I am a student at the University of GA and am a poulty science major. I need information or an interesting topic on which to give a presentation. The topic must be an on-the-edge (relatively new) issue in the poultry industry. Genetics are my main interests, but anything such as new techniques in breeding, housing, etc. or decresing the presence of mycotoxins or chemical binders or anything of the such would be great! Could someone please help me out and throw a couple of topics my way? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Anonymous: A topic that is seldom discussed would be the crossing of poultry species such as pheasant x chicken, chicken x turkey, guinea x chicken, duck x goose, peafowl x turkey, etc. by natural breeding and through the art of artificial insemination. This has been an ongoing thing and is not new but is indeed an interesting subject that most people are totally unaware of... Just an idea.......I would be very interested in seeing an outline of your presentation. .....Red Tail Chicken Hawk.....

Mr. Red Tail Chicken Hawk, This has gone on for at least this century. The resulting offspring, like the mule, from a horse and a jack, are almost 100% sterile. Have never heard of a fertile one producing anything remarkable. With the possibility of introducing separate genes, this could change. Very interesting. CJR

Cjeanr: Thank you for your input. I am fully aware that these experiments with crossing of species have been going on for at least this century and I am more sure probably before then. My thoughts on this were primarily because Anonymous's main interest was in genetics not in whether anything remarkable would be produced. You are right, there usually will not be anything remarkable resulting from these crossings. I have seen capons sold in fancy gourmet shops that were crosses between pheasant and chicken. The cattalo and beefalo were crosses that were developed between the domestic cattle and the American bison (buffalo). The first cross was developed many years ago but did not get off to a good start when the resulting male calves were stillborn or if they survived were mostly sterile while the female calves could be bred either to a domestic bull or a buffalo bull with equally good results. This was not readily accepted and was finally phased out. The Department of Agricultural in Canada was instrumental in developing this particular cross to develop a beef animal that could withstand the rigors of a northern winter on the plains of USA and Canada. The beefalo was developed later when the study of genetics became more specialized and is now incorporated into the bloodlines of many of the feeder steers sold and slaughtered in the US. They are quite popular because of their availability to turn cheap roughage into beef....I value your input.....I have read some of the answers to the questions asked by some and usually agree.....I guess I was just interested in helping this student out in his obvious mind lock instead of suggesting something that would have an economic impact on the civilized world.... . Do you have any suggestions to offer this person?........ Surely between the two of we veterans, we can come up with a couple of doozies.......Red Tail Chicken Hawk.......

i agree with red tail chicken hawk that the guy is interested in genetics and not the outcome. good luck. a good idea . would like to hear more about the crosses. anybody know where they can be found.

Why don't you investigate the new way of eliminating salmonella from a poultry flock by misting newly hatched chicks with an antibiotic?Apparantly the little chicks get enough of the stuff into themselves by feather cleaning that they are salmonella free at a very reasonable cost to the poultry producer.