London, United Kingdom (CU)_ A Lincoln biotechnology company has been given over £500,000 research grant to help enhance poultry welfare and minimize waste. Accordingly, Arden Biotechnology will receive a £514,000 Innovate UK funding to finance a two-year study to find a natural cure for a condition that causes paralysis and severe bone abnormalities in poultry without depending on drugs. The project’s major goal is to increase animal welfare and minimize feed consumption and food waste, resulting in lower carbon emissions.
Dr Joseph Brown, Research Director at Arden Biotechnology, explained about the bacteria. He said, “The bacteria we are attempting to manage are naturally present in healthy chickens, but in rare circumstances, the bacteria invade areas where they should not be and create cyst-like growths within the spine, resulting in paralysis”. He added, “This paralysis means the birds can’t feed or drink and unfortunately die from dehydration or starvation unless there is an intervention. Previously antibiotics, now largely banned from the food chain, kept this avian pathogen – Enterococcus cecorum- under control.”
The World Health Organization reports that feed contributes to 78 percent of greenhouse gas emissions associated with poultry farming. By lowering the harmful microorganisms associated with a low feed conversion ratio, birds can gain weight more efficiently. This results in less feed consumption to obtain the desired weights.
Arden Biotechnology, headquartered at the Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, and Avara Foods, one of the leading poultry producers in the United Kingdom, are collaborating to find a solution. Dr Brown said, “So the natural solution we are researching would support the agricultural transition to a net zero carbon emission industry through reduced feed usage, reduced food waste and improved welfare.”
