Towards a Virtual Fencing System: Training Domestic Sheep Using Audio Stimuli

Author:

Kleanthous NatasaORCID,Hussain Abir,Sneddon Jennifer,Khan WasiqORCID,Khan BilalORCID,Aung ZeyarORCID,Liatsis PanosORCID

Abstract

Fencing in livestock management is essential for location and movement control yet with conventional methods to require close labour supervision, leading to increased costs and reduced flexibility. Consequently, virtual fencing systems (VF) have recently gained noticeable attention as an effective method for the maintenance and control of restricted areas for animals. Existing systems to control animal movement use audio followed by controversial electric shocks which are prohibited in various countries. Accordingly, the present work has investigated the sole application of audio signals in training and managing animal behaviour. Audio cues in the range of 125–17 kHz were used to prohibit the entrance of seven Hebridean ewes from a restricted area with a feed bowl. Two trials were performed over the period of a year which were video recorded. Sound signals were activated when the animal approached a feed bowl and a restricted area with no feed bowl present. Results from both trials demonstrated that white noise and sounds in the frequency ranges of 125–440 Hz to 10–17 kHz successfully discouraged animals from entering a specific area with an overall success rate of 89.88% (white noise: 92.28%, 10–14 kHz: 89.13%, 15–17 kHz: 88.48%, 125–440 Hz: 88.44%). The study demonstrated that unaided audio stimuli were effective at managing virtual fencing for sheep.

Funder

Douglas Bomford Trust

Liverpool John Moores university

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology

Reference40 articles.

1. Fencing for conservation: Restriction of evolutionary potential or a riposte to threatening processes?;Hayward;Biol. Conserv.,2009

2. The evolution of virtual fences: A review;Umstatter;Comput. Electron. Agric.,2011

3. Fences, gates and cattle guards;Simmons;Cattleman,1935

4. Virtual fencing past, present and future;Anderson;Rangel. J.,2007

5. Potential for using visual, auditory and olfactory cues to manage foraging behaviour and spatial distribution of rangeland livestock;Howery;CAB Rev. Perspect. Agric. Vet. Sci. Nutr. Nat. Resour.,2013

Cited by 7 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3