University lecturer develops IoT-based chicken coop system

A lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science at Brawijaya University, Danung Nur Adli Spt., MSc., MPt, has developed an integrated chicken coop system to increase the potential productivity of broiler chickens.

The system uses the Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile apps.

"This is called real-time technology service for chickens. The goal is to increase the productivity of broiler chickens," Danung said in Malang, East Java, on Friday.

The innovation was initiated in 2019, when he began designing ways to use technology in traditional chicken coops with an open model to assign economic value to male chicks that are often viewed as waste.

"In the past, we did not know what to do with the male chicks. They were usually raised to be sold as broiler chickens," he said.

In 2024, his design received a funding grant for further development from Brawijaya University.

The IoT-based chicken coop is also designed to provide an alternative to more sophisticated technology, such as TempTron or a temperature and humidity control device.

Considering the high cost required to build the TempTron, which is specifically designed to maintain the stability of temperature and humidity in a closed chicken coop or close house, Danung decided to design his innovation.

Moreover, there are still many farmers who use traditional open-type coops to raise chicken.

"So, we design a microcontroller, then later there is a probe that is connected as a sensor and it works using a modem to transmit data about temperature and humidity," he said.

The mechanism allows each farmer to get real-time data on the temperature and humidity in their chicken coops within an estimated two to three minutes via their mobile phone.

"We are still developing the application, so it is still simple," he said.

Using the data, farmers can immediately take corrective action. For example, if the air temperature is hot, they can provide drinking water or nutritional intake to their chickens.

"Chickens eat less when the air temperature is high. Thus, this requires a quick decision. If it is too late, it can affect their immunity, so it has the potential to get sick. The increase in cells for its body weight also decreases," he explained.

Danung's system caught the attention of Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid when she visited the campus some time ago.

Currently, Danung's chicken coop system is being used at several farms in Malang Regency, such as in Karangploso and Singosari.

The innovation for livestock has received a positive response from chicken farmers as well, especially those from the millennial generation.

For marketing the device, he is collaborating with one of his colleagues and co-founder of supplier of male chickens, Pemiara.id, Luthfan Bayu Zulkarnaen.

"Bayu also helps report on the development of the temperature, then provides input on what actions to take," Danung said.

For more information please click: https://ub.ac.id
Brawijaya University: https://prasetya.ub.ac.id

Ref: ANTARA Indonesian News Agency