ANIHWA Integrated Mobile Broiler Data - Optimising Broiler Chicken Management, Health and Welfare through use of integrated data

In this project that involved partners in five European countries (NO, UK, ES, IT, FR), we developed and validated data tools with analytical capabilities for use by commercial farmers and slaughterhouses to improve broiler chicken health and welfare. The project partners participated in seven integration meetings. We completed a technical assessment of data collected on farms and at broiler chicken slaughterhouses in each partner country. A sample of flock health and welfare findings from slaughterhouses in different countries was collected to form an initial web-based database. Through work with a software company in Spain, we developed a web-based interactive data capture and analysis platform, the iMBData dashboard. This dashboard allows individual users to input new flock data for comparison against average database values for different regions and time periods. We added functionalities to a mobile phone application (iWatchBroiler). The app allows users to follow a simple transect sampling protocol to collect data on the health and welfare status of flocks at different stages of rearing. These data can be uploaded into the iMBData platform for integration with slaughterhouse findings. The user can request a variety of comparisons and predictive analyses, with results illustrated in easy-to-understand graphics. The database is updated as new data are added, and user confidentiality is protected. We conducted demonstrations of the new platform and app in the different member states. The Norwegian contribution to the project focussed on assessing the effects of environmental enrichments such as boxes to jump on and off, peat moss and other dust-bathing materials, and bales of roughage (e.g. hay, compressed wood shavings), which are provided during the rearing of broiler chicken flocks on Norwegian farms. We collected on-farm and slaughter data in three smaller studies, and a larger-scale study of 30 flocks. This research led to the development of a new transect sampling protocol for evaluating positive welfare of chickens based on behavioural indicators of playfulness, curiosity and comfort. We also established the effectiveness of transect sampling using the iWatchBroiler app for detecting effects of environmental enrichment and other environmental variables (e.g. stocking density, lighting programmes, heating systems) on chicken welfare problems. Our results indicate that, when the number of different types of enrichments increased, there was a corresponding increase in behavioural indicators of positive welfare and a reduction in birds with welfare problems. In addition, flock mortality was reduced, and fewer carcasses were rejected at slaughter. We also demonstrated that lower stocking densities were associated with improved welfare. Furthermore, we found positive effects of human interaction with chickens. Specifically, chickens engaged in play behaviour in the space opened up behind people when they walked through the flock. Our results have been presented at stakeholder meetings and international scientific conferences. Several scholarly and popular articles describing our findings have been published, with further articles under review. A Master's student and three PhD students have been involved in this research. The iWatchBroiler app has been updated to include the new behaviour protocol.A final experimental study confirmed the importance of providing chickens with a choice of environmental enrichment materials.

The project has resulted in an increased understanding of similarities and differences in the methods of reporting broiler health and welfare results in different countries of the EØS. The project has produced tools that can be used by individual farmers, companies/cooperatives, and competent authorities for benchmarking and comparison of individual flock results with regional and country averages over user-specified timeframes. These tools provide a mechanism for facilitating continuous improvement in methods of broiler chicken production that satisfy public expectations regarding social and environmental sustainability.

Broiler chickens form an important component of the European food supply. Abundant data are ALREADY COLLECTED by EU member states (MS), predominately at slaughter plant level, under Broiler Directive 2007/43/EC. Data acquisition in itself is, however, of little value unless data are standardized and further processed to produce outputs that can be used to achieve the ultimate goal of improving broiler health and welfare, and reducing antimicrobial use across the EU. The iMBDatA project has partners from 6 countries FI, ES, IT, UK, NO, FR, giving a North to South geographical spread. iMBDatA will develop and validate a cloud-based central data server provided with analytical capabilities and Apps. Through creation of algorithms and data-mining using trial data already available to project partners, we will test the use of the prototype tool on farm and at slaughter. The iMBDatA system will allow producers and officials to obtain updated information on factors affecting the health and welfare of broiler flocks, providing them with practical tools to improve flock performance by better managing health and welfare. We will validate the data-based tool against a recognized method of on-farm welfare assessment (the transect) to ensure that iMBDatA can detect health and welfare effects, and can communicate these in an effective way to the producer. We will test how use of the iMBDatA tool informing targeted interventions can result in positive health and welfare change. iMBDatA has 5 Work Packages. WP1 focuses on technical assessment of data currently available. WP2 creates the cloud-based/app system. WP3 tests iMBDatA with producers and at slaughterhouses, and tests if targeted interventions/environmental enrichments support positive welfare change. In WP4, MS officials are invited to trial iMBDatA and the app on selected farms in each country. WP5 coordinates stakeholder meetings to ensure that iMBDatA is valuable to farmers and governments.