What is the term for the physical examination of poultry?

The term "live animal evaluation" refers specifically to the process of physically examining poultry to assess their overall condition, appearance, and health. This evaluation typically involves inspecting various aspects of the birds, such as their feather quality, body conformation, posture, and behavior. It is an essential practice in poultry judging and management, allowing for the identification of both desirable traits and potential issues that could impact the birds’ health or productivity.

In this context, live animal evaluation encompasses the hands-on approach necessary for judging poultry, distinguishing it from other types of assessments like veterinary assessments, which may delve deeper into medical issues, or biosecurity checks, which focus on disease prevention measures rather than individual animal evaluation. Health inspections are generally more formal assessments that can include documentation and regulatory compliance, rather than the subjective evaluation needed for judging purposes.