# Low-Cost IoT and LoRaWAN-Based System for Laying Hen Identification in Family Poultry Farms
## 4 Results and Discussion
### User Satisfaction Assessment  
In addition, the feasibility of the developed product, the system implementation provided immediate operational benefits to the poultry farmer, particularly in terms of time savings and reduced manual effort in monitoring and identifying laying hens. By automating a key process that is traditionally performed manually, the system facilitated a more efficient daily routine and promoted engagement with digital technologies. These improvements, although not directly impacting the egg-laying rate, contributed to a more modern and manageable farm environment. In addition, the automation of data collection helped reduce the risk of human error and ensured greater consistency and traceability in the monitoring process. Due to the exploratory nature of the study and the limited availability of comparable small-scale poultry farms for testing, it was not feasible to apply standardized evaluation tools, such as surveys based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) [37]; instead, qualitative user feedback was collected through a semi-structured interview, using a predefined guide designed to explore multiple dimensions of the user's experience with the deployed system. The interview addressed some key aspects: the farmer's motivation to participate, perceived benefits and challenges, the experience of collaborating with the developer, communication effectiveness, and potential for broader dissemination of the technology. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline
**IT Layer** & **Qty** & **Price (EUR)** & **Description** \\
**Components** & **Qty** & **Price (EUR)** & **Description** \\ \hline Raspberry Pi & 1 & 40.00 & Application Server \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Cost estimation of the IT infrastructure. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline
**OT Layer Components** & **Qty** & **Price (EUR)** & **Description** \\ \hline \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Per Zone**} \\ \hline Gateway wAP LR8 Kit & 1 & 157.89 & Gateway LoRaWAN \\ \hline \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Per Nesting Box Node**} \\ \hline Heltec ESP32 Controller & 1 & 23.50 & \
\begin{tabular}{c} Arduino or \\ ESP32-Based \\ Controller \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline RC522–RFID/NFC & 1 & 6.50 & NFC Reader \\ \hline Battery & 1 & 10.00 &
\begin{tabular}{c} LiPo 3.7 V 1200 mAh \\ Battery \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline Total Price per Nesting Box Node & 40 & \\ \hline \multicolumn{3}{c}{**Per Hen**} \\ \hline TAG MYFARE 1K & 13.56 MHz & 1 & 0.3 & NFC Tags \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Cost estimation of the OT infrastructure. Although limited in scope, this method provided rich and consistent insights into the system's practical relevance and acceptance in a real-world context. The main findings are summarized below, organized by thematic category:  
* Regarding the farmer's initial motivation for participating in the testing phase: The primary incentive was the opportunity to incorporate technology to optimize a key activity in his chicken coop--the selection of laying hens. This innovation was seen as a means not only to improve efficiency but also to modernize daily farming practices. * Main perceived benefits: The farmer identified two primary advantages. First, they highlighted the learning experience gained through participation and the validation of the technological solution. In the interviewee's own words, \"The prototype we tested ultimately served to confirm the efficacy of the idea\". Additionally, the process encouraged reflection on their own farming activities and how technological solutions could be applied to agriculture. * Regarding collaboration with the developer: The experience was described as positive, as the exchange of knowledge and expertise fostered mutual learning. Specifically, the farmer gained a better understanding of how technology can be applied in agriculture, while the developer gained insights into key aspects of poultry farming. The farmer stated, \"The experience has been positive.