Student receives International Poultry Scientific Forum award
Delaney Groves’ research on improving laying hens’ health and performance earned the Don R. Sloan Award.
Delaney Groves, right, receives the Don R. Sloan Award International Poultry Scientific Forum. Photo courtesy of Mike Persia.
Delaney Groves ’23 received the Don R. Sloan Award for the top undergraduate oral presentation at the International Poultry Scientific Forum in early 2024.
Groves, who is now pursuing a master’s degree in the School of Animal Sciences, used her time as an undergraduate in the school to improve the overall health and performance of egg laying chickens.
Her research, made possible in part by the Pratt Undergraduate Research Fellowship, focuses on coccidiosis, an intestinal parasitic disease in chickens that is a significant concern for its impact on bird health and farm economics.
“Coccidiosis has been well researched in broiler chickens, but less research has been conducted in laying hens. This research demonstrated that coccidiosis can be an issue for adult laying hens and provided a potential solution to limit the negative effect of coccidial infection on both egg production and hen health,” said Mike Persia, professor in the school, Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist, and a part of the project that received the award. “A key finding of the research was that coccidiosis infection can reduce the absorption of yellow/orange pigments from the diet and can result in egg yolks that are lighter in color.”
He said Groves' research not only has the potential to improve poultry health and performance but also to increase the sustainability of poultry operations and that her investigation into coccidiosis stands out for its innovative approach to managing this parasitic disease.
Groves’ research team also included Emily Kimminau ’13, a researcher from Land O’ Lakes who received her bachelor's degree from the School of Animal Sciences.
“Delaney’s work not only has the potential to improve poultry health, but also to increase the sustainability and productivity of poultry operations,” Persia said. “Her academic and practical experiences in the School of Animal Sciences have equipped her with a real-world experience to address the challenges facing the poultry industry today.”
