PARENT SESSION
Monday, August 7, 8:00-11:30 am
COS 6 - Behavioral ecology
L-13, Lobby Level, Cook Convention Center
Presiders: S Hampton
Opportunities for researching non-domesticated animals using computerized Dairy Cow technology.
Felix, Andres*,1, Koenig, Bruce 2, 1 Lansing Community College, Williamston, MI, USA2 PhD Systems Mathematics and Farmer, Williamston, MI, USA
ABSTRACT- In recent years Diary Cow Farmers are using new computerized technology to record data and analyze the biology and behavior of Domestic Dairy Cows. This new technology can possibly be used by Ecologists to study the physiology and behaviors of some Non-domesticated Animals in their Habitats. These new Computerized Devices are inexpensive and relatively small in size. In the case of Domestic Dairy Cows these Computerized Tag Recorders are attached to a leg of the animal, and record data about the "motion" of the Dairy Cow in extensive detail. Data is collected by computerized tags and radio transmission signals are monitored by sensors. The data is collected on the computer software when the cow is close to the sensors. Their function is to count and analyze the motion and behavior of the animal. This data helps to detect illnesses, estrous, pregnancy, and provides information about the animals' health and behavior. Computerized dairy technology has been used by Diary Farmers around the world. This technology could possibly be used to study the lives and behavior of Non-domestic Animals in Ecological Research. This presentation will discuss the possibilities for Ecologists to utilize this new technology for research of Non-domestic Animals.
Key words: computer technology, recording animal behavior, analyzing animal physiology