Short project description

Keel bone fracture is a major welfare problem in laying hens, with over 80% of hens having one of more fractures to their keel bone over their lifetime. These fractures have previously been shown to be associated with behaviour consistent with pain. While this problem has been studied both by industry and academia, the acute and chronic consequences of fracture for the hens’ physiology, and the pathway for information on fractures to the birds’ central nervous system, and its processing (required for pain perception) is unknown.

The master project is part of a wider project focusing on the physiology of keel bone fracture, combining ex-vivo quantitative imaging (microCT, histology) analysis of the tissues involved (bone, nerve) and a 6 month in-vivo study of a cohort of laying hens monitored for keel bone fracture using xray, collecting data on respiratory function, heart rate, and behaviour (nociceptive tests, activity, behavioural testing).

The master project would focus on the collection, analysis and interpretation of the behavioural data. The master student would benefit from working with an interdisciplinary team of research collaborators across AU, in ANIVET, at Comparative Medicine and Zoophysiology, and internationally.