Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29602
Title: Free-range laying hens: using technology to show the dynamics and impact of hen movement
Contributor(s): Ruhnke, I  (author)orcid ; Boshoff, J  (author); Cristiani, I V  (author); Schneider, D  (author)orcid ; Welch, M  (author)orcid ; Sibanda, T Z  (author); Kolakshyapati, M  (author)
Publication Date: 2019
Early Online Version: 2019-09-16
DOI: 10.1071/AN19256
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29602
Abstract: Free-range laying hens are provided with the opportunity to access various structural areas, including open floor space, feed areas, water lines, next boxes, perches, aviary tiers, winter gardens and ranges. Different individual location preferences can lead to the development of hen subpopulations that are characterised by various health, welfare and performance parameters. Understanding the complexity of hen movement and hen interactions within their environment provides an opportunity to limit the disadvantages that are associated with housing in loose husbandry systems and aids in decision-making. Monitoring hen movement using modern technologies such as radio-frequency identification (RFID), optical flow patterns, image analysis and three-dimensional (3D) cameras allows the accumulation of big data for data mining, clustering and machine learning. Integrating individual-based management systems into modern flock management will not only help improve the care of under-performing hens, but also ensure that elite hens are able to use their full genetic potential, allowing an ethical, sustainable and welfare friendly egg production. This review highlights the dynamics and impact of hen movement in free-range systems, reviews existing knowledge relevant for feeding hens in non-cage systems, and outlines recent technological advances and strategies to improve the management of free-range laying hens.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Animal Production Science, 59(11), p. 2046-2056
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1836-5787
1836-0939
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060801 Animal Behaviour
080109 Pattern Recognition and Data Mining
060803 Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 460103 Applications in life sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830309 Poultry
861699 Computer Hardware and Electronic Equipment not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100411 Poultry
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science
School of Science and Technology

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