A method of livestock rearing and a livestock shed

摘要

A method of rearing chickens comprises providing a chicken shed 10 having a floor area 12 over which the chickens can move freely. The shed is provided with a plurality of lights 18 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 20 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. A controller 22 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.