In the OMELETTE project, KU Leuven is harnessing the power of camera technology to keep an eye on the well-being of laying hens — even while they sleep.
On the left half of the photo you can see monitoring of night-time activity of laying hens and on the right side the monitoring of feather coverage and piling behaviour.
At night, cameras continuously monitor the hens’ sleep patterns. Why? Because changes in night-time rest can serve as an early warning sign for the presence or build-up of poultry red mites — a common but harmful parasite in poultry farming. By spotting irregularities in sleep behavior early, farmers can take timely action to protect their flock.
But that’s not all. During the day, the same camera system shifts its focus to monitor piling behavior — when hens crowd together on the floor, potentially leading to injury or stress. Cameras 1, 2, 5, and 6 (see attached picture) capture activity across the floor area, helping researchers detect and analyze these events.
Meanwhile, cameras 3 and 4 are zoomed in on the aviary system, capturing high-resolution close-ups of individual hens. These images are used for automated feather coverage scoring — an important indicator of hen health and comfort.
This smart monitoring system is part of a broader effort to develop precision livestock farming tools that support better health, welfare, and management of laying hens. With innovations like these, the OMELETTE project aims to help farmers keep their hens healthier, longer.