Abstract:
Poultry farming plays a vital role in food security and income generation for rural households in Rwanda. However, smallholder farmers continue to face major challenges in maintaining safe environmental conditions within poultry coops challenges which often lead to respiratory illnesses, reduced productivity, and high mortality rates. These issues are primarily caused by unmanaged fluctuations in temperature and humidity, accumulation of harmful gases such as ammonia and carbon dioxide (CO₂), and airborne dust particles, all of which are insufficiently addressed by conventional monitoring systems. This study presents the design, development, and prototyping of a fully integrated, hybridpowered IoT-based environmental monitoring and control system enclosed in a customfabricated housing for in-coop deployment. The compact device employs a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller interfaced with DHT22, MQ-135 (for ammonia and CO₂), and DSM501A (for dust) sensors to monitor five critical parameters affecting poultry health. It is also equipped with automated actuators including fans, a heating bulb, LEDs, and a buzzer to regulate the coop environment. Real-time SMS alert functionality is enabled through a SIM800L module, while a lightweight web-based dashboard allows remote data visualization and interaction. The system is powered through a hybrid energy setup comprising solar panels and rechargeable batteries, making it suitable for off-grid rural applications. Field validation confirms the device’s accuracy, responsiveness, and reliability in maintaining optimal in-coop conditions. Compared to prior solutions, this approach offers a robust, lowcost, and inclusive tool for improving poultry welfare. The study recommends future enhancement through integration of mobile applications and machine learning for predictive control and decision support.
