Free-range laying hens: using technology to show the dynamics and impact of hen movement

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (11) ◽  
pp. 2046
Author(s):  
I. Ruhnke ◽  
J. Boshoff ◽  
I. V. Cristiani ◽  
D. Schneider ◽  
M. Welch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
Under Performing ◽  
Open Floor ◽  
And Performance

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.

scholarly journals Relationships between range access as monitored by radio frequency identification technology, fearfulness, and plumage damage in free-range laying hens

animal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 847-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.M. Hartcher ◽  
K.A. Hickey ◽  
P.H. Hemsworth ◽  
G.M. Cronin ◽  
S.J. Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification Technology

scholarly journals Outdoor stocking density in free-range laying hens: radio-frequency identification of impacts on range use

animal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L.M. Campbell ◽  
G.N. Hinch ◽  
T.R. Dyall ◽  
L. Warin ◽  
B.A. Little ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Range Use ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Frequency Identification

Textile-integrated three-dimensional printed and embroidered structures for wearable wireless platforms

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han He ◽  
Xiaochen Chen ◽  
Leena Ukkonen ◽  
Johanna Virkki
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cyclic Strain ◽  
Elastic Band ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
Permanent Effect ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
And Performance

In this paper, we present fabrication and performance evaluation of three-dimensional (3D) printed and embroidered textile-integrated passive ultra high frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) platforms. The antennas were manufactured by 3D printing a stretchable silver conductor directly on an elastic band. The electric and mechanical joint between the 3D printed antennas and microchips was formed by gluing with conductive epoxy glue, by printing the antenna directly on top of the microchip structure, and by embroidering with conductive yarn. Initially, all types of fabricated RFID tags achieved read ranges of 8–9 meters. Next, the components were tested for wetting as well as for harsh cyclic strain and bending. The immersing and cyclic bending slightly affected the performance of the tags. However, they did not stop the tags from working in an acceptable way, nor did they have any permanent effect. The epoxy-glued or 3D printed antenna–microchip interconnections were not able to endure harsh stretching. On the other hand, the tags with the embroidered antenna–microchip interconnections showed excellent wireless performance, both during and after a 100 strong stretching cycles. Thus, the novel approach of combining 3D printing and embroidery seems to be a promising way to fabricate textile-integrated wireless platforms.

scholarly journals The potential for probiotics to prevent reproductive tract lesions in free-range laying hens

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shini ◽  
A. Shini ◽  
P. J. Blackall
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Bacterial Colonisation ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Commercial Probiotics

A study was undertaken to investigate the ability of two commercial probiotics applied in free-range laying hens (from 18 to 22 weeks of age) in reducing the occurrence of reproductive tract pathologies, and improving hen health and performance. In all, 630 17-week-old brown layers were transferred to a freshly cleaned free-range laying facility, and randomly divided into three groups, with three replicates of 70 birds each. Both probiotics were administered in the drinking water (Groups 1 and 2) on a daily basis for 4 weeks, while Group 3 was left untreated. At 38 weeks of age, the results demonstrated that treatment with either probiotic significantly reduced the occurrence of reproductive tract pathologies (control vs probiotics, 33% vs 22% and 11%; P < 0.01), mortalities (control vs probiotics; 3.8% vs 1.5 and 1.9%; P < 0.01), and increased the performance of hens, for another 20 weeks post-treatments (hen day production for control vs probiotics 75% vs 90% and 94%; P < 0.01). Birds treated with probiotics maintained their bodyweight and egg weights at standard ranges, while untreated birds did not perform at this level. Although we were unable to show any effect on cloacal bacterial colonisation, the results of the present study provided some initial evidence that reproductive pathologies that often cause drops in egg production and sudden deaths of birds, can be reduced if free range hens are treated with a commercial probiotic before or during the onset of lay. The use of a probiotic benefits the health and performance status of hens, resulting in better hen welfare and significant economic gains to egg producers.

scholarly journals Bayesian inference of genetic parameters for reproductive and performance traits in White Leghorn hens

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 230-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.O. Rosa ◽  
G.C. Venturini ◽  
T.C.S. Chud ◽  
B.C. Pires ◽  
M.E. Buzanskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Inference ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
A Posteriori ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
And Performance

This study estimated the genetic parameters for reproductive and performance traits and determined which ones can be used as selection criteria for egg production in laying hens using the Bayesian inference. The data of 1894 animals from three generations of White Leghorn laying hens were analyzed for fertility (FERT), hatchability (HATC), and birth rate measurements at 60 weeks of age (BIRTH), body weight at 16 and 60 weeks of age (BW16 and BW60), age at sexual maturity (ASM), egg height/width ratio, weight, and density at 28, 36, and 40 weeks of age (RHW28, RHW36, RHW40, WEGG28, WEGG36, WEGG40, DENS28, DENS36, and DENS40, respectively) traits. The genetic parameters were estimated by the Bayesian inference method of multi-trait animal model. The model included the additive and residual genetic random effects and the fixed effects of generation. The a posteriori mean distributions of the heritability estimates for reproductive traits ranged from 0.14 ± 0.003 (HATC) to 0.22 ± 0.005 (FERT) and performance from 0.07 ± 0.001 (RHW28) to 0.42 ± 0.001 (WEGG40). The a posteriori mean distributions of the genetic correlation between reproductive traits ranged from 0.18 ± 0.026 (FERT and HACT) to 0.79 ± 0.007 (FERT and BIRTH) and those related to performance ranged from –0.49 ± 0.001 (WEGG36 and DENS36) to 0.75 ± 0.003 (DENS28 and DENS36). Reproductive and performance traits showed enough additive genetic variability to respond to selection, except for RHW28. This trait alone would have little impact on the genetic gain because environmental factors would have a higher impact compared to those from the additive genetic factors. Based on the results of this study, the selection applied on the BIRTH trait can be indicated to improve FERT and HATC of eggs. Furthermore, the use of the WEGG40 could improve egg quality in this population.

Button‐shaped radio‐frequency identification tag combining three‐dimensional and inkjet printing technologies

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 737-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Liu ◽  
Taoran Le ◽  
Sailing He ◽  
Manos M. Tentzeris
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Inkjet Printing ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Frequency Identification

Performance Modeling and Analysis of Surgery Patient Identification Using RFID

2011 ◽  
pp. 279-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byungho Jeong ◽  
Chen-Yang Cheng ◽  
Vittal Prabhu
Keyword(s):  
Information Flow ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Patient Identification ◽  
Modeling And Analysis ◽  
Concept System ◽  
Surgery Patient ◽  
Patient Waiting Time ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
And Performance

This paper proposes a workflow and performance model for surgery patient identification using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). Certain types of mistakes may be prevented by automatically identifying the patient before surgery. The proposed workflow is designed to ensure that both the correct site and patient are engaged in the surgical process. The performance model can be used to predict patient waiting time and service duration time with RFID implementation. A proof-of-concept system is developed to understand the information flow and to use information in RFID-based patient identification. Performance model indicates the response time to patients can be reduced to 38% after four hours using the proposed RFID based workflow.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional Chipless RFID Tags: Fabrication through Additive Manufacturing

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4740
Author(s):  
Sergio Terranova ◽  
Filippo Costa ◽  
Giuliano Manara ◽  
Simone Genovesi
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Rfid Tags ◽  
Metallic Surfaces ◽  
Data Encoding ◽  
Chipless Rfid ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Promising Solution

A new class of Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags, namely the three-dimensional (3D)-printed chipless RFID one, is proposed, and their performance is assessed. These tags can be realized by low-cost materials, inexpensive manufacturing processes and can be mounted on metallic surfaces. The tag consists of a solid dielectric cylinder, which externally appears as homogeneous. However, the information is hidden in the inner structure of the object, where voids are created to encrypt information in the object. The proposed chipless tag represents a promising solution for anti-counterfeiting or security applications, since it avoids an unwanted eavesdropping during the reading process or information retrieval from a visual inspection that may affect other chipless systems. The adopted data-encoding algorithm does not rely on On–Off or amplitude schemes that are commonly adopted in the chipless RFID implementations but it is based on the maximization of available states or the maximization of non-overlapping regions of uncertainty. The performance of such class of chipless RFID tags are finally assessed by measurements on real prototypes.

scholarly journals The effects of space allowance on egg yield, egg quality and plumage condition of laying hens in battery cages

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sarica ◽  
S. Boga ◽  
U.S. Yamak
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Battery Cages ◽  
And Performance

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cage stocking density on egg yield, some egg quality traits and plumage condition in laying hens. Eighteen weeks-old 264 ISA-Brown pullets were divided into four cage density groups. The densities were 2 000, 1 000, 667 and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen (by allocating 1, 2, 3 and 4 hens per cage; floor area 40 × 50 cm) with 48, 30, 24 and 21 replicate cages, totally 123 three-tier battery cages. During the experimental period from 18 to 53 weeks of age, all birds were provided illumination for 16 hours a day. The hens were fed a diet containing 11.7 MJ ME/kg and 180 g CP during the period of 18 to 40 weeks of age and 11.3 MJ ME/kg and 170 g CP during the period of 41 to 54 weeks of age. Feed and water were available for <I>ad libitum</I>. Egg yield, mortality, live weights at 50% egg production age and at the end of experiment, pecking related mortalities, some egg quality traits and plumage condition were recorded weekly. Hen-housed egg production, egg mass, viability, and live weights were significantly decreased by higher densities. Most of the egg quality traits were not affected by cage densities. Pecking related mortalities increased in cage densities of 667 cm<sup>2</sup> and 500 cm<sup>2</sup> per hen compared to the other densities (<I>P</I> < 0.05) while plumage scores were higher in all body parts of hens kept in cages of 2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> and 1 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities compared to the higher densities. The results showed that brown laying hens should be kept in cages having 1 000–2 000 cm<sup>2</sup> densities in order to improve their welfare and performance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document