Elektronische Tierkennzeichnung für Verhaltensuntersuchungen bei Legehennen

This article focuses on the development of an automatic registration unit for the behavioural investigations of laying hens in housing systems with an open yard. The system is based on individual electronic identification using a small transponder encapsulated in the wing band. The transponder is identified twice when an animal passes a special antenna which is mounted on the house opening, providing detailed data on the movement direction of individual hens. A PC-software was developed for improved data handling. The system is highly reliable, with an identification rate of 99 %. With this unit it is possible to record each visit and period of stay in the open yard, without the time consuming procedures of video analyses.