The market for robotics in agriculture is forecast to reach US$11 million by 2023, according to Research and Markets. While, for many, robots may seem the stuff of science fiction, they are already appearing in chicken and egg production.
Discussions at trade show SPACE suggested that robotics would not only transform the efficiency of livestock production but, rather than being a technology to be feared, their use could make agriculture more attractive, transform the role of livestock producers completely, and take on activities that are repetitive or dull.
It may not simply be the lives of producers that are improved. Where poultry and other livestock are concerned, use of robots could improve welfare, through reducing contact with human beings.
The evolution of the agricultural robotics industry is expected to gain pace. Poultry and egg producers must keep abreast of change and adopt new technologies and, as the sector continues to mature, producers will need to guide what exactly the robots of the future will be, and how they will fit into the production methods society deems acceptable.
Friend or enemy?
While there may be numerous positives to employing robots on the farm, there is also the risk of various negatives. For example, society is already ever more disconnected from livestock production and use of robots may hasten this trend. To counter this, producers will need to become better communicators, not only to allay concerns expressed by the public but also to ensure that robots exactly carry out the tasks required of them.
Among robots already being commercialized for poultry production at SPACE were:
Octopus Scarifier
The Octopus Scarifier is said to the first robot of its kind in the world, designed to aerate litter and monitor facilities.
The robot has advanced communication and navigation systems that are on a par with autonomous vehicles. It is mobile, intelligent, autonomous, and self-recharging and can be operated 24/7 and its unique scarifier turns and aerates all litter types. It also continuously maps indoor temperature, humidity, CO2, noise and light levels.
A version for the decontamination of empty poultry houses is also available, called the Octopus Poultry Safe.
The Octopus Scarifier can be equipped with various modules, designed to decontaminate buildings and deliver liquid medicines or vaccines. Its manufacturers note that the robot can contribute towards improving welfare and reducing mortality as turning and ventilating litter helps to prevent the onset of aspergillosis, podermatitis, and hock and breast injuries, which may lead to death and downgrades at processing.
Regular aeration of litter also inhibits fermentation and reduces ammonia levels, and application of biocides directly into the turned litter can reduce bacterial challenge, increasingly important as concerns surrounding over-use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance mount.
Spoutnic
The Spoutnic, (http://www.tibot.fr/breeder-and-egg-laying-sector.php) produced by Tibot Technologies, is the brainchild of husband and wife with a breeding flock, and was dreamt up after the latter developed health problems and was no longer able to walk the house to prevent birds laying on litter.
The Spoutnic can move randomly throughout the hen house, forcing birds to move.
In addition to simply journeying through the poultry shed, the Spoutnic is equipped with lights and sounds to help prevent birds becoming habituated. Work with a university research team has resulted in various combinations of lights and noises which can be changed over time.
The robot can move at a variety of speeds and can pass over eggs without breaking them.
The Spoutnic may encourage layers to lay in nesting boxes, but it also offers other benefits. By encouraging birds to move, there is an improvement not only in weight gain but also in health, and the Spoutnic’s random movements do not result in stress or birds panicking.
Once charged, the Spoutnic can perform for a guaranteed eight hours.
