Center for the Optimization Of Poultry

COOP was created in 2023 as a response to the increased need of aligning high impact educational and research efforts with practical approaches and application in an ever-improving industry. Our efforts at COOP are directed by an advisory committee, expert staff, key stakeholders, and the values we hold.

Meet the team

• We know that the birds are the first priority for our industry.
• We know some families do not limit their food buying choices based on financial constraint, while other families must make decisions based solely on affordability of protein crucial to their diet.
• We know that poultry production hinges on our responsibility of caring for our environment and our people.

• We value doing what is right by the bird.
• We value innovative approaches to sustainable and ethical commercial poultry production. 
• We value the safe, reliable, and culturally relevant food source the poultry industry provides.
• We value the role poultry products play in affordable protein options for families.
• We value the families who choose to make poultry part of their diet. 

 

COOP utilizes evidence-based practices to influence commercial poultry management and well-being education specific to the poultry industry. 

• Conduct outreach programs in concert with research endeavors to promote sustainable commercial poultry production and management practices.
• Align education and training resources with industry needs for K-12, higher education, and industry professional participants nation-wide
• Mobilize scientific experts to address national/regional applied research needs
• Promote collaborative partnerships between industry members and scientific researchers to enhance applied research efforts
• Expand access to animal well-being resources and on site deployment to ag educators, small and medium-sized farms, high school and higher education students, and the existing/future industry workforce in commercial poultry producti