Animal behaviour and welfare lab
Research Field
Dr. Yi-Chun Lin is an academic and researcher with a rich background in animal welfare and behavior, specifically focusing on farm animals. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Bristol, where she majored in farm animal welfare and conducted significant research on the use of animal welfare outcome measurements in farm assurance schemes.
Currently, Dr. Lin holds the position of Assistant Professor at National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan. In her role, she teaches a variety of courses including Animal Ethics, Animal Behavior, Animal Welfare, Hygiene of Livestock and Fowls, Companion Animal, Anatomy, and Physiology of Animals. Her research interests remain deeply rooted in Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior, and Precision Livestock Farming.
Dr. Lin is actively involved in several research projects aimed at advancing animal welfare science and practical applications. Her current research focuses on early-life heat stress exposure in dairy calves, criteria for effective stunning of indigenous broilers, perching behaviour of laying hens, and three-dimensional navigation in animals and its implications for animal welfare. Through these projects, she seeks to bridge fundamental behavioral research with on-farm welfare assessment and precision livestock management.
The Animal Behavior and Welfare Lab, led by principal investigator Dr. Yi-Chun Lin, is a dynamic research group based at National Chung Hsing University. The lab focuses on advancing our understanding of animal welfare and behavior through various innovative research projects. The team comprises one Ph.D. student and six master’s students, each contributing to the rich academic and practical environment fostered by Dr. Lin.
The lab's research portfolio is diverse and focuses on both farm and companion animals. Here's an overview of the current study projects being undertaken:
- Early-Life Heat Stress Exposure in Dairy Calves
This research examines how heat stress during early life affects physiological development, behavior, and long-term welfare in dairy calves, with the aim of identifying critical exposure periods and mitigation strategies for hot and humid environments. - Criteria for Effective Stunning of Indigenous Broilers
This study establishes science-based criteria for effective stunning in indigenous broilers by integrating behavioral and physiological indicators to ensure humane slaughter and compliance with animal welfare standards. - Perching Behaviour of Laying Hens with a Focus on Early-Life Perch Exposure
This research investigates how early-life exposure to perches influences perching behaviour, spatial use, and welfare in laying hens, with implications for rearing practices and housing design in alternative systems.
2024 Teaching Excellence Award II
2024 University Outstanding Mentor Award
2021 University Merit Award for Excellent Teaching Program
2021 University Outstanding Mentor Award
Dr. Yi-Chun Lin's educational background is marked by significant academic achievements in the field of animal welfare and veterinary sciences. Here are the details of her educational qualifications:
Ph.D. in Farm Animal Welfare
- Institution: University of Bristol, UK
- Year Graduated: 2015
- Thesis: "The use of animal welfare outcome measurements in farm assurance schemes"
- Supervisors: Prof. David Main and Dr. Siobhan Mullan
Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Technology
- Institution: National Taiwan University
- Year Graduated: 2009
During her time at the University of Bristol, Dr. Lin focused her research on enhancing the methods used to measure and improve animal welfare within farm assurance schemes, contributing to the field with both practical insights and theoretical advancements. Her education at National Taiwan University provided her with a robust foundation in animal science, equipping her with the essential knowledge and skills that later supported her specialization in animal welfare during her doctoral studies.
Job Description
We are seeking a dedicated researcher to join our innovative study evaluating the condition for humane slaughter of slow-growth indigenous chickens. This project aims to understand how the body weight or the body fat influencing the stunning efficiency in slow-growth chickens.
During the internship, participants will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in humane slaughter techniques, animal welfare assessments, and data collection on physiological and behavioral responses to stunning. Responsibilities include assisting with conducting behavioral observations and physiological measurements, analyzing data on the impact of body composition on stunning effectiveness, and collaborating with researchers to refine humane slaughter protocols. Interns will also document findings and contribute to reports or presentations on the study’s outcomes.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Ideal candidates should be a Graduate students (Master’s level or above) and have a background in animal science, veterinary medicine, or a related field, with a strong interest in animal welfare and humane slaughter research. Applicants should be comfortable handling live poultry ethically and following experimental protocols while demonstrating strong observational, data collection, and analytical skills. A willingness to work in a research setting with farm animals is essential.
Skill sets or Qualities
The ideal candidate for this research internship should possess the following skill sets and qualities:
- Animal Handling Skills – Experience in handling poultry or other farm animals in a humane and ethical manner.
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills – Capacity to analyze data related to body composition and stunning efficiency, and contribute to research findings.
- Attention to Detail – Strong observational skills to detect behavioral and physiological responses accurately.
- Teamwork and Collaboration – Ability to work effectively with researchers, technicians, and farm personnel.
- Adaptability and Resilience – Willingness to work in farm and slaughterhouse environments, with flexibility in handling unexpected research challenges.
Job Description
Main responsibilities include:
- Assisting with daily husbandry of laying hens, including routine animal care, environmental checks, and egg collection
- Conducting behavioural observations related to spatial cognition, such as perch use, vertical space navigation, and movement patterns in laying hens
- Supporting video recording management and behavioural data annotation
- Assisting in behavioural assessments associated with spatial learning and adaptation
- Helping with data organization, behavioural coding, and basic statistical summaries
- Participating in research meetings and preparation of research summaries or presentation materials
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Ideal candidates should be graduate students (Master’s level or above) with a background in animal science, veterinary medicine, biology, animal behaviour, psychology, or a related field. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in animal cognition, behaviour, and applied poultry research. Candidates must be comfortable working with live laying hens, performing routine husbandry tasks, and following standardized research protocols. Willingness to work in a farm-based research environment is essential.
Skill sets or Qualities
The ideal candidate for this research internship should possess the following skill sets and qualities:
- Animal Handling Skills – Experience or willingness to handle laying hens humanely and responsibly, including daily care and egg collection.
- Behavioural Observation Skills – Ability to accurately observe and record behaviours related to spatial navigation, learning, and movement.
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills – Capacity to assist in organizing and interpreting behavioural data related to spatial cognition.
- Attention to Detail – Strong observational accuracy and consistency when following behavioural coding protocols.
- Teamwork and Collaboration – Ability to work effectively with researchers, technicians, and farm staff.
- Adaptability and Resilience – Willingness to work in poultry housing environments and adapt to the practical demands of animal-based research.