Supporting Ontario's Poultry Sector
Research, laboratory services and capacity-building for a productive poultry industry
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance helps Ontario’s chicken, egg and turkey farmers thrive by delivering practical, research-backed solutions that improve productivity, sustainability and profitability.
The Alliance provides world-class laboratory testing, specialized training and strategic investments in research to keep the poultry sector future-focused and resilient.
Partners: Working together for a strong, sustainable sector
The Alliance brings together government, academia and industry for a strong, sustainable swine sector. Partners include:
- Chicken Farmers of Ontario
- Egg Farmers of Ontario
- Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission
- Turkey Farmers of Ontario
- Egg Farmers of Canada
- Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC)
- Agribusinesses, such as those specializing in animal health, nutrition, genetics, feed and ingredients
Making an impact
Nutritional strategies for healthy, feed-efficient birds
Dr. Elijah Kiarie
Alliance-funded research is enhancing the chicken immune system through gut health to help Ontario poultry producers raise healthy, efficient birds more sustainably.
Precision poultry management for competitive farming
Dr. Grégoy Bédécarrats
Bédécarrats and his team are working to prevent early puberty and strengthen hens' skeletons to reduce the risk of injuries and improve bird health, leading to sustainable and competitive farming.
Improving reproductive efficiency for the turkey industry
Clara Ziezold
Alliance-funded research from PhD student Ziezold is helping turkey breeder hens become more productive, supporting a strong local turkey industry from hatcheries to farms.
Inside U of G’s fight against avian flu
Drs. Shayan Sharif, Rozita Dara, Claire Jardine, Maria Spinato, Lauren Grant, Jane Parmley and others
The Alliance puts U of G researchers in labs and on farms, analyzing bird samples and using AI to forecast outbreaks.
In pursuit of a vaccine to protect birds
Dr. Fatemeh Fazel
Backed by the Alliance and national partners, Fazel, a veterinarian and PhD candidate, is developing a new poultry vaccine that could transform how farmers protect their flocks.
Reducing salmonella on eggs
Dr. Keith Warriner
Warriner and his team have validated and verified a process for inactivating Salmonella on hatchery eggs, addressing a significant source of contamination in the supply chain. This technology is commercialized by Ontario company Clean Works.
Energy-efficient lighting that improves production
Dr. Grégoy Bédécarrats
After discovering that different lighting sources had different effects on laying hens, Bédécarrats collaborated with industry to develop and validate an innovative LED known as AgriLux™, which improves production by several per cent.
How aviary design impacts pullet and laying hen welfare
Dr. Alexandra Harlander
Aviary design impacts pullet and laying hen welfare. This Canadian Poultry Magazine story explains findings from Harlander’s research into navigation, wing use, ramps and perches. Photo credit: Farm and Food Care
Additional services and resources
Alliance poultry research in the news
- Canadian Poultry: Pullet Housing Research: Raise The Roost? (Feb. 26, 2026)
- Ontario Farmer: Harlander named EFC research chair in poultry welfare (March 10, 2026)
- Farmtario: Research meets reality: Farmers and scientists find solutions together (Oct. 19, 2025)
- Ontario Farmer: Ontario announces $10 million for poultry research (Oct. 9, 2025)
- Global News: U of G researchers attempting to try and create Canada’s first bird flu vaccine (July 18, 2025)
- CTV News: Two projects at University of Guelph aim to combat avian influenza (June 13, 2025)
- Farms.com: Scientists at Guelph target avian threat (June 5, 2025)
- Food Safety Magazine: Study Validates, Verifies Hydroxyl Radical Treatments for Inactivating Salmonella, Avian Pathogens on Poultry Eggs (Apr. 2025)
- WattPoultry: Understanding climate change could stop avian flu spread (Nov. 2024)
- Ontario Farmer: Social media posts used to predict avian flu outbreaks and spread (Oct. 2024)
- Farmtario: Understanding transmission of the avian influenza virus (June 2024)
