Poultry Judging Practice Test

What is the primary function of the gizzard in poultry?

1. To digest liquids

2. To serve as the bird's teeth

3. To store eggs

4. To filter waste products

The correct answer is: To serve as the bird's teeth

The primary function of the gizzard in poultry is to serve as the bird's teeth. Unlike mammals, birds do not have teeth; instead, they rely on their gizzard to mechanically break down food. The gizzard is a muscular part of the digestive system that grinds and crushes food, aided by grit or small stones that the bird ingests. This process is essential for the digestion of tough plant material, allowing nutrients to be more effectively absorbed in the intestines. The other functions listed, such as digesting liquids, filtering waste products, or storing eggs, do not accurately describe the gizzard's role. Poultry rely on their beaks to ingest food and their digestive system has distinct parts for processing different types of materials. Eggs are stored in the oviduct, not the gizzard, and waste filtering is performed by the kidneys rather than the gizzard. Understanding the specific and crucial role of the gizzard helps clarify how poultry efficiently process food in their diet.