Ahmed Ali

Educational Background

Ph.D. Animal, Poultry Behavior, Management and Welfare
Michigan State University, USA and College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt 2016

MS of Veterinary Science Animal, Poultry Behavior, Management and Welfare
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt 2011

BVSc Veterinary Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt 2007

Courses Taught

AVS 4100 - Domestic Animal Behavior
AVS 3150 - Animal Welfare
AVS 4410 - Animal and Veterinary Sciences Teaching Experience

Research Interests

Dr. Ali’s work includes a variety of applied research projects examining the effects of housing systems, dietary and management practice on the behavior, welfare, and performance of production animals including laying hens, dairy cows and equids. The mission of Dr. Ali’s research includes exploring underlying developmental and physiological mechanisms of behavior while addressing practical approaches to solving behavior, and production problems and improving welfare on farms. Dr. Ali also works to develop non-invasive, automated methods for collecting behavior and welfare data from individual animals in their home environments as in his work on a wireless sensor for laying hens and measuring heart rate variability in equines and dairy cows.

Scientific literature has shown that keel bone damage (KBD) is particularly high in alternative housing systems, such as aviaries, with up to 97% of hens experiencing KBD. It is recognized as one of the most prevalent welfare problems of modern commercial laying hen systems across the world. Birds with KBD show evidence of pain and changes in highly motivated behaviors laid fewer eggs, had lower egg quality scores and showed higher mortality rates, which raised financial and welfare concerns.

One of the current goals of Dr. Ali’s research is to investigate the effects of manipulating dietary calcium on improving laying hen welfare and performance through reducing osteoporosis and keel bone damage and improving bone health, productivity and eggshell quality. Outcomes of such research should help in developing a practical approach that producers can use to reduce keel damage in hens, and will reassure the public that efforts are being made to improve the welfare of laying hens by housing them in systems that permit them to perform natural behaviors while simultaneously safeguarding their health and reducing pain and distress.

Publications

Selected Publications:

MacLachlan, S.S., Ali, A.B.A., Toscano, M.J. and Siegford, J.M., 2020. Influence of later exposure to perches and nests on flock level distribution of hens in an aviary system during lay. Poultry science, 99(1), pp.30-38.

Ali, B.A., Toscano, M. and Siegford, J.M., 2019. Later exposure to perches and nests reduces individual hens’ occupancy of vertical space in an aviary and increases force of falls at night. Poultry science, 98(12), pp.6251-6262.

McLean, A., Varnum, A., Ali, A., Heleski, C. and Navas González, F.J., 2019. Comparing and contrasting knowledge on mules and hinnies as a tool to comprehend their behavior and improve their welfare. Animals, 9(8), p.488.

Ali, A.B., Campbell, D.L., Karcher, D.M. and Siegford, J.M., 2019. Daytime occupancy of resources and flooring types by 4 laying hen strains in a commercial-style aviary. Journal of veterinary behavior, 31, pp.59-66.

Ali, A.B.A., Campbell, D.L.M., Karcher, D.M. and Siegford, J.M., 2019. Nighttime roosting substrate type and height among 4 strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry science, 98(5), pp.1935-1946.

Ali, A.B., El Sayed, M.A., McLean, A.K. and Heleski, C.R., 2019. Aggression in working mules and subsequent aggressive treatment by their handlers in Egyptian brick kilns—Cause or effect?. Journal of veterinary behavior, 29, pp.95-101.

Witaifi, A.A., Ali, A.B. and Siegford, J.M., 2018. Stall and feed bunk stocking rates impact cows' diurnal behavior and activity in automatic milking system farms. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 24, pp.48-55.

Riddle, E.R., Ali, A.B., Campbell, D.L. and Siegford, J.M., 2018. Space use by 4 strains of laying hens to perch, wing flap, dust bathe, stand and lie down. PloS one, 13(1).

Waheeb, R.S., Ashry, M., Ali, A.B. and Amrawi, G.A., 2018. Effects of Oral Administration of Gonadotrophin Stimulant (Theriogon®) on Sexual Behavior and Semen Characteristics in Bulls. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13, pp.218-225.

Ali, A. and Siegford, J., 2018. An approach for tracking directional activity of individual laying hens within a multi-tier cage-free housing system (aviary) using accelerometers. Meas. Behav, 11, pp.176-180.

Campbell, D.M., Ali, A.A., Karcher, D.M. and Siegford, J.M., 2017. Laying hens in aviaries with different litter substrates: Behavior across the flock cycle and feather lipid content. Poultry science, 96(11), pp.3824-3835.

Ali, A.B., Gutwein, K.L. and Heleski, C.R., 2017. Assessing the influence of upper lip twitching in naive horses during an aversive husbandry procedure (ear clipping). Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 21, pp.20-25.

Villanueva, S., Ali, A.B.A., Campbell, D.L.M. and Siegford, J.M., 2017. Nest use and patterns of egg laying and damage by 4 strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry science, 96(9), pp.3011-3020.

Flakoll, B., Ali, A.B. and Saab, C.Y., 2017. Twitching in veterinary procedures: How does this technique subdue horses?. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 18, pp.23-28.