Does anyone here have a DEGREE for farming?

[mom'sfolly]

I didn't mean to sound snotty. I worked in a university research facility at one time and many of th PhDs I worked with couldn't find their backsides with both hands and a road map.

Eggs are giant specialized cells. Cells exchange gases or breathe. Fertilized eggs are living developing organisms, one of the definitions of life is that the thing must respire. Therefore, all eggs breathe.

 

[Rosalind]

**scratches head**

Let's say, hypothetically, you Googled and found the World's Greatest Chicken Expert, with a DVM from Cornell and a PhD in animal science from Purdue, specializing in poultry. I give you three guesses what would happen if you emailed them, and the first two don't count.

Most professors teach a couple of classes, apply for grants, manage grad students, advise a few undergrads, write up reports for granting agencies, consult for industry, and teach extension classes. All in one day. They are busy. They are not easy to get in touch with. Most industry folks work some very serious hours, and are prohibited from talking shop much outside of their employer's offices. I dunno how accessible your DH thought experts were--I mean, I've seen professors stick their grad students with the chore of responding to similar requests, even from official news reporters.

 

[DuckLady]

I think the exchange of occurs through the shell to the blood supply running under the membrane. If you ever helped a chick out of it's shell, you will likely have seen blood. This vein network acts as part of the "placenta" which helps nourish the developing chick's blood supply with fresh oxygen just as the yolk supplies feed nutrients.
By the time the chick is ready to be out of the shell, the blood supply stops going through this network because the chick is breathing fresh air on it's own. The aircell also gets fresh oxygen which is used by the ready to hatch chick as it makes it's first ventures into the real world.

(Since your hubby needs a title to go along with the experience

)

Terrie The Duck Lady
Self Proclaimed Professor of Duckology

 

[therealsilkiechick]

rotfl, well since he needs a title i guess that may qualify me.

how about PA Certified and Licensed Poultry Technician??

my cert and my license is hanging on the wall if that matters any,lol. u girls have really said it all and explained it better than i could and yes i agree dw is right. they do "breathe".
silkie

 

[ams3651]

I am the 3rd or 4th generation comming from the same farm. All I have to say is the animals all do it on their own and they dont have to know how it works. Chickens do it on their own too, no incubators or help from us. It just works and I dont question it unless theres a problem and they need human help. Growing up on a farm you just see them as miracles and "how life works". And the knowledge on what to do you got from your father and grandfather. My dad doesnt have animals anymore which is part of the reason I want them, so my kids can have those experiences. I see you got some great answers, I guess people on here really do know everything!

 

[SweetLilRachy00]

Thank you everyone. I am arguing the issue with him as well. I will have him read this tonight and let you all know what he thinks then....if he lives that long

Kidding!!!

Thanks again!

 

[Churkenduse]

I didn't even go to college and I knew the answer to your question.

I had a husband like that, notice I said HAD, my condolences to you.

.

 

[silkiechicken]

I work in research and if all goes well, I will be pursuing a PhD in cell and molecular biology. A degree isn't what makes you, it's just a piece of paper. It is what you learn on the way to get a piece of processed flat pulp with ink on it. I know people who can tell you how the brain in a chick develops according to the developmental signals and cellular factors found in the chick over time... but didn't know chicks took 21 days to hatch, or anything about the biology of the organism beyond the part they were studying.

A PhD makes you an expert on one tiny aspect of a subject, and most importantly, it teaches you to ask questions and formulate ways to test these questions. It teaches you skills of investigation. There are plenty of "experts" on subjects that have never gone to school for it.

As for eggs breathing, well, oxygen exchange occurs though the pores of the shell, so if that counts, then it breaths. Why don't you just say eggs that are developing need to have oxygen as an electron acceptor in order for metabolism to occur and energy to be generated for a bundle of fluff to appear on day 21.

 

[MissPrissy]

I think many of us qualify for a PhD in Poultry Sciences. We have spent a lifetime doing the work. LOL