A systematic literature review of wearable sensor technologies used in poultry research

Abstract

Advancements in precision livestock farming (PLF) have led to the increasing use of wearable sensors in poultry since the 2000s. These sensor technologies allow for continuous, automated, and non-invasive monitoring of individual birds, providing valuable data on their activity, health, behavior, and welfare. This systematic literature review evaluates the use of various wearable sensors in poultry research and identifies potential factors that limit their application. This study followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, involving extensive database searches to include all relevant references available as of June 27, 2024. In total, 84 studies published between 2004 and June 2024 were reviewed and analyzed. The studies reported the use of various sensor types, including Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, accelerometers, Ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking systems, and Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) to monitor individual behaviors such as feeding, drinking, ranging, perching, egg-laying, nesting, and to facilitate activity determination, movement recording, and location tracking. Sensor data helped researchers identify individual birds in group settings that were less active, socially disadvantaged, or at risk of health problems, thereby enhancing our understanding of the welfare and productivity concerns. Despite these benefits, sensors present challenges in terms of cost, as each bird requires an individual sensor. Moreover, issues such as false readings, malfunctioning devices, lost tags, and sensors that are large or heavy, and require frequent adjustments, add labor concerns and device practicality. Future efforts should focus on addressing these limitations by developing more practical, affordable, and suitable sensor systems to improve adoption. Involving farmers and poultry professionals in the design and testing process will be essential to ensure that these technologies meet real-world needs and contribute to more efficient and sustainable poultry production.