Poultry CRC PhD student, Adam Sacranie, has submitted his thesis on feed constituents and feeding practices in broilers, and their effects on gut motility.
“Gut motility is basically two-pronged,” said Adam, who did his Masters and PhD at the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale, New South Wales. “It involves reflux and transit rates, and the ramifications on bird performance.”
“My thesis looked at how feed constituents affect retention time, passage rates, and reflux of digestion and the knock-on influence with broiler performance.”
Adam graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in developmental genetics, before completing his Masters at UNE on the occurrence of reflux in broiler chickens. He is now exploring the possibility of a post-doctoral position in Europe or Australia, but he’s also keen to consider pursuing a more commercially-focussed opportunity in the poultry industry, possibly in Europe or Asia.
“I wouldn’t mind a change of pace, something completely different to what I’ve been doing the last few years. A bit of travel, maybe,” said Adam.
The Poultry CRC provided the bulk of Adam’s research grant, along with a top-up scholarship so he could complete his PhD, as well as a travel scholarship for a three-month exchange at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.
“My time in Norway was a wonderful opportunity that certainly injected me with enthusiasm for poultry research,” he said. “I’ve always felt invigorated being involved in animal production, especially an area as dynamic as the poultry industry. I believe food security is one of the most important issues facing the world in the foreseeable future. I’m in the business of contributing to a solution to this problem. Poultry is clearly the most viable production animal in terms of carbon footprint, water usage, feed efficiency, land usage, and so on. It’s a cheap, healthy source of protein.”
“The CRC has always been very supportive, especially Professor Mingan Choct, who’s not just been there for me in a professional capacity, but as a mentor and I look forward to maintaining strong links with Mingan and the CRC.”
“”I’ve enjoyed my time at UNE. It’s been great to be part of a really active poultry research group, headed by my supervisor, Professor Paul Iji. I’ve been exposed to several other poultry projects which has added to my experience.”
