CLEVER-HEN: Managing Biological Risks in Poultry Farming

CLEVER-HEN is an innovation project that improves the management of biological risks in poultry farming.

Its objective is to develop an autonomous intelligent system for intensive poultry farms. The system can detect, monitor and eliminate biological risks. To achieve this, it combines autonomous navigation, automated environmental sampling and advanced decontamination technologies.

In addition, the project aims to strengthen biosecurity in poultry facilities. It also seeks to reduce exposure to potentially dangerous biological agents, improve animal health and contribute to the sustainability of the agri-food sector.

Evolution Europe participates in the CRIBI Operational Group, providing support in the technical and financial management of the project.

An operational group to strengthen poultry biosecurity

The CRIBI Operational Group is made up of COUNTERFOG, AVÍCOLA BARCO, the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), and Evolution Europe.

Through this collaboration, the project brings together expertise in technology, research, poultry production and innovation funding.
As a result, CLEVER-HEN addresses a true sector challenge. It improves the detection, monitoring and elimination of biological risks in intensive poultry farming.

Autonomous technology for monitoring and decontamination

The project includes an autonomous prototype for environmental sampling, bioaerosol monitoring and poultry facility decontamination.
In intensive poultry farming, airborne pathogens can spread quickly and affect both animal health and facility safety.
For this reason, CLEVER-HEN proposes an automated alternative to manual disinfection methods.

The system moves autonomously through poultry houses and applies Counterfog® technology to air and surfaces. As a result, it helps eliminate pathogens without interrupting production.

To make this possible, CLEVER-HEN integrates advanced navigation and control technologies. In this way, the system can operate in complex environments, reduce direct human intervention and support more efficient biosecurity management.

CLEVER-HEN project funding

CLEVER-HEN receveis funding under Intervention 7161 – Cooperation of Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership, EIP-Agri, within Spain’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

The project is co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, (EAFRD), the General State Administration, and the Community of Madrid.

• In total, the project received a grant of €224,998.29.
• EAFRD co-financing accounts for €179,998.63, equivalent to 80%.

A step towards safer and more sustainable poultry farming

CLEVER-HEN represents an opportunity to move towards a safer, more efficient poultry production model that is better prepared for the sector’s current challenges.
Thanks to autonomous technology, environmental monitoring and decontamination, the project strengthens biosecurity in poultry farming. It also improves the protection of animals, workers and facilities.

For this reason, at Evolution Europe, we continue to support innovative projects that turn technical and sector-specific challenges into real opportunities for growth, funding and impact.