Information Package / Course Catalogue
Poultry Breeding and Health
Course Code: LVS255
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to provide fundamental and practical knowledge and skills in the field of poultry production and health. The course covers topics such as the biological characteristics, breeds, and production systems of poultry; housing and environmental management, nutrition, reproduction, and performance management. In addition, students are given information on disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment methods, hygiene, biosecurity, and flock health management, with the goal of equipping them to carry out efficient and sustainable production.

Course Content

This course covers the fundamental principles and historical development of poultry production. The biological characteristics, breeds, and classification of poultry according to production purposes are examined. Additionally, different production systems (egg, meat, broiler, free-range, etc.) and the operational structures of these systems are discussed. Environmental management topics such as housing design, environmental control, ventilation, lighting, and hygiene practices, as well as nutrition, feed formulation, and feeding techniques, are covered in detail. Reproduction management, incubation technologies, growth and performance monitoring methods, and productivity and quality criteria are also important components of the course. From a health perspective, common diseases, parasites, and infections in poultry are addressed, along with preventive veterinary practices, vaccination programs, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches. Information on biosecurity and flock health management is also provided.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Ins. Tayfun ŞAHİN
Learning Outcomes
1.Learns the anatomy, reproductive physiology, and egg structure of poultry.
2.Learns about environmental factors causing stress and reduced performance in poultry.
3.Learns flock care and management, as well as housing and cage systems in poultry.
4.Learns hatchery hygiene and chick production procedures.
5.Acquires knowledge about infectious and metabolic diseases in poultry
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Arda, M., Minbay, A., & Leloğlu, N. (1997). Special microbiology. Medisan Publishing.
2.Özkan, S., & Yalçın, S. (2025). Poultry farming (1st ed., 406 pp.). Akademisyen Publishing.
3.Wilson, P. B., & Kay, S. (2024). The complete handbook of poultry. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119765202
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Presentation of course topics, Poultry production in the world and in Türkiye
Week 2 - Theoretical
Chicken breeds, strains, and genetic lines
Week 3 - Theoretical
Avian anatomy
Week 4 - Theoretical
Structure of the reproductive tract and egg characteristics in poultry
Week 5 - Theoretical
Effects of environmental temperature on poultry
Week 6 - Theoretical
Effects of lighting on poultry
Week 7 - Theoretical
Management and husbandry of breeding (parent) flocks
Week 8 - Theoretical
Management and husbandry of broiler (meat-type) chicken flocks
Week 9 - Theoretical
Management and husbandry of commercial layer flocks
Week 10 - Theoretical
Shelter and cage systems in poultry husbandry
Week 11 - Theoretical
Hatchery hygiene and operational procedures
Week 12 - Theoretical
Hatchery hygiene and operational procedures
Week 13 - Theoretical
Poultry diseases and disorders
Week 14 - Theoretical
Poultry diseases and disorders
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Midterm Examination1819
Final Examination19110
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
5
1
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
OÇ-2
5
1
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
OÇ-3
5
1
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
OÇ-4
5
1
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
1
OÇ-5
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026