Feed Less, Waste Less, Emit Less: Transforming Monogastric Farming with Hyper-oxygenated Water

At SRUC, the project will conduct two mechanistic academic trials (one large-scale broiler and one layer study) to evaluate the effects of hyper-oxygenated, ozone-integrated water on productivity, welfare, and gut microbiome composition (via metagenomics) across broilers and laying hens. The project will also include a comparative cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) and economic modelling components of the project to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions and profitability impacts. This project builds on prior feasibility studies and aims to generate robust scientific validation under controlled and real-world conditions, enabling broader industry adoption.
The overall objectives of the project are:
1. Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from monogastric livestock systems (broilers and layers) by improving feed efficiency, survivability, and reducing rejection losses.

2. Enhance animal welfare, resilience, and resistance to production and environmental stressors through improved gut health, immune function, and reduced mortality.

3. Optimise and validate Oxcel’s hyper-oxygenated, ozone-integrated Water-as-a-Service (WaaS) technology across broilers and layers.

Generate a mechanistic understanding of the effects of hyper-oxygenated water on:

a) Productivity metrics (feed conversion ratio, growth rates, production parameters, laying percentages, external and internal egg quality assessments
b) Welfare indicators (e.g., footpad health, gait score, behaviour, etc.)
c) Blood markers of oxidative stress and immune response
d) Bird resilience and resistance to challenges (e.g., gut pathogens, production stress)
e) Quantify environmental and economic impacts through detailed SRUC-led Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and economic modelling.
f) Gut microbiome (via metagenomics)
d) Quantify greenhouse gas emissions in broilers and layers.

Knowledge transfer will be via the production of peer-reviewed publications and research outcomes presented at the National Poultry Conferences, such as the WPSA UK branch spring meeting.