Creating a Sheep Reproductive Tracking Model
with Mating Marker
– Tübitak 1002 Project Number: 221O039 –
Project Summary
The use of digital technologies in animal husbandry is becoming increasingly important. Within the scope of the project, 240 merino sheep digital tags, sheep guidance system (aligator), tag reader station, automatic weighing, data converter, mating marker and software were used. With the software program, the herd's age, race, body condition score, live weight, health scores, diseases (parasitic, infectious, metabolic and traumatic) and symptoms, treatment protocols, vaccination and drug applications were recorded through the system for 12 months.
Pedigree records (ram characteristics, service capacity, number of matings, time) estrus (duration, behavior, sponge application, return rate) pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography (USG) (early pregnancy, embryonic death, number of offspring) birth time, lamb survival rate and maternal care were recorded in-season and out-of-season.
Actions taken within the scope of the project
This project was carried out in cooperation with Ankara University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Ankara University NETlab New Media Research Laboratory. In order to create training materials, video recordings of all applications performed during the project were taken.
During the research, sheep with overshoot were identified with the help of a camera and a digital archive of the data was created.
A system with a simple interface and usage for veterinarians and breeders has been developed and the "Utility model" R&D study has been completed, which will contribute to the country's economy by making it ready for use in the field in the field of reproduction.
Project Team
He was graduated from Bilkent University Department of Communication and Design in 2006. He received his master's degree from Anhalt University (Germany), Department of Design with his thesis titled "Optic Illusion and itsit's Uuse for Ddesign" and his PhD degree from Ankara University, Institute of Social Sciences, Department of Radio Television Cinema with his thesis titled "New Media Structuring of Television Broadcasting in Turkey". During his design studies, he worked in Computer Aided Graphic Animation (CGI) and Visual Effects in different advertising agencies and research centers affiliated to universities. The animated films he designed were exhibited in different cities including Ankara, Istanbul and Berlin. He started working at Ankara University, Faculty of Communication, Department of Radio and Television in 2011. Since then, he has taken part in the establishment of the Ankara University Faculty of Communication Film Workshop (İLEF FA) and carried out many projects under the roof of the workshop. In 2017, he founded and coordinated the NETlab New Media Research Laboratory. He is fluent in French and English. His research interests include new media, distance education technologies, Web TV, television 2.0 ecosystem, information technologies, virtual museums, digital gaming and eSports.
Esra Özgür graduated from Bilkent University, Department of Communication and Design in 2016. She completed her master's degree at Kadir Has University New Media program with her thesis titled "WhatsApp Groups Experience of Elderly Users". She worked as a radio programmer and presenter at a local radio station in Ankara. He freelanced in illustration, animation, design and video projects. As of 2020, she has been working as a research assistant at Ankara University Faculty of Communication, Department of Radio and Television. She is a doctoral student in the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema. She is fluent in English and French. Her main interests are new media, digital storytelling and alternative social media cultures.
About the Project
Sheep Guidance Systems
Sheep guidance systems are designed to safely and efficiently manage sheep for shearing, weighing, treatment, selection, grouping and transportation purposes. These systems usually consist of a series of interconnected fencing, gates and restraint units strategically placed to facilitate the movement of sheep.
Sheep guidance systems are important for several reasons. Firstly, they reduce stress and improve animal welfare by minimizing unnecessary handling and providing a calm and controlled environment. Secondly, by intelligently designing the handling process, it increases work efficiency and productivity. Finally, it provides a safe and ergonomic working environment, ensuring the safety of the workers raising the sheep.
Sheep Guidance System
Some common components of sheep guidance systems include:
Where sheep are brought into the system and where they are initially kept.
It is used to separate sheep based on size, sex or health condition.
Narrow, fenced passages guide sheep through the system.
Angled, narrow passages that direct sheep to a specific area or piece of equipment.
It is used to accurately measure the weight of sheep.
Equipment specially designed for shearing sheep
The design and layout of a sheep management system will depend on many factors, such as the number of sheep being processed, the frequency of processing, the size and shape of the available space and the specific needs of the enterprise. Effective sheep management systems are vital for the proper management and care of sheep, and for the safety and productivity of workers during their processing.
Aligator Setup
Sheep guidance systems are mobile or permanent systems used to manage the enterprise efficiently and safely.
It includes a series of passageways, fences, gates and holding units designed to guide sheep through the various stages of the process, such as identification/dubbing, grouping, loading/transfer, weighing, shearing and vaccination, and for ease of handling.
The sheep guidance system is used to help reduce stress in sheep and increase the safety and efficiency of the application process for animals and owners, and to improve animal welfare.
Guidance systems can range from simple, portable modules to more complex, permanent units, depending on the needs of the business.
Thanks
I would like to thank TUBITAK for the support of the project titled "Establishment of sheep reproduction tracking model with mating marker" within the scope of 1002 Rapid Support Program (Project no: 221O039), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ergin Şafak DİKMEN, the project's imaging systems and digital content design consultant, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat Özbeyazoğlu, the researcher, Assoc. Assist. Esra ÖZGÜR, Intern Vet. Hek. Mükremin EROĞLU, Vet. Hek. Burak YILMAZ for their contributions, and Tuğrul KOÇAK and Gökhan DİLER for their help, who allowed us to use all the facilities of the facility.
Supporters
