & Evans minimize stress during chick transportation from the hatchery to the farm?

• A) By transporting chicks in the same trays they hatched in, providing organic feed during transit, and ensuring the journey is typically within an hour.

• B) By using automated machinery to handle chicks during transfer.

• C) By transporting chicks in large groups without individual compartments.

• D) By delaying feeding until chicks arrive at the farm.​

Multiple Choice

What unique step does Bell & Evans take between flocks to ensure cleanliness?

• A) They immediately introduce new chicks without cleaning.

• B) They leave barns empty for over two weeks after full sanitation to break the lifecycle of bacteria and viruses.

• C) They use chemical fumigation without removing old litter.

• D) They rotate flocks without any downtime.​

Multiple Choice

What type of diet is provided to Bell & Evans chickens?

• A) A diet including animal by-products and antibiotics.

• B) A vegetarian diet consisting of U.S.-grown corn, expeller-pressed soybean meal, and natural additives like oregano oil, cinnamon, and yucca.

• C) A high-protein diet supplemented with synthetic growth hormones.

• D) A standard commercial feed with no specific sourcing.​

Multiple Choice

What is the 'Das Klassenbester' program mentioned in the tour?

• A) A marketing campaign for Bell & Evans products.

• B) A breeding program focused on selecting chicken breeds based on welfare attributes and protein quality.
  

• C) A feed additive used to enhance chicken growth.

• D) A sanitation protocol for cleaning barns.​

​Did You Know? Paleontologists have dubbed the Anzu wyliei (an oviraptorosaur) the “chicken from hell.” These dinosaurs were among the largest “feathered” dinosaurs ever found in North America. They were 11′ long and weighed about 500 pounds.

Multiple Choice

How does Bell & Evans' '100% Air Chill' method benefit the chicken processing?

A) It uses chlorinated water baths to cool chickens quickly.
B) It allows chickens to absorb more water, increasing weight.
C) It cools chickens using air, preventing water absorption, enhancing flavor, and maintaining meat tenderness.
D) It involves freezing chickens immediately after processing

• A) It uses chlorinated water baths to cool chickens quickly.

• B) It allows chickens to absorb more water, increasing weight.

• 
  C) It cools chickens using air, preventing water absorption, enhancing flavor, and maintaining meat tenderness.

• D) It involves freezing chickens immediately after processing

Multiple Choice

What type of housing system is used at Siemens Farms?

• A) Traditional caged system.

• B) Aviary-style free-run system allowing hens to move freely and exhibit natural behaviors.

• C) Outdoor-only free-range system.

• Battery cages without perches or nesting boxes.

Multiple Choice

How are eggs collected at Siemens Farms?

A) Manually by workers collecting eggs from nests.
B) Using conveyor belts that transport eggs from nesting areas to a central collection point.
C) By allowing hens to lay eggs directly onto the barn floor.
D) Through robotic arms that pick eggs from nests.

• A) Manually by workers collecting eggs from nests.

• B) Using conveyor belts that transport eggs from nesting areas to a central collection point.

• C) By allowing hens to lay eggs directly onto the barn floor.

• D) Through robotic arms that pick eggs from nests.

Multiple Choice

What environmental controls are in place within the barns at Siemens Farms?

• A) No environmental controls; hens adapt to natural conditions.

• B) Basic heating without ventilation.

• C) Systems to regulate temperature, humidity, and lighting, creating an optimal environment for hen comfort and productivity.

• D) Open windows for natural airflow without temperature control.

Multiple Choice

How does Siemens Farms ensure the health and safety of their hens?

• A) By allowing unrestricted access to the barns for visitors.

• B) By maintaining strict biosecurity measures, including controlled barn access and regular health monitoring.

• C) By using antibiotics in feed as a preventive measure.

• D) By minimizing human interaction with the hens.​

Multiple Choice

What practices are in place at Siemens Farms for waste management?

• A) Waste is left to accumulate and is cleaned annually.

• B) Manure is managed through regular removal and proper storage to minimize environmental impact and maintain cleanliness.

• C) Waste is disposed of in nearby water bodies.

• D) No specific waste management practices are mentioned.​