Page 161 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Testicles

Epididymis

Kidneys

Vas deferens

Ureter

Large intestine
Papillae
Cloaca

Figure 7.3: Reproductive system of a male chicken (cock)

Female reproductive system in poultry

It consists of ovary and oviduct. During embryonic development of a female chicken,
two ovaries and oviducts develop, but the right ovary and oviduct atrophy before
hatching. At hatching, female chickens tend to have one ovary and oviduct which
are located within the abdomen under the left kidney. The ovary produces eggs
while oviduct transports them. The ovary contains a cluster of small immature, white
yolks or ova, which develop to form an egg yolk. The developing yolks (follicles)
are enclosed in a thin membrane well supplied with blood vessels.

The oviduct is a large, folded tube with five distinct regions. Each region has a

specific function. These regions are infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus and
vagina. Infundibulum catches and channels the released eggs. Magnum is the site
where the majority of the albumen is added to the egg. Isthmus has the functions of
adding approximately 20% of albumen and shell membranes to the egg. Uterus is
responsible for plumping of the egg where water and electrolytes are added to the
albumen. Vagina helps to push the egg out of the hen’s body via cloaca. Figure 7.4
illustrates the reproductive system of a female chicken.

Student’s Book Form Three
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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 150 10/01/2025 12:31