Virtualna ograja za pašo drobnice

Tomazin, Eva (author), Simčič, Mojca (mentor), Klopčič, Marija (co-mentor)

Virtualna ograja je živalim prijazen sistem ograjevanja pašnikov, ki omogoča zapiranje ali premikanje živine brez uporabe fiksnih ograj. Virtualno ograjo sestavljata GPS ovratnica in virtualna ograja, katero uporabnik definira preko aplikacije. Vsaka žival ima svojo GPS ovratnico, ki je povezana z omrežjem in komunicira s spletno aplikacijo. Ko se žival približa navidezni ograji na nekaj metrov, ovratnica to zazna in jasno odda zvočno opozorilo (pisk). Ko se žival ustavi ali zavije v drugo smer zvočno opozorilo nemudoma preneha. Če žival ignorira zvočno opozorilo, sledi nežen električni dražljaj, po potrebi pa še malo močnejši dražljaj, ki žival odvrne od prečkanja navidezne ograje. Sistem nauči živali, da že samo ob pisku reagirajo in spremenijo svojo smer ter vselej ostajajo znotraj virtualne ograje. Ugotovljena je bila hitra sposobnost učenja (dva dni) in vzpostavitev povezav z zvočnim signalom ter nenavezanost na dotično lokacijo, kar se izkaže kot eden od večjih uspehov uporabe virtualne ograje. Ovce lahko povežejo zvok z virtualno ograjo in ne fizično z lokacijo. Dejstvo je, da so imele študije, ki so v ospredje postavljale dobrobit živali (in zaradi tega celo prekinile poskus, izključile živali) mnogo slabše rezultate, kot študije, v katerih dobrobit živali ni bila upoštevana. Slednje nikakor ne pomeni, da virtualne ograje lahko uporabljamo, če dobrobiti ne upoštevamo, le v praksi se je izkazalo, da je očitno potreben (pre)velik stres, da se žival nauči koncepta virtualne ograje.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: drobnica, paša, virtualna ograja, ovratnice, zvočna opozorila, električni dražljaji
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Year: 2022
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-138789
• COBISS.SI-ID: 118483971
• Publication date in RUL: 18.08.2022

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Virtual fence for grazing of small ruminants

Abstract

The virtual fence is an animal-friendly fencing system that allows livestock to be confined or moved without fixed fences. The virtual fence consists of a GPS collar and a virtual fence defined by the user through the app. Each animal has its own GPS collar that is connected to the network and communicates with the web application. When an animal approaches within a few metres of the virtual fence, the collar detects this and emits a clear audible warning (beep). If the animal stops or moves in the other direction, the audible warning signal stops immediately. If the animal ignores the audible warning, a gentle electrical stimulus follows, followed by a slightly stronger stimulus if necessary, to discourage the animal from crossing the virtual fence. The system teaches the animal to respond to the beep itself and change direction, always staying within the virtual fence. The quick learning ability (two days) and the establishment of connections to the acoustic signal, as well as the lack of attachment to the place in question, have proven to be one of the greatest successes of the virtual fence relocation. The sheep can associate the sound with the virtual fence and not with the physical location. Studies that prioritised animal welfare (and even interrupted the experiment to exclude the animals) had significantly worse results than studies that did not consider welfare.

• Keywords: small ruminants, virtual fencing, collars, acoustic warning, electrical stimulus