Validation of an algorithm for real-time measurement of sheep activity in confinement by recording movement within a commercial weighing crate
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2011 |
Authors: |
Brian J. Horton, Dale R. Miller |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
activity, sheep, temperament, weighing |
ISBN: |
01681591 |
Abstract:
This study reports a method of measuring sheep activity in confinement based on recording
movement of sheep during weighing. The aim was to show that an algorithm to analyse
continuous weight records could be used to measure activity quickly and efficiently
using commercial weighing equipment and that this measurement is related to animal
productivity, specifically liveweight. A prototype method required magnetic switches on
the weighing crate to record gate positioning and enclosure of the animal, with data analysis
subsequent to the completion of weighing. The method reported here does not require
additional equipment, instead using a computer program to analyse weights in real-time
to record the degree of sheep movement. The result is summarised as the coefficient of
variation of the weight over a period of 8–20 s and reported as an activity score.
The real-time method had a higher repeatability (P < 0.05) than the prototype method and
gave a stronger association with liveweight with heavier lambs and heavier young sheep
being less active under confinement at 6 months and 18 months, respectively (P < 0.05).
These findings indicate that a simple system could be developed enabling real-time
reporting of activity scores during normal weighing.