A novel method to automatically measure the feed intake of broiler chickens by sound technology

Aydin, Arda; Bahr, Claudia; Viazzi, Stefano; Exadaktylos, Vasileios; Buyse, Johan; Berckmans, Daniël

doi:10.1016/j.compag.2013.11.012

Cited by 55 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…52 Image analysis, in particular, was successfully used to estimate the body weight of the animals (Mollah et 53 al., 2010) while audio analysis have been widely used to better identify specific behaviours and vocalisation 54 patterns in different animals' species (Chan et al, 2011;Vandermeulen et al, 2013). 55 Animals use vocalisation to express different inner states provoked either by internal or external events, 56 and also to reveal some of their behavioural needs (Aydin et al, 2014). For instance, chicken broiler 57 vocalisations have been studied (Marx et al, 2001) to better understand the vocal pattern of this species in 58 relation to environmental temperatures and stress situations (e.g.…”

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confidence: 99%

An innovative approach to predict the growth in intensive poultry farming

Fontana

Tullo

Butterworth

et al. 2015

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

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General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/pure/about/ebr-terms Abstract 10Chicken weight provides information about growth and feed conversion of the flock in order to identify 11 deviations from the expected homogeneous growth trend of the birds. This paper proposes a novel method 12 to automatically measure the growth rate of broiler chickens by sound analysis. 13Through the application of process engineering, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) can combine audio and 14 video information into on-line automated tools that can be used to control, monitor and model the 15 behaviour, health and production of animals and their biological response. 16The aim of this study was to record and analyse broiler vocalisations under normal farm conditions, to 17 identify the relation between animal sounds and growth trend. Recordings were made at regular intervals, 18 during the entire life of birds, in order to evaluate the variation of frequency and bandwidth of the sounds 19 emitted by the animals. 20Two experimental trials were carried out in an indoor reared broiler farm; the audio recording procedures 21 lasted for 38 days. The recordings were made, in an automated, non-invasive and non-intrusive way and 22 without disturbing the animals in to the broiler house. Once a week, 50 birds were selected at random and 23 their weight recorded in order to follow the growth trend in the birds. 24Sound recordings were manually analysed and labelled using the Adobe Audition CS6 software. 25 2 Analysing the sounds recorded, it was possible to find a significant correlation (P<0.001) between the 26 frequencies of the vocalisations recorded and the weight of the broilers. 27The results explained how the frequency of the sounds emitted by the animals was inversely proportional 28 to the age and to the weight of the broilers; the more they grow, the lower the frequency of the sounds 29 emitted by the animals. 30This preliminary study shows how this method based on the identification of specific frequencies of the 31 sounds, in an indoor reared broiler farm, linked to the age and to the weight of the birds, could be used as 32 an early warning method/system to evaluate the health and welfare status of the animals at farm level, 33 developing also an automated growth monitoring tool. 34

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confidence: 99%

An innovative approach to predict the growth in intensive poultry farming

Fontana

Tullo

Butterworth

et al. 2015

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

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“…Sound sensors, that have been around for a number of years can be used for a wide range of applications such as to estimate feed intake [36] and to predict growth [36] in broilers, or to detect environmental conditions leading to heat stress in broilers [38] and laying hens [40], with the possibility of notifying farmers regarding such conditions. On the other hand, infrared image technology appears to be suitable to provide modelling tools to calculate optimal air velocity rate for good thermoregulation and growth rate [76], as well as for establishing incubation programs that may improve the ability of broilers to cope with heat stress and reduce the incidence of other health issues later in life [79].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on complex sound analyses and algorithmic procedures, Aydin et al [36] were able to distinguish sound signals corresponding to pecking (characterized by a sudden increase in amplitude follow by a sudden decrease) from all other signals in the range of 1000 Hz to 5000 kHz (using a 6th order Butterworth filter). Based on these analyses, together with the recording of the feed uptake (recorded with the traditional feed weighing system), they developed a model to predict feed intake in broilers, which was highly correlated with pecking sounds.…”

Section: Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology and Poultry Welfare

Sassi

Averós

Estévez

2016

Animals

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Consideration of animal welfare is essential to address the consumers’ demands and for the long term sustainability of commercial poultry. However, assessing welfare in large poultry flocks, to be able to detect potential welfare risks and to control or minimize its impact is difficult. Current developments in technology and mathematical modelling open new possibilities for real-time automatic monitoring of animal welfare and health. New technological innovations potentially adaptable to commercial poultry are appearing, although their practical implementation is still being defined. In this paper, we review the latest technological developments with potential to be applied to poultry welfare, especially for broiler chickens and laying hens. Some of the examples that are presented and discussed include the following: sensors for farm environmental monitoring, movement, or physiological parameters; imaging technologies such as optical flow to detect gait problems and feather pecking; infrared technologies to evaluate birds’ thermoregulatory features and metabolism changes, that may be indicative of welfare, health and management problems. All these technologies have the potential to be implemented at the commercial level to improve birds’ welfare and to optimize flock management, therefore, improving the efficiency of the system in terms of use of resources and, thus, long term sustainability.

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“…The analysis of images and sound, can be carried out in comparatively non-invasive ways using PLF methods, and, when compared to direct human visual observation, may be less time consuming (Aydin et al, 2014;Fontana et al, 2014). Camera and microphone systems could result in innovative ways to monitor farm animals, and may eventually become quite low in cost as the trend is for electronic devices to become more cost effective with time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vocalisation sound pattern identification in young broiler chickens

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Scrase

et al. 2016

animal

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In this study, we describe the monitoring of young broiler chicken vocalisation, with sound recorded and assessed at regular intervals throughout the life of the birds from day 1 to day 38, with a focus on the first week of life. We assess whether there are recognisable, and even predictable, vocalisation patterns based on frequency and sound spectrum analysis, which can be observed in birds at different ages and stages of growth within the relatively short life of the birds in commercial broiler production cycles. The experimental trials were carried out in a farm where the broiler where reared indoor, and audio recording procedures carried out over 38 days. The recordings were made using two microphones connected to a digital recorder, and the sonic data was collected in situations without disturbance of the animals beyond that created by the routine activities of the farmer. Digital files of 1 h duration were cut into short files of 10 min duration, and these sound recordings were analysed and labelled using audio analysis software. Analysis of these short sound files showed that the key vocalisation frequency and patterns changed in relation to increasing age and the weight of the broilers. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation ( P < 0.001) between the frequency of vocalisation and the age of the birds. Based on the identification of specific frequencies of the sounds emitted, in relation to age and weight, it is proposed that there is potential for audio monitoring and comparison with 'anticipated' sound patterns to be used to evaluate the status of farmed broiler chicken.

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A novel method to automatically measure the feed intake of broiler chickens by sound technology

Cited by 55 publications

References 24 publications

An innovative approach to predict the growth in intensive poultry farming

An innovative approach to predict the growth in intensive poultry farming

Technology and Poultry Welfare

Vocalisation sound pattern identification in young broiler chickens

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