Developing sensor technologies to inform breeding approaches to reduce damaging behaviour in laying hens and pigs: The GroupHouseNet approach

Abstract

The European COST Action GroupHouseNet aims to provide synergy for preventing damaging behaviour in group-housed pigs and laying hens. One area of focus of this network is how genetic and genomic tools can be used to breed animals that are less likely to develop damaging behaviour directed at their pen-mates. Reducing damaging behaviour in large groups is a challenge, because it is difficult to identify and monitor individual animals. With the current developments in sensor technologies and animal breeding, there is the possibility to identify individual animals, monitor individual behaviour, and link this information to the genotype. Using a combination of sensor technologies and genomics enables us to select against damaging behaviour in pigs and laying hens.