Just as poultry production throughout the world has undergone tremendous changes and growth, this book has been radically revised to reflect this. Building on the strengths of the series of books by M. E. Ensminger, we have concentrated in this extensive revision on accurately reflecting both the science on which poultry production is based and the fundamentals of the industry. This is an extensive revision and updating of the third edition of Poultry Science (published in 1992). Many new figures and photographs are included to illustrate formation and to reflect today's poultry production and the diversity of poultry. The book includes the various facets of poultry production ranging from broiler chickens, eggs, turkeys, ducks, geese, ostriches, and other ratites and game birds. It includes the industry (U.

S. and world), poultry biology, development, genetics, production, processing, and marketing. New chapter/sections have been added on food safety, welfare, and environmental issues together with emerging issues including organic production. Increased attention is focused on the structure of the industry, the wide variety of poultry products on the market, new developments (including social and ethical issues), and broiler breeders. The book is intended as an introduction to poultry science courses, particularly units in poultry science at colleges in North America and throughout the world. It should also provide a useful overview of the poultry industry for business and engineering and other graduates entering the poultry industry. To aid updating, reference is made to pertinent websites. It is hoped the volume will be useful to small- and medium-sized producers, for poultry and game birds, poultry farmers, and future farmers.

The appendices specifically address issues of special interest to these types of producers. The volume will provide a useful resource for extension educators and instructors in general courses in animal sciences. Although written in the United States, the book attempts to be useful to students, faculty, and the industry throughout North America together with South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Units are provided in both the U.S. and metric systems. Issues particularly appropriate to countries in the European Union are now included. Recognizing the role of small- and medium-sized producers and critical niche markets (e.

g., organic and free range), pertinent issues are addressed in the text together with a series of appendices specifically directed toward the small- and medium-sized producer. We recognize the invaluable role of our mentors throughout our careers and lives including in date order: the late John Phillips, Sir Brian Follett, Frank Cunningham, Arthur Chadwick, Mike Forties, Paul Griminger, Hans Fisher, the late Ed Oleski, David Topel, John Kozak, Paul Siegel, and many others (for Colin Scanes) and J. C. Gilbreath, Rollin Thayer, Sergio Brambila, F. W. Hill, Emmitt Haynes, and Rex Thomas, among others (for George Brant). We would like to thank the following reviewers for their valuable input: Kevin Downs-Middle Tennessee State University; Richard A.

Barczewski-Delaware State University; Alan Sams-Texas A&M; and Jason Emmert-University of Arkansas. We are indebted to our colleagues and particularly Susan Lamont and David Topel of Iowa State University's Department of Animal Science for their advice and wisdom. The tremendous support from our wives and families during the writing is gratefully acknowledged. Colin G. Scanes and George Brant Ames, Iowa, 2003.