Development of an Ultrasonic Chicken Counter
IKYAATOR, M.T *
Department of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
KURSHAV, P. A
Department of Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In the context of mechanized poultry management, efficient and accurate chicken counting systems are essential in tracking inventory, performance management and optimizing operations. Modern counting techniques, such as image analysis, present limitations due to high costs and technical demands and the traditional or crude methods of counting are time consuming and involve drudgery. This project focuses on modifying and evaluating a prototype ultrasonic chicken counter for chain conveyor applications. Using ultrasonic sensors, positioned at entry and exit points, the study sought to optimize counting speed, efficiency, and accuracy across varied conveyor speeds. Performance evaluation conducted at speeds of 10 cm/s, 20 cm/s, and 30 cm/s revealed that lower speeds yielded higher accuracy, with the device achieving up to 98.67% accuracy at 10 cm/s and experiencing increased errors as speed rose. Notably, systematic errors averaged 1.33% at 10 cm/s but increased to 12.67% at 30 cm/s. These findings demonstrate the suitability of ultrasonic sensors for cost-effective and reliable counting in poultry farms when operated within specified speed ranges. The study concludes that the modified ultrasonic counter provides a practical solution for small- and medium-scale poultry operations, where reduced conveyor speeds can maximize accuracy while offering insights into developing low-cost automated counting solutions that address operational challenges in the poultry industry.
Keywords: Ultrasonic sensors, automated poultry monitoring, chicken counting system, sensor-based livestock tracking