WO2008001367A1

WO2008001367A1 - Methods and systems for monitoring and controlling body temperature of a group of homothermic organisms

Info

Publication number: WO2008001367A1
Application number: PCT/IL2007/000783
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shlomo Yahav
Original assignee: State Of Israel, Ministry Of Agriculture & Rural Development, Agricultural Research Organization (A.R.O.), Volcani Center
Priority date: 2006-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2008-01-03

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring body temperature of warm-blooded organisms such as domestic animals, in particular chickens, turkeys and laying hens. The methods comprise obtaining thermal data, at a single or a plurality of locations in an area housing the population, and analyzing the data so as to determine the body temperature of at least one organism in the population. If an anomalous body temperature is detected, indicating hypothermia or hyperthermia, a control system is activated which generates an environmental change aimed at modifying the organism's temperature. Measurements of the organism's temperature may be performed non-invasively by obtaining thermal data from an external body surface using e.g. thermal imaging, or by temperature transmitters implanted in at least some of the organisms.

Description

^vffiTHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING BODY TEMPERATURE OF A GROUP OF HOMOTHERMIC ORGANISMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for measuring heat of homothermic organisms and more particularly to methods and apparatus for controlling the body temperature of homothermic organisms.

LIST OF REFERENCES

The following references are considered to be pertinent for the purpose of understanding the background of the present invention:

Hambdan et al. Int. J. Poult. Sci 5(1) 19:21 (2006)

US 6,996,256 US 2004/254472 US 6,974,373 WO 2004/105474

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The fowl and cattle rearing industries have developed animals which are larger and have higher growth rates than animals of previous generations.

The average body weight of a farm animal (e.g. broiler chicken) has increased significantly over the last few decades. This, in turn has reduced the thermotolerance of the average animal.

On the other hand, due to global warming, the mean ambient temperature has risen significantly over the last two-three decades meaning that farm animals suffer more from overheating than in previous decades. The detrimental effects of high ambient temperature on feed intake, growth rate and feed efficiency of animals are well documented in the literature (Hambdan et al., Int. J. Poult. Sci 5(1) 19:21 (2006)).

In order to maintain a high yield of animal/fowl, the feed and environmental conditions must be closely monitored and controlled. Since both the average weight and the mean ambient temperature have increased in the last few decades, it is harder today to control the body temperature (T_b) of domestic animals. Thus, the animal is more prone to hypo/hyperthermia.

Hence, a need arises for systems suitable for modulating the environment of domestic animals in a manner that is responsive to the animal's body temperature in an efficient and quick manner.

Some relevant publications in the field include:

US 6,996,256 to Pavlidis describes a detection system and method using thermal image analysis for determining the physiological state of a person.

US 2004/254472 Al to McQuilkin describes methods and apparatus for remote non-invasive techniques for detecting core body temperature in a subject via thermal imaging.

US 6,974,373 to Kriesel describes a method and apparatus for measuring the physical characteristics of livestock animals.

WO 2004/105474 to Harrison et al. describes the use of infrared thermography in live animals to predict growth efficiency.

There is thus a need for methods and systems which can accurately monitor and control environmental and physiological parameters of homothermic organisms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses systems and methods for invasive and noninvasive determination of body temperature of one or more (warm- blooded/homothermic) organisms such as domestic animals, fowl, in particular chickens/turkeys/laying hens in a (homogenous) population of organisms, comprising obtaining thermal data, such as, but not limited to, by thermal imaging (radiometry) at a plurality of locations in an area housing the population, such as a controlled environment, chicken-coop, cow-shed, barn, farmhouse; and analyzing the data so as to determine the body temperature of at least one organism in the population, typically to determine at least one anomalous body temperature of one or more of the population due to hypothermia/hyperthermia/fever.

The anomalous body temperature(s) may provide early indications and warnings of environmental stress/infections to a subpopulation/subarea within the population/area. In some embodiments, the method of obtaining data includes obtaining thermal data relating to the external/surface temperature on the face of the organism which correlates well with the body temperature of the organism.

Accordingly, the invention provides methods for controlling the temperature of a warm-blooded animal comprising:

(a) determining the animal's temperature; and

(b) responsive to (a), changing at least one parameter of the environment of the animal affecting the temperature of the animal.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, various parameters may be changed in order to affect the animal's temperature, including, but not limited to, adjustment of the temperature in the animal's environment, e.g. cooling or heating the environment as appropriate, affecting the air composition including the relative humidity, or the ventilation.

In certain embodiments the method comprises changing the animal's diet or increasing water supply in response to an identified change in the animal's temperature.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention step (b) includes applying a treatment to the animal to affect its temperature. In the case of fever the method comprises providing a medical treatment to the animal.

In one embodiment, the determination of the animal's temperature is performed non-invasively. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for non-invasively controlling the temperature of a warm-blooded animal comprising:

(a) non-invasively determining an external temperature at one or more surface locations of the animal;

(b) responsive to (a), changing at least one parameter of the environment affecting the temperature of the animal.

In another embodiment, the determination of the animal's temperature is performed using internal temperature transmitters. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for controlling the temperature of a warm-blooded animal comprising: - A -

(a) implanting a temperature transmitter into said animal;

(b) determining the animal's internal temperature; and

(c) responsive to (b), changing at least one parameter of the environment affecting the temperature of the animal.

This invention further describes methods for controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising:

(a) determining the temperature of some or all of the population of animals;

(b) locating a subpopulation of animals having an anomalous body temperature; and

(c) responsive to (b), changing at least one parameter of the environment of the population or sub-population affecting the temperature of the animal.

The animals' temperature may be determined using non-invasive methods or internal temperature transmitters.

In some cases the method further comprises providing a medical treatment to the sub-population. In some embodiments, the animals are fowl. In some cases, the population is in a closed environment.

This invention further describes a system for non-invasively controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising: a) an infrared image analyzer configured to non-invasively determine an external temperature at one or more surface locations of some or all of the animals; b) a computer system operative to identify animals having an anomalous body temperature responsive to the measurements of the infrared image analyzer; and c) an environmental control system operative to change at least one parameter of the environment of the animals or to apply at least one external treatment so as to affect the body temperature thereof.

This invention further describes a system for controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising: a) implantable temperature transmitters configured to determine and transmit the temperature of some or all of the animals; b) a receiver configured to receive the transmitted thermal information; c) a computer system operative to identify animals having an anomalous body temperature responsive to the measurements of the receiver; and d) an environmental control system operative to change at least one parameter of the environment of the animals or to apply at least one external treatment so as to affect the body temperature thereof.

In some embodiments, the system comprises an installation for treating a sub- population of animals identified as having an anomalous body temperature.

In some embodiments, the sub-population of animals is confined in a specified location. In some cases, the system comprises an arrangement for confining said sub- population in the specified location. In some cases the population is in a closed environment. In some cases, the animals are fowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a simplified flowchart for a method for monitoring and control of the body temperature of an animal, in accordance with some embodiments of the present ^• invention;

Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic illustration of a system for monitoring and control of the body temperature of an animal, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic illustration of a system for continuous monitoring and control of the body temperature of a population of animals, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a simplified schematic illustration of a method for continuous monitoring and control of the body temperature of a population of animals, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a graph demonstrating the correlation between body temperature and facial temperature in chicks exposed for two hours to heat stress and then to reduction of the environment temperature back to its level prior to the heat stress. n=4 The experiment was repeated 4 times in groups of 10 chicks each. The group of dots at the right side of the graph represents measurements taken during the acute heating phase. The group of dots at the left side of the graph represents measurements taken after the acute heating phase.

Fig. 6 is a graph demonstrating the correlation between body temperature and facial temperature according to the time of measurement in chicks exposed for two hours to heat stress and then to reduction of the environment temperature back to its level prior to the heat stress. n=4 The experiment was repeated 4 times in groups of 10 chicks each.

Fig. 7 is a graph demonstrating the correlation between body temperature and facial temperature in 4.5 weeks old chicks exposed to heat stress and then to reduction of the environment temperature back to its level prior to the heat stress. (A) Naϊve chicks exposed for the first time at the age of 4.5 weeks. (B) Chicks that have been exposed previously to heat stress at the age of 2 weeks. n=4 The experiment was repeated 4 times in groups of 10 chicks each.

Fig. 8 is a graph demonstrating the correlation between body temperature and facial temperature in 19 days old chicks (male and female) after acclimatization to higher temperatures (34.9+/-0.8⁰C) followed by a reduction to standard growth temperature (28⁰C).

Fig. 9 is a graph demonstrating the correlation between body temperature and facial temperature in 28 days old chicks (male and female) after acclimatization to higher temperatures (34.9+/-0.8⁰C).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention discloses methods and systems for monitoring the body temperature of a single or a population of warm blooded domestic animals such as fowl, in particular chickens/turkeys/laying hens. The method comprising obtaining thermal data and analyzing the data so as to determine the body temperature of at least one organism in the population, typically to determine at least one anomalous body temperature of one or more of the population due to hypothermia/hyperthermia/ fever.

In some embodiments, the invention discloses non-invasive systems and methods for determining the body temperature. The method comprising obtaining thermal data, such as, but not limited to, by thermal imaging (radiometry) at a plurality of locations in an area housing the population, such as a controlled environment, chicken-coop, cow-shed, barn, farmhouse. The thermal data thus obtained relates to the extemal/surface temperature of the animal. The thermal data may be obtained from any exposed surface of the animal and is preferably obtained from the animal's face which correlates well with the body temperature of the organism.

In another embodiment, the invention discloses systems and methods for determining the body temperature using temperature transmitters which are internally implanted in the animals and provide direct measurements of their body temperature.

In some embodiments, the anomalous body temperature(s) may provide early indications and warnings of environmental stress/infections to a subpopulation/sub area within the population/area.

By animal is meant herein any warm blooded animal, such as, but not limited to a cow, pig, goat, sheep, chicken, turkey or laying hen. In some embodiments, this technology could be applied to humans.

Figure 1 shows a simplified flowchart (100) for a method for monitoring and controlling the body temperature of an animal, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the method is continuous, in other embodiments, semi- continuous, and in yet others, non-continuous.

In a first measuring step 110, the body temperature (T_B) of the animal is measured.

In some embodiments, the measuring technique is by a non-invasive method such as by thermal imaging. Thermal imaging data generally may be acquired by using a digital thermal image capture device such as a radiometric thermal camera. Such cameras may operate at room temperature without a need for cooling systems. Such cameras are commercially available. An example of such a camera is an AXTlOO Thermal Imaging Camera, an IR-235 DX or IR-400 DX Series from Sierra Pacific, Inc., or any other infrared radiometric imager.

In certain embodiments, the animal is an avian animal, such as a chicken. It has been found experimentally that the facial surface temperature of a chicken correlates linearly with its body temperature (see the experimental results provided herein below), thus it has been found that a non invasive measurement can provide accurate and reliable information regarding the internal body temperature of the chicken. Other measurement techniques are possible and are construed to fall within the scope of this invention e.g. a measuring technique which employs a temperature transmitter implanted in the animal.

In the context of the present invention the term "temperature transmitter" refers to a temperature monitoring device based on a small radio transmitter capable of transmitting thermal data. Radio transmitters are small electronic devices that emit a pulsed radio frequency (Rf) signal. Rf signal can be received and demodulated into audible sound and into visual analog signal strength presentation by the use of an Rf receiving system consisting of a receiver and a receiving antenna. Non-limiting examples of temperature transmitters include devices produced by Mini Mitter (the E- Mitters series) or by AVM Instrument Company and others. In one example of such devices, the pulse rate is altered in response to temperature changes. A suitable receiving system records the average rate of pulsing and converts this to temperature using temperature calibration values specific to each unit.

In a checking step 120, the animal's body temperature is compared with the normal mean temperature for that particular type of animal (TB_M)- If the difference modulus (T_B- T_BM) is insignificant, then the system continues to measure Tβ.

If the difference modulus (T_B- T_BM) is significant, then the system 200 may make one or more environmental changes to the environment of the animal in a change environment step 130.

Optionally, the method comprises a second measuring step 140, the body temperature (TB) of the animal is measured once again.

In a second checking step, the animal's body temperature is compared with the normal mean temperature for that particular type of animal (T_BM)- If the difference modulus (Tβ- T_BM) is insignificant, then the system continues to measure Tβ.

If the difference modulus (Tβ- T_BM) is significant, then the system 200 may provide one or more treatments to the animal in a treatment providing step 150. The treatments may include provision of one or more drugs, adjustment of the diet of the animal or any other change in the environmental factors to lower/raise the animal's body temperature, or any combination of all these treatments.

Thereafter, the system continues to monitor the body temperature of the animal. Figure 2 is a simplified schematic illustration of a system 200 for monitoring and controlling of body temperature of an animal, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

System 200 comprises at least one measuring device 250, a computer system 260 with a processor and memory, an alarm 270, a treatment system 210, a feeding system 220, and an environmental system 230, all in direct/indirect communication with one or more animals 240.

Typically, the measuring device measures a temperature of the animal (e.g. by receiving a transmitted signal indicative of the animal's temperature or captures an infra-red image of the animal).

In some embodiments, the infra-red image is that of a face of an animal. Such images provide accurate information regarding the internal temperature of the animal using a correlation factor obtained from a graph, as demonstrated for example in Figure 5 herein below. According to this embodiment, the images captured by device 250 are stored in the memory of computer system 260. System 260 is configured to process the images, typically several frames/second and to translate the IR inputs into temperature values and to store this data in the system's memory.

In some embodiments, the body temperature is measured directly by using temperature transmitters which are implanted in at least some of the animals. According to this embodiment, the transmitters measure the body temperature and transmit the thermal data to a receiver. The transmitters may be implanted into any applicable body organ or cavity. Non-limiting examples include the abdominal cavity, gastrointestinal system, subcutaneous tissues. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitters are implanted into the abdominal cavity.

The computer system is further operative to compare the temperature values to a mean/ average temperature for that type of animal and to provide at least one output relating to (T_B- T_BM)- The output may be a printout or an output to a display unit (not shown). In general fever causes an increase of 0.5 to 1.O⁰C in body temperature, whereas increase in environmental temperature can cause an increase of up to 5°C in body temperature. If the difference (T_B- T_BM) is greater than a predetermined value ("delta alarm") then the computer system 260 may be operative to activate the alarm 270. If the difference (T_B- T_BM) is smaller than "delta alarm" but greater than "delta environment", then system 250 may be operative to activate at least one of the environmental system 230, feeding system 220 and treatment system 210. As a non- limiting example if the difference (TB- TBM) is greater than +three degrees Celsius, then alarm 270 is activated. If difference (TB- TBM) is +2 degrees Celsius, then the environmental system 230 is activated to reduce environmental temperature, and animal may be provided with more water from feeding system 220 and feeding may be prevented by the system. If the temperature of the animal is around one degree over the mean, then system 260 may activate treatment system 210 providing drugs to the animal. Similar opposite measures may be activated by computer system 260 if the temperature of the animal is below the mean temperature.

Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which is a simplified schematic illustration of a system 300 for continuous monitoring and control of the body temperature of a population of animals, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

System 300 is operative in a closed environment 302, such as, but not limited to, a room, barn, chicken coop or cowshed. System 300 comprises an infrared radiometry image device 320 comprising a camera 322 and a mounting device 324. The mounting device is mounted on a rail 330 around the periphery and/or on inside rail 332 of closed environment 302. Mounting device may be operated to move along the rail by means of a motor therein (not shown) activated and controlled by a computer system 350. The computer system 350 has a processor 354 and a memory 352 as well as a display 356 and inputting means 358, 359. Computer system 350 is in unwired communication with image device 320, environmental system 340, a feeding system 360, and a treatment system 370 having a feeding/injection device 372. Treatment system 370 may be operative to be moved along rails 330, 332 by means of a motor (not shown) activated and in communication with computer system 350. System 300 further comprises an alarm 380.

A population of animals 310, each having a body 304 and a head 306 are retained within the closed environment.

Treatment system 370 may be configured to provide a particular animal with a drug or other treatment.

System 300 is configured to continuously monitor the thermal conditions and/or temperature of some/all of the population of animals in the controlled environment and to provide the appropriate feedbacks and treatments when one or more of the population of animals demonstrates hypothermia/hyperthermia. These treatments may be one or more of a) changing the environmental conditions employing environmental system 340, changing a feed and/or drink quantity/composition via system 360, providing one or more treatment via system 370.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which is a simplified schematic illustration of a method 400 for continuous monitoring and control of the body temperature of a population of animals, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

In a capturing step 402, system 320 captures IR images/measures a temperature of one or more animals in a region of the closed environment 302. The images and/or data are transferred to computer system 350 for storage, processing and analysis.

In a removing step, 404, system 350 deletes/removes all false positive measurements.

In a calculating step 406, system 350 calculates the body temperature of an animal (T_B) and defines the position of that animal to determine the body temperature at a certain position (TB_P). Typically the measuring system 320 is moved by an increment along rail 330 (activated by computer system 350) and then measures the temperature/captures an image of the next one or more animals in the next position. By repeating this step many times in repeating step 407, the temperature profile of all the animals in the closed environment is obtained.

In a calculating step 408, the average temperature (T_BAV) °f ³^ ^me animals is calculated by system 350 and the resultant data stored therein.

In a comparison step 410, the modulus of (TBAV- TB_P) is mapped for the whole population by system 350 and the resultant data stored therein.

In a comparison step 412, the difference between T_BAV and the ambient temperature TA is calculated.

In a checking step 414, the results of some/all of steps 406-412 are used to check if there is any anomaly of T_BP, and further to determine if there is a sub-population in a particular area in the closed environment 302 which has anomalous body temperature.

In a finding step 416, system 350 processes the data from steps 406-414 to determine the position, PAN, of the anomalous animal/group of animals/sub-population.

In a monitoring step 418, the sub-population at location P_AN is closely monitored for a period of time. In checking step 420, the body temperature (TPAN) of the sub-population at location PAN is compared with the average (TBAV) to provide the modulus of (TPAN - TBAV)-

If the modulus of (TPA_N - T_BA_V) is greater than a certain value, then system 350 activates an alarm in activating step 422. For example, if the difference (TPA_N - TBA_V) is greater than +three degrees Celsius, then alarm 380 is activated. If difference (TB- T_BM) is +2 degrees Celsius, then system 350 may activate environmental system 340, including cooling systems to reduce the environmental temperature, and the animal may be provided or prevented with more water or food, respectively, from feeding system 360. If the temperature of the animal is around one degree over the mean, then drug from treatment 370 may be provided. Similar opposite measures may be activated by computer system 350 if the temperature of the animal is below the mean temperature.

In some cases, system 350 is operative to provide an output of TBA_V in outputting step 424.

If system 350 calculates in step 426 that the value of T_BA_V to be significantly greater or significantly less than the normal temperature for that type of animal T_AV, system 350 may activate environmental system 340 to appropriately cool/heat the closed environment or parts thereof, in an environmental updating step 428. In some cases, more than one environmental parameter maybe changed, including, but not limited to air flow rate, relative humidity, air temperature, air composition (percent oxygen, carbon dioxide).

In the following section we provide experimental data establishing a direct correlation between the temperature of external surfaces of an animal and the body temperature.

Body temperatures and surface temperatures were measured and compared in chickens exposed to an acute heat stress or subjected to a gradual increase in the temperature of the environment, in order to determine the correlation between these two types of measurements.

Experiment 1 :

Young chicks were grown under standard conditions. At 14 days of age, the chicks were divided to four groups of 10 chicks and each group was exposed to a heat stress of 41⁰C for two hours, followed by a decrease in the environment temperature to 3O⁰C for additional two hours. The same animals were exposed to a second heat stress at age 32 (days) along with another group of 40 naive chickens which were not exposed to heat stress previously. The heat stress included an exposure to 36⁰C for 3 hours followed by reducing the temperature to 28⁰C (the temperature prior to exposure). The body and the surface temperatures were measured.

Experiment 2:

Young chicks were grown under standard conditions up to age 16 or 25 days. At this age the chicks (12 male and 12 female) were gradually acclimatized during a period of 3 days to a higher temperature of 34.9°+/-0.8C. During a period of 8 hours the body and surface temperature of the chicks was measured. At the end of the measurements the room temperature was reduced to 28⁰C and additional measurements were performed.

In both experiments the correlation between the body and the surface temperatures was assessed.

The body temperature was measured using a Newtron TM-5007 K-type thermometer inserted in the rectum, and the facial temperature was measured using an infra-red (infrared thermography) camera, PM545, obtained from Flir Systems, Danderyd, Sweden.

Experimental Results

Experiment 1: Acute exposure of two week old chicks to 4O⁰C for two hours followed by reducing the environment temperature to 32⁰C caused an increase in the body and facial temperature (Figure 5). The increase in temperature was linear, and in average the difference between the body temperature and the facial temperature was about 2-3⁰C.

Figure 6 demonstrates the increase in body temperature and in facial temperature during the exposure to the heat stress (as measured in time intervals starting at t=0 up to t=4). The rise in thermal response can be clearly seen after 1.5-2 hours and subsequently decreased. It is important to note that at the end of the measurements the body and facial temperatures decreased to values lower than those measured at the beginning of the heat stress (T=O), a phenomenon well documented in cooling procedures after heat exposure. These experiments clearly show that measuring facial temperature using infrared readings provides a reliable tool to determine the animal's body temperature.

At the age of 4 and a half weeks, naϊve chicks as well as chicks which were previously exposed to heat stress at the age of two weeks, were exposed to another heat stress of 36⁰C for three hours after which the temperature was reduced to the preexposure temperature 28⁰C. Both in the naϊve chicks and the chicks previously exposed to heat stress, a direct correlation was found between the increase in body temperature and increase in facial temperature (Figure 7). No significant difference was found in the correlation between the variables (the different measurements) in naϊve versus pre- exposed chicks (R² 0.751, 0.784 respectively).

Experiment 2: Figures 8 and 9 demonstrate changes in body and facial temperatures in 19 and 28 days old chicks during gradual acclimatization to high environment temperature. A difference exists in the response of the chicks at different ages. While in young chicks the correlation between the variables is high (R²=0.84) it is reduced to (R²=0.45) in the older group. As a result the slopes of the curves are also affected (1.3 and 0.64 respectively). Apparently, the ability of younger chicks to regulate their body temperature is limited compared to older chicks. This ability is more pronounced when the chicks are gradually acclimatized and is not apparent in response to acute heat stress.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for controlling the temperature of a warm-blooded animal comprising:

(a) determining said animal's temperature; and

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises non-invasively determining an external temperature at one or more surface locations of the animal.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises: (al) implanting a temperature transmitter into said animal; and (a2) determining the animal's internal temperature.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises adjusting a parameter in the animal's environment selected from the group consisting of temperature, air composition, humidity, ventilation, water supply and diet, or a combination thereof.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises providing a medical treatment to the animal.

6. A method for controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising:

(a) determining the temperature of some or all of the population of animals;

(c) responsive to (b), changing at least one parameter of the environment of the population or sub-population of animals affecting the temperature of the animal.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises non-invasively determining an external temperature at one or more surface locations of some or all of the population of animals.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein step (a) comprises:

(al) implanting a temperature transmitter into some or all of the population of animals; and (a2) determining the internal temperature of said animals.

9. A method according to claim 6, wherein step (c) comprises adjusting a parameter in the animal's environment selected from the group consisting of temperature, air composition, humidity, ventilation, water supply and diet, or a combination thereof.

10. A method according to claim 6 wherein step (c) comprises providing a medical treatment to the animal.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the animals are fowl.

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the population is in a closed environment.

13. A system for non-invasively controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising:

(a) an infrared image analyzer configured to non-invasively determine an external temperature at one or more surface locations of some or all of the animals;

(b) a computer system operative to identify animals having an anomalous body temperature responsive to the measurements of the infrared image analyzer; and

(c) an environmental control system operative to change at least one parameter of the environment of the animals or to apply at least one external treatment so as to affect the body temperature thereof.

14. A system for controlling the temperature of a population of warm-blooded animals comprising:

(a) implantable temperature transmitters configured to determine and transmit the temperature of some or all of the animals;

(b) a receiver configured to receive the transmitted thermal information;

(c) a computer system operative to identify animals having an anomalous body temperature responsive to the measurements of the receiver; and

(d) an environmental control system operative to change at least one parameter of the environment of the animals or to apply at least one external treatment so as to affect the body temperature thereof.

15. A system according to claims 13 or 14, comprising an installation for treating a sub-population of animals identified as having an anomalous body temperature.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said sub-population of animals is confined in a specific location.

17. A system according to claims 13 or 14, comprising an arrangement for confining said sub-population in the specific location.

18. A system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the animals are fowl.

19. A system according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the population is in a closed environment.