** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** UP TO 73% OF EGG LAYING HENS EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC AND SOMETIMES EVEN FATAL CHANGES TO THEIR KEEL BONE. BESIDES THE HUMANITARIAN ASPECT OF ANIMAL SUFFERING, IT HAS DIRECT FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES FOR FARMERS AND CONSUMERS ALIKE.THIS RESEARCH AIMS TO DEVELOP AND DEPLOY NEW SENSORS, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCT AN ANIMAL COMPUTER MODEL, TO (FINALLY) DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM. AS EXPRESSED BY OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS, THE RESULTS OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS WILL BE USED TO RE-DESIGN BIRD HOUSING, INCLUDING CHANGES TO PERCH, NEST AND LITTER AREA(S), TO MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE THE KEEL BONE DAMAGE.