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© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

We present a novel method for assessing broiler pecking force data during feeding. The prototype consisted of a power supply unit with a data acquisition module, management software connected to a computer for data storage, and a video camera to verify the pecking force during signal processing. The acquisition, processing, and classification of the pecking force signal information were valuable during broilers’ feeding. The smart feeding unit (SFU) prototype was useful in the continuous generation of information that could be applied to evaluate the amount of pecking force and performance during the broilers’ growth.

Abstract

Feeding is one of the most critical processes in the broiler production cycle. A feeder can collect data of force signals and continuously transform it into information about birds’ feed intake and quickly permit more agile and more precise decision-making concerning the broiler farm’s production process. A smart feeding unit (SFU) prototype was developed to evaluate the broiler pecking force and average feed intake per pecking (g/min). The prototype consisted of a power supply unit with a data acquisition module, management software connected to a computer for data storage, and a video camera to verify the pecking force during signal processing. In the present study, seven male Cobb-500 broilers were raised in an experimental chamber to test and commission the prototype. The prototype consisted of a feeding unit (feeder) with a data acquisition module (amplifier), with real-time integration for testing and intuitive operation with Catman Easy software connected to a computer to obtain and store data from signals. The sampling of average feed intake per pecking per broiler (g) was conducted during the first minute of feeding, subtracting the amount of feed provided per the amount of feed consumed, including the count of pecking in the first minute of feeding. An equation was used for estimating the average feed intake per pecking per broiler (g). The results showed that the average broiler pecking force was 1.39 N, with a minimum value of 0.04 N and a maximum value of 7.29 N. The average feed intake per pecking (FIP) was 0.13 g, with an average of 173 peckings per minute. The acquisition, processing, and classification of signals in the pecking force information were valuable during broilers’ feeding. The smart feeding unit prototype for broilers was efficient in the continuous assessment of feed intake and can generate information for estimating broiler performance.

Details

Title
Smart Feeding Unit for Measuring the Pecking Force in Farmed Broilers
Author
Rogério Torres Seber 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; de Moura, Daniella Jorge 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Nilsa Duarte da Silva Lima 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Irenilza de Alencar Nääs 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Av. Cândido Rondon, 501 Barão Geraldo, São Paulo 13083-875, Brazil; [email protected] (R.T.S.); [email protected] (D.J.d.M.) 
 Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil; [email protected] 
 School of Agricultural Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, Av. Cândido Rondon, 501 Barão Geraldo, São Paulo 13083-875, Brazil; [email protected] (R.T.S.); [email protected] (D.J.d.M.); Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Paulista University, São Paulo 04026-002, Brazil; [email protected] 
First page
864
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20762615
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2522844111
Copyright
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.