Adaptation Physiology Group
The Adaptation Physiology group (ADP) studies how adaptation to a changing and challenging environment impacts welfare and health of animals. We do this in a multidisciplinary manner, by combining expertise in energy metabolism, behavioural biology, immunology, reproductive physiology and modelling. We contribute to the quality of life by providing knowledge about conditions that facilitate resilience and positive experiences in animals.
Chair holder
News
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Positive Animal Welfare team
- The Positive Animal Welfare (PAW) team of Wageningen University & Research integrates all research in the field of positive animal welfare,... -
Save the date: Course Fundamentals of Animal Emotion in March 2025
- From Tuesday March 11 to 13, the course Fundamentals of Animal Emotion will be organised in Wageningen for the fourth time. Registration will be open... -
Positive Animal Welfare Team use Research Award for fruitful retreat
- The Positive Animal Welfare (PAW) Team has used the WUR Research Team effort of the Year prize for a fruitful 2-day retreat and made plans for...
Research themes
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Transition periods
Throughout their lives, animals experience a number of transitions that invoke large physiological and behavioural changes. Examples of such transitions are hatching in chickens, the onset of lactation in dairy cows and weaning in piglets. We study the influence of environmental factors, including early life conditions, as well as individual characteristics, such as genetic background or personality, on how animals cope with these transitions. See below an overview of our current projects in this field.
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Physical and social environment
Features of the both the physical and social environment in which animals are kept crucially affect their health and welfare. We study the impact of environmental conditions on resilience and emotional states of animals. Examples are the influence of novel housing systems and enrichment to facilitate the expression of natural behaviour, positive and negative interactions between group members, maternal behaviour, and social support. See below an overview of our current projects in this field.
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Global challenges, sustainability and resilience
Global challenges, and the measures taken to mitigate these, affect the animals we keep. For example, animals may experience more heat stress due to climate change, and need to adapt to dietary changes driven by environmental issues and feed-food competition. We study the impact of global changes on animal health and welfare and strategies to facilitate adaptation of animals to the challenges they encounter. See below an overview of our current projects in this field.
Education
We are a multidisciplinary group working on various animal species and topics in relation to adaptation of animals, with a common objective: to improve and facilitate adaptation of animals to challenges they encounter in different stages of their lives.