Scientists have determined the level of stress of chickens by clucking

The technology, developed in Hong Kong by a collaborative team of researchers, can track the alarm signals emitted by chickens when they are stressed or sick with up to 97% accuracy. Scientists argue that this approach can be used to improve the welfare of poultry on farms.

At the moment when chickens are stressed or sick, they begin to make specific, very loud sounds that can be easily distinguished from ordinary clucking. After analyzing records from various poultry farms, scientists from the City University of Hong Kong have developed a technology that, in 97% of cases, can identify distress calls made by birds.

Previous studies by the same group of scientists have established a link between the amount of stress birds experience during rearing and rates of weight gain and mortality in the flock. The researchers say their ultimate goal is not to count distress signals, but to help farmers create a rearing environment in which chickens experience less stress. In their opinion, this will not only have a positive impact on animal welfare, but will also allow farmers to get more efficient production.

it is reported that this technology can be implemented within 5 years, since a number of studies are required to collect data on farms with different levels of poultry. 

Similar technology could be developed to monitor other farm animals, especially pigs and turkeys, which are also often kept indoors and make a wide variety of sounds, the scientists say.

The results of the study were published in the journal of the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).