Precision livestock farming could help large-sale poultry operations gather the data to support increased transparency in the industry for consumers while streamlining their operations and save money. Cameras, microphones, weighing scales, feed and water gauges, and lights and sound recordings could all be used to improve production, bird consumption, and growth while providing companies with data to present to consumers to support claims of advances within the industry. Analyzing the data gathered could also create early-warning systems for farmers that could indicate changes in animal behavior, responses to vaccines, or even clogged feed lines causing low weight gain. Lights and sounds are also being used in hatcheries to improve growth rates and the welfare of chick born in hatcheries. Researchers have found that playing a recording of a ‘pipping’ sound from a mother hen can affect hatching time, and using green light helps chick deal with stress.
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