Our motivation is to improve efficiency through increases in productivity through improved reproductive performance and reduction in wastage via leg health culls. We will achieve this by bringing together innovations in data capture, sensors, image recognition, genomics and novel analytical techniques to develop an integrated data driven solution for the whole duck production chain. Our tripartite collaborative project brings together world leading duck breeding company, Cherry Valley Farms (CVF), The Roslin Institute (RI) and Hudson & Sanders (H&S). The collaborative team brings end-to-end research, innovation and exploitation potential through the entire duck production chain.

At the end of the ISCF-TFP feasibility study we aim to have developed and evaluated a range of complementary tools to manage duck flocks and capture data associated with reproductive performance and leg health/gait analysis. These tools can be exploited both by duck breeding companies to more accurately capture relevant data on an individual basis to improve genetic progress. In addition, flock based predictors of performance and perturbations of performance, including welfare and behaviour, linked to flock output will be assessed. The outputs from our project will be passed down the breeding pyramid, not only as improved genetic stock, but in the form of management strategies as technical support offered to customers. This will enable companies like H&S to develop disruptive technologies and deliver integrated solutions that have the potential to improve productivity and sustainability of duck production.

The proposed innovation is in combination of technologies (sensors, image recognition, genomic pedigree) being combined to improve reproduction and welfare at both the genetic level (requiring individual birds data) and commercial population level. Together, exploitation of the innovations at both individual and flock level will enable us to improve productivity, reduce wastage, reducing the competition of crops for animal feed and decreasing the environmental footprint of production and thus contribute to delivering the target of net zero emissions from agriculture.