TRADE'OUT - Trade-off between immunocompetence, behaviour and production in laying hens raised with an outdoor access

Context and challenges

The TRADE'OUT project is based on the existing VACCIBIOTA 2 project which aims to study the combined effects of genetics and gut microbiota on the variability of vaccine responses and on the welfare of laying hens. Two tests are planned: in phase 1, groups (n= 50 per group) of 2 lines of laying hens, treated or not with antibiotics, and raised under different conditions (totally indoors or with access to the outdoors) will be compared; in phase 2, the individual variability of the phenotypes will be evaluated in a population of 400 animals. Phenotyping of vaccine responses, assessments of gut microbiota composition and behaviour, and collection of genetic information are already integrated in the VACCIBIOTA 2 project. With the TRADE'OUT project, we will be able to expand the multi-disciplinarity of the project by specifically adding measures of immunocompetence, stress and production performance, which will allow us to obtain a more complete assessment of animal health and welfare.

Objectives

In the TRADE'OUT project we will study the effect of antibiotic treatment-induced gut microbiota disruption and outdoor rearing on immunocompetence, stress and performance parameters. We will also study the statistical associations between these parameters and animal behaviour. We will also be able to gain in-depth knowledge on the genetic determinism of these immunocompetence and stress parameters and identify their potential synergies or trade-offs with behavioural data and production performance. Finally, we aim to address the issue of cost/benefit assessment of animal selection for health and welfare parameters such as immunocompetence, stress and/or behavioural parameters, in a breeding context with access to the outdoors, opening the possibility of creating innovative selection programs.

Species concerned

Partnerships

• Joint research unit GABI, INRAE, GA division: immunophenotyping, genetics and data integration
• Joint research unit PEGASE, INRAE, GA division: trade-off, genetics
• Joint research unit PRC, INRAE, PHASE division: behaviour and welfare
• Joint research unit ISP, INRAE, SA division: immunology and health
• External partner: Novogen - poultry genetic selection