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Variations in stress responsivity in hens: matching birds to environments

Descrizione del progetto

Studio dei fattori responsabili dello stress delle galline

Il benessere degli uccelli nell’industria avicola è di vitale importanza, poiché influisce sulla qualità delle uova, sulla produttività e sulla salute delle galline. Inoltre, i consumatori vogliono acquistare uova provenienti da galline allevate in condizioni di elevato benessere. Tuttavia, secondo gli esperti, le galline ovaiole allevate a fini commerciali possono essere esposte a stress cronico a causa di condizioni di stabulazione che si traducono in risultati indesiderati, quali livelli più elevati di danni alle ossa della carena e beccatura delle piume. Il progetto CHICKENSTRESS, finanziato dall’UE, mira a studiare i fattori responsabili dello stress delle galline e ciò che le rende resistenti allo stress. Il progetto creerà una rete internazionale di esperti in ricerca sul cervello aviario, genetica, benessere delle galline ovaiole e nel settore avicolo. CHICKENSTRESS formerà ricercatori con conoscenze avanzate in materia di allevamento delle galline, fattori ambientali legati alla produzione di uova e benessere delle galline.

Obiettivo

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.

Coordinatore

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 303 172,56
Indirizzo
KINGS GATE
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne
Regno Unito

Mostra sulla mappa

Regione
North East (England) Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Tyneside
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 303 172,56

Partecipanti (11)

Partner (8)