computer science project

1. CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Poultry farming is a critical component of the global agriculture industry, contributing
significantly to food production and economic development. Effective poultry management is
essential for maintaining the health and productivity of poultry farms. Over the years,
advancements in technology have played a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency and
productivity of poultry farming. This literature review aims to explore existing research and
developments in the design and implementation of poultry management systems, with a focus
on how technology has revolutionized poultry farming practices.
A Management System is the study of people, technology, organizations and the relationships
among them. Management System professionals help firms realize maximum benefit from
investment in personnel, equipment, and business processes. MIS is a people-oriented field
with an emphasis on service through technology. Management information systems are
typically computer systems used for data managing to make searching, analyzing data and
spring information easier.
Management systems are distinct from other information systems that is, they are used to
analyze and facilitate strategic and operational activities.
Academically, the term is commonly used to refer to the study of how individuals, groups, and
organizations evaluate, design, implement, manage, and utilize systems to generate information
to improve efficiency and effectiveness of decision making, including systems termed decision
support systems, expert systems, and executive information systems
The literature review highlights the evolution of poultry management systems from traditional
methods to technology-driven, data-intensive systems. Automation, sensor technology, IoT,
data analytics, and decision support systems have collectively transformed poultry farming,
resulting in increased productivity and efficient resource management. However, challenges
related to data security and the integration of emerging technologies must be addressed to
ensure the continued advancement of poultry management systems. The design and
implementation of future poultry management systems will likely focus on increased

2. automation, more sophisticated data analytics, and greater integration with emerging
technologies to drive sustainable and efficient poultry farming practices.
2.2 POULTRY FARM MANAGEMENT
Poultry farm management involves the administration, care, and optimization of poultry
farming operations, including the raising of chickens, ducks, turkeys, or other birds for various
purposes, such as meat and egg production. Proper management is crucial for ensuring the
health, welfare, and productivity of the birds while maintaining profitability. This
comprehensive guide covers the key aspects of poultry farm management.
Poultry farm management is a multifaceted process that involves careful planning, attention to
detail, and a commitment to maintaining the health and well-being of the birds. Successful
poultry farming requires a combination of practical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a
dedication to continuous improvement. By following best practices and staying informed,
poultry farmers can optimize their operations and achieve long-term success in the industry.
• Selecting Poultry Species:
o Choose the type of poultry suitable for your goals (e.g., broilers for meat or layers for
egg production).
o Consider factors like climate, market demand, and resources available.
• Housing and Infrastructure:
o Construct appropriate poultry houses or coops to protect birds from weather, predators,
and diseases.
o Ensure proper ventilation, temperature control, and lighting.
o Regularly clean and disinfect housing to prevent disease outbreaks.
• Feeding and Nutrition:
o Provide a balanced diet with essential nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates,
vitamins, and minerals.
o Use commercial feeds or formulate your own feed under expert guidance.
o Maintain a consistent feeding schedule and clean feeding equipment.
• Water Management:
o Ensure a clean and reliable water supply.
o Prevent water contamination by regularly cleaning and disinfecting waterers.
o Monitor water consumption and quality to avoid dehydration and disease.

3. • Healthcare and Disease Control:
o Establish a vaccination schedule based on the specific poultry species and disease risks
in your area.
o Monitor the health of birds regularly for signs of illness.
o Isolate sick birds to prevent the spread of diseases.
o Consult with a veterinarian for professional advice.
• Biosecurity:
o Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases on
the farm.
o Control access to the farm, disinfect equipment, and limit visitor contact.
o Quarantine new birds before introducing them to the flock.
• Breeding and Reproduction (if applicable):
o Manage breeding programs for reproduction, selecting breeding stock carefully.
o Ensure proper incubation and hatching conditions.
o Monitor brooding of chicks to ensure their health and warmth.
• Egg Management (for layer farms):
o Collect eggs regularly to maintain cleanliness and quality.
o Store eggs properly at a controlled temperature and humidity.
o Monitor egg production and address issues like declining eggshell quality.
• Record Keeping:
o Maintain detailed records of bird health, production, feed consumption, and expenses.
o Use records for decision-making, performance analysis, and budgeting.
• Market and Sales:
o Identify target markets for your poultry products.
o Develop marketing strategies to reach consumers or distributors.
o Monitor market trends and adjust production accordingly.
• Financial Management:
o Develop a budget to track income and expenses.
o Assess the financial performance of the poultry farm regularly.
o Consider expansion or investment opportunities based on financial analysis.
• Environmental Considerations:
o Manage waste and manure disposal to minimize environmental impact.
o Comply with local regulations and environmental standards.

4. • Staff Management (if applicable):
o Hire and train employees in proper poultry care and farm procedures.
o Ensure a safe and comfortable working environment.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptation:
o Stay informed about the latest research and industry best practices.
o Be prepared to adapt to changing market conditions, technologies, and regulations.
2.1.1 Traditional Management Practices
Traditionally, poultry farms relied on manual record-keeping and observational methods for
managing birds, feed, and resources. These practices were time-consuming and often prone to
errors, making it challenging for farmers to maintain an efficient operation. Research indicated
that traditional methods resulted in a lack of real-time data and, thus, suboptimal decision-
making (Plummer et al., 2017).
Traditional poultry farm management practices have been the foundation of small-scale poultry
farming for generations. These practices have evolved based on the knowledge and experience
of farmers and their cultural traditions. While modern technologies have revolutionized poultry
farming, traditional methods still persist in many regions. Here, we delve into the details of
traditional poultry farm management practices:
• Selection of Indigenous Breeds:
o Traditional poultry farming often relies on indigenous or local breeds that are well
adapted to the local environment.
o These breeds are often hardy, disease-resistant, and capable of foraging for their food.
• Free-Range Farming:
o Traditional farms typically allow poultry to roam freely in open spaces during the day.
o Free-range birds forage for insects, plants, and other natural food sources.
o They return to simple, low-cost shelters at night for protection.
• Shelter and Housing:
o Traditional poultry houses are often basic, with minimal insulation and ventilation.

5. o Roosts and nest boxes may be provided for birds to perch and lay eggs.
o Low-cost, locally sourced materials like thatch, bamboo, and mud are commonly used.
• Feeding: Traditional farmers may rely on locally available feed resources such as grains,
kitchen scraps, and leftover food. Birds are often allowed to supplement their diet by foraging
for insects, worms, and vegetation.
• Watering: Water sources are often simple, like troughs or containers. They may require
frequent manual refilling.
• Breeding Practices: Traditional poultry farmers may allow natural mating and brooding,
allowing hens to hatch and raise their chicks. Some traditional practices involve rituals or
customs related to breeding and incubation.
2.1.2 Emergence of Poultry Management Systems
As technology advanced, various software and hardware solutions emerged to streamline
poultry management. These systems helped farmers monitor factors such as temperature,
humidity, feed consumption, and egg production in real-time. Poultry management systems
provided actionable data that allowed farmers to make timely decisions regarding the health
and well-being of their flocks (Ames and Chase, 2014).
The emergence of poultry management systems represents a significant leap forward in the
efficiency and productivity of poultry farming. These systems leverage technology and data-
driven solutions to monitor and manage various aspects of poultry farming, ensuring better
outcomes for both small-scale and commercial operations. Here are the details of how poultry
management systems have evolved:
• Integration of Sensors and Automation: The advent of sensor technology has played a
pivotal role in modern poultry management. Sensors are integrated into poultry houses to
monitor various environmental factors. These include temperature, humidity, air quality,
and lighting conditions. Automated systems adjust these factors in real-time to provide the
ideal conditions for poultry, whether they are broilers, layers, or other poultry types.
• IoT-Based Solutions: The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed the way poultry farms
are managed. IoT devices and networks are employed to connect various sensors,
equipment, and systems across the farm. This interconnected approach allows farmers to

6. access real-time data remotely, enabling them to monitor and manage their farms from
anywhere with an internet connection.
• Data-Driven Insights: Poultry management systems generate a wealth of data. This data
is then analyzed using sophisticated software, including data analytics and machine
learning tools. Insights gained from data analysis can help farmers make informed decisions
about feeding, disease prevention, and resource allocation, ultimately improving poultry
health and productivity.
• Environmental Control: Poultry management systems can precisely control the
environmental conditions within poultry houses. For example, they can maintain a constant
temperature and humidity, which is crucial for broiler and layer comfort and health.
Automated systems can also manage lighting to optimize egg production or meat growth.
• Feed Management: These systems allow for precise monitoring of feed consumption.
Sensors can detect how much feed is left in feeders and automatically dispense the right
amount. This prevents both underfeeding and overfeeding, optimizing growth and
minimizing feed wastage.
• Health Monitoring: Some poultry management systems incorporate health monitoring
through the use of cameras or sensors to assess bird behavior. Changes in behavior, such
as reduced activity or abnormal feeding patterns, can be early indicators of health issues.
Alerts can be sent to farmers to take necessary action.
2.3 AUTOMATION AND SENSORS
Automation and sensors are integral components of modern poultry farm management systems.
They improve productivity, reduce operational costs, enhance bird health, and provide real-
time data for informed decision-making. As technology continues to advance, the integration
of these systems with IoT and AI promises even greater efficiency and sustainability in poultry
farming.
Automation and sensor technology have revolutionized the poultry farming industry by
providing real-time monitoring and control of various aspects of poultry production. These
technologies enhance efficiency, improve bird health, and optimize resource management. In
this detailed exploration, we will discuss the role of automation and sensors in poultry farm
management systems:

7. • Environmental Control: Sensors play a crucial role in maintaining optimal environmental
conditions within poultry houses. Temperature and humidity sensors constantly monitor and
regulate the climate, ensuring the comfort and well-being of the birds. Automated ventilation
and heating systems adjust airflow and temperature as needed, minimizing stress and
preventing heat or cold-related health issues.
• Feed Management: Sensors integrated into feeders monitor feed levels in real-time. This data
is used to dispense feed automatically, ensuring that birds receive a consistent and appropriate
amount of feed. Precise feed management reduces wastage and prevents overfeeding,
contributing to efficient growth and cost savings.
• Water Management: Water sensors are used to monitor water quality and water levels in
poultry watering systems. Automated water management systems can control water flow,
ensuring that birds have access to clean, fresh water while preventing water wastage.
• Lighting Control: Automated lighting systems control the photoperiod (daylight exposure)
within poultry houses, influencing egg production in layers and growth rates in broilers.
Sensors and timers are used to regulate the lighting cycle, stimulating or inhibiting bird
activities as required.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Sensors are employed to assess the air quality within poultry houses.
They detect factors such as ammonia levels and carbon dioxide concentration. When air quality
deteriorates, automated systems can activate fans and adjust ventilation to maintain a healthy
atmosphere for the birds.
• Egg Collection and Grading: Automated egg collection systems use sensors to detect and
collect eggs from nests. Eggs are conveyed to a grading station where sensors weigh and sort
them based on size and quality.
• Health Monitoring: Sensors and cameras are utilized for health monitoring. They track bird
behavior, weight, and even signs of distress. Changes in bird behavior or early signs of illness
can trigger alerts to the farmer, allowing for early intervention.
• Alarm and Notification Systems: Sensor data is linked to alarm systems. If sensors detect
critical deviations from ideal conditions, alarms are triggered, and notifications are sent to the
farmer or farm manager. These notifications allow for immediate action to prevent losses or
mitigate risks.
• Data Logging and Analytics: All data collected by sensors is logged and can be analyzed
using data analytics software. Historical data analysis helps farmers identify trends, optimize
operations, and make data-driven decisions for the farm.

8. • Remote Monitoring and Control: Farmers can access sensor data and control systems
remotely through mobile apps or web interfaces. This remote access enables farmers to monitor
and adjust conditions even when they are off-site.
• Integration with IoT and AI: The integration of automation and sensors with the Internet of
Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging trend. AI can process sensor data
to provide predictive analytics, allowing farmers to anticipate issues and optimize farm
management proactively.
2.3.1 Sensor Technology
The integration of sensor technology has been a significant driver of efficiency in poultry
management systems. Sensors placed in poultry houses can monitor environmental conditions,
bird health, and feed consumption. For example, researchers have utilized sensors to monitor
and control temperature and humidity, ensuring optimal conditions for bird growth (Li et al.,
2019).
2.3.2 IoT-Based Systems
The Internet of Things (IoT) has played a pivotal role in the automation of poultry farming.
IoT-based systems connect various sensors and devices, enabling farmers to access real-time
data remotely. This technology allows for the continuous monitoring of poultry farms, ensuring
that farmers can take immediate actions to address issues and optimize performance (Xia et al.,
2018).
2.4 DATA ANALYTICS AND DECISION SUPPORT
Data analytics and decision support systems play a critical role in modern poultry farm
management. These technologies collect, process, and interpret data from various sources on
the farm to provide actionable insights for farmers. In the context of poultry farming, data
analytics and decision support systems are essential for optimizing production, minimizing
costs, and ensuring the health and well-being of the birds. Here's a detailed exploration of their
roles and benefits:
• Data Collection: Data analytics in poultry farm management begins with the collection
of data from various sources. This includes sensor data (e.g., environmental conditions,

9. feed consumption, and bird health), production data (e.g., egg yield and meat production),
and financial data (e.g., expenses and revenue).
• Data Integration: Data from different sources are integrated into a central database or
platform. This integration allows for a holistic view of farm operations, enabling farmers
to identify correlations and trends across various aspects of their poultry business.
• Data Analysis: Data analytics tools are employed to process and analyze the collected
data. These tools use statistical and machine learning algorithms to extract meaningful
information from the data.
• Predictive Analytics: Predictive analytics is used to forecast future trends and events. For
example, it can predict disease outbreaks based on environmental conditions or project
egg production rates based on historical data.
• Disease Detection and Prevention: Data analytics can monitor bird behavior and health
parameters. Sudden deviations from the norm can trigger alerts for potential disease
outbreaks. Decision support systems can provide recommendations for disease prevention
and treatment based on the analyzed data.
• Feed Optimization: By analyzing feed consumption data and bird growth rates, analytics
can optimize feed formulations and schedules. This leads to more efficient resource
utilization and reduced feed waste.
• Environmental Control: Environmental data, such as temperature and humidity, can be
analyzed to optimize the control of the poultry house's climate. Decision support systems
can recommend adjustments to maintain ideal conditions for bird comfort and
productivity.
2.4.1 Big Data Analytics
The volume of data generated by poultry management systems is substantial. Advanced data
analytics techniques, such as machine learning and big data analysis, have been applied to
derive meaningful insights from this data. These insights can inform farmers about trends,
predict disease outbreaks, and optimize feed management, ultimately leading to increased
productivity (Awad and Hassanien, 2015).

10. 2.4.2 Decision Support Systems
Researchers have developed decision support systems that integrate data analytics to assist
poultry farmers in making informed decisions. These systems provide actionable
recommendations for disease prevention, feed optimization, and resource allocation, leading to
increased productivity and cost reduction (Salman et al., 2019).
2.5 CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Poultry farm management systems have come a long way in enhancing efficiency, productivity,
and sustainability in the poultry industry. However, they also face a set of challenges and have
exciting future directions that aim to address these challenges while pushing the boundaries of
innovation. Here's a detailed exploration of the challenges and future directions:
2.5.1 Data Security and Privacy
The increased reliance on technology in poultry farming brings concerns about data security
and privacy. Researchers emphasize the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect
sensitive data from potential breaches and unauthorized access (Sarker et al., 2020).
2.5.2 Integration with Emerging Technologies
Poultry management systems are likely to integrate with emerging technologies, such as
blockchain and artificial intelligence, to further enhance traceability, disease detection, and
resource management (Kusumaningtyas et al., 2021).
2.6 REVIEW OF PAST WORK
According to Tulasi (2010), a web-based poultry management system was undertaken with
central poultry to develop a management system which can act as a backbone to monitor
production phases, sales, profit and loss analysis of the central poultry. This system focuses on
account only. They are maintained through excel sheet. At times they are in great need of a
system which can monitor all the operations of the poultry activities to enable them have a farm
report at a glance. According to Port mount etal (2017), evaluated the challenges of online
delivering of poultry farm records in poultry management system depends on certain condition
to ensure that poultry activities can be viewed at ease through the internet service. The
planning, coordinating, organizing, controlling and implementing of poultry activities

11. particularly livestock management will be a leap in the dark in the absence of accurate and
accessible information that would be made possible through an effective record- keeping
practices
A project work was done on the design and implementation of a web-based poultry
management system in Kenya by John Evans using poultry in Kenya as a case study, the basic
mode of operations in Excellent poultry management system was still on paper as compared to
poultries in European Countries where web-based system has been put in to assist poultry
workers in keeping records of their livestock. The manual handling of farm records is time
consuming and highly prone to errors. His research was based on the following:
• The existing system, is being used in majority of the poultry farm.
• The availability of farm records.
• How to improve the flow of information within poultry staff.
After his research he found some drawbacks of the current working system as follows:
• Maintaining the records of sale and expenses manually is a time-consuming job with
the increase in database, it will become a massive job to maintain the database on paper.
• Requires large quantities of file cabinets, which are huge and require quite a bit of space
in the office, which can be used for storing files.
• The retrieval of farm records of previously livestock will be a tedious job.
• Lack of security for the records, someone can easily disarrange the records of the system.
• Problem of Reliability: Current system is not reliable. It seems to vary in quality from one
month to the, next. Sometimes it gives good output, but sometimes the output is worst.
• Problem of Accuracy: There are too many mistakes in reports.
• Problem of timeliness: In the current system reports and output produced is mostly late
and in most of the cases it is useless because it is not on time.
• Problem of Validity: The output and reports mostly contain misleading information. The
customer's information is sometimes not valid.
• Problem of Capacity: The current system is suffering from problem of capacity also the
staff for organization is very less and the workload is too much. Few peoples cannot handle
all the work.
The skillful and conceived management is one of the most important success factors for today’s
farms (Mishra et al., 2017; Muhammad et al., 2014). Only when a farm is well managed, it can
generate the funds to finance its sustainable development and thereby its survival in today’s

12. fast changing environment. However, a sophisticated management is a challenging and time-
consuming task, and has to be organized as efficiently as possible (Forster, 2012; Doye et al.,
2014).
Reasons that explain the importance of a sophisticated farm management are certainly diverse,
however, three major factors have been identified in the ongoing academic discourse
(Inderhees, 2016; Sorensen, Bochtis, 2010):
• A complex environment;
• Complex farm structures;
The introduction of modern technologies to the agricultural sector (Glauben et al., 2016).
The environment the farms are involved in has become more and more
complex over the past decades. Until the late 1980s it was enough to supply a society with
cheap and sufficient food products. Today however, much more is expected from the
agricultural sector, in particular when it comes to environmental concerns (Rohwer, 2010).
Overall, the agricultural business has shifted from a simple production sector to a
multifunctional service sector (Schöpe, 2005). The expectations incorporate compliance with
regulations to be entitled for EU subsidies (Morgan et al., 2012; Sorensen, Bochtis, 2010), new
and stricter guidelines for the use of agrochemicals (Villaverde et al., 2014), food safety
(Magnuson et al., 2013) and animal welfare requirements and environmental concerns
(Malcolm, 2004a; BMELV, 2004). Furthermore, agricultural production has become an
international business because of the liberalization of agricultural markets (Weiss, Thiele,
2002; Mußhoff, Hirschauer 2017). Together with the decrease of shipment costs it became
economically feasible to trade agricultural commodities on the world market. This
development makes it possible that a farmer in one country is affected by a drought or a change
of agricultural policy in another country by more volatile prices (Malcolm, 2004a; Kristensen,
Halberg, 2017).
The second reason, why farm management became more and more difficult lays within the
farms them-selves. In Germany the total number of farms has decreased since the 1970s
whereas the cultivated area did not change substantially (© Statistisches Bundesamt, 2012).
Consequently, the remaining farms have become larger to benefit from economies of scale
(Nause, 2003) but they also became more difficult to manage (Glauben et al., 2016). But not
all farmers reacted in the way of augmenting their cultivated area. A significant number of
farmers started to diversify the business, by introducing new branches of production, offering

13. services or by starting direct-marketing of crops (Weiss, Thiele, 2012; Horstmann, Schulze,
2011). Either way, the management of farms became more complex.
Lastly, the introduction of modern technology contributed to the challenge of sophisticated
farm management. In this context modern technology incorporates in particular the usage of
PCs coupled with the application of the corresponding software of the financial statements of
farms, planning tasks for land cultivation husbandry etc. Additionally, many farmers
introduced GPS added tractors and “smart” machinery, GIS-supported landscape modeling and
other state of the art technology, making special knowledge indispensable (Linseisen et al.,
2010; Zeddies, 2011). All these technologies can be combined under the expression “Wired
Farm” or “Precision Farming” (Sigrimis et al., 2018).
A major outcome of the three developments described is the generation of large
data volumes. To handle and to benefit from theses enormous data volumes farmers have to be
capable of performing the following tasks:
• Collection of Data;
• Processing of Data;
• Providing Data;
• Using Data.
To deal with these four tasks farmers have to introduce an integrated Information System (IS)
sometimes also called DSS (decision support systems). Integrated in this context means that
the IS has to be the connecting part between the farm’s ERP (enterprise resource planning
system) and the FMIS (management information system), (Sørensen, Bochtis, 2010). Only
when an IS fulfils, both the data handling and the integration requirements it can satisfy its
overall goal, namely to make the available data usable (McCown, 2002; Bryant, 1999;
Kuhlmann, Brodersen, 2001), to contribute to a better decision-making process, and finally to
a better management of the farm (Fountas et al., 2005). At the end farm management is always
about analyzing data and making choices in order to allocate the scarce resources of the farm
in the best way (Malcolm, 2004b, Parker, 2003).
Today, most information system (IS) or decision support system (DSS) have a special focus.
“Dairy Comp 305” for instance, is an IS especially for the herd management of milking cows
(Cerosaletti et al., 2004, Enevoldsen et al., 1995), whereas MicroLEIS (Meyer et al., 2013),
DSSAT (Sonam, Sawhney, 2014) are developed as very useful tools land cultivation.
AFFOREST sDSS is especially developed for silvi-culturist (Orshoven et al., 2007) and

14. Stockkeeper for herd management of bulls (Grubb, 2010). Others, like FAMOUS e.g., focus
particularly on huge and highly professional managed farms (Schmid, 2004).