An automated positioning system for monitoring chickens' location : Accuracy and registration success in a free-range area

•An Ultra-Wideband system was developed to monitor chickens’ free-range use.•Median error was 0.29 m, mean registration success was 68%.•Median error of the registered positions was not affected by the tested variables.•Only rain, dense vegetation and A-frames negatively affected registration success.•Registration success can probably be improved with all anchors functioning properly.