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A consortium of scientists from Michigan State University, University of California–Davis and Washington State University has been awarded a $375,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to monitor the activity of hens in non-confined housing. Subjects will be fitted with wireless sensors to track movement and use of nest boxes, perches, feeders and waterers.
The sensor technology is adapted from systems that monitor human activity and health.
The team, led by Dr. Janice Siegford, assistant professor of animal science at Michigan State University, will gather data to determine how much space hens require and to provide a scientific basis for the design of hen housing systems.