In vivo experiments with broilers
Experimental facilities for contract research and academic experiments
Facilities
- unit 1: 36 pens with 20 broilers each
- unit 2: 8 pens with 20 broilers each (e.g. as a thermoneutral control unit)
- administering additives in both feed and water
- multi-phase feeding system
- roxcell minimax feeder pans
- metabolism cages for collection of fecal digesta
- controlled room temperature and humidity
- lab-scale setters for egg incubation trials
- connected climate and eggshell sensors, weighing scales and camera’s
- collaboration with a commercial farm for large scale field trials
Research focus
Animal performance
- evaluation of growth
- feed and water intake
- feed efficiency
- heat stress response (e.g. panting, body temperature)
- carcass composition and meat quality
Egg hatching
- egg weight dynamics
- eggshell temperature
- breakout losses
- hatching window
- chick quality and activity
- early feed intake
Diet quality
- digestive kinetics
- nutrient digestibility
- nutrient excretion
- nutrient accretion
Animal health
- bone mineralization and breaking strength
- footpad dermatitis
- gut health and enteritis
- meat myopathies