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The Tours poultry experimentation center is attached to the Animal Physiology and Livestock Systems (PHASE) and Animal Genetics (GA) departments. It consists of 16 buildings exclusively dedicated to research projects in the poultry sector. This experimental device makes it possible to carry out specific experimental protocols and to reconstitute all the links in the poultry sector: from hatching and accommodation through the manufacture of experimental feeds to slaughter and cutting.

The EU PEAT sets up zootechnical tests in the fields of reproduction and nutrition of poultry, their behavior and welfare, egg production and quality, growth and quality of meat, selection and genetics, metabolism, digestive efficiency and finally the sustainability of poultry farming systems.

Experimental skills:

Seed samples and artificial insemination
Laying and growth performance measures
Manufacture of standard and experimental foods
Observations and behavioral measurements in suitable premises (test rooms, rooms equipped with cameras)
Phenotyping at birth
Blood, tissue ...
Injections into the egg

Species hosted at EU-PEAT:

Laying hens, broilers, quail, turkeys, guinea fowl, ducks (Barbary and Beijing), pheasants ...

Several experimental lines selected according to zootechnical and genetic criteria have been created and are maintained in the unit: 15 lines of Gallus (selection according to the pH of the nets, the speed of growth ...) and 9 lines of quail (selection on l emotivity, laying performance ...) as well as a gene pool with visible effect (Gallus and quail).

The buildings :

16 buildings approved for experimentation allow the accommodation of animals in collective collective cages, parquet (with or without gratings), on the ground or in the open air while respecting animal welfare.

The UE-PEAT also has an approved food manufacturing workshop, an experimental hatchery, a slaughterhouse and a cutting room.

Database :

All zootechnical information as well as experimental data recorded in real time are stored in a database called SICPA Poultry (SiVol) created by INRA especially for poultry.