Dissection Experience and Anticipation

I am looking forward to having the opportunity to experience dissections in person and learn more about the anatomy and physiology of the avian in the first POUL 3150 lab. Last semester, in Intro to Poultry Science, we dissected a hen and analyzed the reproductive and digestive systems. I feel like I learned a lot from Dr. Berry during our first dissection lab. I mostly enjoyed looking at the reproductive system - we even found an egg in the shell gland or uterus. Seeing the ovary with multiple follicles on it varying in size, gave me a better understanding of how some hens can lay more than one egg a day. I hope when we start dissections next week I can use my previous knowledge to locate some body parts and then be able to connect the physiology with it. It is important to have some basic knowledge or background of the systems that are in the avian and their functions. The way the systems interact with each other and why is one thing I hope to develop a better understanding about. I am most nervous about the smell and blood during the dissection labs. The first time I dissected a bird, my lab partner was the one that cut it. She also accidentally cut the liver open, so there was blood everywhere. I did not like how the body of the birds were still warm because they were killed right before lab. The combination of the blood, warm body, and looking at the eyeballs made me feel a little unsteady. A few times I had to step back from the bird and go outside to get some fresh air. Overcoming the smell and blood will be one of the hardest challenges. With some time and a little more experience, I hope I will no longer be as affected by it. It is very important that I overcome this fear so I can receive the most out of the dissections. I am a visual and hands-on learner, so I feel like these dissection labs are going to be a very important stepping stone in furthering my education. I am really excited for this course and the challenges I will have to face. I want to be able to learn more about the avian anatomy and physiology with these experiences so I can increase my knowledge, apply it in my future, and eventually in my career. This experience is important to not only pass the course, but to be able to move forward in my education so I can get more experience, and then apply those skills in the future. Knowledge about poultry anatomy and physiology is a main asset in receiving a degree in poultry production.