A career-focused concentration

If you’re interested in a career in the poultry industry, this concentration is for you. Students who choose the poultry science concentration gain an in-depth understanding of every facet of this dynamic, high-growth industry.

You’ll graduate from SFA with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and the skills and experience you need for an entry-level management position in the poultry industry. Visit our Career Opportunities page to learn more!

What is poultry science?

Poultry science is a branch of animal science that focuses on the study of domesticated birds raised for meat and egg production. This field encompasses various aspects of poultry farming, including breeding, nutrition, health, management, and the overall welfare of poultry species such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese. Poultry scientists work to improve the efficiency and sustainability of poultry production, develop better breeding practices, optimize nutrition for growth and egg production, and enhance disease prevention and control strategies within the poultry industry.

Hands-on learning opportunities

Students pursuing a poultry science concentration participate in a wide variety of transformative, hands-on learning experiences, including:

  • selection and evaluation of poultry products such as eggs and meat
  • reconstruction of a poultry skeleton to learn the anatomical structure of chickens
  • incubating chicken and quail eggs
  • rearing many varieties of poultry, including chickens, turkeys, quail and ducks
  • and meat processing.

Our students also gain additional experience by assisting with faculty research projects. Examples of past projects include:

  • use of probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, essential oils and plant extracts in broiler nutrition
  • analysis of protein and fat requirements for fast-growing commercial broilers
  • evaluating light-emitting diode lighting sources used in poultry production
  • evaluating poultry health supplements
  • and minimizing environmental impacts of poultry production

Exciting internships available

Many of our students also find opportunities for exciting internships in the poultry science industry. Poultry science students have completed internships with poultry production companies including:

  • Sanderson Farms, Inc.
  • Pilgrim’s
  • JBS Foods, Inc.
  • Tyson Foods, Inc.
  • Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.
  • Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
  • Aviagen, Inc.

Undergraduate programs   

Bachelor of Science in agriculture, concentration in poultry science

Coursework for the poultry science concentration includes a blend of core agriculture courses, plus poultry science coursework.

*See the Undergraduate Course Bulletin for additional details, guidelines and requirements.