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. Our project aimed to reduce the chronic stress experienced by hens. To this end, we investigated 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 was to identify these challenges and develop improvements for implementation by industry.
We trained 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. We constituted an international network of groups with expertise in avian
brain research, genetics, welfare and egg farming. The training was complemented by secondments in different laboratories of the network, workshops, and industrial secondments in the poultry industry. The new generation of professionals applied 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.
