Overview of challenges and progress in individual poultry identification for welfare monitoring.
Individual poultry identification for welfare monitoring faces unique technical challenges from flock density and constant bird movement. Research approaches using RFID and computer vision are advancing but commercial deployment is limited. Individual identification would enable welfare assessment beyond flock average metrics, detecting poor welfare in specific birds or areas. The welfare potential is significant given the billions of birds in commercial production. Supporting technology development is an investment in future welfare monitoring capability.