ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN POULTRY INDUSTRY

 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN POULTRY INDUSTRY

Gurpreet Singh Preet¹ and Asmita Narang²

¹Department of Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, ² Department of Veterinary Medicine

Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana-141004

Abstract

Meat consumption is a significant topic, especially concerning its environmental impact and animal welfare. AI has become indispensable in computer science, enabling the development of intelligent machines capable of human-like tasks. In the poultry industry, AI and sensors are utilized to evaluate and improve ventilation systems, ensuring optimal conditions for poultry. Its application extends to data collection on microenvironment, behavior, health, and movement within poultry houses. With the majority of the global meat industry being poultry, there’s a high demand for innovation. As meat and egg consumption rises, AI offers solutions to address these concerns while promoting ethical practices. It can monitor ambient conditions, poultry health, and equipment status, performing tasks like carcass removal and litter moisture analysis. AI also benefits postharvest activities, accurately grading poultry quality, optimizing processing operations, and providing insights for efficiency improvement. In commercial poultry farms, AI integration automates equipment management, enhancing performance and productivity by adjusting machinery based on collected data.

Keywords: Poultry, Artificial Intelligence, AI Sensors

Introduction

In today’s modern era, technology has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, simplifying tasks and yielding better results. Among the many advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a remarkable innovation, often touted as a human substitute due to its ability to perform tasks traditionally handled by humans. AI finds widespread applications across various sectors, including the poultry industry, where it addresses specific challenges. Human intervention in poultry farms often leads to complications, affecting production efficiency. AI intervention significantly reduces human involvement, thereby improving overall farm efficiency (Amarnadh et al., 2023).

The poultry sector contributes substantially to India’s economy, amounting to about 70,000 crores in Indian rupees, and is expected to play an increasingly vital role as the nation’s economy grows (20th livestock census, 2019). With rising per capita income, there is an anticipated surge in demand for poultry products in the future. AI serves as a crucial component, enabling the development of intelligent machinery capable of tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. Its broad scope facilitates data integration and analysis, fostering data-driven decision-making and enhancing overall business efficiency (Dwivedi et al., 2021).

A notable example of AI application is evident in Google’s Search Engine, which leverages human intelligence to provide users with access to information on any topic through relevant keyword searches. Google’s implementation of AI significantly streamlines the process of obtaining information from the vast expanse of the internet (Ilager et al., 2020).

 Global Poultry Industry – Current State

Despite the growing popularity of vegetarianism and veganism, particularly in Europe and the United States of America, global meat consumption, especially poultry, continues to rise. Poultry holds a significant share in global meat consumption, with chicken meat constituting 43% of the total in 2019, equivalent to 14.7 kg per capita (OECD UN data). In recent years, poultry production has become more regulated, prompting producers to enhance their monitoring methods. This increased regulation, coupled with rising demand, has spurred the development of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF). PLF encompasses a range of tools aimed at improving livestock control through advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence. For further insights into how AI-based systems enhance livestock production and management, you can refer to our recent article on AI-Based Smart Farming (Owczarek 2022).

The Digital Transformation Challenge in Poultry Farms

While the poultry industry has a relatively lower environmental impact compared to sectors like beef, it grapples with pressing issues that demand urgent solutions. Chief among these challenges is the increasing demand that poultry producers must address. However, efficient solutions often involve sacrificing animals’ living space and reducing their level of control. Leveraging technology enables producers to boost production while mitigating these challenges. AI can recommend optimal space configurations and pinpoint areas for additional resource allocation. In traditional poultry farming, animals are typically identified per flock, which can lead to quality control issues. Modern technology aims to break down this traditional approach by enabling individual animal monitoring. This shift allows for earlier detection of epidemiological risks and enables tracking of each animal’s health and development. With the integration of artificial intelligence, such detailed animal identification becomes achievable without incurring additional costs (Amarnadh et al., 2023).

Utilization of Artificial intelligence in poultry Sector

Utilizing AI in the poultry sector offers numerous benefits, including

• Minimizing infection risks (Reducing human interference)
• Improving efficiency (Robotics)

AI aids in farm management by analyzing data from various sensors and streamlining tasks like ventilation and feeding. Moreover, AI plays a crucial role in disease management, using machine learning and big data to detect illnesses early and minimize losses. AI also enhances trials of nutrition and medicinal products, accelerating data collection and analysis while reducing costs. Overall, AI greatly enhances efficiency and decision-making in poultry farming practices (Thornton, 2018).

Farm Management

Big data plays a crucial role in enhancing farm management practices, especially in agriculture, where much data is still collected manually. AI not only collects data but also processes it using cloud-stored information, enabling instant decision-making and enhancing farm efficiency (Thornton, 2018).

Robots can be programmed to gather and process data on farm management and environmental conditions, allowing for autonomous decision-making, particularly in tasks like ventilation. Machine learning and data analytics efficiently handle these tasks, continuously monitoring farm activities, a task that can be burdensome for humans. Universities are currently assessing poultry farming control systems using technologies like Zigbee and Raspberry Pi, integrating wireless sensors and GPRS, expected to scale up in the poultry industry soon. Furthermore, AI can streamline and automate essential tasks like feeding, watering, and sanitization. Data analytics aids in predicting future outcomes by analyzing current data, facilitating accurate projections such as the weight of birds after a 30-day period. The implementation of AI in farm management promises enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and faster decision-making (Thornton, 2018).

Disease Management

Disease management is crucial in farming, with every aspect of farm activities closely tied to it. While implementing machine-based disease management can be complex due to diverse symptoms and numerous diseases, AI aided by machine learning and big data, proves instrumental in effective disease management. AI, utilizing cameras installed on farms, swiftly identifies issues like huddling and cannibalism among birds, enabling caretakers to make faster decisions and minimize losses. Birds often display unique vocalizations and abnormal behavior during illnesses, which can be captured by machines to alert veterinarians immediately upon detecting concerning behavior. Mobile applications can further aid in confirming diagnoses by utilizing mobile cameras to provide better diagnostic insights, leveraging substantial amounts of data collected by in-farm machine systems.

In a notable 2012 experiment by Oxford University scientists, dubbed “Chicken Time Warp,” it was discovered that the synchronized movement of a flock can detect diseases nearly a week before their onset. Thus, AI-driven disease management holds great promise for the poultry industry, with machine learning and big data playing pivotal roles in enabling early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely interventions, ultimately leading to better disease control and reduced losses for farmers (Amarnadh et al., 2023).

Trials and evaluation of nutrition and medicinal products

Furthermore, AI accelerates the evaluation of different feed formulations, a task impractical for humans at such speed. Enabled by AI, programming and robotics contribute to enhancing breed genetics and simplifying decision-making in the selection process, significantly reducing trial costs while ensuring precise results.

AI’s capabilities efficiently manage the costly affair of research and development (R&D), empowering companies to conduct multiple studies within a single trial, a feat demanding significant human effort. In summary, AI’s prowess in data collection, processing, and analytics greatly enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of conducting trials, comparative studies, and research and development in the poultry industry (Amarnadh et al., 2023).

Applications of Big Data and AI in the Poultry Industry – Use Cases

The poultry industry can harness the potential of AI across various aspects, from welfare monitoring to breeding optimization. Here are some key use cases demonstrating the benefits of digital transformation in poultry production:

Animal Identification:

AI tools automate identification processes, replacing manual methods and increasing control while reducing labor demand. Computer vision-powered systems can scan identification signage or barcodes, enabling automatic identification of individual birds and easy access to their history.

Automated Weighing Systems:

Utilizing cameras and sensitive sensors, automated weighing systems streamline the weighing process for poultry, minimizing stress on the birds. Data from these systems, stored in databases, facilitates health monitoring, weight uniformity tracking, and regulatory compliance.

Monitoring the welfare and identifying distressed chickens

Monitoring poultry welfare is crucial for ethical concerns, product quality assurance, and disease prevention. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers advanced tools for livestock producers to monitor animal welfare and response to environmental factors. Here’s how machine learning technology can add value:

1. AI-enabled poultry housing supports health and welfare monitoring:through machine vision, sound analysis, feeding behavior, water intake, animal activity, and radio frequency identification.
2. Monitoring Feed and Water Consumption:
   • AI systems, paired with sensors, monitor nutrition patterns in real-time, detecting deviations that could indicate health or behavioral issues.
   • These systems can identify correlations between environmental changes and feeding/water consumption patterns, helping improve animal welfare and track abnormal consumption.
3. Analysis of Activity Patterns and Movement (Daigle et al., 2014):
   • AI systems linked to cameras with computer vision automatically analyze movement and posture, which can indicate animal welfare.
   • By detecting anomalies, such as cannibalistic behaviors, in real-time visual data, AI systems can issue immediate warnings, preventing bird loss and improving welfare.

4. Feces Analysis: Fecal matter serves as a vital indicator of bird welfare. Automated systems can analyze fecal properties using computer vision or verify samples for microbiota anomalies, such as the presence of harmful bacteria.
5. Heat Stress Monitoring: Maintaining optimal conditions, especially temperature, is crucial for poultry welfare. Real-time temperature analysis using sensitive sensors helps detect fluctuations and triggers automatic responses like activating air conditioning and ventilation systems (Bustamante et al., 2017).
6. Vocalization Monitoring: Monitoring bird vocalizations provides insights into their health and behavior. AI-powered sound detection systems can identify anomalies and alert farmers to potential issues, such as cannibalistic behavior, by analyzing deviations from established patterns.
7. Optimizing Hatcheries and Breeding: AI plays a significant role in optimizing breeding processes and hatchery operations, improving efficiency and eliminating outdated practices. Key applications include:

• Precision livestock farming and AI in hatcheries to support embryo development, reproductive performance, and automated monitoring of laying hens.
• Automated egg grading and selection based on external features and weight, reducing wastage and enhancing hatchery efficiency.
• Identifying live embryos in eggs using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and machine learning algorithms, enabling the separation of viable embryos from infertile eggs early in the incubation process (Owczarek 2022).

8. Automatic Brooding Environment Adjustment: Maintaining optimal conditions in the brooding environment is critical for the health and growth of chicks during their initial stages. AI-powered systems can continuously monitor factors such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation, automatically adjusting settings to ensure optimal conditions are maintained. This automation reduces the risk of stress-related issues and promotes healthier chick development.
9. Feeding Optimization for Growth and Nutrition: Feeding plays a crucial role in the growth and development of poultry. AI algorithms can analyze various factors such as age, weight, and nutritional requirements to optimize feeding schedules and formulations. By tailoring feed composition and timing to the specific needs of the birds, farmers can maximize growth rates, minimize feed waste, and improve overall feed efficiency.
10. Disease Prediction and Prevention: AI-driven predictive models can analyze data on factors such as environmental conditions, bird behavior, and historical disease outbreaks to forecast disease risks in poultry populations. Early detection of potential disease threats allows farmers to implement preventive measures such as vaccination, biosecurity protocols, and treatment strategies, reducing the likelihood of disease outbreaks and minimizing economic losses (Okada et al., 2009).
11. Automated Egg Collection and Sorting: AI-powered robotics can automate the process of collecting and sorting eggs in poultry farms. Using computer vision and robotic arms, these systems can identify and gently collect eggs from nest boxes, ensuring minimal damage and contamination. The eggs are then sorted based on factors such as size, weight, and quality, optimizing efficiency and egg quality control.

Overall, the integration of AI technologies in various aspects of poultry farming offers numerous benefits, including improved productivity, enhanced animal welfare, and more efficient resource utilization. By harnessing the power of AI, poultry producers can overcome challenges, optimize operations, and ensure the sustainable growth of their businesses.

Improving Poultry Houses and Hatcheries

Enhancing Poultry Farm Maintenance: Predictive maintenance, facilitated by machine learning, allows poultry farmers to anticipate equipment failures and schedule repairs proactively, minimizing costly downtime and ensuring smooth farm operations.

Post-Farm Operations for Quality Assurance: AI extends its role beyond the poultry farms into post-farm activities, aiding processing plants in maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance. Computer vision systems can assess product quality on assembly lines, sort items accordingly, and improve processing efficiency by optimizing tasks like feather removal and meat trimming.

Ensuring Food Safety and Efficiency: AI-driven algorithms with computer vision capabilities enhance food safety by evaluating product compliance and streamlining processes like egg sorting and meat packing. Moreover, predictive analytics help optimize production volumes, minimizing waste and ensuring a sustainable food supply chain.

Identifying and Improving Farm Efficiency: Machine learning aids in identifying inefficient poultry farms by analysing key metrics such as feed conversion ratio and laying efficiency. By pinpointing areas for improvement, farmers can optimize operations and enhance overall efficiency, contributing to sustainable poultry production.

Benefits of Applying Machine Learning in Poultry Farming and Egg Production Sectors

The utilization of artificial intelligence in poultry farming and egg production offers transformative benefits, enhancing efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and safety while also revolutionizing disease management practices. Moreover, it holds the promise of discontinuing ethically questionable farming methods, thus addressing concerns raised by animal rights activists. By improving the welfare of birds, it leads to higher product quality and reduces epidemiological risks.

Additionally, by promoting the well-being of birds, the need for antibiotics and other medications decreases, adding value to the products and enabling producers to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations more effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of artificial intelligence in poultry farming and egg production brings forth a multitude of benefits, ranging from enhanced efficiency and productivity to improved animal welfare and disease management. By leveraging AI technologies, the poultry industry can address key challenges, optimize operations, and ensure the sustainable growth of businesses while meeting regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

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Amarnadh, P., Karthik, I., & Rakesh, S. (2023). Artificial intelligence in poultry industry. The Pharma Innovation Journal SP-12(8): 109-113

20th livestock census. (2019). All India Report. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Animal

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Thornton G. (2018). innovations to change poultry production. Poultry Tech Summit, Atlanta, 5-7, November 2018, WATT Global Media event, p. 63.

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