INTRODUCTION

The Poultry sector is a most important segment of the livestock industry. This sector consists of many
different levels of production, including breeding farms, hatcheries, feed factories, , broiler and layer
farms and proczessing plants. Likewise, there are sub-units such as chicken, quail, duck, turkey, guinea
fowl and goose in terms of species in the sector. In terms of infrastructure, different types of housing
from thatched shed to automated, environmentally controlled sheds, normal feeders to automatic
feeders and regular channel watering systems to automatic cups and nipples, automatic egg collection,
refrigeration systems, nutraceutical and medicine manufacturing units, vaccine manufacturing units,
manufacturing mechanical components to electronic gadgets required for various functions. Rendering
plants and production for feathers. Therefore, it involves all the derived sciences such as physics,
chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and other engineering skills. There is enormous growth and progress
in this sector and the sub-classes for production are divided into meat and egg production. All these
have gradually grown from back yard to industrial proportion over six decades (1960 to 2020) owes to
veterinarians, poultry scientists, technical and non- technical persons and dedicated farmers.

With all the developments yet there is organized and unorganized sectors in poultry in our country.
Organised sub-sector needs conducive environment to grow for which policy support & intervention is
required mainly for disease surveillance, drug residue and drug/ vaccine quality control, standardization
& quality control of poultry feed, eggs & meat, application of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for compliance to WTO & CODEX norms and
gradation, value addition, brand promotion & export boosting etc.nBy the end of this decade, globally,
poultry meat is expected to represent 41 per cent of all the protein from meat sources, according to the
OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2030.

Change in the farming systems

The progress in is all sectors of poultry is due to the advancement of technologies in the management,
nutrition and health care systems. Over the years, the successors of farmers now are with highly
qualified and having double degrees, Technical / engineering and even medical and veterinary
professionals. Therefore, the poultry industry is now in the hands of well leaned and educated groups.
They always think differently and adopt any technology available globally for the benefit of profitability.
These are not only innovators but also have open mind to accept and adopt any innovation that are
useful in modern poultry farming. The new farming systems are called “Smart farms, Automated farms,
Mechanized farms and Digital farms.

New Trends in Poultry Farming

Two years ago ( March 11, 2020) the World Health Organization formally declared a pandemic caused by
a novel coronavirus. And as COVID-19 spread across the globe, humanity had little time to adapt to
lockdowns and staggering losses. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected many economic sectors
across the world, including livestock production. It has also sparked fears of an impending economic
crisis and recession. Disrupted production and transportation, declining consumer demand and volatile
markets brought huge financial difficulties, even leading to the permanent closure of many farms. Social
distancing, self-isolation and travel restrictions have led to a reduced workforce across all economic
sectors and caused many jobs to be lost. Schools have closed down, and the need for commodities and
manufactured products has decreased. In contrast, the need for medical supplies has significantly
increased. The food sector is also faced the increased demand due to panic-buying and stockpiling of
food products. More than the above, the problems started in labour management and this lead to adopt
new innovative ideas in poultry farming. In short 2020 was a critical year- COVID-19 posed numerous
challenges for the poultry industry, from worker shortages to interruptions throughout the supply chain.
The New technologies can help the industry solve these issues and look forward to future opportunities
to thrive and succeed. This paper deals with the adoption of several such advances and innovative
products for a successful poultry farming. The following are emerged as some of the new trends in
poultry Farming:

Is there a genetic solution for preventing male chicks?

3D cameras could capture precision broiler weights

MRI technology can help identify which eggs are fertile

Could smartwatches solve poultry processing’s labor problem?

24/7 feedback loops could improve poultry flock outcomes.

Collaborative robots could further poultry automation

In-line poultry chilling could be improved using kinematics

Preventing antibiotic resistance in poultry using peptides

Digital technologies set to simplify poultry data analysis.

Hyperspectral imaging could help find poultry meat defects.

Machine vision can detect broiler floor distribution.

Will CRISPR transform the poultry industry?.

Robots are ready to meet poultry processing challenges.

Automation helps prepare case-ready poultry for the future.

Digitalization can optimize poultry productivity planning

Healthy chicks establish adult poultry microbiome quickly.

The Technologies that could disrupt future production and processing operations are:

1. Remote sensing

Remote sensing allows visibility in real-time on a number of factors, conditions within the poultry house,
bird performance, bird health and welfare. Not only is it the case that the farmer can keep watch over
the status of sheds and birds when they decide to take a look at the computer but importantly the
readings from these sensors can be set to provide “alerts” to management if any parameter falls out
with the agreed requirements for the specific age of birds 24/7.

Sensors can help streamline the data collection process for both birds and workers, resulting in precision
poultry production.

Application of the smart phones helping the owner to monitor real time environmental contexts such as
temperature, humidity, ammonia gas, water level.

In this system describes an Integrated Solution for Smart Poultry Monitoring Using WSN (wireless Sensor
Network) and GPRS Network.

For example, in poultry, sensors can be used to help estimate body weights and measure the flock
uniformity.

They can also help solve labour issues and improve worker retention and food safety when used as a
wearable sensor for employees.

1. Automation and Digitalization, Big data: a major value chain in poultry Industry

Automation can be used to replace manual labor on poultry farms when it comes to repetitive tasks like
checking bird welfare, removing welfare, vaccinations and managing litter.

In processing plants, there are robots that can cut meat from the bones, which could help space out
workers at risk of COVID-19.

The integration of wireless sensors and GPRS network to control and automatically monitor
environmental parameters in a poultry farm.
The environmental parameters like temperature, humidity, ammonia gas control etc.

The person in-charge can able to get the internal environmental situation of poultry farm by receiving a
message on registered mobile number

2. Robotics and automation

Robotics and automation generated intense interest for their potential to reduce labor, be on duty 24/7
and report remotely. Robotic technology can encourage broiler breeders and layer hens to move around
the house, reducing the incidence of floor eggs and stimulating fertility, improving bird health and
welfare and reducing the amount of labor required. The robot can save up to 50% of a farmer’s time,
reduce the number of trips by two-thirds and improve working conditions.

Robotic technology that uses artificial intelligence to help farmers make data-driven decisions about
broiler production could result in a healthier, more productive growing environment. Use robotics to
encourage the birds to be more active to increase muscle mass, which ultimately drives better
improvements when it comes to the feed conversion ratio. Robots offer not only increase productivity
and profits but their presence can also contribute to improved health and welfare. Some robots will
continuously scratch the litter to eliminate caking and wet spots, reducing the incidence of
pododermatitis, foot burn and breast burn(fig4). Others can monitor and map ammonia, temperature
and humidity levels throughout the house. This is valuable information for producers who can adjust
ventilation and address any localized issue that may affect bird welfare or productivity. These
corrections can prevent a localized issue from affecting the entire flock.

a). Collaborative robotic technology : is one of the most popular new trends in automation.

Collaborative robots, also known as ‘cobots’ are designed to work safely alongside human workers.
Typically, the robot is responsible for any repetitive task, freeing up the human worker to perform more
complex, thought-intensive tasks. The robot that navigates poultry house floors using imaging sensors
and machine learning, has the capability to detect and pick up floor eggs and sense environmental
temperatures, gasses and light levels. Robots can free up human workers to perform more complex,
thought-intensive tasks, streamlining operations. Some of the benefits of Cobots include:

Cost-effective approach to simpler applications

Improved ROI calculation for low-speed applications

Ability to implement robots into space constrained applications

Shorter programming time

Quicker deployment
b). Chicken Boy, an autonomous ceiling-suspended robot incorporating artificial intelligence and
sensors, assesses ambient conditions, health and welfare and equipment failures. Already on the market
in Europe, developers at Farm Robotics and Automation planning to continue adding capabilities
including removal of dead birds and analysis of litter moisture.

4. Monitor poultry floor distribution with machine vision

In commercial bedding floor poultry houses, bird density and distribution pattern are critical factors for
evaluating production management and animal health/welfare. Currently, daily routine inspection of
broiler flock distribution in commercial grow-out houses is done manually, which is labor intensive and
time consuming. This will also indicate how a machine vision-based method can monitor floor
distribution of chickens in drinking, feeding and resting/activity zones. This study provides the basis for
developing a real-time evaluation tool to detect broiler chicken floor distribution patterns, behaviors
and welfare indicators in commercial production facilities. The egg sector also has its fair share of
applications for AI. The quality of the egg white for instance, the absence of any trace of yolk – is
important for many applications requiring optimum egg white foaming. Modern breakers operate at
very high speeds, in the order of 200,000 eggs per hour or roughly 60 eggs per second, making it
impossible for the human eye to detect an issue.

a). Artificial Vision: In poultry processing the use of artificial vision offers real-time yield monitoring of
high-value chicken parts, allowing supervisors to immediately give feedback to employees who can
address any potential deficiency. Artificial vision also constitutes a standardized method that can be
used to compare results between workers, shifts and processing plants, particularly valuable for large
companies operating across multiple sites. Artificial vision can also be combined with smart automation
to optimize efficiencies; for example, where broiler parts are automatically sorted after inspection. For
processors, AI allows higher processing speeds and accurate packing of premium value products,
translating both into more profits and fewer customer complaints. Researchers are now looking at
means to totally replace human intervention for some specific tasks considered painful or hard to
achieve accurately and consistently.

b). Woody Breast Detection with machine vision and high-speed cameras is capable of detecting and/or
sorting breast fillets at normal line speeds without contacting or damaging fillets. Muscle rigidity is
measured as the fillets move on and fall off a conveyor.

c). 3D Bird Deboning Cutting Virtual Reality generates cutting trajectories for automated poultry
processing systems. It is under development at Georgia Tech Research Institute. Testing started with
models but now is on real birds.

d). Food safety

Food safety is a critical concern in the poultry business, and the innovations. This needs to be addressed
both the live production and processing stages. All the above technologies developed ultimately help
the production of safe food for human consumption.

5. Technicon Composite-housing Gearboxes

with steel endoskeletons eliminate rust, dissipate heat and withstand wash-down processes. Housings
are corrosion-resistant and blended with an antimicrobial material that does not exhibit odor or staining
in harsh environments. Market launch is perhaps two years away, and prices of the composite
gearboxes are expected to be competitive with units with painted cast-iron housings.

6. Clear Labs Next Generation Sequencing

Using advanced data analytics and bioinformatics tools for detection and serotype identification of
Salmonella spp. in samples taken from carcass rinses, ground poultry, poultry parts, boot swabs and
equipment swabs. The system’s accuracy reduces inventory holding time and delayed shipments,
confirmation costs and delays, and retail short-supply penalties.

7. Big data and artificial intelligence

Harnessing the increasing amounts and complexity of data available to the poultry enterprise is not only
a daunting task but a huge opportunity (fig. 6 and 7).

8. Artificial Intelligence(AI)

Artificial intelligence, when applied to broiler and egg production, may not only improve efficiency but
help producers address following challenges.

Scientists are now teaching machines how to recognize any sound of distress or discomfort to aid in
monitoring bird wellbeing.

Another area with great potential for AI is its use in detecting early stage disease.

AI has the potential to assist in detecting diseases during their incubation period, allowing producers to
quickly prevent spread throughout a flock.

AI can also help with disease diagnosis.

Using AI to complement or augment the human brain – collaborative intelligence – will give us the
potential to be more efficient and accurate in diagnoses.

Other areas for AI include feed formulation optimization, genetic selection and hatchery management.

All segments of the poultry sector will be able to benefit from applications using AI.

Using advanced artificial intelligence software, integrators can find solutions through data that would
otherwise difficult to perceive.
New artificial intelligence technology can help integrators save money and get better flock performance
by facilitating investigation and decision making.

9. Little Bird Feed Cast System

This estimates the amount of feed in on-farm bins using a small device to apply vibration to the bin
surface along with sensors and software. The solar-powered units wirelessly report feed levels via web
portals and a mobile app to growers, feed mills and integrators. The web portal presents a history of a
house’s feed levels and displays projections. Feed outages are reduced or eliminated and less feed is
reclaimed at the end of a flock.

10. Poultry System Simulation Model ( PYSSM) :

Simulates the water, energy, wastewater and labor utilization of a poultry processing plant. Based on
VENSIM [http://vensim.com/vensim-software/] software, the model simulates all processes that require
water use. Designed by developers at Georgia Tech Research Institute as a decision making tool with
predictive capabilities, there are modules for labor, water, energy and wastewater processes.

11. Machine Learning: Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Uses machine learning and historical location-based data as well as plant-level outcomes to dynamically
model the live operations supply chain, predict outcomes and apply outcome scores. It allows quicker
and more accurate identification and response to potential changes in variables that impact food safety
or production outcomes throughout the poultry supply chain.

12. How Audio -Analytic -Software detect respiratory disease

New analytical software can detect symptoms of laryngotracheitis, infectious bronchitis and potentially
other diseases as well as welfare issues.

Thanks to machine learning techniques, audio software can help farmers detect sick birds before they
can.

The two diseases IB & ILT are primarily detected by a farmer present in the house who hears the
coughing of the birds.

The amount of days that pass after an outbreak are critical in the progression of the disease and its
potential damage to a flock.

If there were a way to automatically detect it instead of waiting for a farmer to randomly encounter it, it
could make detection of the disease and treatment quicker. Create a hardware and software system to
detect and recognize the specific sounds of an avian cough symptomatic of the conditions among the
noise of the poultry house.
The research was able to identify certain auditory shapes in the sonic spectrum of the house that
correlated with the coughs. The next challenge was to teach a machine to recognize those shapes and
share the detection with its user.

13. Simple Vet Regulatory Compliance Data Management

This applies Blockchain technology to veterinary records to maintain transparency and traceability while
also providing analytics to evaluate efficacy of treatments. A suite of integration tools integrate data
sources, including public and private block chains, traditional databases and systems and internet-of-
things (IoT) enabled devices such as RFID tags and remote sensing technology.

14. Block Chain Technology (Value Chain Management)

Uses predictive analytics and deep learning analysis to display and forecast future performance
throughout the supply chain. An integrated view of operational data allows finished product to be
traced back through the value chain at a minute level of detail. The cloud-based platform uses block
chain technology and deep learning neural networks to monitor poultry operations at large scale and
across regions. Block chain’s opportunity in the poultry industry is its ability to resolve food safety and
transparency issues. Walmart, Unilever, Nestlé and other food giants are working with IBM using block
chain technology to secure digital records and monitor supply chain management, ensuring traceability
of the poultry products sold in stores.

Block chain can be used to monitor all aspects of the food supply chain, from farmers and producers to
processors and distributors. This is Walmart’s third experiment with block chain, and the increasing
interest of other large food conglomerates demonstrates the unique capabilities of this technology.

15. Transport Genie

Records micro-climate conditions of live poultry during transport, including real-time communications
with the driver and key stakeholders. If a threshold is exceeded, an alert is sent automatically. The
sensor can be used by processors to improve bird welfare during the loadout, in transport and in plant
holding sheds.

16. Gene Editing Technology (egg XYT CRISPR )

Inserts a bio-marker in the DNA of male chicks at the parent stock level to create an optical signature in
embryos detectable at the breeding/hatching operation. Upon scanning of incoming eggs, those with
male embryos are diverted to food production. A pilot study in a poultry layer flock is planned for late
2018. Developers are said to be in negotiations to incorporate the technology in the stock of a major
breeding company.

17. Microbiome and Life sciences

Advancements in genetics, microbiology, poultry health management, nutrition and more help improve
flock management to raise healthier birds. In human medicine, the microbiome has been linked to
everything from intestinal health to obesity and mental disorders. Scientists are now applying these
findings to poultry, developing probiotics to help control Bacterial and protozoal diseases and to
improve the immunity.

a). Edible Vaccines enable chicken producers to dose room-temperature stable vaccine in the feed for
both mucosal (in the gut) and systemic (intracellular) protection against coccidiosis. The technology
platform inserts genes for specific antigens into corn plants to create the vaccines.

b). Phytogenic Blends for Coccidiosis Control chemically block receptors specific to parasites and
physically disrupt the parasite cuticle. The blends are composed of GRAS-listed terpenes that naturally
occur in food plants known to be safe as food flavorants. Using a proprietary encapsulation technology,
the formulation will be active in the intestine of the chicken.

c). General Probiotics Antimicrobial Probiotics are genetically modified microbes for use in the feed or
water of poultry that can detect pathogens and secrete antimicrobials against pathogens, secrete
multiple antimicrobials lowering resistance emergence and/or secrete engineered antimicrobial lysins.
Prototypes against Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridia have been developed. The company
expects to complete regulatory requirements and bring the products to market within three years.

d).Nutritional Technology: Digital tools like artificial intelligence (AI) can help poultry producers optimize
the decision-making process when it comes to feed management and assessing the health of the gut
microbiome. AI-powered tech can provide recommendations how to improve the feed composition to
recommendations to improvements in farm management practices with the goal of improved
performance and health of the flock.

The nutritional research focus, henceforth, will be influenced mostly by the following innovations:

Feed formulation software and feeding programmes

Novel feed ingredients and feed additives

Gastro-intestinal conditioners for gut health, birds’ welfare and food safety

Modern technologies for feed processing and feeding packages

Perinatal nutrition and epigenetic programming

Advances in AI could lead to a better understanding of the poultry gut microbiome.

In recent years, the microbiome has captured the attention of researchers, who have linked the
microbial makeup of the gut to a variety of poultry diseases and other conditions affecting flock health.

The health of the gut microbiome, a collection of microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract,
can be affected by changes in raw materials, diet, additives, vaccine programs and farm management
practices.

Techniques of in-ovo-nutrition

A combination of statistical analysis, machine learning and AI can work together to create insights and
recommendations on the status of a flock’s microbiome, based on data from a non-invasive cloacal
swab-sampling of live birds. Producers can use this information to determine what actions to take to
improve flock performance.

18). Nanotechnology for virus detection

Nanotechnology plays a pivotal role in the mechanism of tracking virus entry. The single virus tracking
technology (SVT) makes it possible to track the different stages of a single virus in its life cycle, thus
providing dynamic insights into the basic process of virus occurrence in living cells (Liu et al., 2020) It
help in trap avian flu viruses for early detection. Biosensors have come up with a lot of promises in
terms of detecting viruses and diseases connected with them. The development of various types of such
biosensors such as Affinity-based Nano-biosensors, Nano island affinity-based biosensors, Graphene
affinity-based biosensors, Nanowires based biosensors, Optical Nano biosensors, Fiber optic Nano-
biosensors, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based optical Nano-biosensors, Total internal reflection
fluorescence, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), Electrochemical Nano-biosensors had helped
us in the rapid and sensitive detection of viruses. Aid to these Nano sensors, viral detection now
becomes very sensitive, rapid and cost has come down to a significant low. In this review, an attempt
has been made to compile all of the different Nano-biosensors and their applications. Due attention is
given to the fact that the reader gets the grasp of the concept with much ease.

How to Increase Egg Production in Laying Hens

Raising chickens is a fun and fulfilling passion for many people. Whether you have a few backyard
chickens or a coop full of hens providing eggs for your friends and family, learning to increase egg
production is a top priority for most chicken owners. You can help your chickens lay more eggs with a
few easy steps.

How Often Do Chickens Lay Eggs?

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, “a pullet or young chicken begins to lay eggs around 18 to 22 weeks
old… once a cycle is established, most hens will lay one egg per day. It takes 24 to 26 hours for a hen to
create an egg, so it’s rare to have more than one egg per hen per day.” Hens will lay roughly six eggs
each week with fewer eggs when hens molt (replace their feathers) in the fall and through the winter.

What Factors Impact Egg Production in Hens?

Raising healthy chickens is the best way to boost egg production. From genetics to stress levels, many
factors can impact laying hens’ ability to produce eggs:

Age: Very young hens can naturally have inconsistent laying patterns up until their first year. While
frequency slowly decreases as hens get older, starting at ages 2 to 3. Hens will lay until they are about 5
to 8 years old.

Molting season: Usually in early fall, chickens put their energy into losing their old feathers and growing
new feathers, rather than into egg production.

Sunlight: Hens need at least 12 to 14 hours of light each day to consistently lay eggs.

Nutrition: Good nutrition is essential, especially calcium.

Overall health: Protecting your chickens from parasites and disease is crucial to keep them healthy.

Stress levels: The presence of predators and your chickens’ overall sense of safety can greatly impact
egg production.

Breed: While most modern chicken breeds have been adapted specifically for egg laying, some breeds
are more productive than others.

Broody hens: A hen that is committed to hatching chicks will instinctively sit on eggs rather than produce
more.

egg laying chicken

How to Get Your Chickens to Lay More Eggs

In ideal conditions, it takes hens about 25 hours to produce one egg. If you are new to chicken keeping,
it can be astonishing how many eggs a small flock can provide; however, what do you do if your egg
production starts declining? If your chickens are otherwise healthy and in their prime egg-laying years
(ages six months to three years old) you can help increase egg production in a few simple steps:

Keep Your Brood Safe

Your chickens are instinctually wary of predators and other stressors as they are prey animals. Higher
stress results in fewer eggs. Regularly check for access points for predators. Keeping the chicken coop
around 40-90°F with soft, clean places to nest is ideal for your hens.
Keep Their Space Clean

A consistently clean coop has endless benefits. Cleaning your coop at least once week and add fresh
bedding. Your chickens will be healthier, happier, and more productive layers in a clean, well-ventilated
environment. A higher quality of life leads to higher egg production.

Add More Light

As daylight dwindles in the fall and winter, egg production will also naturally decrease. On average,
chickens need around 14-16 hours of sunlight to lay an egg. Supplementing light by simply adding a light
bulb on a 16 hour timer to your chicken house will encourage your hens to produce more eggs. Be
careful when adding any source of heat or light to the coop to mitigate any to fire danger.

Choose The Right Breed

Some chicken breeds are bred for more egg production than others. There are hens that lay white eggs,
brown eggs, and even colored eggs. These include the Ameraucana, Australorp, Brahma, Brakel, Rhode
Island Red, and hybrids like Red Star and Black Star to name a few.

Be Vigilant Against Parasites

Keeping your coop clean will prevent many parasite problems, but you cannot guarantee these pesky
trouble makers won’t find a way to your hens. Parasites like mites love poultry and can become a real
problem very quickly. Avoid overcrowding the coop to help keep parasites at bay.

Feed Them a Balanced Diet

Egg production takes a lot of effort for hens. Choosing high-quality chicken feed is critical to providing
your hens with the nutrition they need to stay healthy and produce eggs. Provide clean, fresh water
daily year-round, and consider supplementing extra protein in the fall and winter. You can also give your
chickens snacks like mealworms and vegetable food scraps in moderation.

Age Is A Factor

Take into account the age of your flock as older hens tend to lay less eggs. The peak age for egg laying is
typically less than three years old. After that, egg production tends to slow down. Keeping younger hens
in your coop will help ensure a high yield of eggs year-round.

Let Your Chickens Free-Range

Free-range chickens tend to have better health and less stress, leading to more eggs. If local rules limit
your ability to let your chickens range free, look into chicken runs or chicken tractors. Both allow your
chickens more freedom and variety while keeping them contained and safe.

Supplement Calcium
Eggshells are 95% calcium and if a hen’s diet isn’t providing enough calcium she can become depleted,
affecting both her health and her eqq quality and quantity. Keeping a container of crushed oyster shells
accessible in your coop is considered one of the best ways to supplement your hens’ calcium levels. You
can also air dry your used eggshells and crush them to feed to your hens.

Types of Feed for Laying Hens

When it comes to providing the best feed for your laying hens, your options are commercial poultry
feeds and homemade feed. High-quality commercial poultry feeds come in complete and supplemental
options, providing all the necessary nutrients in pre-formulated mixtures. These feeds ensure your
chickens’ nutritional needs are met and often come in pellet, crumble, and mash formulations – giving
you options for what works best for your brood.

Selecting the Best Feed for Laying Hens

When selecting the best feed for your chickens, carefully read nutritional labels and ingredients. Look
for lay feed options with appropriate protein content and a well-balanced amino acid profile. Consider
the energy sources provided, and ensure the feed is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. Try
these Hi Protein Lay Pellets or a variety of lay feeds in crumble, mash or pellet formulas from Ace Hi and
Kelley’s.

The Best Feed is Vital for Maximizing Egg Production

Prioritizing the best feed for your chickens is vital for not only egg production, but also for overall health.
While kitchen scraps make for a welcomed treat, they should be offered only occasionally. If your hens
eat too many treats rather than a balanced high-quality feed, they may not get all of the necessary
nutrients in the right proportions. By understanding your chickens’ needs from nutrition to
environment, you can provide them with the care they need to thrive. Happy, healthy hens lay the most
eggs!

Layer Poultry Farming Guide For Beginners

Layer poultry farming means raising egg-laying poultry birds for commercial egg production. Layer
chickens are a particular species of hens that need to be raised from one day old, and they start laying
eggs commercially from 18-19 weeks of age. They remain to lay eggs continuously till 72-78 weeks of
age. They can produce about one kg of eggs by consuming about 2.25 kg of food during their egg-laying
period. To produce hybrid eggs layer, consider the various characteristics of cock and hen before
breeding. Different types of highly egg-productive layer breeds are available worldwide. We have also
compiled the Layer Poultry Farming Project PDF from this article under our website’s free veterinary
books section.

Layer Breeds:

Layer hens are of two types, according to the nature and colour of the egg. A short description of these
two types is listed below.

White Egg Laying Hens: This type of hen is comparatively smaller. Relatively eat less food, and the colour
of an eggshell is white. Isa White, Lehman White, Nikchik, Bab Cock BV-300, Havard White, Hi Sex White,
Sever White, Hi line White, Bovanch White etc., are some famous white egg-laying chickens.

Brown Egg Laying Hens: Brown egg-laying hens are relatively larger. They eat more foods than white egg
layers and bigger eggs than other laying breeds. The eggshell is brown-coloured. There are many types
of brown layers available. Among those, Isa Brown, Hi Sex Brown, Sever 579, Lehman Brown, Hi Line
Brown, Bab Cock BV-380, Gold Line, Bablona Tetro, Bablona Harko, Havard Brown etc. are very suitable
for commercial layer poultry farming.

Layer Hen Selection:

Remember some essential information before selecting the layer hens for your poultry farming business.
First, you must choose breeds that are suitable for your layer poultry farming business and can produce
well in your area. Then, read below to select the appropriate species for your business.

For commercial egg production, you must choose highly productive laying hens correctly.

All types of hens do not produce an equal number of eggs.

The chosen breeds must have to have good production capability.

If your chosen breed contains the desired characteristics and has a reputation for egg production, that
breed is suitable for your business.

Always purchase healthy chicks from a famous and popular hatchery. You can see their reputation in
your area before purchasing.

Keeping Chicks for Layer Poultry Farming:

During the first weeks after birth, many chicks do not want to drink the water due to transporting them
from one place to another. So you must make adequate water drinking systems in their brooder house
and train them to drink water. Mix Electral Energy with water so that they can quickly get energy. Please
provide them with high-quality multivitamins, ie. Growvit Power by mixing with water. Multivitamins
and electrolytes are very effective when transporting chick from a long distance. It reduces tiredness
and lack of water and helps to make the chick normal. You must follow the Layer Poultry Medicine
Schedule for the best production and the highest profit.

Vaccination and its Importance for Layer Poultry Farming:

The vaccination program is necessary for chicks to free them from all diseases. The main advantage of
poultry vaccination is listed below.

Timely vaccination makes disease resistance power in the body of a chick.

Help keep the hen free from infectious poultry diseases.

Disease prevalence will be less.

The mortality rate will be reduced.

A low mortality rate = more production = more profit.

There are many types of poultry vaccines available for layer hens. Marex, Ranikhet, Gamboro,
Bruchaities, Bosonto, Salmonella, etc., are used for layer chickens.

Before Vaccination of Layer Poultry:

You have to maintain some rules before vaccination.

Hold the chickens very carefully.

Vaccinate the chickens without any strain.

There is no need to vaccinate the ill hen.

Wash the vaccination equipment with a water solution of Viraclean

Do the vaccination program in cold weather conditions.

A preventive vaccine is always applicable to a healthy bird. Never vaccinate an infected bird.

Keeping Growing Chicks:

You have to follow the suggestion listed below to keep growing layer chickens.
You must provide the growing chicks special care until they reach 4-5 weeks.

After brooding, serve them good quality pellet feed. The high-quality pellets will make the chickens
healthy and increase their body weight.

So, providing them with quality pellet feed during growth is essential.

You must follow the Layer Poultry Medicine Chart. This chart will be beneficial regarding FCR, least or no
mortality, disease resistance, and more and the best quality of eggs.

Egg Production for Layer Poultry Farming:

Egg production from a Layer Poultry Farming depends on care and farm management. If you take good
care of your birds and manage them properly, the production and profit will be high.

Within the first 20 weeks of age, about 5% of hens start laying eggs.

About 10% of birds start laying at 21 weeks of age.

When they reach 26 to 30 weeks of age, they produce highly. Although, it may be different depending
on their strain.

After laying a maximum number of eggs, they usually stop laying for a few days.

After this period, their egg production might reduce slowly.

The egg-laying rate and size of eggs increase gradually.

The hens grow till 40 weeks of age.

The weight and size of eggs increase till 50 weeks of age.

Method and Importance of Lip Cutting:

Cutting the lip of laying hens is very important. The main benefits are listed below.

Lip cutting helps to reduce mutual fights.

It helps to prevent food waste.

You have to cut your chick’s lip at 8 to 10 days.

Cut the lip of growing chicken at 8 to 12 weeks of age.

Cut the lip of chicks 0.2 cm from their nose.

Cut 0.45 cm in case of growing chickens.

Cut both upper and lower lips.

Don’t cut both lips together. Cut one after another.

Use a block chick trimming machine to cut the lips.

Don’t cut their lip two days after or before vaccination or after or before using some medicines like
sulfur. Also, don’t cut the lip if the hen is in a strain, during adverse weather conditions, or if the hen
starts laying eggs.

Serve the chicken water mixed with vitamin “K” three days before cutting lips. Wash the lip-cutting
instrument with Viraclean. Test the edge and temperature of the blade. You have to be careful and not
damage their eyes and tongue. Choose cold weather for cutting their lips. An experienced technician
should observe the lip-cutting process. After cutting the lips, serve them water in a deep pot. Please
provide them with some extra energy-enriched feed.

Feeding for Layer Poultry Farming:

There are many companies available throughout the world that produce commercial feed and feed
supplements for layer chickens. You can buy feed from your local market or make the feed at your own
house after blending Growel Premixes. You must ensure that the feed and premixes you bought are
enriched with essential food value. Protein, Vitamins and minerals are essential for laying hens, which
affect the quality of eggs, layer poultry fertility and layer bird health.

Provide Layer Poultry Supplements Schedule

If you notice they are not gaining the expected weight, you must serve starter feed for eight weeks.

Serve feed two or three times a day till they are 18 weeks of age.

The demand for feed increases very fast when the birds start laying.

Serve them a layer of poultry feed according to their age and weight.

Don’t decrease the amount of feed while laying (even if their weight increase).
Water Management for Layer Poultry Farming:

Layer Chicken’s health depends on the supply of pure, clean and fresh drinking water. You have to
provide adequate water according to the demands of your laying hens. For purifying the water, mix
Aquacure. Determine a suitable place to keep the water pot inside the poultry house. Supply cold water
during the summer and hot weather and slightly hot water in cold weather or winter. The chickens’ age
and species and the food provided can control the chickens’ weights. Use sufficient calcium,
phosphorus, vitamins, amino acids and other mineral substances in their food. If you follow the
abovementioned methods, you can profit better from your layer poultry farming business.

Layer Farm Sequence:

A standard procedure is followed for the Layer Farm Sequence. This procedure starts when female
chicks are raised into pullets for commercial egg production. This stage is called ‘rearing’; several
standard rearing systems exist. For example, some farms grow layer chicks on a litter floor in a shed,
similar to a meat chicken shed. Other pullets are either finished off or reared entirely in wire-floored
cages.

Brooding for Layer Poultry Farming:(Day-old to 6 weeks):

She is said to be broody’ when a hen usually sits still for a prolonged period without eating or drinking.
This is a normal process during which the hen stops producing eggs to incubate a nest full of eggs. When
the eggs hatch, the hen cares for the chicks by keeping them warm and finding feed and water. Modern
chicken strains have been selected not to go broody so that more eggs are laid over time. When rearing
chicks commercially, the aim is to do the same thing as the hen. The stage of life when chicks need some
additional heat is the brooding stage. It lasts up to six weeks, depending on the environment’s
temperature, until the chicks can control their body temperature. From day one, they usually receive
chick starter feed, which ensures they have plenty of protein (19%) and energy for body growth.

Growing Layer Birds (6 to 20 weeks):

Once chicks can control their body temperature, they must remain protected from climate extremes. At
this stage, they receive pullet grower feed, which is less expensive and contains only 15% to 17% protein
and 7% less energy than the starter feed. Beak trimming and some vaccinations are done during the
grower stage to prepare the birds for their adult life as laying hens. Anything that limits growth at this
time can affect their ability to apply well. However, excessive feeding at this time can be harmful, again
leading to poor production. Restriction to feed supply to birds during growing stops them from growing
fast, resulting in both feed savings and increased egg production when the birds mature. Careful weekly
weighing of the birds is essential to restrict body weight and work out how even the flock is growing.
Breeding companies recommend what weight birds should be at each age.

Moving the Layer Birds:

Pullets are usually moved into their laying quarters at 16-18 weeks before they reach sexual maturity.
This ensures that they are settled in before egg production begins. Handling birds at any time must be
done with care to avoid injury. As pullets mature into laying hens, they are fed layer feeds designed to
enable them to perform best.

Adult Layer Birds (20 to/up to 78 weeks):

Adult hens are the real workers of the industry. They must be fed carefully and kept in a house at 21-
28oC for best performance. This means that hen houses are designed to keep as near as possible to this
temperature year round. The hens are checked regularly to monitor their health, and medicines may be
administered as needed. Tinted egg strains usually require less feed (105g feed/hen/day) than brown
egg strains (120g feed/hen/day). The quality of feed provided to hens may vary for the production level.
Hens need more nutrients before and during their peak production than at other times. This is called
phase feeding. Therefore, it can be economical to adjust rations for such high-demand periods.

Egg Collecting and Grading:

Automated collection of eggs is common in modern layer farms. It takes about 26 hours for each egg to
develop, and each hen lays an egg a little later each day. This is not exact; most eggs are laid in the
morning. Eggs should be collected regularly, transferred from the hen house to an egg room, and graded
or checked for weight and damaged shells. A sample of eggs is often broken open to check internal
quality. Eggs are packed into cartons for 12 eggs or trays of 30 eggs for sale. Prices vary with egg size, so
eggs must be separated based on weight. This is done automatically by a machine called an egg grader.

Marketing of Eggs:

Eggs are stored in a cool room at about 13oC and transported in an insulated truck. Unfortunately, many
shops selling eggs do not keep them under ideal conditions. It is best to store them at average
refrigerator temperature (4-6oC) in the home and shop. Marketing involves a range of prices, depending
on the different sizes of eggs, different brands, or other differences that attract particular buyers. Free-
range and fat-modified eggs are among the varieties available. It would help if you also read the Layer
Poultry Medicine Schedule Chart. If you’re a layer poultry farmer and want to profit more, you can buy
high-quality medication for your birds online. This medication is top-of-the-line and can help increase
your farm’s profitability.

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO BETTER LAYER (EGG) PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

LAYER birds are birds raised for the purpose of egg production, at their early stage they are being refer
to as pullet, and at their old age, they are referred to as old/spent layers. They have many advantages to
other poultry, as they are considered to be profitable. Here is the comprehensive guide to better LAYER
production and management.

Indices for Evaluating the Performance of the Layer

Egg Production or Number of Eggs Laid:This is the major index of performance of the commercial layer.
It accounts for about 90% of the income in egg production. It is not common for birds to attain and they
rarely exceed this level. The rate of egg production in a first stage is often expressed as

Hen-day egg production = Average daily egg production x 100/ Average daily number of birds alive.

or

Hen-day egg production = Average daily egg production x 100/ Average daily number of birds alive.

Egg size:This is an egg quality parameter. It varies with age and strain of birds. Average egg size
increases from about 36gms at point of lay (about 24 weeks of age) to about 58gms at 42 weeks of age.
Egg size appears to increase throughout the pullet years. Eggs are heavier in the temperate regions. The
following factors have negative effect on egg size.Unbalanced state or badly mixed feed

Feed restriction

Lack of clean, cool fresh water

Rations containing less than 15% protein

High laying house temperature

Disease

Early maturity of fowl

Age of birds (this is just before birds stop laying).

Egg Shell Thickness:This is another egg quality parameter of economic importance. Average shell
thickness of the fowl is about 0.34mm. The thinner the shell, the higher the percentage of cracks which
will lower revenue.
Shell Colour:Though this is not of any nutritional importance, brown shelled eggs are normally preferred
by consumers.

Yolk Colour:This is also not of any nutritional value. However, bright or deep yellow yolk is preferred to
white.

Feed Efficiency:This is a measure of how efficiently a given feed is being converted into products. The
better the quality of the feed, the better its rate of conversion into eggs. Feed efficiency = Feed
consumed Kg of eggs produced

Mortality: Mortality = No. of birds dead x 100/ No. of birds started. For laying birds the mortality rate
should be about 10% throughout the laying period. Increase in mortality may be an indication of a
disease outbreak. The services of a veterinarian may be needed.

Egg Producing Cycle

The age at point of lay (POL) is between 18-20weeks of age depending on the breed. Light breeds begin
to lay first. The end of lay (EOL) is a year or two after point of lay. However, layers are culled after one
year in lay i.e. at 12 months of age. When egg production starts, it reaches a peak (about 80%) at about
42 weeks of age. This marks the end of the first phase of the pullet year laying cycle and the start of the
second phase (43-62 weeks of age) during which there is a gradual fall in production to about 65%.

Factors Affecting the Performance of the Layer

Relative Humidity:High relative humidity (RH) impedes evaporative cooling and therefore makes panting
virtually ineffective. This aggravates thermal stress. High RH may increase the risk of wet and mouldy
litter. The recommended RH is 50-80% for layers.

Temperature:Hens need a moderate temperature for optimal performance. The thermo neutral zones
of the adult fowl within which performance is not adversely affected by temperature is from 12.8oC to
26.0oC. This temperature range supports the highest egg qualities. When temperatures fall below the
thermo neutral zone, feed consumption increases while egg production drops and shell thickness is
reduced. Temperatures higher than 26.0ºC as in the tropics depress egg yield and egg qualities.

Ventilation:The fowl is a small animal with a rapid metabolism hence its air requirements per unit of
body is high compared with that of other animals. The requirement can be met by straight-through
passive ventilation in the hen houses. A good ventilation is also needed to purify the air of carbon
dioxide, ammonia and noxious gases. The fowl can withstand a high rate of air movement, especially
when the temperature is high because of its cooling effect.
Light:Light has been shown to stimulate egg production in all birds and chicken is no exception. This is
achieved by stimulating the pituitary gland which releases certain hormones necessary for ovulation.
The process requires couple of hours for completion of the job up to egg laying.

Noise:Intermittent noise impacts negatively on egg production. A continuous noise however, neutralizes
the shock effect of sudden noises.

Floor, Feeding and Drinking Space:These factors interact with temperature, ventilation, RH to affect the
performance of the fowl. It is therefore important to adhere to the established floor, feeding ad drinking
space requirements per bird.

Management of Layers

Layers, like chicks and growers are taken care of by applying some routine operations daily and by
performing some specific operations as the need for them arise. Layers are raised in the laying house
which should have been stopping de-wormed at least 3 weeks before transfer, before released eggs
would reach the effective stage and cause re- infection. The birds should also be deloused only a few
days to their transfer. Crates are needed to move the birds during the coolest part of the day and this
should involve two or three persons. The birds should not be handled roughly. When deep litter is used,
well made nests of the correct number should be fix.

Specific Operations

Culling:This is the continual elimination of undesirable birds from the flock. This may be due to poor
performance broodiness, vice habits, deformities, illness. However, layers are culled primarily on the
basis of their ability to lay eggs. Fowls in production can be identified outwardly if their combs are large
and bright, eyes are bright and alert, beaks are not parrot-like and their heads not narrow.

Control of Vice Habits:Any vice habit observed is an indicator of a stress factor. Vice habits may be due
to:

Inadequate space heading to struggle for surviva.

Nutritionally deficient diet particularly methionine causing pecking.

The light being too bright which may cause nervousness which results in pecking.

Controlling Egg Defects:Egg defects include abnormal egg size, soft-shelled eggs and a high percentage
of eggs with cracks. Egg size tends to increase from POL to just before birds stop to lay. However small
egg sizes may be caused by the deficiency of amino and essential fatty acid like dietary linoleic acid.
Shellless eggs may occur once in a while if the eggs spend a shorter time in the uterus, or the situation
may be caused bydiseases like pullorum, Newcastle diseaseand bronchitis. A high percentage of cracks is
an indication of calcium deficiency or of vitamins A and D or the unbalance of nutrients. It may also be
due to poor management like inadequate nesting facilities or hard floored nests and infrequent egg
collection. To avoid dirty eggs, they should be collected regularly and the nest floor should be covered
with dry, clean litter.

Handling Poultry Manure:The commercialization of poultry production has now made poultry manure to
constitute an environmental problem rather than an asset. Because it is moist and because of its
content of nutrient and organic matter, the manure is a suitable breeding ground for pestiferous flies
like house flies. The manure is often a source of odour caused by the production of fatty acids like
butyric, valeric and caprylic acids. Flies can be controlled by spraying droppings with insecticides and
larvicide. A form of biological control is the use of insects to prey on the larvae of the flies. Poultry
manure can be disposed off by using it for gardening; it can be composted, incinerated, used for gas
production or as feed for livestock. Poultry droppings are removed periodically depending on their
quantity and/or condition. Also poultry litter is removed before it poses a health hazard to the birds and
fresh wood shavings are used to replace the old one.

Handling Cage Fatigue:Some prolific layers and at peak of laying, some birds may suffer leg weakness
which makes them to squat, unable to reach feed and water and eventually starve to death. Cage
fatigued is not remedied with medication but by releasing the birds from their cages onto floor litter
once a while, especially when fatigued bird is noticed.

Moulting:This is the process of shedding and renewing feathers; it occurs normally once a year, though it
may occur in certain individuals twice a year and more rarely, only once in a period of two years. Hens
usually moult in the following order: head, neck, body (breast, back and abdomen), wing and tail. Birds
can be force-moulted by stress and by drug treatment. Birds force moulted may produce more eggs, or
eggs that are larger, have larger yolk at the expense of the albumen, higher haugh unit, and thicker
shells while the birds have larger end-of-lay body weight.

Egg-eating:This starts in a flock usually by one or a few birds but soon rapidly spreads. Accidental
breakage of eggs, softshelled eggs and infrequent collection of eggs may prompt birds into this habit.
Other possible causes are nutritional imbalance and inadequate nesting facilities.

Heat Stress Management:Heat stress is a great economic threat to the poultry industry. Adverse effects
of heat stress include depression in egg production, egg weight, shell thickness, feed intake, feed
efficiency, fertility in the male, hatchability, growth rate. A well ventilated poultry house helps greatly to
combat thermal stress. Strains of the chicken differ genetically in their ability to resist heat stress, either
in terms of survival rate or of laying performance.

The specific effect produced depends on

The period after point of lay when treatment is applied

Whether treatment consists of drug therapy or stress due to starvation

The duration of the moult.

8 Digital Technologies for Poultry Producers

Growth in poultry farming has been relentless. In fact, despite the continued preference for pork in Asia,
current growth means that global chicken meat consumption will exceed that of pork by 2022, making it
the number one meat globally. Egg consumption continues to grow as well because eggs are
inexpensive, mild-tasting and are easy to process and include in other foods. Universal acceptance by
almost all cultures and all religions ensures that poultry will continue to prosper. Although touted as the
world’s most efficient protein, poultry producers actually manage their flocks with very limited
information. Today, it takes 1.4 kilograms of feed to produce 1 kilogram of live-weight meat, and
genetics offer the opportunity to reach a 1:1 ratio. Chicken producers know the birds’ weights when
coming in and going out as well as average feed and water consumption. Egg farms at least have the
daily data point of average egg production for a group of birds, but managing for averages makes
production inefficiencies inevitable.

What would make for better poultry production?

From a production standpoint, individual real-time body weights, feed and water consumption.

From a husbandry and welfare perspective, knowing the stress levels in the bird and bird comfort
assessed through body temperatures and air quality factors, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia.

From a disease management outlook, the ability to spot disease or find morbid birds before the entire
flock is affected.

From a food safety perspective, enhanced Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli detection.

From a food processing perspective, increased yield.

Farmers must farm data, not just chickens

In the next 30 years, we will see another 3 billion people inhabit the Earth, and the middle class of urban
dwellers will continue to rise. Poultry farming must respond. Farmers must farm data, not just chickens,
and in doing so, harness new digital technologies and information to improve efficiencies and respond to
the growing requirements of proactively engaged consumers (“prosumers”). These eight digital
technologies provide a useful framework to describe the plethora of novel technologies arriving in the
marketplace that can help producers manage their flocks in a more efficient and sustainable way.

What is the realistic future of 3D printing in the poultry industry? Poultry operations would benefit from
the on-site printing of plastic or metal parts when the ones on the farm require replacing. The University
of Western Australia’s head of mechanical and chemical engineering, Tim Sercombe, has developed a
printer that would use a metal powder that represents about 20 percent of the total cost of the part.
Smaller part sizes might take a day to complete, but when compared to ordering and waiting for delivery
of a part, the potential to save downtime on a farm could be considerable. Aurora Labs is focusing its
efforts on agriculture, citing the opportunity for rural or remote farmers in Australia to come to their
own rescue! One of the more inventive ways in which 3D printing can affect the poultry industry is
through life-saving techniques. Reproducing feet, legs and even beaks has already been applied for pet
birds. One example includes researchers from the University of Calgary, who created prosthetic feet for
Foghorn the rooster after he lost both of his feet, most likely an unfortunate result of severe frostbite.
Then there’s Dudley the duck, who received an entire prosthetic leg (including the knee joint!) from the
combined efforts of a 32-year-old mechanical engineer and architect who worked with Proto3000, a 3D
printing company based out of Ontario. Imagine the opportunity for preserving high-value breeding
stock such as parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, where continuing the genetic line is critical.

One of the most practical applications of digital technology in the poultry industry is that of robots.
There are a multitudinous number of repetitive tasks that robots could assist with. Poultry houses
require nearly constant attention — cleaning and sanitizing, collecting eggs and checking birds. This is
time-consuming, monotonous work, but it would not bother a robot. Additionally, robots are more
precise, thorough and honest about the work they do compared to their human counterparts. An article
by Benjamin Ruiz also points out how robots can help from a human welfare standpoint. France-based
Octopus Robots designs entirely autonomous robots to prevent and control disease and infection in
poultry houses. The bots also evaluate environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, carbon
dioxide, ammonia, sound and brightness.

Another French robotic company, Tibot, explains that robots can discourage chickens from laying eggs
on the floor and also keep the birds moving for an added health benefit. These attributes can result in
cost-savings for producers in product and labor while appealing to welfare advocates. For more
specialized tasks, including feeding and monitoring, Metabolic Robots designed robotic feeders that can
increase feed efficiencies, lower mortality rates and alert the producer of potential disease concerns.
“Nanny robots” are used by Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) to maintain healthy flocks
of around 3 million laying hens. If the robots detect an ill bird, humans are alerted and the bird is
removed immediately. These automations will reduce outbreaks of bird flu and foodborne illnesses,
improving the safety of the entire supply chain from producer to consumer. Also with safety in mind,
Tyson recently announced the opening of its high-tech hatchery in Springdale, Arkansas. The operation
spans 75,000 square feet (7,500 square miles) and hosts six robotic arms designed to replicate tasks that
would otherwise result in worker fatigue.

Drones protecting the flock?

The opportunity for drones in chicken houses may seem a little farfetched. There is concern that the
drone could make the flock nervous and cause undue stress. To this point, an experiment by Georgia
Tech in 2015 showed the birds were not yet ready for this technology, compared to robots, which are
probably better suited for indoor tasks anyway. Free-range or yard-kept chickens and turkeys that roam
fields freely would be a better application for drone technology, which could herd, protect and monitor
them. Adaptation of avian species to drones would probably require training but will most likely succeed
outdoors.

Sensors for individualized monitoring

Sensors probably represent the easiest of the eight technologies to implement. This is partly due to
lower implementation costs, but also because the benefits are immediately recognized. Big Dutchman is
one of the top names in modern poultry housing. Its DOL 53 is a sensor designed to measure ammonia,
a common problem in many hen houses. Both SKOV and Filipino Poultry use sensors to regulate and
control the climate in the house, including ventilation and temperature. Rotem’s sensor is designed for
carbon dioxide monitoring, which can reduce the negative effects high carbon dioxide concentrations
can have on layers and breeders, resulting in significant cost savings. Greengage has a unique lighting
system using sensors and LED bulbs to create a consistent lighting environment that stimulates better
growth efficiencies in birds and also reduces costs. From a wearable sensor perspective, researchers —
and even farmers — could gain a lot of insight into the health and well-being of broilers, layers, turkeys
and ducks. Fitted with RFID tags, poultry could then be observed in a more natural environment, giving
researchers the opportunity to learn from the animals. This information could be evaluated to
determine everything from natural behaviors to inefficiencies in diet, greatly increasing the opportunity
to help with production efficiencies. Studies conducted at the University of Michigan have used sensors
to analyze how chickens use space in their pens in order to better understand how to design non-cage
systems for the comfort and well-being of the hens.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in processing

AI technologies have become the backbone of many other technologies. Robots, for example, use AI in
the processing plant to improve efficiencies. Through a collaboration of efforts, iPoultry is a high-tech
automated processing system first demonstrated at VIV Europe. Automating a procedure such as
chicken deboning requires recognition of the shape and size of each chicken and individual adaptation.
Artificial intelligence is the perfect technology for this application. Consider that a computer can analyze
the difference in density and structure of meat versus bone, thereby making the most precise cut
possible. This is a great example of combined technologies: robots perform the work that AI instructs
them to do based on the data that sensors collect. The Gribbot by SINTEF is one such robot that can
debone a chicken in two to three seconds, replacing up to 30 human operators! When combined with
machine vision, companies like Gainco are also creating processors to achieve high productivity.
Companies such as Porphyrio, PMSI, Impex Barneveld and Intelia all use AI to monitor and control the
environment of the house. Sensors collect the information, software tracks it and AI adjusts the
conditions of the house or alerts the farmer if there is a potential issue, such as an ill bird. All this
information can be transferred to the farmer’s iPad or smartphone. This is all done in real time and can
curb concerns and small issues before they become disastrous to the entire flock. Aside from saving
humans from doing these tasks, there are opportunities for cost savings, such as optimized feed
consumption and climate control, increased production through healthier flocks because of cleaner
water and better systems management. All of this information can be stored and analyzed to increase
uniformity in production, which will ultimately increase performance and overall flock health.

Another AI application? Chicken translators!

Many a poultry producer will attest that the sounds of the flock indicate health, comfort and overall
well-being. By listening to and understanding the sounds of a healthy flock, producers can be tuned in to
signals of distress and have a better chance of reducing stress or distress early on. A form of AI, machine
vision, has been used to grade eggs as well as determine defects such as cracking or internal blood
spots. It can also be used in assessing infertility in incubation by scanning eggs and learning which are
fertile and which are not. An algorithm is then created, enabling the machine to determine the accuracy
of fertility by over 98 percent by day five of incubation. A research study in Brazil used AI to better
understand hen behavior and the difference in interactions when under thermal stress versus a
comfortable environment. Specifically, they tapped into an area of research known as artificial neural
networks, which makes it possible to “teach” computers how to do tasks using visual references and
understand patterns. This was important because it reduced the chances that a researcher’s presence
would alter the hen’s behavior, removed any subjectivity or misconception from the researcher’s
standpoint, and allowed for a more precise calculation of the overall well-being of the hens.

This technology has allowed a significant challenge within the layer industry to be overcome. Layers, of
course, are designed to produce eggs for consumption. To replace laying hens, farmers have to incubate
some eggs, but they cannot tell until they are hatched which are male and which are female. The ability
to sex the eggs was the undertaking of Vital Farms which has teamed up with Israeli technology
company Novatrans to create Ovabrite. Using terahertz spectroscopy, the system can identify male eggs
immediately after laying and sell them as unfertilized eggs for the farmer, allowing for significant cost
savings within the layer industry.

Augmented reality helping the consumer

Augmented (or enhanced) reality is the ability to see things that the human eye cannot, using the non-
visible spectrums of light, or to overlay information, including data interpretation, alongside what the
person sees. The possible uses of the technology are wide-ranging, but so far, there are a few examples
of real commercial applications. Georgia Tech had a student project in which it investigated the use of
AR in the processing plant. The application of AR allows trimmers in factories to see how to cut the
chicken carcass and accurately remove defective parts of the meat. Two methods are being tried. One is
using a head-mounted display in which the trimmer could see a graphical overlay on each bird indicating
the best location for cutting. Alternatively, the project also tested a laser scanner that was mounted
near the processing line and indicated directly onto each bird where to make the cuts. The latter was
generally considered more cost-effective, as all workers could use the same equipment.

Apart from the benefits for farmers or processors, consumers may be the key to implementation.
Transparency is becoming critical, as is having the ability to know where and how food is produced.
Australian-based CHOICE offers all iPhone and Android users a free app that allows consumers to scan a
code on the egg carton and download detailed information on where the eggs are from and information
relating to their welfare conditions.

Virtual reality (VR) training in production

The most obvious application for VR in the poultry industry is training, particularly processing. It could
teach line workers in the processing plant the ideal way to trim meat from birds. Applied to free-range
layer houses, it could teach employees how to walk through the house without frightening the birds,
find errant eggs and check on hens. An example of VR is how McDonald’s has teamed up with The Lakes
Free Range Egg Company to give customers an immersive virtual tour of the farm’s hen houses, ranges
and pack houses. This technology is, however, expensive, and implementation is likely to be slow.

Another eccentric option is to give the virtual reality experience to the chickens. Created by professor
Austin Stewart at the University of Iowa, Second Livestock is a conceptual company that allows chickens
to enjoy the free-range experience while remaining contained within the safety of the poultry house.
The idea is that chickens are equipped with a virtual headset and see through a screen projection using
goggles. In this way, chickens can be raised anywhere, even in urban areas, and feel the freedom of their
virtual world, free from predators. While this company may not actually be producing these products, it
is important to recognize that the technology is there and is on its way to becoming increasingly more
affordable.

Blockchain in production safety

Blockchain’s opportunity in the poultry industry is its ability to resolve food safety and transparency
issues. Walmart, Unilever, Nestlé and other food giants are working with IBM using blockchain
technology to secure digital records and monitor supply chain management, ensuring traceability of the
poultry products sold in stores. Blockchain can be used to monitor all aspects of the food supply chain,
from farmers and producers to processors and distributors. This is Walmart’s third experiment with
blockchain, and seeing the increasing interest of other large food conglomerates demonstrates the
unique capabilities of this technology. Recently, Cargill announced it would enable customers to trace
their Thanksgiving turkey back to its farm of origin. Blockchain technology is what makes this possible.
Consumers can enter a code from the package onto the company’s website and learn where the turkey
was bred and grown. This is a big step toward offering traceability and understanding where food comes
from, something that is becoming of increasing concern for consumers.

ZhongAn Technology has launched a technology incubator to develop blockchain technologies, citing
that there is an expectation of specific applications within the poultry industry. The Chinese consume
about 5 billion chickens a year but prefer dark meat rather than the breast meat favored by American
consumers. Recently, the country has been allowed to export cooked chicken to the United States, and
blockchain could be a way to alleviate any concerns about sourcing and production methods, eventually
opening the way for raw exports.

Internet of things (IoT)

The internet of things is listed separately from the other eight technologies because it is the technology
that connects all the others. For example, ZhongAn is working to make chicken production safer and will
utilize a collaboration with Wopu, a company that specializes in the internet of things. IoT connects
many of the sensors in a hen house to a smartphone, iPad or other devices, which is the case with
SmartPoultry. A paper by Rupali Bhagwan Mahale gives detailed insight into the applications of IoT in
farm monitoring with a focus on the poultry industry. IoT can be incorporated at a very basic level,
despite the complexity of the concept. My Connected Coop is a Kentucky-based venture created by Greg
Cullen. The system allows even small home-grown and backyard chicken farmers to utilize this
technology to raise their chickens easily and remotely using their mobile phones.

LX IoT Cores and Prognostix both offer technologies for improved efficiencies within the poultry sector
through the use of combined sensor applications using cloud-based technologies and smart farming
applications. M-TechSystems offers a software package to track and trace all elements of the farm,
including information gathered from sensors, but also potentially from various sources, from robots to
veterinary activity and upstream supplier information. This overall management of the entire chain
offers incredible advancements to traceability, which is becoming increasingly important to all food
production worldwide. Cargill’s TechBro Flex takes a producer’s own data and creates predictive analytic
options, allowing the customer to choose their path based on a choice of strategic scenarios.

The Big Data Advantage

As we can collect more information on animals including the bacteria in their digestive tract and how
they respond to nutrition at the gene level, it becomes clear that farmers are learning how to manage
vast amounts of data as much as they previously understood how to manage their animals. ‘Farming the
data’ to predict an individual animal’s growth requires the ability to interpret ‘Big data’. Alltech has been
creating complex algorithms to interpret information they are collecting of the microbiome,
nutrigenomics and track pathogens, such as campylobacter or antibiotic resistant bacteria. While
nutrigenomics allows us to generate information to feed the animal precisely, and DNA profiling to know
exactly what specific bacteria are present. Without powerful data analysis there is no way to take
advantage of this. It is estimated that the world poultry production will increase 120 percent from 2010
to 2050. In order to meet this demand, feed conversion ratios and other production efficiencies must
continue to improve. The incorporation of digital technologies, such as those listed above, will greatly
aid in these efficiencies and help poultry producers to rise to the demands and meet the increasing
needs of a global population.

CONCLUSION

The growth of poultry farming can be visualized from its expansion from initial stage and transformation
to industrial proposition over a period of six decades(1960- 2020). Thanks to the dedicated private
poultry suppliers, farmers, technicians and poultry scientists who stood at every level of its growth
facing many challenges and finding the salvations from time to time. The advancement in science in
every field is fast approaching and specifically its application in poultry production has caught the
attention of many learned poultry farmers. The automation has given boost to increase the operational
capacity to many folds. A simple example is change over from deep litter to cage system, to present
environmentally controlled units and introduction of automated feeding and watering systems.
Currently application of computer based technologies in feed formulations, egg and meat production
has generated a big data on all operations. Automation can be used to replace manual labor on poultry
farms when it comes to repetitive tasks like checking bird welfare, vaccinations and managing litter.
However, the latest technologies will change the future farming systems if they are used properly
looking in to the economic implications in adopting newer technologies.