Vlatko Ilieski
Animal Welfare Center
Macedonia
Title: Usage of tri-axial acceleration of the hind leg for recognizing sheep behavior
Biography
Biography: Vlatko Ilieski
Abstract
Measuring the leg position and its motion could indicate strong distinction between sheep’s lying, standing and gait types which could define sheep behavior and their welfare state. Tri-axial accelerometer simultaneously records acceleration and inclination through measurement of an analogue signal in each of its three axes (X, Y and Z) converting it to gravity units on different time logging interval. The objective of this study was to analyze the position and locomotion of the sheep’s hind leg using attached accelerometer and to interpret the gathered data. Six sheep (3 rams and 3 ewes) divided in two groups (gender division) were used in this experiment. HOBO Pendant G tri-axial acceleration data logger was attached on the lateral side of the metatarsal region on the left hind leg. For the standing position the acceleration of the x-axis was in range 0.8 and 1 g (x̅=0.937±0.035) and the sum vector was from 0.85-1.3 g (x̅=0.988±0.006) with the time interval longer than 0.7 seconds. The single step analysis of walking and running showed distinctive patterns of the x-axis acceleration during stance and swing phase. The frequencies of acceleration values of x-axis and sum vector showed significant differences in the category 0-1 g for walking. Defining thresholds based on the frequencies of acceleration values are the most reliable approach for acceleration analysis. The defined thresholds for sheep can be used for behavioral research and sheep locomotion as well as a tool for herd and sheep behavior and animal welfare assessment