Developing an Ethically Acceptable Virtual Fencing System for Sheep

Virtual fencing has the potential to be implemented in animal management systems where conventional fencing cannot be applied. Previous work has been conducted on cattle with virtual fencing technology that uses a collar that emits a warning audio when an animal approaches a GPS set boundary. If the animal continues walking towards the boundary an electric stimulus is applied. Less research has been conducted on sheep virtual fencing, so alternatives need to be explored to test the proof of concept on the application of virtual fencing with sheep. Using manually controlled training collars, 30 crossbred sheep were trained to respond to an audio cue in order to avoid receiving a low-level electrical stimulus