Iowa State University will join with University of California-Davis scientists to investigate alternative egg production systems to help improve animal welfare and other practices.
Project leaders say the study will assess alternative housing systems for laying hens in Iowa, the leading state in U.S. egg production–and California, where Proposition 2 essentially bans cage egg production by 2015.
Among the factors to be considered are animal welfare, optimum hen production performance, safe and high quality eggs, the environment, and economic viability for both producers and consumers.
The two-year research project is funded by a 700-thousand dollar grant from the USDA.
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