Flybox secures US$3M for AI-powered poultry health project

UK – Flybox, a UK-based startup, has been awarded £3 (US$3.3) million in funding for its FeedFlow project, a groundbreaking initiative designed to revolutionise poultry health and welfare using Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae and Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

This project, funded by Innovate UK under Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, brings together industry leaders and academic experts to tackle key challenges in poultry production while promoting sustainability and efficiency.

Flybox’s FeedFlow project addresses persistent issues in the poultry industry, such as poor leg health, high mortality rates, and fluctuating feed conversion ratios (FCRs), which have long plagued production despite genetic advances. 

Additionally, the poultry sector significantly contributes to ammonia emissions, a growing concern in the UK. In response to these challenges, Flybox believes its innovative use of BSF larvae and advanced AI technology could offer a transformative solution.

Black Soldier Fly larvae, recognised for their high-quality protein content and ability to support natural poultry behaviours, are at the heart of the FeedFlow initiative. 

Enhanced with antimicrobial peptides, these larvae provide a nutrient-rich feed option that improves poultry welfare while reducing environmental impact. 

By integrating AI-driven monitoring systems, including the cutting-edge FLOX360 platform, Flybox will offer real-time insights into flock health, allowing for rapid interventions to enhance productivity.

“BSF farming and AI technologies are poised to revolutionise poultry production by boosting welfare and promoting sustainability,” Flybox noted. 

The company’s FeedFlow system combines the nutritional benefits of BSF larvae with advanced AI capabilities, including predictive analytics and real-time welfare monitoring, to create a more efficient and responsive farming system.

The FeedFlow project also includes a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) component, led by Jess Callaghan from the University of Chester, to evaluate the initiative’s environmental impacts. 

Callaghan emphasised that BSF larvae have the potential to significantly reduce the poultry industry’s Global Warming Potential (GWP), as they efficiently convert organic waste into protein-rich feed, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

In collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, the project seeks to further enhance poultry health by fortifying BSF larvae to deliver essential nutrients that address common health challenges. 

“Insects are key to shifting from linear to circular resource use, and projects like FeedFlow are accelerating this transition by utilising insect farming to improve poultry production,” said Professor Emily Burton of Nottingham Trent University.

The consortium supporting this project includes Flybox, FLOX, the University of Chester, Nottingham Trent University, and various farm and construction partners, all dedicated to providing a sustainable solution for the poultry industry. 

The project is part of Defra’s broader effort to foster innovation in farming through its Farming Innovation Programme.

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