Assessment of Sternal Lesions in Laying Hens: Collaboration between the University of Padua, IZSVe, and Delta Group Agroalimentare

The DAFNAE Department of the University of Padua and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie conducted a field experiment during 2022/2023 to identify risk factors for sternal lesions in laying hens and other key indicators for assessing animal welfare during the rearing phase. The results, currently in the process of publication, were preliminarily presented at the European Poultry Conference in Valencia (Spain) last June.

To further and deepen the study in terms of technological innovation, Delta Group Agroalimentare has expressed its willingness to participate as a key partner in the poultry slaughtering sector. The possibility of automating the classification of carcasses on the line based on the presence of sternal lesions will be explored, providing a potential tool to support the traditional inspection system.

Delta Group Agroalimentare has enthusiastically embraced this opportunity for collaboration, in line with the company’s philosophy that places animal welfare at the core of its operations management and aims for a high standard of processes.