Precision Feeding in Laying Hens by Sound Technology

In this study, a sound algorithm was developed to define the pecking sounds of laying hens. Furthermore, the relation between pecking sounds and feed intake of chickens was investigated to assess environmental impacts of precision feeding. The pecking sounds of 24 laying hens (Lohmann Brown) were recorded during 15 minutes by a microphone. Simultaneously, feed uptake quantity was automatically recorded using a weighing scale. The results demonstrate that 94% of the pecking sounds were correctly identified by the developed sound analysis method, whereas 6% of the identification results were false positives. Furthermore, a linear regression test was applied to define the coefficient of determination between the number of peckings and feed uptake and the number of peckings and feed intake of the birds, which respectively resulted in (R-2 = 0.993 and 0.991). Additionally, 91% of feed intake was succesfully detected by the proposed sound detection system. Furthermore, the results of the developed system were compared to the results of reference method in this case a weighing system measurements. Since strong correlations (R-2 = 0.991) were found between the number of peckings and feed intake of laying hens on the one hand and between the results of algorithm and reference methods on the other hand, the results showed that the proposed system has a big potential to be used to detect the feed intake and feed wastage of laying hens.