Extracting poultry behaviour from time-series weigh scale records

Algorithms for determining individual bird feeding statistics and stereotyped pecking behaviour from time-series recordings of feed weight were developed and compared to video observations. Data taken from two separate experiments involving broiler and laying hen chickens were used to evaluate the algorithms. The effects of algorithm tuning parameters including thresholds for changes in weight and sequential number of stabilized readings, arithmetic moving average for meal tare values, and the sampling frequency of feed weight recordings were evaluated. Results suggest that a minimum sampling frequency of 0.5–1 Hz is recommended for discerning behavioural changes that include timing of feeding events and their duration. However, lower sampling frequencies are acceptable for determining hourly (or greater) feed consumption.