Abstract
Accelerometers have the potential to provide objective, non-invasive methods for detecting changes in animal behavior and health. Our objectives were to: (1) determine the effects of micro-acceleration data loggers (accelerometers) and habituation to accelerometers on turkey gait and health status, (2) determine age-related changes in gait and health status, and (3) assess the validity and reliability of the accelerometers. Thirty-six male commercial turkeys were randomly assigned to one of five groups: accelerometer and habituation period (AH), accelerometer and no habituation period (AN), VetRap bandage (no accelerometer) and habituation period (VH), bandage (no accelerometer) and no habituation period (VN), and nothing on either leg (C). Health status and body condition were assessed prior to video-recording birds as they walked across a Tekscan® pressure pad at 8, 12, and 16 weeks to determine effects of treatment on number of steps, cadence, gait time, gait distance, gait velocity, impulse, gait cycle time, maximum force, peak vertical pressure, single support time, contact time, step length, step time, step velocity, stride length, total double support time, and duty factor. Accelerometer validity and reliability were determined by comparing the number of steps detected by the accelerometer to the number of steps determined from video recordings. Several age-related changes in turkey gait were found regardless of habituation including a slower cadence at 16 weeks, shorter gait distance at 8 weeks, and slower gait velocity at 16 weeks. When comparing bandaged vs. unbandaged limbs, both treatment and age-treatment interactions were found depending on the gait parameter. Accelerometer validity and reliability were affected by both age and treatment. False discovery rate increased, while accuracy and specificity decreased with age. Validity and reliability were lowest for non-habituated birds (AN and VN). Results demonstrated that micro-data loggers do not adversely affect turkey health status, but habituation to wearing accelerometers greatly affects accelerometer reliability and validity. Accelerometer validity and turkey gait are also greatly affected by the age of the turkeys.
Highlights
The use of wearable sensors is an emerging area of research in the animal behavior and welfare field
We examined the effects of the accelerometer on turkey gait parameters at 8, 12, and 16 weeks using a Tekscan R pressure sensing walkway (Tekscan Inc, South Boston, MA, USA) and by analyzing video recordings of turkeys as they walked across the Tekscan
AXY-3 Micro Accelerometers are an effective tool for recording the stepping activity of turkeys, but the reliability and validity of these accelerometers varied by bird age and prior habituation to the bandages used to secure the accelerometers
Summary
The use of wearable sensors is an emerging area of research in the animal behavior and welfare field. Behaviors associated with health status are detectable using accelerometers or bio-loggers in Pekin ducks to detect lethargy caused by an immune challenge [15] and in laying hens as an early detector of avian influenza by assessing decreasing activity levels [16]. One study evaluated the validity and feasibility of using HOBO Pendant R (HPD) loggers for detecting steps of grower turkeys (9–11 weeks of age) and finisher turkeys (14 weeks) [17]. Their results indicated that HPD loggers are capable of detecting step counts in turkeys. No studies have evaluated the feasibility and reliability of using micro-data loggers for measuring activity levels of turkeys
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
