WO2020011671A1

WO2020011671A1 - Method and system for suppressing stress in livestock

Info

Publication number: WO2020011671A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/068121
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul OBERS
Original assignee: P.L. Invest Bv
Priority date: 2018-07-09
Filing date: 2019-07-05
Publication date: 2020-01-16
Also published as: NL2021267B1

Abstract

In a first aspect, the current invention concerns a method for suppressing stress in livestock, wherein a plurality of animals is accommodated in a barn, said method comprises gathering information relating to one or more of the animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, on the basis of which information a stress level is determined and wherein, where the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus. In further aspects, the invention provides a system for suppressing stress in livestock, and a barn that is provided with such a system.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SUPPRESSI NG STRESS I N LIVESTOCK

Technical field

5 The invention pertains to the technical field of methods and systems for suppressing stress in livestock.

Background 0 Cows, pigs, chickens and other livestock animals are kept by humans on an industrial scale. Quite often, a plurality of individual animals is accommodated in a single barn.

Such animals, when subjected to high levels of stress, are restless. The corresponding animal production (e.g. in terms of milk quantity, meat growth, egg5 laying) is thereby lowered. Moreover, stress can further affect the quality (e.g. taste and/or structure) of animal products.

It has been observed that one stressed animal can increase stress levels of animals in its proximity. In extreme cases, stressed animals can even behave aggressively,0 thereby hurting themselves and others. Chronic stress may further result in suppression of the immune system, and therefore to an increased susceptibility to all kinds of diseases. Medication levels thus have to be raised in case of persistently high stress levels. 5 For most animal species, stress information can be derived from blood analyses, e.g. on the basis of hormone balances in the blood. This obviously constitutes a highly invasive method. Moreover, it allows for determining the separate stress level of individual animals only. 0 US 8 915 215 B1 relates to a system having a plurality of sensors for monitoring poultry in a barn. A set of environmental and poultry parameters can be measured in real time. For instance, the sound (e.g. sound volume and pitch) generated by the animals is analyzed. Important deviations with respect to standard values are indicative of unhealthy poultry. The operator may then interfere by remedying the5 adverse barn conditions that are causing this situation. Sounds would be measured in 2 to 5 locations within a poultry barn, as to determine localized and overall stress levels. Advantageously, as stated in US 8915215, if overall stress is within normal range, a solitary increase in one stressor may not be enough to cause concern. Furhtermore, according to a particular embodiment, a single automated system can process sound measurements stemming from different interior rooms within the same barn, e.g. a brooder aviary room and a broiler aviary room separated from one

5 another.

Training dairy heifers to respond to a sound stimulus in a T-maze setup (Green et al. , 2016) further describes that the behavior of cattle can be influenced via acoustic signals. 0 Effects of auditory and physical enrichment on 3 measurements of fear and stress (tonic immobility duration, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and fluctuating asymmetry) in several breeds of layer chicks (Davila et al., 2011) states that stress in poultry can be decreased via “auditory enrichment”, for instance by playing classical music at regular, fixed intervals. The effect of “physical enrichment”, via5 stimulus objects was found to be rather limited, because of habituation.

EP 0988786 further proposes the analysis of sounds generated by the animals, and to convert such sounds into adequate control commands for calming stressed animals. One strategy for calming the animals would entail the generation of sounds that are reassuring. I n a specific embodiment, a robot is provided on a monorail. The0 robot may deliver food/water/medicines, or it may produce sound or light signals that are reassuring. It is stated in EP 0 988 786 that such a moving robot has a much stronger influence on a herd or a group of animals than stationary signal generators could have. Preferably, the sounds generated by the animals are recorded in the most critical area, namely the feed delivery point. 5 The present invention aims to provide a method and system for suppressing stress in livestock. A primary goal is thereby to reduce animal suffering, and to enhance animal production, both in terms of quantity and quality.

The inventors are particularly concerned with habituation of the animals to stress suppressing stimuli. An aim is to provide methods and systems that are less prone0 to habituation.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the invention discloses a method according to claim 1, for suppressing stress in livestock. A stress level is determined and, in case latter stress5 level indicates a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress- suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified. These stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus. Latter electromagnetic stimulus may be a light stimulus.

5 Quite advantageously, information can be gathered through non-invasive measurement techniques. Such information can serve as a basis for determining stress levels by which stressed states can be identified with reasonably good probabilities. Most importantly, certain stimuli are only activated and/or amplified depending on whether stress is actually detected and/or on the amount of stress. As0 such, the stimuli are most efficiently deployed, and there is preferably no unnecessary exposure of animals to these stimuli. Consequently, habituation to these stimuli can be excluded, or at least delayed. In doing so, the invention attempts to lower both acute and chronic stress levels, thereby reducing animal suffering. Destructive stress, possibly giving rise to aggressive behavior and even cannibalism5 is especially targeted.

Optionally, at least one of the stress-suppressing stimuli comprises a time-variable spectrum and/or a time-variable intensity. Risk of habituation to such stimuli is thereby further lowered.

0

In particular for the method according to the first aspect, a plurality of animals is accom modated within an interior space of the barn, which interior space is comprised of two or more zones (between which the animals can freely move). Stress levels are determined zonally, and the stimuli are activated and/or amplified zonally upon5 detection of stress within a corresponding zone. Preferably the different zones are confined within ranges of corresponding sensors and detectors.

In contrast to US 8 915 215, local stress can be handled locally, within the same zones and optionally also within a number of surrounding zones. This way, it is0 possible to limit the exposure of stress-suppressing stimuli to (stressed-out) animals in these zones only. US 8915215 only provides one stress suppressing system within one “room”, whereas the present invention provides multiple stress suppressing systems, within different zones of such a room or interior space. Suppression of stress is therefore more specific.

5

In relation to EP 0 988 786, the present inventors have serious concerns with localized monitoring in the most critical area only. On the one hand, this will increase habituation when also releasing stress-suppressing stimuli in other areas that are not necessarily monitored. On the other hand, this may not suffice for efficiently suppressing stress in the entire interior space of the barn. By contrast, the present method provides multiple, fixed zones that together may cover a major part of said

5 interior space. This allows for a highly specific suppression of stress.

In a possible further embodiment of claim 2, each zone is provided with at least one sensor (for gathering said information) and at least one actuator (for generating said stress-suppressing stimuli).

0

I n a possible further embodiment of claim 3, the zones, the sensors and the actuators are stationary - in contrast to employing a moving robot. Preferably the zones are spread evenly over the interior space of the barn, for instance according to a grid structure. Preferably the combined zones (i.e. the combined ranges of the sensors5 and actuators) substantially cover the entire interior space. This allows for an efficient, cheap, and highly specific suppression of stress. And thus also less prone to habituation.

I n a second aspect, the invention concerns another method according to claim 7, for0 suppressing stress in livestock. A stress level is determined continuously and/or periodically. Stimuli that have previously been activated and/or amplified may be weakened and/or deactivated in case stress has actually diminished, or once a predetermined time interval has lapsed. The risk of habituation to these stimuli is thus lowered.

5

In further aspects, the invention concerns a system according to claim 13, for suppressing stress in livestock, and a barn according to claim 15, which barn is provided with a system according to any of claims 13-14. 0 Detailed description of the invention

The present invention concerns a method and a system for suppressing stress in livestock. The invention further concerns a barn that is provided with such a system. 5 Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

5

“A”,“an”, and“the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “a compartment” refers to one or more than one compartment. 0 “About” as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/- 20% or less, preferably + / - 10% or less, more preferably +/- 5% or less, even more preferably +/- 1% or less, and still more preferably + / - 0.1 % or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed5 invention. However, it is to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.

“Comprise”, “comprising”, and “comprises” and “comprised of” as used herein are synonymous with “include”, “including”, “includes” or “contain”, “containing”,0 “contains” and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein. 5 The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range, as well as the recited endpoints. The expression“% by weight”, “weight percent”, “%wt” or “wt%”, here and throughout the description unless otherwise defined, refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the formulation.

0

I n a first aspect, the invention provides a method for suppressing stress in livestock, wherein a plurality of animals is accommodated in a barn, said method comprises gathering information relating to one or more of the animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, on the basis of which information a stress level is5 determined and wherein, where the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stim ulus.

The term “barn” should be interpreted in a broad fashion, as referring to any

5 infrastructure that allows for accommodating a plurality animals within an enclosed area. Preferably, a barn at least comprises one or more side structures, and optionally a floor and/or roof structure. However, this is not necessarily the case.

The term “livestock”, as used herein, may refer to any type (optionally species) of0 animal that is kept by humans, at least for animal production. The terms“animal” and “animals” thereby further refer to (an) individual specimen(s) of such type/ species. Preferably, these animals can be kept on an industrial scale. Such animals may comprise cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, rabbits, donkeys, horses, ostriches, emus, deer, kangaroos, camels, dromedaries,5 and/or lamas.

The present invention provides methods for suppressing stress in animals. To such purpose information is gathered, allowing for the determination of a“stress level”.

I n a possible embodiment, said stress level may be a value that expresses the general0 amount of stress the animals are one average subjected to. In another, possible embodiment, said stress level may comprise one or multiple values that express the individual amount of stress that one or multiple, respective animals is subjected to. The stress level may thus be one- or multidimensional, comprising either one value or multiple values. In a possible embodiment, the stress level can only take values 05 and 1, indicating no stressed state and at least one stressed state respectively.

However, invention is by no means limited to any of these embodiments.

In possible embodiments, the stress level may only indirectly relate to the amount of stress that one or more animals is subjected to. Non-limiting examples of the latter0 comprise stress levels derived from the air ammonia content (a barn condition), or from the animal activity as registered by means of video cameras (an animal condition). These and other examples are elaborated upon below.

The information is preferably gathered in a non-invasive fashion; i.e. the animals are5 not hindered at all, or they are only negligibly hindered. Preferably, the information is gathered remotely; i.e. without contacting the animals. Preferably, the information is gathered continuously and/or repetitively. It is thereby possible to continuously/ repetitively update the stress level. Knowledge on (recently) updated stress levels allows for taking action as fast as possible, preferably in real time. Advantageously, it is thereby possible to already intervene in an early stage,

5 when detecting the first symptoms of stress. Its further spreading can thus be prevented.

Optionally, the stress level may comprise history information that relates to the amount of stress that one or more animals was subjected to in the past. On the one0 hand, animals that were stressed-out previously are often more susceptible to stress.

A correspondingly swift and thorough action may thus be required. On the other hand, history information may smoothen possible control systems via PD control, PI control, PI D control, and/or other control techniques, as is known in the field of control systems engineering.

5

In the event that the stress level indicates a“stressed state” for at least one of the animals, action is taken through activation/amplification of one or more, stress suppressing stimuli. As already mentioned in the background section, a“stressed state” may be objectively defined, for instance on the basis of blood analysis.0 Optionally, proper prerequisites such as substance occurrences and/or threshold concentrations are thereby defined. These and other measurement and interpretation techniques for defining stressed states are known in the art. At least some of these techniques (e.g. blood analysis) are highly invasive. 5 Quite advantageously, the present invention rather employs a “stress level” that indicates whether (a) at least one of the animals is in a stressed state, or (b) none of the animals is in a stressed state. Preferably said stress level is determined via information that is gathered in a non-invasive and/or remote fashion, as described above. Alternatively, said stress level may at least partly be derived from an invasive0 measurement technique, for instance from blood analysis.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the stress level “indicating” a stressed state for at least one of the animals, corresponds to a probability of at least 50% that at least one of the animals is in a stressed state, preferably a probability of at least 60%,5 more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%. Moreover, a stress level indicating not“indicating” a stressed state for at least one of the animals, corresponds to a probability of at least 50% that none of the animals is in a stressed state, preferably a probability of at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%.

A“stimulus”, as used herein, is a change in the environment (e.g. within the barn)

5 having certain characteristics, and/or exceeding certain thresholds, such that it can be detected by at least one of the animals (i.e. it at least affects those animals; whether or not they are indeed aware of said stimulus is of lesser importance). When exposed to a“stress-suppressing stimulus”, as used herein, the animals generally so respond that their average stress level is reduced, or at least so that one or more0 stress- symptoms are suppressed. In a possible embodiment, an animal previously in a stressed state will no longer reside in a stressed state when being exposed to a stress-suppressing stimulus for a sufficiently long time.

Throughout its activation time (e.g. in stress situations), the stimulus will cause the5 environment to be changed as compared to the standard situation (where the stress level does not indicate a stressed state for at least one of the animals). For instance the environment is lighter, darker, louder, quieter, etc. as compared to the standard situation. The degree of difference, as compared to latter standard situation is more pronounced when amplifying the stimulus. Conversely, the degree of difference0 becomes less pronounced when weakening the stimulus. In particular, the above- mentioned, stress-suppressing stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus. Latter electromagnetic stimulus may be a visible light stimulus. However, it may equally comprise other electromagnetic wavelengths, such as I R and UV, and is not lim ited to such wavelengths.

5

In a further or alternative embodiment, said stress-suppressing stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus and/or a light stimulus.

Preferably, any sound stimulus should at least comprise frequencies that lay within0 the hearing range of the animal(s) in question. Alternatively, the general hearing range of the corresponding animal species at least partly covers the sound stimulus frequency content. “Sound stimulus” and “auditory stimulus” may thereby be seen as equivalent. The hearing range for most animal species has already been mapped. For instance, the hearing range of cattle stretches from about 25 Hz to about 35 kHz;5 the hearing range of pigs stretches from about 42 Hz to about 40,5 kHz; the hearing range of sheep stretches from about 100 Hz to about 30 kHz; the hearing range of goats stretches from about 78 Hz to about 37 kHz; and the hearing range of poultry stretches from about 9,1 Hz to about 7,2 kHz.

The background section already mentions that acoustic signals can influence the

5 behavior of cattle. Furthermore, it was mentioned that stress in poultry can be decreased by playing classical music at regular, fixed intervals. In general, through hearing, impulses are given to the brain stem and to the hypothalamus. Well-chosen sound stimuli may thereby decrease stress, either directly or indirectly. For example, well-chosen sound stimuli may simply distract attention from possible stressors. The0 inventors for instance found that poultry freezes at high-intensity, low-frequency sounds (e.g. a nearby and active diesel engine). Such sounds may also be employed for immobilizing animals that suffer from chronic stress and show aggressive behavior. Alternatively, a sound stimulus constituting a background sound of chilled- out animals may suppress general stress levels.

5

However, in further or alternative embodiments, said sound stimulus mainly comprises frequencies that not necessarily fall within the hearing range of the animals, such as ultrasound frequencies. It is known that such frequencies can influence the behavior of living organisms, for instance via ultrasound-mediated, non-0 invasive brain stimulation.

In a similar fashion is known that electromagnetic fields may affect the behavior of living organisms, for instance through electrical brain stimulation. Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation has previously been tested on rats, as discussed in Non-5 invasive electrical brain stimulation: “From acute to late-stage treatment of central nervous system damage” (Henrich-Noack et al. , 2017). Research is also being performed on electrical brain stimulation for stress relieving purposes.

Optionally the aforementioned, electromagnetic stimulus is a light stimulus.0 Preferably, any light stimulus should at least comprise frequencies that lay within the visible spectrum of the animal(s) in question. Alternatively, the general visible spectrum of the corresponding animal species at least partly covers the light stimulus frequency content. “Light stimulus” and “visual stimulus” may thus be seen as equivalent for the purpose of the invention. The visible spectrum for most animal5 species has already been mapped. For instance, pigs can see red, green, and blue wavelengths. Domestic poultry even responds to near ultraviolet (UV-A) light, and has a visible spectrum ranging from about 315 nm to about 750 nm, with multiple sensitivity peaks. Cattle, on the other hand, can only see yellow and blue wavelengths, in addition to gray and black.

The inventors found that light stimuli allow for altering the behavior of animals, and

5 for decreasing stress levels in animals. In case of pigs, for example, red wavelengths can mask blood and wounds to a certain extent, such that aggressive behavior towards already wounded animals is no longer encouraged. Moreover, both predominantly blue light and dimmed light have a calming effect on poultry. Red light, on the other hand, will incite poultry to stand up, to walk around, and to feed,0 thereby being distracted from possible stressors. In a similar fashion as is the case for pigs, predominantly red light prevents or suppresses aggressive behavior (for instance caused by stress) in poultry. Ultraviolet light enhances communication in poultry, thereby increasing social contact in between animals, and thereby decreasing the general stress level.

5

Optionally, the nature of at least one of the stimuli depends on the stress level height. In possible embodiments, the intensity of at least one of the stimuli is a function of the stress level height. Optionally, the stimulus intensity continuously evolves with the stress level height.

0

In a further or alternative embodiment, at least one of the stimuli comprises a variable spectrum. At least one frequency component of the stimulus thereby varies in time. In a further or alternative embodiment, at least one of the stimuli comprises a variable intensity. In both embodiments, the stimuli constitute a changed5 environment w.r.t. the standard environment, whereby the degree and/or nature of change varies in time. Preferably, latter variability is such that it can be perceived by the animals, whereby the corresponding temporal sensitivity and resolution of the animals are taken into account. The stimulus thus causes an enrichment (e.g. auditory or visual) that varies in time. Because of its variability, such stimuli can have0 a more pronounced, stress-suppressing effect. Most importantly, habituation of the animals to the stimuli is excluded or delayed.

In a further or alternative embodiment, said stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus having a variable sound spectrum and/or having a variable sound intensity.5 Its sound spectrum and/or intensity thereby vary in time, throughout activation of the stimulus. “Sound intensity”, as used herein, should be understood as the sound intensity level, expressed in decibel (dB). Possible embodiments include playing stress-suppressing music, and/or playing a background sound of chilled-out animals whenever the stress level is indicating a stressed state.

In a further or alternative embodiment, said stimuli at least comprise a light stimulus

5 having a variable light spectrum and/or having a variable light intensity. Its light spectrum and/or sensitivity thereby vary in time, throughout activation of the stimulus. Possible embodiments include producing light having a time-varying color range, and/or producing pulsating light. 0 A light stimulus may optionally comprise a position-varying light spectrum and/or intensity, whereby different positions are illuminated at different intensities and/or using different colors. While cattle, for instance, is rather insensitive to color, they tend to be very sensitive to contrasts in color. A position-varying light stimulus may therefore provoke a strong response.

5

In a further or alternative embodiment, said stimuli further comprise a physical stimulus. Preferably a“physical stimulus”, as used herein, comprises objects that can be seen and/or touched by the animals. The objects thereby cause a physical enrichment in the animal environment. In particular, such objects may increase the0 complexity of the animal environment, and they may provide shelter to one or more anim als. Activation of a physical stim ulus should be understood as m aking the objects (e.g. toys, boxes ...) visible or accessible to the animals. Optionally, such objects are only activated when the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals. As such, habituation of the animals to the stimulus is excluded or5 delayed. In possible embodiments, an uncovering, unfolding and/or descending mechanism may to this end be employed.

Optionally, the physical stimulus comprises a sound-affecting object. For instance, the object may comprise an acoustically damping structure, a sound-reflecting0 structure, an acoustically resonating structure, an anechoic structure, or any combination thereof. In a non-limiting embodiment, acoustically damping structures provide shelter for poultry that has already been calmed down, while stressed animals still running around are fully exposed to the high-intensity, low-frequency sounds discussed above.

5

Optionally, the physical stimulus comprises a light-affecting object. For instance, the object may comprise a light-absorbing surface, a light-reflecting surface, a colored surface, a glittering surface, a light-diffractive surface, or any combination thereof. In a non-limiting embodiment, one or more objects featuring large color contrasts will distract cattle from possible stressors.

5 In a further or alternative embodiment, said stimuli further comprise a chemical or biochemical stimulus. Some chemical substances may indeed have a stress suppressing effect. Biochemical stimuli may for instance comprise odors, pheromones, and/or oxygen. 0 In a further or alternative em bodiment, the stress level is at least determ ined on the basis of sound information. To this end, sound recorded in and/or around the barn is analyzed. In a non-limiting embodiment, the stress level relates to sound intensity, whereby the stressed state is indicated by an intensity surpassing a preset threshold. Of course, other embodiments may additionally or alternatively consider the sound-5 silence ratio, the presence of any meaningful sounds that relate to stress, or any other sound information. Poultry, for instance, is especially sensitive to pitch, tone and rhythm changes. The animals use very specific sounds, songs and calls in stressful situations. In a possible embodiment, stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified upon detection of any of such sounds/songs/calls.

0

In a further or alternative embodiment, the stress level is at least determ ined on the basis of an ammonia content, a CO₂ content, a temperature, and/or an animal activity. When combining multiple data, the stress level as determined will generally be more reliable.

5

It is known that increased ammonia contents can be indicative of stressed states. Moreover, stress may be identified from increased body temperatures (e.g. via IR thermometry, corrected for the type of animal), for instance when the animals exhibit acute stress-induced hyperthermia. I n any case, the body activity of stressed animals0 is often increased. CO2 emissions correspondingly increase, giving rise to higher CO2 contents inside the barn. Additionally or alternatively the animal activity, which could be an indicator of stress, can be measured via tim e-correlation of images. However, in no way the invention is limited to any of these. 5 In a further or alternative embodiment, the methods of the invention may be computer-implemented methods. Preferably, said method is at least partly automated, via a plurality of sensors that gather the information, and via a processor that processes the information and that actuates means for generating stress suppressing stimuli. In a non-limiting embodiment, an alert message is sent to a mobile user device (e.g. a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) each time that a new stressed state is identified.

5

In a further or alternative embodiment, said animals are cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and/or poultry. Said poultry may comprise chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and optionally any other poultry. In another, non-limiting embodiment, said animals are poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, and/or any other poultry. In a0 further embodiment, said animals are chickens, ducks, turkeys, and/or geese.

Preferably said animals comprise poultry. More preferably said animals consist of poultry.

In general the invention and the above description are not limited to methods5 according to the first or second aspects only. More specific methods according to the first and second aspects are further described below:

Specifically for the method according to the first aspect (so-called zonal suppression of stress), is that the animals are accommodated within an interior space of the barn,0 which interior space is comprised of two or more zones between which the animals can freely move. Stress levels are determined zonally, and the stimuli are activated and/or amplified zonally upon detection of stress within a corresponding zone.

There need not be a physical separation in between these zones; the subdivision into5 different zones may be purely conceptual. Optionally, zones that are particularly prone to stress outbreaks can thus be identified, and possible stressors can be remedied locally. In some cases, stress starts locally and spreads. Optionally local outbreaks of stress can optionally be isolated by providing an actual, physical separation. In such embodiments, any further spreading of stress is hindered.

0

In a further or alternative embodiment, the stimuli are activated and/or amplified zonally. Advantageously, stress is only remedied zonally where required. Animals in other zones are not exposed to these stim uli. These anim als thus not risk habituation. 5 I n a further or alternative embodiment, each zone is provided with at least one sensor for gathering said information, and with at least one actuator for generating said stress-suppressing stimuli. In a further or alternative embodiment, the zones, the sensors, and the actuators are stationary. Preferably the zones are fixed, and the extent of each zone does not change. However, when stress is detected in multiple zones, stress-suppressing stimuli may be emitted in a wider area that comprises these zones. The position of each zone may be determined by the position of the

5 corresponding sensors and actuators. The extent of each zone may be determined by the range of the corresponding sensors and actuators.

In a further or alternative embodiment, a first grid of sensors and a second grid of actuators provide coverage to at least a part of said interior space, wherein each0 zone is confined within a range of a corresponding sensor and within a range of a corresponding actuator. In a further or alternative embodiment, at least one of said grids is a rectangular grid. In a further or alternative embodiment, said two grids may coincide. Preferably, there is an even distribution of zones over the interior space / floor space. In general, the influence of a stimulus will decrease with an increasing5 separation of the stimulus actuator/ source. Quite advantageously, a grid that is sufficiently dense provides a good coverage of the entire interior space.

I n a further or alternative embodiment, said sensors and actuators are combined into integrated devices. For instance, the stress-suppressing stimuli could comprise light0 stimuli that are emitted from lamps. Each lamp is further provided with a sensor that can gather information indicative of stress (e.g. a sound level, an ammonia content, a CO₂ content, a temperature, and/or an animal activity).

Specifically for the method according to the second aspect (so-called adaptive5 suppression of stress), is that the information is gathered continuously or repetitively, and that the stress level is determined continuously/repetitively.

Moreover, at least one of the stimuli is weakened and/or deactivated, where the stress level is no longer indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, or0 as soon as a predetermined time interval has lapsed. Preferably, throughout activation of the stimuli, stress monitoring is continued. An advantage is that habituation to these stimuli can be avoided, by deactivating or at least by weakening the stimuli as soon as possible stressors are removed and/or stress levels have been sufficiently lowered.

5

Latter time interval can be tailored to the stimulus in question, thereby avoiding habituation. Poultry for instance, will relatively soon habituate to physical stimuli, while it will only very slowly habituate to classical music. More generally, the abovementioned time intervals can be set accordingly.

I n a further or alternative embodiment, at least one of the stimuli is activated for no

5 more than 24 hours. In a further or alternative embodiment, any stimulus is generated for no more than 50% of the time. As such, habituation is delayed or excluded.

In a further or alternative embodiment, the stress level is determined periodically0 within intervals having a duration of between 10 seconds and 15 m inutes, preferably more than 10 seconds, more preferably more than 30 seconds, more preferably less than 15 minutes, more preferably less than 12 minutes.

In a further or alternative embodiment, a stress level trend is determined, wherein5 upon detection of a rising stress level said stimuli are amplified correspondingly in real time. The effect of a certain stimulus is thus enhanced when needed, whereas the stimulus is preferably weakened or deactivated in case of only moderate stress levels (as to avoid habituation). 0 In a further or alternative embodiment, a first type of stimulus is activated as soon as the stress level surpasses a first threshold value, and wherein a second type of stimulus is activated as soon as the stress level surpasses a second threshold value, different from the first. For moderate stress levels, a common stress-suppressing stimulus is employed which is less prone to habituation (for instance classical music5 in case of poultry). For higher stress levels, a much more effective stress-suppressing stimulus is employed in addition to, or instead of the former (for instance a physical stimulus in case of poultry). A drawback of the latter type of stimuli that they are often more prone to habituation. As such, excessive use should be avoided. In general, the invention is in no case limited to poultry, classical music and/or physical0 stimuli only.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a system for suppressing stress in livestock, configured for being installed in a barn accommodating a plurality of animals, wherein said system comprises a plurality of sensors for gathering information relating to one5 or more of said animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, and wherein the system is configured for determining a stress level on the basis of the information gathered. In particular, the system further comprises means for activating and/or amplifying one or more stress-suppressing stimuli, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus. Latter electromagnetic stimulus may optionally be a light stimulus, as specified in respect of the above method.

5 Preferably, said system is capable of performing the method according to the first aspect, or capable of performing the method according to the second aspect, whereby the same characteristics and corresponding advantages can be repeated.

In a further or alternative embodiment, said system further comprises a processor,0 configured for reading out the aforementioned sensors, and for determining the stress level. Preferably, said system is an automated system. Optionally, said system comprises a communication module for sending alert messages as discussed above.

In a further or alternative embodiment, said sensors are configured for registering5 sound information, an ammonia content, a CO content, a temperature and/or an animal activity. In a further or alternative embodiment, said system is a computer- implemented system.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a barn, configured for accommodating a0 plurality of animals. In particular, said barn is provided with a system according to the second aspect of the invention, for suppressing stress in livestock.

The invention is further described by the following non-limiting examples and figures which further illustrate the invention, and are not intended to, nor should they be5 interpreted to, limit the scope of the invention.

Exam pie 1

In a non-limiting embodiment, a barn having a floor structure, a roof structure, and four wall structures is internally provided with 12 microphones for registering sounds0 produced by poultry accommodated in 12 corresponding zones. These zones correspond to floor areas lying in the neighborhood of the aforementioned microphones. The system particularly identifies any specific, stress-related sounds, through comparison with a predetermined sound database. Sound stimuli are activated within a certain zone, as soon as any of such stress-related sounds are5 individually detected more than ten 10 times in the preceding minute, via the corresponding m icrophone. The zonal stress level is correspondingly set to“ 1”. Latter sound stimuli comprise a bird sound compilation featuring relaxed poultry only. Moreover its activation is maintained until 15 minutes have passed, or until not a single stress-related sound is registered during 2 minutes, whichever falls earlier. The stress level corresponding to the zone in question is then again set to“0”. The timeframes mentioned herein may of course be optimized for specific species of

5 poultry.

Exam pie 2

In a non-limiting embodiment, about 200 pigs are accommodated in a single barn. The stress level is calculated via time-correlation of video images, and corrected for0 ammonia content in the air, taking continuous values between 0% and 100%.

Whenever the stress level surpasses a threshold of 50%, the light in the barn is automatically dimmed by 20% with respect to the standard light intensity value. This calming environment is then maintained during 8 minutes. Red lights are activated if, within this timeframe, sound intensities are detected that are indicative of stress-5 aggressive behavior. This makes it harder for the pigs to discern blood, such that aggressive behavior is no longer encouraged. This environment is maintained for 4 minutes maximum, after which the system is reset.

Exam pie 3

0 In a non-limiting embodiment, about 28 cows are accommodated in a closed barn that is provided with a climate control system. The temperature of the cows is continuously monitored through infrared thermometry. As soon as at least one of the cows has a body temperature surpassing 39,5°C, an alert message is sent to a mobile user device of an operator. Simultaneously, speakers are activated, producing a burst5 of fine classical music during about 30 minutes, after which the system will be reset.

In the meantime, the operator can consult video images showing the cows, to determine whether the increased temperature indeed stems from stress, or rather from sickness. I n the latter case, a veterinary is consulted. 0 Exam pie 4

In a non- limiting embodiment, lamps are mounted according to a grid above the floor space of a barn. Sensors are integrated within each lamp, for detection of sound or other stress indicators. Sensors and actuators (the lamps) are thus incorporated into single devices. Zones are defined within the neighborhood of each device. If stress is5 detected within a zone, stress-suppressing stimuli are generated within said zone and optionally also within the neighboring zones. It is supposed that the present invention is not restricted to any form of realization described previously and that some modifications can be added to the presented examples/figures without reappraisal of the appended claims.

5 The invention may thereto be described according to the following embodiments:

1. A method for suppressing stress in livestock, wherein a plurality of animals is accommodated in a barn, said method comprises gathering information relating to one or more of the animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, on the basis of which information a stress level is determined and0 wherein, where the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stim ulus.

2. The method according to previous embodiment 1 , characterized in that said5 stress-suppressing stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus and/or a light stim ulus.

3. The method according to any of embodiments 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the stimuli comprises a variable spectrum.

4. The method according to any of embodiments 1-3, characterized in that at0 least one of the stimuli comprises a variable intensity.

5. The method according to any of embodiments 1-4, characterized in that said stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus having a variable sound spectrum and/or having a variable sound intensity.

6. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized5 in that said stimuli further comprise a physical stimulus.

7. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that at least one of the stimuli is weakened and/or deactivated, where the stress level is no longer indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals.

0 8. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that at least one of the stimuli is weakened and/or deactivated, as soon as a predetermined time interval has lapsed.

9. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that at least one of the stimuli is activated for no more than 24 hours.5 10. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that the stress level is at least determined on the basis of sound information. 11. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that the stress level is at least determined on the basis of an ammonia content, a CO content, a temperature, and/or an animal activity.

12. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized

5 in that the barn comprises two or more zones, whereby the stress level is determined zonally.

13. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that the stimuli are activated and/or amplified zonally.

14. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized0 in that said method is a computer-implemented method.

15. The method according to any of the previous embodiments, characterized in that said animals are cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, turkeys, geese, and / or chickens.

16. A system for suppressing stress in livestock, configured for being installed in5 a barn accommodating a plurality of animals, wherein said system comprises a plurality of sensors for gathering information relating to one or more of said animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, and wherein the system is configured for determining a stress level on the basis of the information gathered, characterized in that the system further comprises0 means for activating and/or amplifying one or more stress-suppressing stimuli, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stim ulus.

17. The system according to previous embodiment 16, characterized in that said stress-suppressing stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus and/or a5 light stimulus.

18. The system according to any of embodiments 16 and 17, characterized in that said system comprises a processor, configured for reading out the aforementioned sensors, and for determining the stress level.

19. The system according to any of embodiments 16-18, characterized in that0 said sensors are configured for registering sound information, an ammonia content, a CO content, a temperature and/or an animal activity.

20. The system according to any of embodiments 16-19, characterized in that said system is a computer-implemented system.

21. The system according to any of embodiments 16-20, characterized in that5 said system is configured for performing the method according to any of embodiments 1-15. A barn, configured for accommodating a plurality of animals, characterized in that said barn is provided with a system according to any of embodiments 16-21, for suppressing stress in livestock.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A method for suppressing stress in livestock, wherein a plurality of animals is accommodated within an interior space of a barn, said method comprises gathering information relating to one or more of the animals, and/or relating

5 to one or more barn conditions, on the basis of which information a stress level is determined and wherein, where the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus, characterized in that said interior0 space of the barn is comprised of two or more zones between which the animals can freely move, wherein the stress level is determined zonally, and wherein the stimuli are activated and/or amplified zonally upon detection of stress within a corresponding zone.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each zone is provided with at least one sensor5 for gathering said information, and with at least one actuator for generating said stress-suppressing stimuli.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the zones, the sensors, and the actuators are stationary.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 -3, wherein a first grid of sensors and0 a second grid of actuators provide coverage to at least a part of said interior space, and wherein each zone is confined within a range of a corresponding sensor and within a range of a corresponding actuator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of said grids is a rectangular grid.

6. The method according to any of claims 4-5, wherein said sensors and5 actuators are combined into integrated devices.

7. A method for suppressing stress in livestock, wherein a plurality of animals is accommodated in a barn, said method comprises gathering information, continuously or repetitively, which information relates to one or more of the animals, and/or relates to one or more barn conditions, on the basis of which0 information a stress level is continuously or repetitively determined and wherein, where the stress level is indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, one or more stress-suppressing stimuli are activated and/or amplified, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stimulus, characterized in that at least one of the stimuli is weakened5 and / or deactivated (i) in case the stress level is no longer indicating a stressed state for at least one of the animals, or (ii) as soon as a predetermined time interval has lapsed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein stress levels are determined periodically with intervals that have a duration of between 10 seconds and 15 m inutes.

9. The method according to any of claims 7-8, wherein at least one of the stimuli

5 is never activated for more than 24 hours.

10. The method according to any of claims 7-9, wherein a stress level trend is determined, and wherein upon detection of a rising stress level said stimuli are amplified correspondingly in real time.

11. The method according to any of claims 7-10, wherein a first type of stimulus0 is activated as soon as the stress level surpasses a first threshold value, and wherein a second type of stimulus is activated as soon as the stress level surpasses a second threshold value, different from the first.

12. The method according to any of the previous claims, wherein said stress suppressing stimuli at least comprise a sound stimulus and/or a light stimulus5 comprising a variable spectrum or intensity.

13. A system for suppressing stress in livestock, configured for being installed in a barn accommodating a plurality of animals, wherein said system comprises a plurality of sensors for gathering information relating to one or more of said animals, and/or relating to one or more barn conditions, and wherein the0 system is configured for determining a stress level on the basis of the information gathered, characterized in that the system further comprises means for activating and/or amplifying one or more stress-suppressing stimuli, which stimuli comprise a sound stimulus and/or an electromagnetic stim ulus.

5 14. The system according to claim 13, which system is configured for perform ing the method according to any of claims 1 -6, or the method according to any of claims 7-12.

15. A barn, configured for accommodating a plurality of animals, characterized in that said barn is provided with a system according to any of claims 13-14,0 for suppressing stress in livestock.