Audio analytics, sensors and other new tools assess bird behaviour and vocalizations to provide early warning of potential problems related to broiler health and welfare, explained Tom Darbonne, CEO at AudioT Inc. at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia, about AudioT’s technology.
The use of sounds to monitor the health and welfare of broilers is nothing new, it’s just that in the old days, farmers had to sit in the barn and listen. Audio-based assessments help automate this process. “It’s not an entire solution, but it’s a part of the solution,” added Darbonne. “The two technologies that track behaviour really well are visual and auditory.” The system uses a combination of acoustic signal processing techniques and machine learning to track and analyse sounds heard in poultry houses.
When an unusual event (e.g. coughs) or an anomaly (e.g. dry auger or fan motor failure) occurs, farmers are alerted. Darbonne said that in addition to assessing behaviour, welfare and health, the audio technology can also detect potential environmental issues, including feed shortages, disruption to sleep cycles, instances when water pressure in the lines are too low, when ventilator fans are about to fail and other unseen or otherwise undetectable issues.
