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Variations in stress responsivity in hens: matching birds to environments

Descripción del proyecto

Estudiar los factores responsables del estrés de las gallinas

El bienestar de las aves de la industria avícola es de vital importancia ya que afecta a la calidad de los huevos, la productividad y la salud de las gallinas. Además, los consumidores quieren comprar huevos de gallinas que estén en unas condiciones de bienestar adecuadas. Sin embargo, según los expertos, las gallinas ponedoras criadas con fines comerciales pueden estar expuestas a un estrés crónico debido a las condiciones en las que viven y que dan lugar a resultados no deseables como altos niveles de daño óseo y de picoteo de plumas. El proyecto CHICKENSTRESS, financiado con fondos europeos, tiene como objetivo estudiar los factores responsables del estrés de las gallinas y qué las hace resistentes al estrés. El proyecto creará una red internacional de expertos en investigación cerebral aviaria, genética, bienestar de las gallinas ponedoras y la industria avícola. Formará a investigadores con conocimientos avanzados de cría de gallinas, factores medioambientales relacionados con la producción de huevos y el bienestar de las gallinas.

Objetivo

Because of the high demand for eggs, large numbers of hens are farmed in modern egg production. Because of the intensity of this form of farming, the public has justifiably been concerned about the welfare of these birds. Higher welfare also leads to higher quality eggs, higher productivity, and lower incidence of disease and therefore lower need for antibiotics.
We aim to reduce the chronic stress experienced by hens. To this end, we will investigate the neurobiological, genetic and developmental factors that lead to higher stress resilience, and the environmental (housing) factors that lead to chronic stress. Europe has led the world in hen welfare with the complete ban of battery cages (European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC). However, the replacement housing systems have their own potential welfare challenges. Our goal is to identify these challenges and develop improvements for implementation by industry.
We will train a new generation of innovative and entrepreneurial early-stage researchers, able to face different challenges related to poultry farming and to apply scientific knowledge and ideas to products and services for economic and social benefit. To do this, we will constitute an international network of groups with expertise in avian brain research, genetics, welfare and egg farming. The training will be complemented by secondments in different laboratories of the network, workshops, and industrial secondments in the poultry industry.
The new generation of professionals will apply this knowledge and experience to improve poultry housing systems, welfare, and product quality, which will grow the sector's resilience in addressing growing societal demands for higher animal welfare and healthier diets. Moreover, they will contribute to strengthen Europe's human capital in R&I, increase Europe's attractiveness as a leading research destination, improve Europe's competitiveness and growth, and engage in an improved knowledge-based economy and society.

Coordinador

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 303 172,56
Dirección
KINGS GATE
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
Reino Unido

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Región
North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside
Tipo de actividad
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 303 172,56

Participantes (11)

Socios (8)