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Course Description

General Avian Science introduces you to the history and practice of raising poultry for human food and enjoyment. The course touches on all stages of poultry rearing from breeder management and incubation to caring for growing chicks. You will become familiar with the equipment used in poultry husbandry, biosecurity principles to prevent the spread of disease, bird behavior, and the process of manufacturing feed to meet birds' nutritional needs. Various housing types will also be addressed including commercial and backyard flocks used for egg and meat production.

Course Outline

  • Sources and origins
  • Evolve and adapt
  • History of the industry
  • Commercial egg industry
  • Production complex
  • Pastured poultry buyer’s guide
  • Pastured poultry 101
  • Small flocks: Why have a flock?
  • Small flocks: Starting a flock, housing and equipment, feeding and management
  • Imprinting, sexual dimorphism, broodiness, and seasonality
  • Zoonoses
  • Game birds
  • Biosecurity
  • Incubators and hatchery management, part 1
  • Incubators and hatchery management, part 2
  • Basic bird physiology
  • Housing and equipment
  • Housing and equipment for breeders
  • Formulating poultry feeds
  • Milling and digestion

Learner Outcomes

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Summarize the structure of the different segments of the commercial poultry industry.
  • Discuss avian anatomy and physiology as it relates to nutrition, breeding, and environmental management.
  • Describe current management practices to include housing, nutrition, reproduction, and disease management.

Notes

Google Chrome is the preferred browser for this course. If you would like to request a refund, please contact Jill Domel at jill.domel@ag.tamu.edu and include the name of the course for which you are requesting a refund in the subject line. Please note that you are not eligible to receive a refund if you have started the course.

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this course.

Applies Towards the Following Bundles/Packages

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Section Title
General Avian Science
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Online, self paced
Dates
Dec 01, 2025 to Dec 01, 2041
Delivery Options
Online  
Course Fee(s)
PMPC Course 1 - GAS non-credit $450.00 Click here to get more information
Drop Request Deadline
Dec 01, 2025
Transfer Request Deadline
Dec 01, 2025
Reading List / Textbook
There are no required texts for this course.
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