Research

Q: What methods does his research use?

Ethological observation, digital phenotyping, and AI-based analysis of animal behaviour data.

Q: What is the FitPig project?

An NMBU research project on enhancing gut health and welfare in finishing pigs by the provision of the opportunity for exercise and access to hay.

Q: Where can I find the full publication list?

On the publications page at andrewmjanczak.life/publications, with DOI links and citations for each entry.

Q: Hva handler forskningen til professor Janczak om?

Professor Janczak forsker på atferd og velferd hos produksjonsdyr, med særlig fokus på griser og fjørfe. Forskningen kombinerer etologi, digital fenotyping og KI-basert analyse for å forstå og forebygge skadelig atferd som halebiting og fjærplukking. Han deltar blant annet som forsker i FitPig-prosjektet ved NMBU, som undersøker effekt av bevegelse og høy på velferd og tarmhelse hos slaktegris.

Q: Hvilke forskningsgrupper leder professor Janczak?

Professor Andrew M. Janczak koordinerer forskningsgruppen Datadrevet etologi og dyrevelferd ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet (NMBU). Gruppen kombinerer atferdsvitenskap, nevrobiologi og kunstig intelligens for å overvåke og bedre velferd kontinuerlig på tvers av arter i menneskers varetekt. Les mer: https://www.nmbu.no/forskning/grupper/datadrevet-etologi-og-dyrevelferd

In Brief

This page presents the research of Professor Andrew M. Janczak in animal behaviour and welfare (dyrevelferd), focused on pigs and poultry. It covers his methods (ethology / etologi, digital phenotyping / digital fenotyping, and AI-based analysis) and applied work on damaging behaviours such as tail-biting (halebiting) and feather-pecking (fjærplukking), including the NMBU FitPig project on finishing-pig welfare.

Last updated: 4 July 2026

Computational Ethology and Precision Animal Welfare Research Group

I lead the Computational Ethology and Precision Animal Welfare Research Group at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), hosted across the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biosciences, and Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science. The group extends classical ethology and welfare science with neurobiology and computational methods — combining behavioural testing, computer vision, and machine learning to monitor and improve welfare continuously across species in human care. Its work spans fish, poultry, pigs, and companion and laboratory animals, with particular focus on positive welfare states alongside the detection of damaging behaviours such as feather-pecking and tail-biting.

View the official research group page on the NMBU website

Advancing Welfare Through Behavioural Science

Ongoing Projects

FitPig: Enhancing Gut Health and Welfare of Finishing Pigs

Researcher | March 2026 – December 2028 | Funding: The Research Council of Norway | NMBU

The FitPig project investigates how daily physical activity and free access to hay (both separately and in combination) can promote gut health, neural plasticity, and cognitive competence in finishing pigs. By exploring the gut-brain axis, we aim to identify non-invasive indicators of good health and welfare that can systematically predict future welfare outcomes.

As a researcher on the project team, my work focuses on exploring the complex relationships between behavioral responses, cognitive test variables, physiological stress markers (salivary cortisol), and gut/brain health measures. Utilizing path, network, and generalized linear mixed model analyses, we aim to determine how environmental enrichments influence both positive affective states and stress resilience.

Full project details on the NMBU website

Recent Projects

I have led several international research collaborations addressing welfare issues in production animals. My recent research involvement includes participation in international initiatives such as the EU-funded ChickenStress network, COST Action GroupHouseNet, and several ERA-NET and NFR-funded projects. These focus on areas like environmental enrichment, prenatal influences, and indicators of animal welfare. I am currently engaged in the COST Action AFFECT-EVO (An Evolutionary View to Understanding Affective States across Species), in collaboration with international research partners.

Research Methodologies

I use behavioural testing, cognitive assessments, stress biomarkers, immunological assays, and other tools across farm and laboratory settings. My research integrates interdisciplinary collaboration with a focus on both applied and fundamental science.

Research Outcomes

My work has contributed to improving animal welfare practices, including the development of alternatives to tail docking in pigs and enhancements to rearing systems for laying hens. These findings have supported both scientific understanding and policy development.

Frequent Questions

FAQ.

Methods, projects, and where to find the full output.

What does Professor Janczak research? ×

Animal behaviour and welfare in production animals, especially the causes and prevention of damaging behaviours in pigs and poultry.

What methods does his research use? +

What is the FitPig project? +

Where can I find the full publication list? +

Hva handler forskningen til professor Janczak om? +

Hvilke forskningsgrupper leder professor Janczak? +