# Monitoring activity index and behaviors of cage-free hens with advanced deep learning technologies

*PRI Rank #15 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Animal Nutrition and Physiology Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/animal-nutrition-and-physiology/2026/rank-15*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #15 |
| 18m citations | 24 |
| Journal | Poultry Science |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104193 |
| Corresponding authors | Lilong Chai |
| Institution | University of Georgia, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Animal Nutrition and Physiology Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/animal-nutrition-and-physiology/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1016/j.psj.2024.104193](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104193)

## Topics

Cage-free laying hens · activity index · Convolutional neural network · YOLOv5 · YOLOv8 · ByteTrack · DeepSORT · StrongSORT · multiobject tracking accuracy · top-view images · smothering · piling · flock activity quantification · footpad health · Behavior monitoring · Animal welfare assessment

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Animal Nutrition and Physiology Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/animal-nutrition-and-physiology/2026. Accessed 2026-07-14.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```