Method of livestock rearing and a livestock shed

A method of rearing chickens comprises providing a chicken shed (10) having a floor area (12) over which the chickens can move freely. The shed (10) is provided with a plurality of lights (18) arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area (12) so that, collectively, the lights (18) are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area (12). The shed (10) is provided a plurality of cameras (20) arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area (12) so that, collectively, the cameras (20) are able to view substantially all of the floor area (12). Chickens are provided in the livestock shed (10) on the floor area (12). A controller (22) is provided and is operatively connected to the lights (18) and to the cameras (20). The controller (22) receives and analyses signals, such as images, from the cameras (20). The controller (22) controls the lights (18) to adjust illumination provided to the floor area (12) by the controlled lights (18) in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras (20). The controller (22) is able to control each light (18) independently of the other lights (18). In some situations, the control of the lights (18) causes a predetermined desired response in the chickens. In some cases, the predetermined desired response overcomes or circumvents an undesirable situation recognised by the controller from analysis of the signals from the cameras (20).

The invention relates to a method of livestock rearing and to a shed for livestock.

It is known to provide a chicken shed which has a floor area over which chickens can move freely. The shed is provided with a plurality of lights which are arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area. Collectively, the lights are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of livestock rearing, comprising: providing a livestock shed having a floor area over which livestock can move freely; providing a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the lights are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area; providing a plurality of cameras arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view substantially all of the floor area; providing livestock in the livestock shed on the floor area; providing a controller operatively connected to the lights and to the cameras; the controller receiving and analysing signals from the cameras; the controller controlling at least one of the lights to adjust illumination provided to the floor area by said at least one of the lights in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a livestock shed comprising: a floor area over which livestock can move freely; a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the lights are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area; a plurality of cameras arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view substantially all of the floor area; and a controller operatively connected to the lights and to the cameras; the controller being programmed to receive and analyse signals from the cameras and being programmed to control the lights to adjust illumination provided to the floor area by the lights in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras.

In both the first and second aspects of the invention, the lighting control performed by the controller may improve the efficiency of livestock rearing. For example, the lighting control may help to improve the conversion rate of feed to livestock weight. Alternatively, or in addition, the lighting control may help to improve animal welfare and/or reduce the environmental impact of the livestock rearing.

Referring toFIG. 1, a chicken shed10provides a floor area12over which chickens can roam freely. The chicken shed10has a ceiling14on which are mounted a plurality of light and camera integrated units16.

Referring toFIG. 2, each integrated unit16comprises both a light unit18and also a camera unit20integrated in a common housing.

Each light unit18is able to illuminate a respective region of the floor area12of the chicken shed10. The regions may overlap. Collectively, the light units18are positioned so as to be able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area12.

Each light unit18can be dimmed, and preferably can be dimmed continuously in a range from full intensity to zero illumination. Additionally, each light unit18can be operated to vary the wavelength spectrum of the radiation emitted by the light unit18. For example, each light unit18may be able to emit a first standard wavelength spectrum (generally perceived as white light), a second spectrum with an increased component of red and/or infra-red light, and a third spectrum with an increased component of blue and/or ultra-violet light. A preferred light unit18uses LEDs to provide the illumination. In this case, dimming may be achieved, for example, by pulse width modulation. Varying the wavelength spectrum could, for example, be achieved by providing each light unit18with a plurality of LEDs which emit different coloured light and by selectively turning on or off different ones of the LEDs to vary the overall spectrum of emitted light.

Each camera unit20is capable of capturing digital white light images of a respective region of the floor area12of the chicken shed10. The regions may overlap. Collectively, the camera units20are positioned so as to be able to image substantially all of the floor area12. In addition, each camera unit20is preferably able to detect the temperature of the region of floor area12viewed by the camera unit20. Preferably each camera unit20is able to detect respective temperatures in different areas of the viewed region. For example, each camera unit20may be able to capture an infra-red image of the region of the floor area12viewed by the camera unit20. Each camera unit20may comprise a single camera. Alternatively, each camera unit20may comprise multiple cameras—such as a white light camera and an infra-red camera.

In the current example, each one of the light units18is provided together with an accompanying one of the camera units20in an integrated unit16. While such integrated units16are preferred because, inter alia, it facilitates mounting, this is not essential and separate light units and camera units could be used. Where integrated units16are provided, it is preferred that the field of illumination of the light unit18of the integrated unit16corresponds generally to the field of view of the accompanying camera unit20. This simplifies image analysis.

FIG. 3shows a controller22. The controller22comprises a micro-processor (not shown) and a memory (not shown). In addition the controller22may comprise various components, such as analogue-to-digital converters, electronic filters, amplifiers, etc., (all not shown) allowing the controller22to communicate with the camera units20and with the light units18.

The controller22receives input signals from each of the camera units20. Specifically the controller22may, for example, receive white light images, infra-red images and/or temperature signals from the camera units20.

The controller22provides control signals to each of the light units18. The control signals control the light units18to dim and brighten the light units18and also to adjust the wavelength spectrum of the light emitted by the light units18. The controller22is capable of controlling each light unit18separately from the other light units18.

The controller22identifies each light unit18and each camera unit20by a respective identification code. Additionally, the controller is programmed with the position of each light unit18and the position of each camera unit20.

As seen inFIG. 3, the controller22may be provided with a number of inputs, in addition to the input signals from the camera units20. For example, the controller22may be connected to thermometers for detecting temperatures in different regions of the chicken shed10, in particular the temperatures of different regions of the floor area12. The controller may be connected to one or more sensors able to detect one or more of the following variables: humidity of the chicken shed10; pressure in the chicken shed10; rate of water consumption; rate of feed consumption; weight of chickens (sensed by weight sensitive pads on the floor area12); and CO2concentration.

As shown inFIG. 3, the controller22is connected to a user interface device24though which other data may be input to the controller22if desired.

Critically, the controller22is programmed to analyse signals received from the camera units20and, on the basis of the analysis, to control the operation of the light units18. The analysis will generally include analysis of images, such as white light and/or infra-red images, received from the camera units20.

For example, the controller22may be programmed to recognise and distinguish a plurality of undesirable circumstances on the basis of the analysis of the signals from the camera units20. For each undesirable circumstance, the controller22controls at least one of the light units18to adjust illumination provided to the floor area by the or each light unit18that is controlled. The control of the light units18is designed to remedy or circumvent, at least partially, the recognized undesirable circumstance. In some cases, the control of the light units18is designed to remedy or circumvent the undesirable circumstance by affecting the behaviour of the chickens.

Various examples of undesirable circumstances, and the corresponding remedial strategies for control of the light units18are given in Table 1. These examples are discussed in more detail below. As will be seen, in some of the cases, the control of the light units18is determined not only by the nature of the undesirable circumstance but also by the location of the undesirable circumstance.

TABLE 1ExampleUndesirable CircumstanceRemedyEffect of Remedy1Chickens walking belowincrease intensity of lightChickens walk moreoptimal average speedquickly2Chickens walking aboveDecrease intensity of lightChickens walk more slowlyoptimal average speed3Chickens congregate andDecrease intensity of lightChickens disperse tobody temperature ofin area of congregation andneighbouring areascongregated chickens is tooincrease intensity of light inhighneighbouring areas4Body temperature ofProvide one or more areasChickens congregate inchickens is too lowof increased light intensityareas of increasedsurrounded by areas ofillumination anddecreased light intensitycongregation increasesbody temperature5Temperature of air or litter isReduce light intensity in theChickens move away fromtoo high or too low in azoneand keep away from theparticular zone of the floorzonearea6Litter is spoilt in a particularReduce light intensity in theChickens move away fromzone of floor areazoneand keep away from thezone7Litter is insufficiently turnedIncrease light intensity inChickens move to the zonein a particular zone of floorthe zoneand turn litterarea8Above optimal rate ofControl light intensity toReduced rate of feedingfeedingslow movement of chickensto the feed hoppers9Ground illumination is aboveAdjust lighting intensity inIllumination maintained ator below required level inaffected regions of floorrequired levelsome or all of the floor areaarea10Chickens agitatedAdjust spectrum ofChickens calmedillumination to includemore blue light

EXAMPLES 1 and 2

The rate of conversion of feed to livestock weight is optimised when chickens walk at a certain speed. Speeds above or below the optimum speed reduce the efficiency of conversion. Chickens may be induced to walk at or near the optimum speed by adjusting the light intensity. This can be done by adjusting the intensity of all of the light units18uniformly. Alternatively, if some areas of the floor area12are lit by natural lighting in addition to the light units18, then the intensity of those light units18which illuminate the naturally lit areas may be adjusted so that overall lighting intensity is generally uniform across the whole floor area12. Light intensity in different areas of the floor area12may be measured by the camera units20.

The speed of movement of the birds can be measured by analysing images taken at different times. For each image, individual birds are identified and movement of individual birds is tracked over time from image to image. By determining the distances moved by individual birds and by using the timing between the images, the speed of movement can be estimated.

EXAMPLES 3 and 4

The rate of conversion of feed to livestock weight is also affected by the body temperature of the chickens. A body temperature at or near the optimum temperature may be achieved by controlling the degree of congregation of the birds. Congregation can be assessed by analysing white light or infra-red images of the chickens. Body temperature of individual birds or groups of birds can be estimated by analysing infra-red images.

In Example 5, litter and air temperature can be measured by separate thermometers connected to the controller22. Alternatively litter temperature can be measured by analysing infra-red images taken by the camera units20.

EXAMPLES 6 and 7

In Examples 6 and 7, spoiling of the litter, or insufficient turning of the litter, can be detected by analysis of white light images taken by the camera units20.

In Example 8, the rate of feeding can be determined by suitable sensors which measure feed levels in the feed hoppers.

Ground illumination can be measured by the camera units20.

Agitation of the chickens is determined by the controller22on the basis of white light images taken by the camera units20.

In addition to the examples given above, which fall into the category of remedying or circumventing undesirable circumstances, the controller22may be programmed to perform functions of other types, as demonstrated by the examples given below.

Light intensity should be increased gradually when chickens are being woken from roost. Overly rapid increases in light intensity can cause stress and heart attacks. The controller22may be programmed to optimise the increase in light intensity using feedback obtained by the camera units20. Specifically, the controller22may be programmed to estimate the degree of wakefulness of the chickens (for example by estimating their speed of movement). The controller22may use such analysis to optimise the rate or profile of the increase of lighting intensity.

In a similar manner to Example 11, the controller22may be programmed to optimise the dimming of lights, at the start of the roost period, based on feedback from the chickens obtained via the camera units20.

The controller22may be programmed to adjust the lighting to encourage the birds to mate. An increase in the red light content of the illumination may achieve this.

The controller22may be programmed to estimate the average size and/or weight of the chickens. This may be achieved by analysing images to estimate the area that is covered by the birds and by using a suitable algorithm utilising the area covered by the birds and the number of birds in the floor area12.

The controller22may be programmed to detect dead birds by image analysis. An alarm may then be raised to alert a human operator.

The controller22may be programmed to detect disease or abnormal growth by image analysis. An alarm may then be raised to alert the human operator.

The controller22preferably performs the functions discussed above automatically.

The user interface24allows for programming of the controller22and also provides information to the human operator.

FIG. 4shows that it is not necessary for the image analysis performed by the controller22to identify individual birds. InFIG. 4, an image obtained from a camera unit20is converted into a density map in which density of chickens is represented by white blocks.

It will be appreciated that the invention may be modified in many ways while remaining within the scope of the claims. In particular the invention is applicable to livestock other than chickens. It could, for example, be applied to pigs.

According to some embodiments, the camera may be any one or more of an imaging camera, a thermal imaging camera, a time-of-flight camera. According to some embodiments, the floor area may be the floor of a shed, house, cage or other structure, which may or may not be solid or have a continuous surface, for example which may or may not comprise slats.