August 7, 2023

 

Australian university scientists test camera software that tracks chicken's weight, movement

 

 

 

Scientists at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia have cracked the code for a camera software that examines how healthy chickens are, working out their weight to within 5% of their size.

 

Lead researcher Cheryl McCarthy said the technology was tested during trials at four commercial chicken farms.

 

"Instead of just being a camera feed that you need to watch, the automatic software is watching that video and is automatically interpreting what's happening," Dr. McCarthy said.

 

The technology reduces the time needed by farmers to manually handle their flock and it's even more exact than the human eye, according to Dr. McCarthy.

 

The research project has been able to track the weight and movement of a flock of chickens using only a camera and image analysis.

 

Most of the research was carried out on live chickens but some of the work used a stand in artificial chicken to test camera images including lighting.

 

"The software can actually look at the growth of the chickens and their behaviours, as an indication of their health," Dr. McCarthy said. "Having the cameras will just provide extra peace of mind for farmers when they're away from the sheds."

 

The mechatronics engineer first hatched the idea after talking to producers about reducing their workload.

 

"Farmers will be walking through sheds to check the chickens, but they can't be there all the time," Dr. McCarthy said. "This kind of technology could be applied to other livestock species like beef cattle in feedlots."

 

Work is underway to commercialise the technology so farmers can buy the software off the shelf and install it in their sheds.

 

- Countryman