On the 7 February, UFAW Trustee Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe delivered a research seminar at the University of Chester, UK titled ‘In conversation with chickens: Using behaviour to understand chicken cognition and welfare’ as part of the UFAW LINKS scheme.
Dr Abeyesinghe’s presentation summarised the use of behaviour and cognition to assess welfare in chickens, emphasising the need for rigorous experimental design. She also highlighted the benefits and challenges of behavioural experimental models to assess welfare, and the need for critical analysis of results, especially when results are not as expected.
A Q&A session followed where Dr Abeyesinghe shared her pathway to a career in science, providing students with helpful advice on how to approach career planning.
The seminar was hosted by Dr Lottie Hosie and organised by Professor Tessa Smith who both acknowledged the kind support of UFAW.
The UFAW LINKS scheme is our international outreach initiative that encourages engagement with animal welfare science at a global network of participating universities and colleges. The scheme is an integral part of our work to develop scientific solutions to animal welfare problems and to disseminate evidence-based animal welfare information.
For more information about the scheme, or to become a LINK for your institution, please contact Dr Stephen Wickens at wickens@ufaw.org.uk.
