Application of Robotics in Poultry Production a Review

The poultry industry in Nigeria is evolving rapidly in response to increasing demand for animal protein, economic development, and technological innovation. Despite its growth, the sector faces critical challenges related to animal health, environmental sustainability, production inefficiencies, and human-induced issues. This review explores the integration of robotics in poultry farming as a transformative solution to these challenges. It discusses the historical development of poultry production in Nigeria, current production systems, and major constraints hindering the industry's progress. Robotics applications—ranging from environmental monitoring, disease control through early detection, sanitation, and reduced human contact, to egg collection, litter management, to encouraging bird activity—are analyzed in depth. The review highlights recent innovations, such as sensor-equipped robots, AI-driven systems, and mobile units capable of improving animal welfare and production efficiency while minimizing labor demands and biosecurity risks. Furthermore, it identifies limitations in current robotic technologies, including navigation in cluttered environments, autonomous decision-making, and affordability for small-scale farmers. The study concludes with future directions for research and development, emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration, ethical design, and economic feasibility to enhance the adoption of smart systems in poultry farming. Robotics, when effectively deployed, hold great promise in advancing productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare in poultry systems.