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Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


SL virtual reality game . . . for chickens

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

An assistant professor at Iowa State University has created what may be the first video game for chickens. Second Livestock, named after the online game Second Life, uses a virtual reality headset and an omnidirectional treadmill to give a caged bird the illusion of wandering around a field.

"Even the best-intentioned producers only have so much land available to raise chickens," says the Second Livestock website. 'Virtual Free Range' allows chickens to be truly free range with no confines on their movements about their virtual worlds."

So is this for real? Yes and no. The Ames Tribune reported that designer Austin Stewart debuted a version adapted for human use at an exhibition in Ames, Iowa. But, Stewart told the Tribune, implementing the full system for chickens would be too expensive to be practical. The game's true purpose is to open a discussion about animal husbandry. BF

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December 2025

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Farms.com Breaking News

Kubota BX23S - Your Farm’s MVP

Thursday, November 27, 2025

The Kubota BX23S stands out as a powerful and efficient compact tractor designed to meet the needs of farmers. As part of Kubota’s trusted BX Series, this model serves as a dedicated tractor loader backhoe, offering superior strength and versatility for a wide range of... Read this article online

Drew Spoelstra acclaimed for third term as OFA president

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Drew Spoelstra of Binbrook will serve a third consecutive one-year term as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). The association represents 38,000 farm families across the province. Spoelstra was acclaimed during OFA’s annual general meeting (held under the theme:... Read this article online

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