FeedFlow: AI Enhanced Feed Ordering Systems and Sustainable Insect Protein Integration for Poultry Health & Welfare

British poultry farmers are testing a system that combines AI-powered camera monitoring with insect-based feed to improve chicken health and cut reliance on antibiotics. The problem is straightforward: UK poultry producers face pressure from cheap, low-welfare imports, while also needing to address leg disorders, respiratory disease, and gut infections in their flocks. Current interventions often rely on antibiotics, which contributes to antimicrobial resistance. The project tackles both issues at once. The system works in two ways. First, AI software already used on farms tracks bird behaviour in real time—spotting early signs of illness or stress before a farmer would notice. Second, the feed incorporates insect protein, which contains antimicrobial peptides that can fight pathogens naturally, and encourages foraging behaviour that improves leg strength and reduces feather pecking. If successful, the project could give UK poultry farmers a rapid, non-chemical tool to improve welfare and productivity without resorting to antibiotics. That would help them compete against imports while meeting tightening regulations on antibiotic use and animal welfare standards. The system is designed for commercial barns, not niche production, so the impact could scale across the industry.