Collaborative project: Preparation of the commercialisation of call feeding for sows, Subproject 1

Project

Production processes

This project contributes to the research aim 'Production processes'. Which funding institutions are active for this aim? What are the sub-aims? Take a look:
Production processes

Project code: 2813IP001
Contract period: 01.07.2015 - 30.06.2017
Budget: 153,686 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research

Call feeding comprises an add-on device for the feeding of group housed gestating sows using electronic feeding stations. The device allows a minimisation of feeding associated fights. At the same time, the technique offers cognitive exercise to the animals. The call feeding technique is based on an automated operant conditioning that requires no human assistance. Thereby, the animals learn to interpret a signal as indicator for their own feeding. Thus, they approach the feeding station nearly exclusively after their call at the feeding time assigned by the control software. The software estimates the approximate rank of each sow within the social hierarchy of the group using the animal behaviour and known parameters such as age and body weight. The social rank is then used to further minimise feeding associated fights by considering the natural feeding order in the otherwise random sequence of the calls. Aim of the call feeding DIP-project is the further development of the add-on device for marketability. This includes improvements of the software for a further increase of the feeding efficiency. Furthermore, algorithms will be developed that allow the training of the gestating sows within the gestation pen. Regarding the hardware, the existing experimental construction will be refined to a cost-efficient mass-producible device by the pironex GmbH. In addition, new technologies will be developed and tested that allow calls with radio signals beside acoustic signals. The limitations of acoustic signals disappear by calling with radio. This allows scaling the technique to stables with many feeding stations and animals.

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