Leading Research: in Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare refers to the protection of the health and well-being of animals. It concerns how an animal is coping in its living environment in terms of freedom from hunger and thirst, fear and distress, discomfort, pain injury or disease, and the freedom to express natural behaviours.
Hen welfare is critical for an efficient and sustainable egg farming business. Improving hen health and welfare represents an important opportunity for productivity gains in each egg production system and to ensure that management practices align with consumer expectations.
The investment in hen welfare RD&E means that animal husbandry on-farm is supported by robust, replicated and peer reviewed science, with key research outcomes regarding best management practice being communicated to all stakeholders.
It is intended that outcomes will be animal welfare gains, productivity improvements and the ongoing sustainability of Australian’s egg industry.
Key Resources
Current Research
Phenotypic and genotypic profiles of hens that pile
This project will provide information to reduce piling and smothering through short- and long-term strategies, which will improve productivity and bird welfare. The project led by University of Melbourne and in partnership with University of Bern and a major breeding company, is part of a larger international project “HenTrack”.
Monitoring hen health with machine vision on free range farms
This project will develop a proof-of-concept machine vision system with the capability to detect abnormal flock appearance and behaviour, that would indicate poor animal health or welfare.
Non-invasive technology for gender determination of fertilised chicken eggs
Using an optical technique, researchers will be working on developing a device that can automatically determine the gender of chicken eggs. If the project is successful, the result will be a desktop device suitable for hatcheries.
Completed Research
Effects of foot lesions & feather loss on caged layers
The effects of poor feather cover and foot lesions in European and Australian strain layers were examined in three experiments.
Projects you might find interesting
Hen ranging behaviour in relation to light and UV intensity
This project found that free range hens will avoid times of peak sun intensity and thus may not range as much during the summer months.