Artificial Intelligence (AI) in poultry industry
Pravas Ranjan Sahoo
Veterinary Biochemistry, CVSc&AH, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology
Abstract
The poultry industry is a vital pillar of global food production which is in rapid transformation to artificial intelligence (AI). From smart farming to predictive analytics, AI is not only improving efficiency but also boosting sustainability, animal welfare and productivity. AI is crucial in computer science, enabling machines to excute tasks typically requiring human intelligence. AI and sensors improve ventilation systems, assess microenvironment, and perform tasks like removing dead birds in farm. AI also enhances postharvest activities, grades poultry quality, and streamlines processing operations. It also manages the equipment automatically, optimizing its accomplishment.
Keywords: Poultry, Artificial intelligence, Sensor, Computer Science
Introduction
According to the 20th livestock census, India is the world’s third-largest producer of eggs accounting of 82.93 billion eggs and fifth-largest producer of broiler meat (around 4.4 metric tons). It enhances the FCR of broilers, which has increased from 2.5 to an astounding 1.6. With an estimated 78,000 crores outcome, this sector makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy Future demand for chicken products is definitely expected to rise in tandem with the increase in income (Livestock census, 2024)
AI is a crucial element in science that enables the discovery of high throughput machines that can carry out tasks that typically require man intellect. Due to wide applications, AI causes integration; analyze data, facilitating data-driven decision-making and improving overall corporate efficiency. Google’s Search Engine uses AI to efficiently access information by reducing the effort required to search the vast internet (Dwivedi et al., 2021)
- AI in Poultry Sector
Machine technologies have revolutionized poultry farming by reducing labor, enabling 24/7 monitoring, and facilitating remote reporting. Robots like Chicken Boy and GohBot navigate houses, gather eggs, and monitor environmental factors. AI can reduce human interference, minimize infection risk, and enhance efficiency in poultry farm. The GohBot, a robotic poultry robot, uses advanced technologies like ultrasonic GPS and Kinect depth data to navigate, plan, and avoid obstacles. Its “nudging” and “Drive around” routines help avoid interactions with chickens and ensure safe operation (Thompson, 2018)
- Smart Poultry Farming
Big data is revolutionizing farm management practices by storing huge information in cloud storage. ML and AI are revolutionizing farm future by accurately monitoring parameters and enabling the decision-making. Cloud storage allows machines and robotics to control critical parameters, while ML allows for accurate monitoring of parameters. Modern poultry farms are no longer just large coops with thousands of chickens. Now the farms are furnished with automated monitoring systems, smart feeders, and climate control units. AI are utilized to:
- Monitor temperature and humidity levels
- Detect unusual behavior or sounds from birds
- Adjust lighting and feeding schedules automatically
This not only improves flock health but also reduces labor costs and energy consumption.
Robots can gather farm data for decision-making, which affects efficiency. ML and data analytics manage these tasks. Nowadays, the poultry farming is controlled by Raspberry Pi and Zigbee integrated with and GPRS and wireless sensors. Artificial Intelligence can perform sanitization, watering and feeding in automatic mode and it predicts future outcomes by implementing decision-making in farm management.
- AI for diagnosis and Health Monitoring
AI is expected to simplify diagnosis through ML and big data, making it more efficient in managing numerous symptoms and diseases. Disease outbreaks can be catastrophic in poultry. AI is stepping in with early-warning systems that analyze real-time data from cameras, sensors, and audio devices. By spotting subtle changes in movement, vocalizations, or even droppings, these systems detect illness long before a human might. This proactive approach helps farmers intervene early, preventing disease spread and minimizing losses. AI on farms can quickly identify bird issues like cannibalism and huddling alerting caretakers and veterinarians. Abnormal behavior and unique vocalizations can also be programmed. Mobile applications, mobile cameras uses, can assist pathologists in diagnosis of diseases, utilizing large data sets for disease and intervention notification. Oxford University’s “Chicken Time Warp” experiment reveals coordinated flock movement can detect diseases up to 7 days before onset, potentially aiding farmers in disease prevention.
- Precision Feeding and Weight Monitoring
AI efficiently gathers and processes data, enhancing efficiency in product trials and facilitating analytics for comparative outcomes. AI accelerates feed formulation evaluation, enhances breed genetics, simplifies selection process, reduces trial costs, and ensures precise results through robotics. AI can efficiently manage R&D costs by enabling companies to conduct multiple studies within a single trial, a feat that would otherwise require significant effort. AI-driven feeders and weighing systems ensure that every bird receives the right amount of feed at the right time. This reduces waste and ensures optimal growth rates, which is a big win for both the farmer’s bottom line and environmental sustainability. ML algorithms can also forecast feed requirements according to bird age, breed, weather, and historical data—bringing precision farming to a new level. AI enhances poultry industry efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and decision-making by streamlining processes, providing accurate outcomes, and empowering better decision-making, leading to significant improvements in farming practices.
- Optimization of Supply Chain and Demand Forecasting
Beyond the farm, AI is helping streamline the poultry supply chain. Using predictive analytics, businesses can:
- Anticipate consumer demand more accurately
- Optimize delivery routes for freshness and cost-efficiency
- Reduce food waste through better inventory management
This ensures data is well driven and efficient.
AI is revolutionizing the poultry processing industry in developed countries, improving efficiency by sorting broiler parts, detecting diseased carcasses, and automating processes like deboning. AI is also used in layer farming for egg collection and grading. Machine vision and smart automation have significantly improved carcass quality and packaging in the poultry processing industry, with Tyson Foods successfully deploying a computer vision system for accurate broiler chicken presorting and plans to expand AI usage nationwide. AI-driven technologies are expected to boost global protein demand by providing high-quality chicken and eggs at lower costs. Despite challenges like high raw material costs and disease risks, AI could improve efficiency and affordability.
- Improving Animal Welfare
AI systems equipped with computer and behavioral analysis tools can monitor how chickens move, rest, and interact. This helps ensure that conditions remain optimal and humane. If there are signs of overcrowding, stress, or aggression, the system alerts farm managers to take corrective action. AI can significantly improve poultry by improving accuracy, efficiency, and quality control. It can help manage dispersed farms, enabling remote monitoring and control over the entire production system. AI also facilitates the rapid dissemination of new technologies, making it easier to demonstrate their effectiveness and convince stakeholders to adopt them, practices and efficiency.
Devices Aiding in AI
- Sensors
Recent advancements in sensing technology have enhanced variety, precision, and cost-effectiveness, with wireless sensors being prevalent in agriculture, environmental, and civil sectors. Sensors have been widely used in engineering and emergency management, but their integration into farming practices is a recent advancement, primarily aimed at reducing costs and improving animal welfare.
- Environmental Stressor
Environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and exposure duration significantly impact broiler chickens’ health, survival, and productivity. Harmful gases like ammonia and carbon dioxide can negatively impact growth, feed conversion, and immune response, necessitating close monitoring and regulation. Advancements in sensing technology have enabled the creation of affordable systems for precise environmental regulation in commercial farms. These track indoor temperature, differential atmospheric pressure, and air velocity, ensuring a comfortable environment for poultry. Integrating sensors to gather data on humidity, temperature, ammonia, and carbon dioxide simultaneously can create a real-time warning system for poultry, detecting potential deviations from targeted weight gains and health risks, ensuring optimal environmental conditions for birds.
- Acoustic Sensor
Bioacoustics is a scientific field that studies the sounds produced by living organisms, particularly birds, which rely on acoustic communication for social interactions and alerting. It can analyze vocalization frequency disparities and sound characteristics. The study by Moura et al. (2008) found that sound analysis can help assess the thermal environment suitability for broiler chicks, as their behavioral responses decrease with temperature. Research shows broiler chicks’ vocalizations increase in huddles to conserve heat, but maintain stability when thermally comfortable, demonstrating sound analysis’s potential for understanding their behavior. Sound analysis helps in incubation narrow the hatching window, affecting broiler welfare and performance. Early hatching can cause dehydration and mortality, while late hatching reduces hatchability and quality. Monitoring final stages reduces risks Research studies show potential for sound analysis to improve poultry rearing conditions and identify behavioral issues. With sound technology’s ease of evaluation, it holds promise for commercial poultry health and welfare.
Movement Sensor
Poultry welfare is directly influenced by factors like overcrowding, limited housing space, and health issues, which can hinder their freedom of movement. Movement sensors, like piezoelectric crystals, are used to study broiler and laying hen movements. This method identifies asymmetry, explaining uneven gait in male broilers, a step towards on time assessment of gait. Movement sensors significantly enhance poultry welfare by providing insights into locomotion deficiencies, gait assessment, and potential hazards in alternative housing systems. This data drives improvement and implementing measures for bird well-being.
Precision Livestock Farming
PLF is a management strategy in livestock production using advanced technologies and smart sensors for automatic data collection, access, and processing. It monitors and controls animal health, performance, and welfare, focusing on real-time data. The poultry housing and equipment industry is evolving, introducing new technologies, but financial constraints in developing countries limit their accessibility. Various options show promising results.
Conclusion
AI is expected to revolutionize poultry industry by improving efficiency, accuracy, with many companies exploring and actively implementing AI solutions throughout the value chain. Artificial Intelligence’s potential in the poultry industry is immense, addressing challenges and optimizing production efficiency, leading to more affordable chicken and eggs for consumers.
References
- 21stlivestock census. All India Report. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, 2019
- Dwivedi YK, Hughes L, Ismagilova E, Aarts G, Coombs C, Crick T, et al. Artificial Intelligence (AI):Multidisciplinary perspectives on emerging challenges, opportunities, and agenda for research, practice and policy. International Journal of Information Management.2021; 57:101994.
- Amarnadh P, Karthik I and Rakesh S.Artificial intelligence in poultry industry. The Pharma Innovation .2023; SP-12(8): 109-113
