An international team of researchers led by Professor Huaijun Zhou from University of California, Davis, created the first-ever detailed map of how genes are regulated in chickens—a breakthrough that could help scientists breed birds that are more resistant to diseases like avian influenza.

UC Davis animal welfare experts test ways to reduce broken bones

Consumers are clamoring for cage-free eggs, and producers are scrambling to meet the demand.

In 2017, nearly 16 percent of all hens in the U.S. were in cage-free production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 75 percent of all laying hens will need to be cage free by 2026 to meet market demand.

Safety of birds, people, at stake, a UC Davis study suggests

Historically, keeping backyard chickens was a response to economic hardship — whether it was in the Depression or during wartime food rationing.

Findings offer clues to how to boost immunity in humans

A new study from University of California, Davis, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes how vaccines work against a deadly virus in chickens, and could offer a model for related human diseases such as chickenpox.