Hi I'm
Dr Vicky Sandilands

Position: Reader in Poultry Behaviour and Welfare
Location: Edinburgh Campus
Expertise:
- Agriculture, Crops and Soils
- Livestock and Fishing

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I am a poultry behaviour and welfare scientist, whose focus is examining the housing and management of poultry (particularly laying hens and broilers) and how those affect their welfare.

Chickens are the workhorses of agriculture, so I feel strongly that it is our responsibility to manage them in ways that is sensitive to their needs and wellbeing, while acknowledging their important place as a nutritious food source to people around the world.

I have worked in the past on studies looking at broiler breeder feeding behaviour, broiler leg health and lameness, behaviour and welfare of hens in enriched cages, laying hen welfare at depopulation, perching behaviour in laying hens and importance in keel bone damage. I am currently examining the welfare of poultry (broilers, laying hens, pullets and turkeys) during catching and carrying prior to transport, producers' opinions about using verandas for laying hens, and if sprouted barley is a useful supplement to reduce feather pecking.

A large part of my work is also in teaching. Almost all of our students work in the poultry industry, and they provide some invaluable insights into the poultry world.

Areas of expertise and interests

Agriculture, Crops and Soils
Livestock and Fishing

I'm currently working on

Catching and carrying poultry by two legs or by whole body
The perceived benefits and drawbacks of installing verandas in laying hen sheds
The use of sensors to identify disease in hens and dairy calves
The welfare of broilers in commercial systems in Indonesia

My professional highlights

I have successfully supervised 8 PhD students
I am currently secretary of World’s Poultry Science Association – UK branch
I have been an invited speaker at universities, poultry industry, and poultry societies around the world, including South Africa, Canada, and France

Find out more about our research services

Research services

Our work addresses health and productivity in animals, animal welfare and crops, promotes low carbon farming and increases farm output through efficiency and innovation.