Poultry Science Terms - N
National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP): established in the 1930’s, it provides growers with guidance on how new diagnostic technology can effectively be applied to improve poultry and poultry products throughout the country by eliminating specific diseases found in all stages of poultry production
Necropsy: postmortem (after death) examination of an animal (equivalent to a human autopsy)
Necrotic: pertaining to dead tissue
Necrotic enteritis: inflammation and decaying of intestinal tissue
Nematode: roundworm
Neoplasm: tumor or other abnormal growth
Nephritis: inflammation of the kidneys
Nest: secluded place where a hen feels she may safely leave her eggs; also, the act of brooding
Nest box: box designed for hens to lay their eggs within
Nest egg: artificial (wooden, plastic or ceramic) egg placed in a nest to encourage hens to lay there
Nest run: ungraded eggs, as laid
Neural: pertaining to the nerves
New York Dressed: bird processed with only feathers and blood removed; entrails intact
Newcastle disease: viral respiratory disease common in chickens. Newcastle disease can spread very quickly within a flock. Commonly prevented with a series of vaccinations
Noninfectious disease: disease that is not caused by a biological organism
Non-essential amino acids: amino acids are produced by the body, that do not necessarilyhave to be included in feedstuffs
Non-setter: hens that have little or no desire to incubate eggs
Noxious: unpleasant
Nutritious: containing substances necessary to sustain life and growth