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Large-scale production poultry farms are needed to respond to high demand for eggs and poultry. Because of public concern for hen welfare, it is expected that the majority of US poultry housing will switch to cage-free systems in the near future. Disease outbreaks, cannibalism and feed cost are major concerns in cage-free housing. It is now widely accepted that stress affects innate immunity and host microbiomes, key factors in animal health and productivity and natural environments have a positive impact on health and welfare of animals. Although free-range farms allow chickens to access outdoor settings, they are limited in their production capability; weather and predators are major threats to free-range animals causing stress and even death. However, new artificial environments that combine the benefits of cage-free and free-range farms without their limitations are needed and would greatly benefit the poultry industry.

This technology has been prototyped and tested but production needs to be optimized for market introduction

The technology involves using VR videos to induce desired behavior and subsequent up-regulation of immunity. Young chicks are shown videos teaching them desired behavior and mature chickens are shown video of desired behavior such as foraging and perching in an open-range environment. Experimental data confirm behavior modification, increased immunity to Salmonella and up-regulation of several key neurological biomarkers.

• Increases yield of eggs and poultry

• Decreases likelihood of poultry being affected by disease or predators

• Experimental data confirm behavior modification, increased immunity to Salmonella and up-regulation of several key neurological biomarkers

• Improved behavior and welfare

• Decreases feed cost

• Decreases cannibalism

Life sciences, animal welfare

Patent(s) applied for