Farms sought for hen welfare study

Researchers at Bristol University are to look at factors affecting hen welfare under different systems of commercial housing in a Government funded project.

The plan is to visit as many farms as possible over a two to three year period and to study and identify factors influencing overall hen welfare, says Bristol University’s Dr Chris Sherwin. At the same time a second project will look at bone damage in hens housed in non-cage systems.

“To complete both these projects we must visit a large number of farms covering a range of housing types, including modified and conventional cages, barn and aviaries, and mobile and static free range houses,” said Dr Sherwin.

“We will need the help of egg producers but we will try and minimise any disruption to normal routine and hopefully will not take up too much of producers’ time.

“We need data from farms experiencing a variety of welfare levels so producers should not be deterred from taking part because they consider welfare on their farm is either very high or low. All the information gathered will be treated as confidential.”

Farm visits are due to start later this year and anyone willing to participate can contact Dr Sherwin on 0117 928 9486 or email him at Chris.sherwin@bristol.ac.uk