Brain cells indicate hen welfare

Over the next few years 20 institutes throughout Europe will be studying laying hen welfare issues in enriched cage and non-cage systems. Dr Tom Smulders, a neuroscientist, says that the welfare of the birds is actually a function in their brain. “So you should also be able to see in the brain of the animal whether it feels good.” The ChickenStress European Training Network (ETN) is a programme for 14 PhD students. There are 20 research and other institutions involved altogether, 12 of whic