Jacob Brost

ALT A collage of images from the PSA 2023 awards dinner. Showing Certificate of Excellence winner Grace Hong and travel award winner Jacob Brost with their awards.

ALT Dr Ana Rentsch (top) and Dr Tina Widowski (bottom) presenting at PSA 2023

ALT MSc students Grace Hong (top), Jacob Brost (middle) and Madeleine McAuley (bottom) presenting their research in the Behaviour and Wellbeing student competition

ALT From left to right: Aileen MacLellan, Dr Georgia Mason, Lauren Young, Jacob Brost and Lydia Conrad

ALT Eggs have the lowest environmental impact of any animal protein. Therefore, protecting the health and welfare of birds kept for egg-laying has a high priority. One of the challenges for farmers keeping egg-laying hens is the occurrence of injurious pecking, where bird-to-bird pecking damages the integument of other birds, even in scenarios where birds have outdoor access. This project will examine the effectiveness of commercially available edible enrichment to enhance foraging and, thereby, reduce injurious pecking in pullets and laying hens in non-cage housing. The proposed field studies investigate birds' motivation to interact with edible enrichment, which location(s) is/are most feasible within the system, and quantify effects on injurious pecking/integument damage in pullets/laying hens, and production outcomes throughout lay. We are looking for highly motivated PhD (3-4 years) and MSc (1-2 years) students starting September 2023 (could be January 2024 for the right candidate).

ALT Image of Alvaro Arroyave

ALT The new Dr Whittle with her examining committee left to right: Dr Richard Blatford (UC Davis), Dr Elijah Kiarie, Dr Rosie Whittle, Dr Tina Widowski, Dr Derek Haley, Dr Lee-Anne Huber (chair)

ALT Dr Baes, Grace Hong, Dr Osborne, Jacob Brost, Dr Harlender and Dr Tobalske (left to right) celebrating the completion of Grace's thesis defence

ALT Grace Hong at the beginning of the defence.

ALT Graduate Students from UofG at Toronto Zoo as part of the CCSAW Student Chapter behind the scenes tour. Image courtesy of Lydia Conrad

ALT Toronto Zoo giraffes have been trained using positive reinforcement techniques to present their feet for routine hoof trimming and maintenance. This allows for voluntary participation for the giraffes. Image courtesy of Rosie Whittle

ALT Toronto Zoo rhinos wear gps trackers as part of research project and are also trained for voluntary blood withdrawals. Image courtesy of Lydia Conrad

ALT Join us for our first seminar series for the year! Dr Nienke van Staaveren will be presenting "The importance of feathers in poultry welfare". January 25th 2023 at 12.30pm EST on zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95334148361

ALT Rosie Whittle presenting at ABSC Graduate student symposium

ALT MacKenzie Marmina presenting at ABSC Graduate student symposium

ALT Jacob Brost presenting at ABSC Graduate student symposium

ALT Graphic reading "Effects of clipping of flight feathers on resource use in Gallus gallus domesticus Renée Garant, Bret W. Tobalske, Neila BenSassi, Nienke van Staaveren, Dan Tulpan, Tina Widowski, Donald R. Powers and Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek" With a photo of two white hens with complete feather cover, and a smaller photo of Renee Garant smiling at the camera