Sensors
Sensors are housed in water resistant cases and are attached to sheep via collars (for ewes and rams) and harnesses (for lambs).
GENEActiv Accelerometers
The GENEActiv range (https://www.activinsights.com/products/geneactiv/) of raw data, tri-axial accelerometers have been used for research conducted by world leading universities, hospitals and professional sports bodies. The accelerometers are wrist-worn devices designed to measure activity in humans e.g. running. We use the GENEActiv devices to measure similar activities in sheep e.g. grazing and walking. Devices sample at 100 times per second (100Hz) and weigh a total of 16g.
Proximity Sensors
We use novel proximity tags designed by the SocioPatterns collaboration consortium (http://www.sociopatterns.org) and the OpenBeacon project (http://www.openbeacon.org). The sensors exchange low-power radio-packets when in close proximity (<1.5m), recording when sheep are in close-contact situations, during which social interactions might occur. The time and duration of contacts are recorded along with the individuals involved. The devices measure 3cm in diameter and weigh a total of <6 g. These have been previously deployed in social network studies on animals.