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Analysis of behavioural patterns in broilers using camera-based technology

Book Contribution - Book Chapter Conference Contribution

The activity and distribution patterns of chickens are measured to check the performance and status of the flock using Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies. The aim of this study is to illustrate how monitoring flock activity and distribution, provides retrievable information on their habits and activity patterns both, along the cycle and among cycles. Four top view cameras are used in one commercial broiler farm in The Netherlands to visualize the floor area, continuously recording images during the light cycle periods which are translated into activity and distribution indexes per minute. The monitoring of these time-series through successive light periods reveals how behavioral patterns of the flock, such as feeding, drinking or resting, evolve along the cycle. At the same time, a regular pattern for each behavior can be defined using Single-Input Single-output (SISO) Transfer Function (TF) models and alerts can be generated in case of deviation between both, the expected behavior and the recorded one. Linking this deviations to welfare quality assessment scores shows how different activity or distribution patterns affects broiler health and welfare.
Book: International Conference in Agricultural Engineering CIGR AgEng 2016
Publication year:2016
Accessibility:Closed