Feeding behaviour of pregnant sows monitored by means of RFID active tags

The main aim of the research was to present the technical features of the electronicidentification systems to study animals and to analyze the behaviour of pregnant sows keptoutdoor using new remote monitoring system. In a pig farm located in a mountainous area ofTuscan-Emilian Apennine an outdoor enclosure was examined by means of an innovativemonitoring system based on the use of RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification). Thebehavioural studies are presented in this paper. Active tags automatically send impulses so theanimals can be identified by even distant readers. This ability is guaranteed by using a powerbattery. The experimental trials were carried out in January 2008. Inside the pen 15 pregnantsows were kept. They could freely move in the enclosure, using a closed hut for resting, feedersand drinkers. Two sows were provided with an active tag inserted in a collar. The RFIDequipment was arranged to monitor the presence of the sows in feeding area. In this way it waspossible to analyze the feeding behaviour of the sows.As first result of experimental trials it was possible to state that RFID technology based on theuse of active tags can be suitable for monitoring animals in mid-size outdoor pens, providingdigital data that can be easily computerized. Conference on "Innovation Technology to Empower Safety, Health and Welfare in Agriculture and Agro-food Systems"