Objectives

The Action is based around three broad research objectives that are more broadly described in the Working Group (WG) section.

WG1

Develop and validate techniques that can diagnose, assess, and distinguish anatomical characteristics of keel bone damage with a high level of accuracy and consistency across a variety of environments which match specific needs of the research environment.

WG2

Determine and quantify the effects of varying types and severities of KBD on specific measures of welfare (e.g., sensation of pain, altered mobility) and productivity (e.g., egg production and quality).

WG3

Identify sources of KBD and their relationship with the morphology of birds across variable contexts (e.g., age, rearing environment, nutrition, housing, genetic background) and relevant interventions based on this understanding.