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

prof.dr.ir. B (Bas) Kemp
Professor/Chairholder in Adaptation Physiology

News

Positive Animal Welfare Team use Research Award for fruitful retreat
July 19, 2024 - 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...
Positive Animal Welfare Team nominated for Research Award
February 21, 2024 - The Positive Animal Welfare (PAW) Team has been nominated for the Research Award, category Team effort of the Year. The team members will pitch their...
Animal resilience can be predicted and influenced
February 6, 2024 - Meeting the natural and physiological needs of animals has a positive impact on their resilience. This is the outcome of a study for which Ingrid van...

More news

Research themes

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.
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.
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.

More education