Genetics and Poultry Science
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The teaching activity is divided in two modules: Genetic improvement and Farming technologies for poultry and rabbit productions. Aim of the module Genetic improvement is to develop knowledge and understanding on basis and principles of selection for the genetic improvement of the main livestock species (cattle, pig, small ruminants), both at the theoretical level and for the implementation of populations and herds genetic management. Aim of the module Farming technologies for poultry and rabbit productions is to develop knowledge and understanding on the poultry and rabbit sectors, providing principles and characteristics of productive chains, farming systems and management of strain/breeds reared for meat and egg production.
Expected learning outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding: the student, at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate knowledge on the following subjects: principles of selection for the genetic improvement of livestock; organization, farming systems and productions of poultry and rabbit sectors.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate to apply the genetic knowledge to simple simulated cases. Furthermore, he has to apply the knowledge on poultry and rabbit sectors to assess the suitability of farming systems and production performance.
3. Making judgments: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically present the information acquired. For this aim, specific practical activities and the discussion of technical videos will be proposed.
4. Communication: the student is expected to use scientific and technical appropriate language, in particular for terminology referring to the following livestock sectors: bovine, pigs, poultry, rabbits.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student must gain the ability to use acquired knowledge to interpret advancements in technology and production, for instance searching scientific databases and critically organising new information.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will have to demonstrate to apply the genetic knowledge to simple simulated cases. Furthermore, he has to apply the knowledge on poultry and rabbit sectors to assess the suitability of farming systems and production performance.
3. Making judgments: the student must demonstrate the ability to critically present the information acquired. For this aim, specific practical activities and the discussion of technical videos will be proposed.
4. Communication: the student is expected to use scientific and technical appropriate language, in particular for terminology referring to the following livestock sectors: bovine, pigs, poultry, rabbits.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student must gain the ability to use acquired knowledge to interpret advancements in technology and production, for instance searching scientific databases and critically organising new information.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Prerequisites for admission
None.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is a written test about all the topics included in the teaching programs of the two modules. The written test includes two sections (one section/module).
Section Genetic improvement includes multiple-choice questions and open questions on specific subjects.
Section Farming technologies for poultry and rabbit productions includes 30 multiple-choice questions, each correct answer corresponds to 1 point; no penalties are applied for no answer and wrong answer. The final score (in thirty) is the mathematical mean of the two section scores. The final scores will be published in the Moodle sites after e-mail communication to the students.
A preliminary test is planned for both modules during the mid-term off-teaching week.
The online registration into the UniMI SIFA website is compulsory.
Section Genetic improvement includes multiple-choice questions and open questions on specific subjects.
Section Farming technologies for poultry and rabbit productions includes 30 multiple-choice questions, each correct answer corresponds to 1 point; no penalties are applied for no answer and wrong answer. The final score (in thirty) is the mathematical mean of the two section scores. The final scores will be published in the Moodle sites after e-mail communication to the students.
A preliminary test is planned for both modules during the mid-term off-teaching week.
The online registration into the UniMI SIFA website is compulsory.
Genetic improvement
Course syllabus
History and genetics of development of livestock species and breeds (2 hrs. lecture)
Principles of population genetics - genes and population: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, selection, migration, mutation, genetic drift (2 hrs. lecture and 2 hrs. exercise)
Genetic variation within breed and between breeds (8 hrs lecture and 4 hrs. exercise). Within breed: genetic relationship and inbreeding (pedogree and molecular), parameters of genetic variation (n. alleles, observed and expected heterozigosity); dynamics of inbreeding and effective population size. Between breeds: genetic distances.
Selection (23 hrs lecture and 9 hrs. exercise). Productive and functional traits (dairy and beef cattle, pig, small ruminants): Organisation and management of traits recording; Qualitative and quantitative traits; From phenotype to genetic index; genetic progress in herds and populations.
Kinship and inbreeding population management, with and without selection (2 hrs lecture and 1 hr. exercise).
Animal genetic resources and conservation (3 hrs. lecture).
Principles of population genetics - genes and population: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, selection, migration, mutation, genetic drift (2 hrs. lecture and 2 hrs. exercise)
Genetic variation within breed and between breeds (8 hrs lecture and 4 hrs. exercise). Within breed: genetic relationship and inbreeding (pedogree and molecular), parameters of genetic variation (n. alleles, observed and expected heterozigosity); dynamics of inbreeding and effective population size. Between breeds: genetic distances.
Selection (23 hrs lecture and 9 hrs. exercise). Productive and functional traits (dairy and beef cattle, pig, small ruminants): Organisation and management of traits recording; Qualitative and quantitative traits; From phenotype to genetic index; genetic progress in herds and populations.
Kinship and inbreeding population management, with and without selection (2 hrs lecture and 1 hr. exercise).
Animal genetic resources and conservation (3 hrs. lecture).
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons and Class exercises
Teaching Resources
Teaching material available on ARIEL-UNIMI, to be eventually completed with the textbook "Genetica animale: applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie". G. Pagnacco. 2020. Casa Editrice CEA."
Poultry and rabbit farming
Course syllabus
Theoretical lectures
Evolution of the poultry and rabbit sectors, statistics of production and organization of the national sectors (3 hours).
Introduction to poultry selection and genetic resources for intensive meat and egg production; introduction to rabbit selection and breeds for meat production (6 hours).
Aspects of morphology and reproduction in poultry and rabbits (5 hours).
Farming systems for poultry and rabbit meat production, performance and legislation (9 hours).
Farming system for table egg production, performance and legislation (7 hours).
Management for meat and egg production and biosecurity (7 hours).
Aspects of poultry and rabbit feeding (3 ore).
Practical lectures
Multimedia support will be used to show buildings and equipments for intensive farming. The participation to a poultry exhibition and/or visits to farms will be planned. Seminars held by field experts to discuss topical topics will be planned (16 hours).
Evolution of the poultry and rabbit sectors, statistics of production and organization of the national sectors (3 hours).
Introduction to poultry selection and genetic resources for intensive meat and egg production; introduction to rabbit selection and breeds for meat production (6 hours).
Aspects of morphology and reproduction in poultry and rabbits (5 hours).
Farming systems for poultry and rabbit meat production, performance and legislation (9 hours).
Farming system for table egg production, performance and legislation (7 hours).
Management for meat and egg production and biosecurity (7 hours).
Aspects of poultry and rabbit feeding (3 ore).
Practical lectures
Multimedia support will be used to show buildings and equipments for intensive farming. The participation to a poultry exhibition and/or visits to farms will be planned. Seminars held by field experts to discuss topical topics will be planned (16 hours).
Teaching methods
The course has 6 CFU (56 hours) providing:
- theoretical lectures (4 CFU - 40 hours)
- practical lectures (1 CFU - 16 hours) including multimedia support and seminars held by field experts. Visits to exhibitions and/or farms can be planned according to current opportunities.
- theoretical lectures (4 CFU - 40 hours)
- practical lectures (1 CFU - 16 hours) including multimedia support and seminars held by field experts. Visits to exhibitions and/or farms can be planned according to current opportunities.
Teaching Resources
Textbook suggested:
Avicoltura e Coniglicoltura (2015) Eds. Cerolini S, Marzoni M., Romboli I., Schiavone A. e Zaniboni L., Point Veterinaire Italie, Milano.
Website
https://sceroliniaa.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Avicoltura e Coniglicoltura (2015) Eds. Cerolini S, Marzoni M., Romboli I., Schiavone A. e Zaniboni L., Point Veterinaire Italie, Milano.
Website
https://sceroliniaa.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
Genetic improvement
AGR/17 - LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS, ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Bagnato Alessandro
Poultry and rabbit farming
AGR/20 - AQUACULTURE, POULTRY AND RABBIT SCIENCE - University credits: 6
Practicals: 16 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Cerolini Silvia, Marelli Stefano Paolo
Shifts:
Professors:
Cerolini Silvia, Marelli Stefano Paolo
Turno
Professor:
Marelli Stefano PaoloProfessor(s)