Nitrogen is essential for egg production, but its ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions can present risks. Recently, researchers at the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo conducted a study to better understand mitigation options for reducing nitrogen emissions at key stages of the egg production supply chain.
Our Research Grant Program actively supports research projects in a variety of fields at universities across Canada. Each research project is linked to at least one of Egg Farmers of Canada’s research priorities. This document provides an introduction to these research projects as well as their status.
As Canadians seek out new ways to tackle health challenges and issues, eggs have an important role to play in promoting good health through balanced and nutritious diets.
Ammonia emissions from poultry manure can present risks to the respiratory health of hens, egg farmers and their staff, and can result in adverse environmental consequences. In a three-year study, researchers at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry demonstrated that dietary interventions can lower emissions and reduce the risks to hens, farmers and the surrounding environment.
In light of recent trade negotiations, critics argue that the supply management system increases the retail price of supply-managed products at the store. A 2019 study completed by researchers at Université Laval and the University of Waterloo assessed Canadian perceptions of domestic and U.S. prices for supply-managed and non supply-managed goods.
Approximately three million Canadians live with type 2 diabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are too high. Researchers at the University of British Columbia hypothesized that eggs, which contain protein and fat but little carbohydrate, would be an effective bedtime snack for lowering morning sugar levels without spiking these levels throughout the night.
Canada’s egg industry continues to grow and evolve and with that comes unique opportunities for inclusion and diversity. A 2017 study documented the history of women’s involvement in egg farming and sought to understand the underrepresentation of female egg farmers in leadership positions within our industry.
Our Research Grant Program actively supports 35 research projects in a variety of fields at universities across Canada. Each research project is linked to at least one of Egg Farmers of Canada’s research priorities. Below is an introduction to these research projects as well as their status.
The conditions in which an egg is incubated begin to shape a hen’s eventual laying production before it even hatches. For this study, researchers at Dalhousie University and at the University of Saskatchewan collaborated to explore how providing lighting during incubation positively affects the hatch, post-hatch and egg production performance of laying hens.
For laying hens, which rely on their feathers to regulate body temperature and navigate their environment, feather pecking can have wide-reaching impacts on bird welfare and productivity. Researchers at the University of Guelph sought to mitigate these risks by assessing how to maintain healthy feather cover.