Students at the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies will be the first undergraduates in the UK to have the option of specialising in poultry disease and welfare. Image Demand for Poultry Specialists The school is running an optional course for final year students to cater for a rising demand for specialist vets for poultry, one of the country’s largest livestock sectors. The intensive full-time elective course is run in conjunction with St David’s Poultry Team. It lasts three weeks, with plans to expand this to seven weeks in the future, and will provide theoretical and practical knowledge to undergraduate students on poultry care. The needs for poultry vets are increasing, not least with the move to organic and free range farming where the likelihood of disease is increased because of exposure to wild birds. There is also the issue of avian flu and how this should be dealt with if there were ever a major outbreak. Dr Barry ThorpCourse co-ordinator from St David's Poultry Team Course overview The course, which has places for three students, will include working on farms and studying breeding. There is also a section run with the School’s Veterinary Pathology Unit that will focus on diagnosing disease and poultry pathology. Other elective courses offered to final year students at the School include tropical animal health and zoo medicine. Commercial poultry and game birds make up a large part of the livestock industry and contribute significantly to the rural economy and employment. Running this course will not only give veterinary students greater skills but it will also respond to needs of the agricultural sector. Prof Elaine WatsonHead of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Student Support Bursaries, with support from commercial sponsors, are also being offered to students on the course. For more information please contact Tara Womersley, Press and PR Officer, on 0131 650 9836 or 07791 355 804 Publication date 04 Feb, 2016
