A group of UGM students participating in the Innovation Works category of the Student Creativity Program have developed a device called ADEM to shield broiler chickens from heat stress.
Chicken meat is one of Indonesia’s most consumed animal protein sources. Its high consumption indicates that poultry farming has significant business potential.
According to data from Statistics Indonesia, in 2020, the population of broiler chickens in Indonesia reached 2,970,493,660, showing that the broiler chicken farming industry is a promising business sector.
For farmers, chicken productivity is crucial. When livestock is highly productive, farmers can increase their profits.
However, increasing productivity is not easy, as high environmental temperatures can lead to poor growth and production in chickens, not in line with their genetic potential.
Generally, high temperatures result in heat stress, where chickens experience stress due to their inability to adapt to temperature and humidity conditions.
The team, mentored by Dr. Ir. Muhsin Al Anas, comprises team leader Levia Arkananta Sarjono (Animal Science) and members Muhammad Hasani (Electronics and Instrumentation), Ilyasa Ihsan Yasin (Mechanical Engineering), Heva Adli Wijaya (Electronics and Instrumentation), and Joshua Tito Amael (Electronics and Instrumentation).
Levia Sarjono explained that the device for preventing heat stress in broiler chickens is integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT). All the components are assembled to create a functional device connected to a mobile application.
“The mobile app is designed to facilitate farmers monitor the condition of the coop, enabling them to maximize their farming management,” Sarjono said in a statement to the press on Monday (October 9).
The temperature detection device has three main components: sensors, sprinklers, and a mobile application. The sensors include humidity sensors, temperature sensors, and ammonia level sensors. The sprinklers are installed on the coop’s roof and emit a fine mist.
Based on testing conducted by the team, the environmental condition data read by the sensors will be sent to a database, triggering notifications in the mobile application.
“This data provides early warnings to farmers about the coop’s condition, allowing them to take faster action. Farmers can directly activate the sprinkler when the coop’s temperature is too high,” added Heva Wijaya.
While it is still in the early stages of research, Joshua Amael hopes this device can help broiler farmers and provide a solution to enhance poultry productivity.
“The device is simple, easy to operate and maintain, and can be operated remotely,” Amael concluded.
Author: Gusti Grehenson