Method of livestock rearing and a livestock shed

Abstract

A method of rearing chickens comprises providing a chicken shed () having a floor area () over which the chickens can move freely. The shed () is provided with a plurality of lights () arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area () so that, collectively, the lights () are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area (). The shed () is provided a plurality of cameras () arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area () so that, collectively, the cameras () are able to view substantially all of the floor area (). Chickens are provided in the livestock shed () on the floor area (). A controller () is provided and is operatively connected to the lights () and to the cameras (). The controller () receives and analyses signals, such as images, from the cameras (). The controller () controls the lights () to adjust illumination provided to the floor area () by the controlled lights () in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras (). The controller () is able to control each light () independently of the other lights (). In some situations, the control of the lights () causes a predetermined desired response in the chickens. In some cases, the predetermined desired response overcomes or circumvents an undesirable situation recognised by the controller from analysis of the signals from the cameras ().