![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Hens.jpg\")
Hens, at least, will benefit from the introduction of AI(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nA project backed with \u00a32.6 million of government money, will see a \u2018Birdbox\u2019 system watch the behaviour of flocks of free range hens, alerting farmers if they\u2019re at risk<\/p>\n
14:39, 19 Apr 2025Updated 15:00, 19 Apr 2025<\/p>\n
Hens, at least, will benefit from the introduction of AI(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence technology will help keep hens fit and healthy – allowing them to lay more eggs and keeping food cheaper for everyone, ministers have promised.<\/p>\n
A project backed with \u00a32.6 million of government money, will see a \u2018Birdbox\u2019 system watch the behaviour of flocks of free range hens, alerting farmers if they\u2019re at risk.<\/p>\n
Everything from pecking, to feeding, to how the birds sound is analysed by carefully trained AI, which can work out when the fowl might be at risk – alerting the farmer to step in and help.<\/p>\n
Experts from Oxford-based FAI Farms, and Cumbria\u2019s The Lakes Free Range Egg Company, plus Newcastle University and the UK Agri-Tech Centre are 6 months into a 3-year project to bring this system to industry.<\/p>\n
Science and Technology<\/a> Secretary Peter Kyle said: \u201cSo much of the talk around AI can leave you feeling scrambled, but I firmly believe in the sunny side up of this tech.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially for our farmers. With smart algorithms monitoring hen health and optimising feeding schedules, British farmers could soon be saying \u2018egg-cellent\u2019 to higher yields and seeing \u2018egg-stra\u2019 profits.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd helping British businesses is what the Government\u2019s Plan for Change is all about.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Labour<\/a> \u2019s analysis, the widespread adoption of this and similar AI tech could hand the UK\u2019s poultry farmers a boost worth over \u00a3100,000 per flock \u2013 potentially reducing egg prices for British shoppers.<\/p>\n If rolled out nationwide that could make for up to 1.7 billion more eggs laid a year, and a \u00a3280 million increase to UK farmers\u2019 income.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster<\/a><\/p>\n Mr Kyle added: \u201cNot only is this work putting British farming at the cutting edge-it\u2019s ensuring our morning fry-ups remain proudly homegrown. Now that\u2019s what I call a cracking use of technology.\u201d<\/p>\n Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed, said: \u201cGovernment support for cutting-edge technology is making a real-world difference to British farmers and boosting their profits.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we are not putting all our eggs in one basket.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a part of our \u00a35bn support for British farmers, more grants will open this spring, supporting the industry to trial fresh innovations and supercharge rural economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n Be the first with news from Mirror Politics<\/p>\n BLUESKY: <\/strong>Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here<\/a>. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan<\/a>, Mikey Smith<\/a>, Kevin Maguire<\/a>, Sophie Huskisson<\/a>, Dave Burke<\/a> and Ashley Cowburn<\/a>.<\/p>\n POLITICS WHATSAPP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here<\/a>. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n NEWSLETTER: <\/strong>Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter<\/a> for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n