The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is set to significantly advance poultry science with plans for a state-of-the-art laying hen research facility, backed by major funding from government and industry partners.
The project has secured over $6.2 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, along with $3 million from Saskatchewan Egg Producers and an additional $1 million from USask’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
Leading the initiative is poultry researcher Karen Schwean-Lardner, who emphasized that the facility will mark a major leap forward for the field. The professor, known for her work on optimizing lighting, housing, and feed systems to improve bird welfare and productivity, described the project as so impactful that it has motivated her to extend her career to see its first experiments come to life.
The nearly 24,000-square-foot facility will be designed to support advanced, data-driven research into poultry welfare and egg production. It will feature multiple housing systems—including enriched, free-run, and free-range setups—aligned with evolving national standards. Under guidelines from Egg Farmers of Canada, conventional housing systems are set to be phased out across Canada by 2036, making this facility particularly timely.
Equipped with controlled environments for lighting, temperature, and other variables, the facility will allow researchers to conduct precise, ethical experiments at scale. According to co-researcher Deborah Adewole, the infrastructure will enable long-term data collection and unlock new research possibilities in poultry science.
A unique feature of the project is its inclusion of public viewing areas, allowing visitors—from students to industry stakeholders—to observe poultry housing systems without compromising farm biosecurity. This transparency is expected to enhance public understanding of animal welfare practices in modern egg production.
USask leadership, including Vice-President Research Baljit Singh, highlighted the investment as a strong endorsement of the university’s role as a global leader in agricultural research. Once completed, the facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone for poultry research in Canada for decades, supporting innovation, industry relevance, and improved animal welfare standards.