Poultry Judging Practice Test

Which digestive process takes place primarily in the Gizzard?

1. Chemical digestion

2. Mechanical digestion

3. Absorption

4. Fermentation

The correct answer is: Mechanical digestion

The gizzard plays a crucial role in the digestive system of birds, particularly in mechanically processing food. This organ contains muscle layers that contract to grind and break down ingested food into smaller particles, facilitating further digestion. The gizzard may also contain grit or small stones that aid in this grinding action. This mechanical digestion is essential because birds do not have teeth to chew their food, making the gizzard vital for ensuring food is adequately prepared for the next stages of digestion. While chemical digestion occurs in other parts of the digestive system, such as the crop and intestines, and fermentation can occur in some bird species that have adapted to a herbivorous diet, the primary function of the gizzard is to mechanically break down food. Therefore, recognizing the gizzard's role in the mechanical digestion process clarifies why it is the correct answer in the context of this question.