jeudi 22 avril 2010

MASTER’S PROJECT IN ANIMAL SCIENCE

Fall 2010 – Fall 2012
PIG BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

Duration: 2 years starting September 2010

Subject: Study of lameness in gestating sows

Description:
The goal of this project is to develop force plates to measure weight distribution of sows on their limbs in relation with the degree of lameness and to compare this method to already developed tools (visual scoring, kinematics, posture and stepping measurements with accelerometers). This project is part of a larger research program on the impact of housing on longevity of gestation sows conducted across Canada.
The project will take place at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dairy and Swine R&D Centre in Sherbrooke (Québec) in collaboration with the Prairie Swine Centre (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). The student will be supervised by Nicolas Devillers (research scientist in ethology) and Renée Bergeron (professor in ethology) and will receive a scholarship of 17 500 CAN$ per year. The student will be registered in the Animal Science Master’s program at the University of Guelph (Ontario) or at Laval University (Québec).

Candidate skills:
Bachelor degree in animal science or animal biology; or doctorate in veterinary science; or equivalent
Motivation for the study of animal welfare and behaviour
Knowledge of animal sciences, especially pig husbandry
Practical experience with pigs or farm animals would be an asset
Practical experience and knowledge in ethology would be an asset
Computer skills would be an asset
Basic knowledge of French would be an asset
Valid driver’s licence

For information, please contact:

Nicolas DEVILLERS
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Dairy and Swine R&D Centre
2000 College St., PO Box 90
Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 1Z3, Canada
Nicolas.Devilers@agr.gc.ca
(+1) 819 565 9171 ext. 223
(+1) 819 564 5507

OR

Renée BERGERON
University of Guelph
Alfred Campus
31, rue Saint-Paul
Alfred, ON, K0B 1A0, Canada
rbergeron@alfredc.uoguelph.ca
(+1) 613 679-2218 ext. 301
(+1) 613 679-2415