Yeah, so basically rays are cast at angles +1,-2,+3,-4...-60, or -1,+2,-3,+4...+60. This is to decrease the number of collision checks and to randomize turn direction. I don't know if you've noticed, but I also decreased LOS angle, otherwise all boids would form a single flock after a few seconds.
As for the movement, I think Bullet is pretty lightweight. If you move boids with events, I doubt there will be much improvement in performance.