Bristol University opens £1m poultry research centre
The University of Bristol has opened a £1m poultry research facility at its veterinary school.
The new unit forms part of the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, a national consortium of 12 research facilities across the UK funded by Innovate UK – the government’s technology strategy board.
CIEL is one of the UK’s 4 Agri-Tech Centres established as part of the government’s Agri-Tech Strategy. They are funded through Innovate UK, the UK’s strategic innovation agency, and are a partnership between industry and academia.
Bridging the gap between commercial and small scale
The new research unit is a fully monitored and controlled hatching facility that is able to run trials for both hens and broilers.
Andy Butterworth, poultry specialist research lead at the university, said the facility would help bridge the gap between commercial systems and small-scale experiments.
“The unit will help extend our collaborative work on housing design and welfare assessment to develop innovative ways to optimise egg production and business performance through improved health, welfare and nutrition.”
Professor Richard Hammond, head of the Bristol Veterinary School, added: “This new facility marks a step change by providing the very best research facilities to improve poultry welfare and sustainable productivity.”
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