Research Projects

EsRAM

EsRAM stands for development of measures for reduction of antibiotic resistant bacteria in fattening poultry (German: „Entwicklung stufenübergreifender Reduktionsmaßnahmen für Antibiotikaresistente Erreger beim Mastgeflügel“). The joint project is financed by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In a joint research approach academic institutions and partners from the poultry industry develop measures to reduce the number of bacteria with antibiotic resistances in fattening poultry. The Institute of Poultry Diseases deals with the measures of hygiene and disinfection of hatching eggs to reduce the amount of antibiotic resistant bacteria on hatching eggs.

Integhof

Integhof stands for “Integration of broiler and egg production by using a dual-purpose genotype: ways to improve animal welfare” (german: „Integration von Mast und Eierproduktion bei Einsatz des Zweinutzungshuhns als Maßnahme zum Tierschutz“). Experts from various academic institutions as well as from poultry industry will analyze the feasibility of using the genotype of a dual-purpose chicken as an alternative to conventional genotypes for broilers and layers. Based on the results the team will develop a concept and recommendations for an optimized holding and feeding of these animals with consideration of potential conflicts of objective. The following parameters are evaluated under experimental and field conditions: animal welfare aspects including health and behavior, consumer protection including food safety and product quality, consumer acceptance and environmental protection as well as economic efficiency. In this project, the Institute of Poultry Diseases deals with the parameters feeding, rearing and slaughtering.

Other projects

There are many common and important poultry diseases which can affect the respiratory system. Various bacterial and viral pathogens cause respiratory symptoms in chickens and turkeys. A research focus of the Institute lies on Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale which was first described in the 1990s. Projects are aiming to get a better understanding of resistance patterns and population structure of the bacterium using classic as well as molecular methods.

Other projects deal with investigations into the occurrence, characterization and importance of avian adenoviruses in poultry and investigations into the occurrence of viruses in connection with hepatitis in turkeys.

In addition, two currently running projects deal with opportunitiers to improve animal welfare (3R principle) in poultry sector. One project deals with clicker training in chickens, another with the developement of an automated system for stress recognition in chickens.