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.
Little is known about the mechanism behind dietary cholesterol absorption. To understand this further, researchers at Purdue University explored the effect of eating cooked whole eggs on blood cholesterol absorption.
While eggshells might seem to be an unconventional solution to bone grafting, researchers at the University of Ottawa recognized the potential for eggshells to be used as a regenerative material to grow new bone tissue, and developed a study to further explore this possibility.
Family farms are important contributors to stable rural economies. As researchers at the Université Laval found, family farms that operate under supply management, producing eggs, chicken and dairy, are an important part of this economic contribution. In fact, their research shows supply-managed farms punch above their weight when it comes to investing in communities, creating jobs and contributing to GDP.
Our Research Grant Program actively supports 30 research projects in a variety of fields at universities across Canada. Each research project is linked to one or more of Egg Farmers of Canada research priorities that help inform continuous on-farm improvements and enhancements to our policies and programs.
The International Egg Foundation is working hand-in-hand with Ebenezer Agricultural Training Centre staff to establish a practical training course in egg production. The program aims to share the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage commercial egg operations and uses training to build an understanding of best practices in animal care and food safety.
Childhood malnutrition has a lasting effect on growth and development. According to the World Health Organization, millions of children suffer from stunting and wasting. Recent research found that adding eggs to the diets of 6 to 8 year old children in undernourished areas of Uganda significantly increased their height and weight.
Time is the most critical element when it comes to managing avian influenza outbreaks. While surveillance is key in minimizing outbreaks, no tests currently exist that allow for quick, on-site testing. In an attempt to create a simple, cost-effective system for testing, scientists at the University of the Guelph’s BioNano Laboratory developed a colorimetric system enabled by nanotechnology that can quickly detect disease-related pathogens through the naked eye.
Solutions for protein-rich, sustainable and efficient feed for hens are becoming increasingly important as the egg industry continues to grow. Researchers have found that insect larvae contains protein and fat content that could be used as an alternative in animal feed. One of the insects that can convert large amounts of vegetable waste into protein-rich larvae is the black soldier fly—a wasp-like fly native to the Americas.
Today’s hens produce significantly more eggs compared to hens 50 years ago. While many factors play a role in high-quality egg production, the role water quality plays in this process is relatively unknown. As such, researchers at Dalhousie University sought to study the effect that water quality has on laying hen performance today, taking into account the diversity of water found across Canada.