Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding

Abstract Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve...

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Autores principales:	Kate J. Yaxley, Keith F. Joiner, Hussein Abbass
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2021
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/6f0ef027f97740479530e6b3abd2981c
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id	oai:doaj.org-article:6f0ef027f97740479530e6b3abd2981c
record_format	dspace
spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:6f0ef027f97740479530e6b3abd2981c2021-12-02T18:15:25ZDrone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding10.1038/s41598-021-87453-y2045-2322https://doaj.org/article/6f0ef027f97740479530e6b3abd2981c2021-04-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87453-yhttps://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve Dorper sheep (Ovies aries) to a drone to adapt mathematical models of shepherding to the new dimension. The model aims to make it feasible for artificial intelligence to improve the autonomy of farmers and pilots in shepherding from the sky. Sheep acclimatised quickly and positively to the drone initiating drive of a flock, regardless of drone speed. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public.Kate J. YaxleyKeith F. JoinerHussein AbbassNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 11, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Kate J. Yaxley Keith F. Joiner Hussein Abbass Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
description	Abstract Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve Dorper sheep (Ovies aries) to a drone to adapt mathematical models of shepherding to the new dimension. The model aims to make it feasible for artificial intelligence to improve the autonomy of farmers and pilots in shepherding from the sky. Sheep acclimatised quickly and positively to the drone initiating drive of a flock, regardless of drone speed. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public.
format	article
author	Kate J. Yaxley Keith F. Joiner Hussein Abbass
author_facet	Kate J. Yaxley Keith F. Joiner Hussein Abbass
author_sort	Kate J. Yaxley
title	Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
title_short	Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
title_full	Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
title_fullStr	Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
title_full_unstemmed	Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
title_sort	drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/6f0ef027f97740479530e6b3abd2981c
work_keys_str_mv	AT katejyaxley droneapproachparametersleadingtolowerstresssheepflockingandmovementskyshepherding AT keithfjoiner droneapproachparametersleadingtolowerstresssheepflockingandmovementskyshepherding AT husseinabbass droneapproachparametersleadingtolowerstresssheepflockingandmovementskyshepherding
_version_	1718378398584143872

Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding

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