Detecting estrus in animals for insemination

Abstract

A method for detecting estrus in sows where insemination is carried out when a determination has been made. In a first method images of a rear profile of each sow are analyzed to make a determination from features relating to a shape, size, and/or color of the vulva whether the sow is in estrus. The analysis can use a program where a large number of images showing the vulva area of a plurality of sows known to be in estrus and known not to be in estrus have been previously analyzed to generate data on the previous images to create a program which generates a signal using the data to make the determination. In a second method a boar is confined and brought into close contact with the sows where images and/or sounds of each sow are analyzed to make a determination whether the sow is in estrus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.