Automatic identification of marked pigs in a pen using image pattern recognition

Individual identification in pigs is a key point for management. Many behaviors such as resting, activity, feeding and drinking are better to be monitored individually. The purpose of this work was to investigate feasibility of an automated method to identify marked pigs in a pen in experimental conditions and for behavior-related research by using image processing. First, ellipse fitting algorithms were employed to localize pigs. Second, individual pigs could be identified by their respective paint pattern using pattern recognition techniques. In total, pigs could be identified with an average accuracy of 89.4%. It was also shown that behaviors such as resting can be monitored using the presented technique.