Location: Livestock Behavior Research
Project Number: 5020-32000-014-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2022
End Date: Jul 30, 2024
Objective:
The objective of this study is to identify novel environmental enrichments that are applicable to current commercial animal housing systems and that improve the welfare and health of pigs and chickens at various stages of life.
Approach:
We will develop novel environmental enrichment products to better meet the behavioral needs of swine and poultry. We will measure behavior and physiology of pigs and chickens to determine the quality of their interactions with our enrichments, thereby demonstrating positive effects on welfare. We will also monitor animal health to determine if improved welfare results in health benefits and estimate financial impacts - positive and negative - of enrichment provision.
