The internet of things (IoT) is making big waves, especially in farming. A fascinating project called Flockwise is stepping in to help laying hens and their welfare. With backing from Innovate UK, Flockwise aims to create a smart flock management system. This system will use sensors and artificial intelligence to keep tabs on hen health, welfare, and productivity. The idea is to provide farmers with data they can use to improve their practices.
FAI, an organization dedicated to enhancing animal farming, is collaborating with The Lakes Free Range Egg Co, Newcastle University, and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. Together, they’re addressing several pressing issues in the egg industry. Rising costs for energy, feed, and labor are squeezing farmers. At the same time, there’s a growing push for better environmental practices and animal ethics, plus challenges like Avian influenza.
The potential rewards are impressive. The partners believe that by improving hen health and extending flock life, farmers could save between £40,000 and £110,000 for each flock. This could lead to an additional 1.7 billion eggs produced in the UK. Overall efficiency should improve too, with more birds raised, lower labor demands, and reduced feeding and energy costs. As mortality rates decline, the carbon footprint for each egg will shrink.
Flockwise is focused on enhancing hen welfare while ensuring the egg industry remains viable and sustainable. They plan to expand FAI’s BirdBox management system, which already uses data to track various aspects of hen care, including weight, temperature, air quality, and more. The goal is to integrate new sensor technologies, using sound analysis and egg quality data to gain deeper insights into hen health and welfare.
This new welfare data will help create a learning tool for the industry. It’ll highlight effective interventions that can tackle welfare issues on farms, empowering farmers with the knowledge to boost hen health and productivity. The system will also support rapid responses to challenges and help farmers comply with regulations.
Carly Scott from FAI emphasizes the value of the BirdBox system, noting its ability to prevent issues before they escalate. David Brass, CEO of The Lakes Free Range Egg Co, sees this project as groundbreaking, potentially revolutionizing poultry welfare and production. After 14 years of work on BirdBox, he believes they’re finally achieving the vision they always had.