Reference number : GC-2017-Q3-00302, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Kiarie, Elijah (University of Guelph), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Collaborative Research and Development Grants - Project, program name french : Subventions de recherche et développement coopérative - projet, program purpose english : Canadian supply managed egg production system has 1,021 registered egg farms with a total of approximately_x000D_
20 million layers and contributes $1.28B to Canada's GDP. Bone health manifested as osteoporosis is a_x000D_
persistent problem in layers under different housing systems with detrimental effects on flock productivity and_x000D_
egg shell quality and thus profitability. Bone quality is influenced by genetics, housing system environment and_x000D_
nutrition. However, the trends of decreased sexual maturity without concurrent refinement in mineral content_x000D_
of the feed may juxtapose with the hen's increased capacity to produce more eggs with less feed (more calcium_x000D_
output and less input) such that bone mineralization is impaired during rearing and /or lay cycle giving rise to_x000D_
mortality and morbidity stemming from metabolic calcium insufficiency and osteoporosis. Studies to improve_x000D_
hen skeletal health often focus on manipulating environment and nutrition during the laying. However, as_x000D_
pullets develop a mature frame size by 12 weeks of age followed by formation of medullary bone around_x000D_
sexual maturation, supplementing calcium during active lay may be too late to improve bone density and_x000D_
quality. Our hypothesis is that proper skeletal development is essential for high levels egg production and_x000D_
challenges of alternative housing for modern layers. Studies will be conducted to investigate the role of feed_x000D_
structure (manipulation of fiber fraction and limestone particle size) and optimal calcium, phosphorous and_x000D_
vitamin D supplementation on skeletal development pullets and subsequent effects in productivity, egg shell_x000D_
quality, livability and welfare in hens. This is a timely research and will provide valuable information to the_x000D_
egg industry in light of the forthcoming changes in Canadian hen housing systems. The project will employ a_x000D_
variety of experimental, statistical, and analytical techniques thus providing excellent opportunities for the_x000D_
training of highly qualified personnel. Specifically, the research project will support training of 1 PhD, 2 MSc_x000D_
by thesis, 1 MSc by coursework, 2 undergraduate students and 1 Postdoctoral Fellow as well as a technician., program purpose french : Canadian supply managed egg production system has 1,021 registered egg farms with a total of approximately_x000D_
20 million layers and contributes $1.28B to Canada's GDP. Bone health manifested as osteoporosis is a_x000D_
persistent problem in layers under different housing systems with detrimental effects on flock productivity and_x000D_
egg shell quality and thus profitability. Bone quality is influenced by genetics, housing system environment and_x000D_
nutrition. However, the trends of decreased sexual maturity without concurrent refinement in mineral content_x000D_
of the feed may juxtapose with the hen's increased capacity to produce more eggs with less feed (more calcium_x000D_
output and less input) such that bone mineralization is impaired during rearing and /or lay cycle giving rise to_x000D_
mortality and morbidity stemming from metabolic calcium insufficiency and osteoporosis. Studies to improve_x000D_
hen skeletal health often focus on manipulating environment and nutrition during the laying. However, as_x000D_
pullets develop a mature frame size by 12 weeks of age followed by formation of medullary bone around_x000D_
sexual maturation, supplementing calcium during active lay may be too late to improve bone density and_x000D_
quality. Our hypothesis is that proper skeletal development is essential for high levels egg production and_x000D_
challenges of alternative housing for modern layers. Studies will be conducted to investigate the role of feed_x000D_
structure (manipulation of fiber fraction and limestone particle size) and optimal calcium, phosphorous and_x000D_
vitamin D supplementation on skeletal development pullets and subsequent effects in productivity, egg shell_x000D_
quality, livability and welfare in hens. This is a timely research and will provide valuable information to the_x000D_
egg industry in light of the forthcoming changes in Canadian hen housing systems. The project will employ a_x000D_
variety of experimental, statistical, and analytical techniques thus providing excellent opportunities for the_x000D_
training of highly qualified personnel. Specifically, the research project will support training of 1 PhD, 2 MSc_x000D_
by thesis, 1 MSc by coursework, 2 undergraduate students and 1 Postdoctoral Fellow as well as a technician., agreement title english : Nutritional means to enhance skeletal development in pullets and subsequent effects on layers productivity, bone health and welfare, agreement title french : Nutritional means to enhance skeletal development in pullets and subsequent effects on layers productivity, bone health and welfare, agreement number : CRDPJ, agreement value : 208455.0, agreement start date : 2017-10-18, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2020-2021)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2020-2021)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada