Precision Livestock Farming: The Opportunities in Poultry Sector

Precision management of animals using technology is one innovation in agriculture that has the potential to revolutionize whole livestock industries including the poultry sector. Limited research in precision livestock farming (PLF) in the poultry production has been so far conducted and most of them are conducted within the past 5-10 years. The PLF collects real-time data from individual or group of animals or birds using sensor technology, and involves the multidisciplinary team approach to give it a reality. Poultry scientists play a central role in executing poultry PLF with collaboration from agri-engineers and computer scientists for the type of measurements to be made on biological or environmental variables. A real-time collection of environmental, behavioral and health data from bird grow-out facilities can be a strong tool for developing daily action plans for poultry management. Unlike other livestock farming, the attributes of poultry rearing such as a closed housing system and vertically integrated industry provides a greater opportunity for poultry sector to adopt technology-based farming for enhanced production output.