Acoustic Description of the Soundscape of a Real-Life Intensive Farm and Its Impact on Animal Welfare: A Preliminary Analysis of Farm Sounds and Bird Vocalisations.

Gerardo José Ginovart-Panisello,Ignasi Iriondo Sanz,Tesa Panisello Monjo,Marcel Call Prat,Rosa Ma Alsina-Pagès

doi:10.3390/s20174732

Gerardo José Ginovart-Panisello, Ignasi Iriondo Sanz + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s20174732

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Abstract

Poultry meat is the world’s primary source of animal protein due to low cost and is widely eaten at a global level. However, intensive production is required to supply the demand although it generates stress to animals and welfare problems, which have to be reduced or eradicated for the better health of birds. In this study, bird welfare is measured by certain indicators: CO2, temperature, humidity, weight, deaths, food, and water intake. Additionally, we approach an acoustic analysis of bird vocalisations as a possible metric to add to the aforementioned parameters. For this purpose, an acoustic recording and analysis of an entire production cycle of an intensive broiler Ross 308 poultry farm in the Mediterranean area was performed. The acoustic dataset generated was processed to obtain the Equivalent Level (), the mean Peak Frequency (PF), and the PF variation, every 30 min. This acoustical analysis aims to evaluate the relation between traditional indicators (death, weight, and CO2) as well as acoustical metrics (equivalent level impact () and Peak Frequency) of a complete intensive production cycle. As a result, relation between CO2 and humidity versus was found, as well as decreases in vocalisation when the intake of food and water was large.

Highlights

In recent years, genetic selection has been performed over the years to increase the growth rate in the shortest possible time [1] in the context of the poultry meat industry [2]
The demand for poultry food due for its low price and nutritional properties, projects a continuous expansion of the poultry market [3]. This demand for white meat has increasingly led to genetic selection for a fast early growth rate that may provoke the appearance of several spontaneous, idiopathic muscle abnormalities along with an increased susceptibility to stress-induced myopathy [4] in modern chick strains
We design and analyse the recording campaign of an entire production cycle in a Mediterranean farm during the winter season to obtain acoustic data. This acoustical analysis aims to evaluate the relation between traditional indicators, acoustical metrics (equivalent level impact (Leq ), Peak Frequency (PF)), and farm management information of a complete intensive production cycle of around 40,000

Summary

Introduction

Genetic selection has been performed over the years to increase the growth rate in the shortest possible time [1] in the context of the poultry meat industry [2]. The demand for poultry food due for its low price and nutritional properties, projects a continuous expansion of the poultry market [3]. This demand for white meat has increasingly led to genetic selection for a fast early growth rate that may provoke the appearance of several spontaneous, idiopathic muscle abnormalities along with an increased susceptibility to stress-induced myopathy [4] in modern chick strains. Intensive production is a source of stress for animals. Some of these factors such as stocking density, environmental deterioration, unsuitable social environments, and thermal stress can be major sources of stress [7]. Routine management practices are Sensors 2020, 20, 4732; doi:10.3390/s20174732 www.mdpi.com/journal/sensors

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