COOP makes poultry welfare training accessible

Katy Tarrant, associate professor of poultry science at California State University, Fresno, had a realization that animal science programs were falling short when it came to animal welfare.

“Given how central this topic is to poultry production, that gap stood out,” she says. “My goal at the start was pretty focused. I wanted to create applied animal care training for students who might not get that exposure in the classroom.”

But quickly, it was clear that the training would benefit those already in the field, and Tarrant’s experience in education allowed the Center for the Optimization of Poultry (COOP) to expand with online training together with the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA). Built on the core areas of evidence-based animal care practices, workforce training and applied research, all training uses the key welfare indicators created by IPWF.

“What sets COOP apart is how it’s structured around the KWI framework, which was intentionally developed to be accessible and adaptable across the supply chain,” says Tarrant. “Our asynchronous courses are flexible enough to fit any schedule, whether someone’s learning on a lunch break or between tasks on the farm.”

The program incorporates extended reality (XR) to simulate real-world situations. This allows for practical learning without risk. It’s also available in English and Spanish and can be practiced through any device with a Wi-Fi connection.

Additionally, COOP can be accessed through self-paced online courses through Fresno State or through the XR learning modules, which reinforce the course content but are optional. Organizations can sign up an entire team or one individual at a time, depending on their needs.

“As of July 2025, learners have completed over 950 COOP training courses since it launched in 2024,” she says. “Over 100 participants have engaged with our XR modules so far and the feedback has been really positive.”

Because the course structure is designed to be flexible, people can log in and learn whenever it suits their schedule. Plus, because the classes are built on IPWA’s key welfare indicators, the courses have a significant focus on why the different lessons matter and are standardized for all learners, taking the pressure off producers to create training on their own.

“Our content dives into the science behind the decisions being made, the basis behind why animal-based indicators are essential, and how those connect to outcomes in real production settings,” Tarrant says. “On top of that, the XR component brings a level of engagement that’s hard to match. People can practice scenarios repeatedly, get feedback, and explore complex situations without the biosecurity or scheduling challenges that often come with in-person facility visits.”

This approach is important because she says that people are more likely to adopt and stick with education when they understand why it matters. It moves lessons beyond a command to do something to an appreciation of what something means over time. As Tarrant summarizes, this leads to better outcomes for animals and the workforce.