WING of TiHo Hannover: New logo and dedicated team for animal welfare!

WING of TiHo Hannover: New logo and dedicated team for animal welfare!

On March 8, 2025, the WING of the Hannover Veterinary University Foundation (TiHo) announced that it had evolved with a new look and an expanded team. The new logo is a visual representation of the holistic approach that WING takes to poultry farming. Professor Dr. Nicole Kemper and Professor Dr. Christian Visscher, who has headed WING since mid-2021, emphasized the importance of these innovations for research and the entire industry.

The revised logo interprets the institute's core values ​​and shows stylized poultry silhouettes that represent the diversity of different types of poultry. The clear font of the logo emphasizes WING's scientific standards and innovative strength. In addition to the new look, WING is strengthened by two new team members: Dr. Lisa Jung, an experienced agronomist with 15 years of research experience in poultry farming, and Lea Boog, a veterinarian who works on the use of phages to reduce the use of antibiotics.

Use of antibiotics in poultry farming

The use of antibiotics in poultry farming is an important and at the same time problematic issue. According to current reports, the amounts of antibiotics used in livestock farming are declining. The amount fell from 1,706 tons in 2011 to 670 tons in 2020. The use of broiler chickens and turkeys in particular remains high, with 52 tons and 56 tons respectively in 2022, like that Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) documented.

The German Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (DART 2030), which is being pursued by several ministries, aims to further reduce the use of antibacterial drugs. WING plays an important role here with its research, particularly through the evaluation of husbandry and management conditions in poultry farming. Initial measures to optimize these conditions were assessed as inadequate, leading to increased efforts to minimize the use of antibiotics.

Research projects and measures

WING is financed by third parties and receives support from the Lower Saxony Poultry Industry Association (NGW). In order to overcome the challenges in poultry research, WING implements various scientific projects in the areas of animal welfare, animal health, animal husbandry, animal nutrition, sustainability and environmental protection. A particularly innovative approach is the use of phages, which was also developed by Dr. Lea Boog is being pushed forward.

In addition, the searches Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) Project participants who implement concepts for minimizing antibiotics in broiler farming. The involvement of practical companies plays a central role in identifying and disseminating proven measures. It is important to take into account husbandry and management as well as alternative prophylactic and therapeutic measures in order to promote the health of humans and animals.

The “Situation Report 2024” not only shows developments in the quantities dispensed and the use of antibiotics, but also provides data on resistance patterns in zoonotic pathogens and clinical bacteria. Constant monitoring in this area is essential in order to develop and implement effective strategies.

WING not only strives to address current challenges scientifically, but also makes a significant contribution to practice by transferring knowledge and supporting colleagues from the industry. The latest developments position WING as an important player in commercial poultry farming, both in research and in practical application to promote animal welfare and health.