Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 4: Ducks and Geese
DUCK AND GOOSE GLOSSARY
Breed:
A group with common ancestors and characteristics that distinguish the
group. Often, the breeds need to be maintained through selective breeding.
Broody:
Term used for hens sitting on a clutch of eggs in a nest. A broody hen will
stop laying eggs to incubate the eggs and will seldom leave the nest until the eggs
hatch.
Class:
A smaller category of a type of birds. Often, the name will relate to the origin
of a bird.
Down:
Young birds are born with this fluffy hair that does not protect them like
feathers. The feathers grow in during the first few weeks of life.
Drake:
A male duck. Mature drakes (except for the Muscovy breed) can be differ-
entiated from the duck by curled tail feathers.
Duck:
A female duck and the general term for the species
Duckling:
A young duck
Gander:
A male goose
Goose:
A female goose and general term for the species
Gosling:
A young goose
Husbandry:
The agricultural practice of breeding and raising livestock
Hybrid: T
he offspring of genetically dissimilar parents
Hygrometer:
An instrument used to measure humidity. With birds, a hygrometer is
used to measure the humidity inside an egg incubator.
Farm:
Any operation that sells at least $1,000 of agricultural commodities or that
would have sold that amount of produce under normal circumstances
Feed mill:
A place where feed for animals is produced for commercial use
