Poultry production is an important part of our department, offering you hands-on access to poultry while providing strong, science-based information to prepare you for a career in food production systems. Through courses, internships, research, and part-time student employment, you will gain practical experience and learn about:
- Poultry life-cycle production and management
- Live bird, carcass, and genetic assessment
- Anatomy and physiology as the basis for reproduction, nutrition, and health management
- Critical factors influencing animal care and welfare
- Production of high-value, high-quality, fresh and processed food
- Relationships between on-farm, packing, and retail segments of poultry production
- Exploring marketing options to enhance value
- Development of a systems approach to problem solving and enhanced decision making
Careers
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Processing Plant Manager
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Flock Service Technician
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Quality Control Manager
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Hatchery Manager
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Poultry Nutritionist
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Poultry Geneticist
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Broiler Manager
Major Options and 4-year Plans
Your interests in the area of poultry science may fit under any of the three available Majors. Click here to investigate the options and plans.
Courses
Courses in genetics, physiology, nutrition, and meat science provide the basis for learning more about poultry production, management, evaluation & selection, poultry products, and animal health & welfare. Many of the classes will be taught in our animal facilities and teaching laboratories that provide hands-on opportunities for you to gain practical animal experience. Additional courses provide the basis for understanding the underlying biological and physiological mechanisms that provide the foundation for effective poultry production systems.
Midwest Poultry Consortium
If you are interested in gaining more specialized experiences in poultry science, you have the opportunity to take summer classes through the Mid-West Poultry Consortium Center of Excellence (COE). The COE Program offers strong, research-based poultry science education through 18 poultry science credits in two 6-week summers sessions. Problem solving and state-of-the-art lab training are integrated with industry field trips to complement lectures. All courses taken through the COE Program transfer to OSU for academic credit towards your Animal Sciences degree. Through the COE Program, you will learn about:
- Poultry Nutrition
- Poultry Physiology
- Poultry Health
- Breeder Flock and Hatchery Management
- Poultry Enterprise Management
- Poultry Products Technology
The Midwest Poultry Consortium also coordinates internships and job opportunities for COE students. All internships will be paid internships and will fit into the academic timetable for each university. All courses are taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with FREE credits (tuition is paid) that will count toward your animal science degree electives. Click here to learn more.
Team Area-Specific Opportunities (click here for more teams)
- Poultry Judging Team
Clubs Area-Specific Opportunities (click here for more clubs)
- Poultry Science Club