Management of commercial table egg flocks as related to environment, nutrition, disease control, economics, housing, equipment, egg processing and raising replacement pullets. Principles of nutrition specific to avian species, including feedstuffs, feed additives, nutrient metabolism, energy systems, and nutritional support of egg production and growth. Use of computers for feed formulation to support production. Experiments in current problems in avian biology. Introduction to experimental design.
Students choose a project, design a protocol, perform an experiment and report their findings.
Ecology, behavior, functional morphology and life-history evolution of birds. Emphasis on the importance of body size as a principle determinant of most aspects of avian performance from lifespan to reproduction and species abundance. Analytical synthesis and critical thought emphasized. May be repeated three times for credit. Compliance with Internship Approval Request form essential.