Feeding device for feeding poultry animals, related poultry animal house, feeding method and use

Abstract

The invention relates to a raising device (2) for raising poultry animals, comprising a floor (4), in particular a grid floor (4), for providing a standing surface for laying hens. According to the invention, at least one retaining surface or embedded floor (8) for raising chicks, which is detachably arranged above the floor (4), is proposed, the retaining surface and / or the embedded floor (8) being designed in particular as an embedded grid floor (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a breeding device for breeding poultry animals, which has a floor, in particular a grid floor, for providing a resting surface for egg-laying hens. Background Art

[0002] Such a rearing device is known from the prior art, for example from EP 3 824 726 A2. The rearing device is used for the rearing of laying hens for the purpose of laying eggs and usually has a grid floor, which is usually constructed as a wire floor and is coarse-meshed and usually inclined. Due to the inclination of the grid floor, the system eggs will roll off, so that the eggs can be collected by hand. It is known for such a rearing device that the feeding trough and the drinking trough are fixedly installed so that the adult animals can easily reach the feeding trough and the drinking trough. These rearing devices are not suitable for raising chicks. For chicks, the floor inclination is as unsuitable as the commonly used floor mesh width. In addition, the risk of chicks being injured is high. Similarly, chicks may also find it difficult to reach the feeding trough and the drinking trough.

[0003] Thus, rearing systems for rearing chicks or chickens are also known from the prior art, which have a narrow mesh grid floor, which is usually arranged horizontally and in which the drinking trough lines and feeding troughs are adjustable in height.

[0004] The separation between rearing and egg production known from the prior art by means of rearing systems designed specifically for laying hens leads to the need to change pens between rearing and productive egg-laying hen rearing. Such changes of pens are costly, have a negative impact on the productivity of the animals and, moreover, release CO2 due to the required transportation. Furthermore, during transportation, the animals are often not cared for, need to be caught and loaded, and placed in an unknown environment with temperature fluctuations, a new group composition / hierarchy and a possibly altered daily rhythm. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages found in the prior art as much as possible. In particular, a feeding device for raising poultry animals is proposed, in which the stress on the animals caused by the stying process is reduced, the animal welfare and productivity are protected, and overall less transportation costs are generated.

[0006] The invention achieves the objects described at the outset with respect to a breeding device, wherein the breeding device has at least one resting surface or recessed floor for rearing chicks which is removably arranged above the floor, wherein the resting surface and / or recessed floor is in particular designed as a recessed grid floor.

[0007] The invention makes use of the knowledge that by using a recessed floor for rearing chicks, which is removably arranged above the floor, it is possible to rear day-old chicks in a rearing device and until the beginning of the egg-laying period, so that the same rearing device can be used for rearing laying hens thereafter after removing the recessed floor. In other words, the invention is based on the idea of ​​temporarily configuring a rearing device optimized for rearing laying hens with the aid of the recessed floor so that it is also suitable for rearing chicks without adversely affecting the subsequent egg-laying mode. The recessed floor is removed for the egg-laying mode.

[0008] This means that there is no need to change pens between rearing and laying hens. This improves animal welfare, avoids possible productivity losses due to stress associated with changing pens, and also reduces overall transportation costs, such as the CO2 footprint.

[0009] In addition to improving animal welfare, egg producers can therefore also achieve the following: With relatively minor modifications, the rearing device can also be used for raising day-old chicks. This makes it easier to start raising chicks. In addition, due to the increased animal welfare, the marketing of the produced eggs is facilitated.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the floor is inclined at an angle of inclination relative to the horizontal, wherein the recessed floor has a smaller angle of inclination than the floor. Preferably, the recessed floor is arranged horizontally. The horizontal arrangement of the recessed floor has proven to be particularly suitable for chick rearing.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the feeding device has a feeding device with a feeding trough, wherein the recessed floor is suspended at the feeding trough or rests on the feeding trough. In this way, the recessed floor can be fastened to the feeding trough in a simple and safe manner, thereby ensuring at the same time that the chicks located on the recessed floor can easily reach the feeding trough. In addition, in the case of a horizontal arrangement of the recessed floor, it is achieved that the recessed floor can be completely placed on the feeding trough. In addition, the possibility of the chicks getting stuck and getting injured is avoided.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the floor and the recessed floor are designed as a grid floor, wherein the mesh width of the recessed floor is different from the mesh width of the floor. In particular, the recessed floor has a smaller mesh width than the floor. Due to the mesh width in combination with the recessed floor being arranged essentially horizontally, it is achieved that the feed arranged on the recessed floor cannot be scraped off towards the slope. In addition, the small mesh width ensures that the animals will neither get stuck nor get injured during the entire rearing period. In particular, injuries caused by stepping on a floor with too coarse mesh can be prevented. With respect to the floor, the coarse mesh ensures that corresponding self-cleaning is achieved in the egg-laying mode.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the recessed floor is constructed in multiple parts, in particular in three parts. By dividing the recessed floor, it can be installed and removed particularly easily. Due to the multiple-part construction of the recessed floor, it can be connected to the feeding trough or hung in the feeding trough in a particularly advantageous manner. This prevents the chicks from getting stuck under the feeding trough.

[0014] According to an alternative embodiment, the built-in floor is designed in one piece and extends in particular over the entire width of the corresponding section of the breeding device. According to an alternative embodiment, the built-in floor can be designed to be inserted laterally like a drawer. In this regard, the built-in floor can be inserted in one piece or in multiple pieces, in particular from an external or internal walkway.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the rearing device comprises an access plate, which is arranged adjacent to the downwardly inclined end of the floor, and wherein a roll-off gap is formed between the floor and the access plate, the roll-off gap being dimensioned such that eggs can roll off between the floor and the access plate, wherein the recessed floor has a substantially horizontal section in the installed state and a substantially vertically extending section in the installed state, and wherein the substantially vertically extending section at least partially, in particular completely, closes the roll-off gap. This prevents chicks from getting stuck in the region of the roll-off gap.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the feeding device has at least one drinking trough, wherein the drinking trough is designed to be adjustable in height, and / or wherein the feeding device has at least one feeding trough, and wherein the feeding trough is designed to be adjustable in height, so that the drinking trough and / or the feeding trough are accessible from the floor and the recessed floor. In this way, a water and feed supply can be ensured for different growth stages of chicks or chickens and also for a productive egg-laying pattern. The drinking trough and the feeding trough can be arranged in such a way that they are accessible from the recessed floor for chicks. Furthermore, the drinking trough and the feeding trough can be adapted to the gradual growth of the animals and can also be configured after removal of the recessed floor in such a way that they are easily accessible for adult animals.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the rearing device comprises at least one nest and / or egg roll-off system and at least one separating fence, which is removably arranged on the rearing device and is configured to separate the nest and / or egg roll-off system. In this way, it can be achieved that the chicks are initially accommodated only in a limited area of ​​the rearing device, wherein the conditions required for the rearing of the chicks are guaranteed in this area, i.e., in particular, there is no risk of getting stuck, feed and water are easily accessible, and the embedded floor has a corresponding mesh width. As the chicks or chickens gradually grow, the separating fence can be removed, thereby making it possible to reach wider areas of the rearing device, such as the nest and / or egg roll-off system. The chicks cannot reach this area, so that injuries, such as being stuck in the egg roll-off system or the nest, can be effectively prevented. According to one embodiment, the rearing device has a fence on the side of the channel, which is configured to cut off the entrance of the chicks into the channel.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the rearing device comprises a perch, wherein the perch is designed to be adjustable in height. In particular, the perch can be adjusted during the rearing of the chicks in such a way that there is no risk of getting stuck between the perch and other components of the rearing device.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the rearing device has at least one lateral partition wall with ventilation openings, wherein the ventilation openings arranged adjacent to the recessed floor have a smaller opening diameter than the ventilation openings arranged not adjacent to the recessed floor. By reducing the opening diameter in the region of the recessed floor, it is ensured that the risk of the chicks getting stuck in the ventilation openings or getting injured at the ventilation openings is also reduced with respect to the ventilation openings.

[0020] The care of day-old chicks and the subsequent configuration for laying hen farming are preferably carried out in three stages. In the first stage, the chicks are located on the embedded floor. One or more embedded floors are preferably hung on the feeding trough. Like the perch, the feeding trough is placed in the upper position, and the corresponding area (also referred to as the layer) of the feeding device is closed by the external fence. As the chicks grow into young chickens, the embedded floor is removed and the perch or feeding trough is placed in the lower position. The external fence feeding continues to be closed, wherein the external fence is positioned toward the inner passage so that other areas of the feeding device are released, especially the layer with the inclined floor arranged above the described area. In the third stage, the feeding device is configured so that laying hen farming can be carried out. For this reason, the external fence is opened, and the fence of the passage toward the inner side is also removed. In this way, the nest and egg rolling system and other areas of the feeding device become accessible now. In this configuration, the feeding device is basically similar to the existing laying hen feeding device.

[0021] The invention has been described above with reference to a breeding device. In another aspect, the invention relates to a poultry animal house for breeding poultry animals, in particular a house for laying hens, comprising the breeding device. The invention achieves the objects described at the outset with respect to a poultry animal house, wherein the breeding device is constructed according to one of the above-described embodiments. The poultry animal house utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the breeding device according to the invention, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made to the above-described embodiments and the content of which is hereby incorporated herein.

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for raising poultry animals. The invention achieves the object described at the outset in terms of the method, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a raising device according to at least one of the above embodiments; housing poultry animals, in particular day-old chicks, on the recessed floor; raising the chicks into laying hens; removing the recessed floor after raising the chicks; and raising the laying hens on the floor of the raising device.

[0023] By means of the method according to the invention, it is generally achieved that day-old chicks can be reared in a rearing device until the beginning of the egg-laying period, and then the same rearing device can be used for layer farming, whereby changes of pens between tending and layer farming can be avoided. This reduces stress on the animals, reduces transport costs and CO2 emissions and promotes animal welfare as a whole. In addition, the method utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing device according to the invention and the poultry animal pens according to the invention, and vice versa. In this regard, reference is made to the above-described embodiments and their contents are incorporated herein.

[0024] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a feeding device according to at least one of the above-described embodiments in a poultry animal house, preferably in a poultry animal house according to the above-described embodiments, for feeding poultry animals, in particular laying hens or day-old chicks. The use also utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the feeding device according to the invention, the poultry animal house according to the invention and the method according to the invention, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made to the above-described embodiments and their contents are incorporated herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In this case it is shown:

[0027] Figure 1 An embodiment of a feeding device according to the invention arranged in a poultry animal shed is shown in a sectional view;

[0028] Figure 2 The cross-sectional view shows Figure 1 The plane of the feeding device according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Shown in a stereoscopic view according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A detailed view of a feeding device according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A detailed view of the built-in floor panel including the fastening device is shown in a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 An exemplary poultry house 100 for raising poultry animals is shown. The poultry house 100 comprises a raising device 2. The raising device 2 is designed for raising poultry animals and is suitable both for raising chicks and for raising laying hens. The raising device 2 has a floor 4 which is arranged at an angle of inclination α1 relative to a horizontal line H. The floor 4 is designed as a grid floor 4. The floor 4 provides a resting surface for laying hens, wherein the angle of inclination α1 of the floor 4 ensures that the eggs can roll down towards the egg rolling system 30. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the breeding device 2 has a first layer E1 and a second layer E2. Floors 4 are arranged in these two layers E1 and E2. In addition, an embedded floor 8 for chick rearing is arranged in the lower layer E2 and can be removed from above the floor 4. The embedded floor 8 is configured as an embedded grid floor. The embedded floor 8 is arranged substantially horizontally and has a smaller inclination angle than the floor 4.

[0032] The feeding device 2 has a feeding device 6, which is particularly Figure 2 The feeding device 6 has a feeding trough 10. The embedded floor 8 is suspended at the feeding trough 10 or placed on it. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the recessed floor 8 is designed in three parts, namely with a first recessed floor section 12, a second recessed floor section 14 and a third recessed floor section 16. The breeding device 2 also has an access plate 18. The access plate 18 is arranged adjacent to the downwardly inclined end 20 of the floor 4. A rolling gap 22 is formed between the floor 4 and the access plate 18. The size of this rolling gap is determined so that eggs can roll down between the floor 4 and the access plate 18. The feeding trough 10 is designed to be adjustable in height, so that the feeding trough 10 can be reached from the floor 4 and the recessed floor 8 and can be adjusted according to the operating phase of the breeding device 2, that is to say, in particular with respect to the size of the animal and with respect to the state of whether the animal is kept on the recessed floor 8 or on the floor 4.

[0033] The feeding device also has a drinking trough, which is also designed to be height-adjustable. In addition, the feeding device 2 has at least one perch 34, which is also designed to be height-adjustable. Figure 1 The rearing device 2 also has a separating fence 32 and an inner fence 40. The fences 32 and 40 can be used to limit a resting area, which is particularly used to accommodate chicks on the recessed floor 8, so that the risk of injury is reduced. The rearing device 2 also has a lateral partition wall 36. The lateral partition wall 36 has a ventilation opening 38. Compared with the ventilation opening 38 not arranged adjacent to the recessed floor 8, the ventilation opening 38 arranged adjacent to the recessed floor 8 has a smaller opening diameter d. The ventilation opening 38 is Figure 1 It is shown only as an example.

[0034] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A detail of the feeding device 2 is shown in a perspective view. It can be seen in the figure that the recessed floor 8 is associated with a hook 44, which is configured to engage in the feeding trough 10. In addition, the floor 4 and the recessed floor 8 are designed as grid floors 4, 8. The floor 4 has a mesh width M B The embedded floor 8 has a mesh width M E The mesh width M of the embedded floor 8 E Mesh width of floor M B Different, that is, the embedded floor 8 has a smaller mesh width M than the floor 4. E . With reference to the recessed floor 8, it is ensured that the chicks are not injured by mesh widths that are too large. In laying mode, the larger mesh width ensures that dirt particles are safely guided downwards. Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that the recessed floor 8 has a substantially horizontal section 46 in the installed state, on which the chicks can be accommodated. In addition, the recessed floor 8 has a substantially vertically extending section 42 in the installed state, wherein the vertically extending section 42 at least partially, in particular completely, closes the roll-off gap 22, in order to also reduce possible risks of injury to the chicks here.

[0035] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 Detailed here is the arrangement and suspension of the recessed floor 8, which consists of segments 12 to 16. The recessed floor segments 12, 16 located on the outside have a vertical section 42 and a horizontal section 46. The second recessed floor segment 14 has only a horizontal section 46. The respective recessed floor segment 12, 14, 16 is hung in the feeding trough 10 by means of a hook 44.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, a method for rearing chicks with a subsequent egg-laying pattern is described below. Figure 1 , in which the recessed floor 8 is inserted into the rearing device 2, the perches 34 and the troughs 10 are also placed in the upper position so that the day-old chicks can reach them. The fences 32, 40 are closed, so that the resting area of ​​the chicks is limited to the plane E2. As the chicks or young chickens grow, the recessed floor 8 is then removed and the perches 34 and the troughs 10 are transferred to the lower position. The fence 32 remains closed and the fence 40 is opened again. In this regard, the two levels E1, E2 are now accessible to the young animals and in addition the area to the left next to the inner fence 40 is accessible. However, the nest 28 is not accessible.

[0037] After the rearing process is completed, the fence 40 and the fence 32 are now removed for the purpose of the egg-laying mode. Therefore, the animals can then reach all areas of the rearing device 2. This includes the nest 28. The configuration of the rearing device 2 is now similar to the devices known from the prior art for the egg-laying mode.

[0038] Reference numerals list

[0039] 2 Feeding device

[0040] 4 Floor / Grid Floor

[0041] 6 Feeding device

[0042] 8 Resting surface / recessed floor / recessed grid floor

[0043] 10 Feeding Trough

[0044] 12 First embedded floor section

[0045] 14 Second embedded floor section

[0046] 16Third embedded floor section

[0047] 18 Approach board

[0048] 20 Downward sloping end of floor

[0049] 22 Rolling clearance

[0050] 24 drinking trough

[0051] 28 Nest

[0052] 30 Egg Rolling System

[0053] 32 Isolation Fence

[0054] 34 perches

[0055] 36 Lateral partition wall

[0056] 38 ventilation openings

[0057] 40Inside fence

[0058] 42 vertical sections of embedded floor

[0059] 44 hooks

[0060] 46 horizontal sections of embedded floor

[0061] 48 Fence

[0062] 100 Poultry animal pens

[0063] α1 Floor inclination

[0064] dOpening diameter

[0065] E1 and E2 layers

[0066] H horizontal line

[0067] M E Mesh width of embedded floor

[0068] M B Mesh width of floor

Claims

1. A feeding device (2) for feeding poultry animals, comprising: - a floor (4), in particular a grid floor (4), for providing a resting surface for laying hens; It is characterized in that At least one resting surface or recessed floor (8) for rearing chicks is provided, which is arranged removably above the floor (4), wherein the resting surface and / or the recessed floor (8) is in particular designed as a recessed grid floor (8).

2. The breeding device (2) according to claim 1, The floor (4) is inclined at an inclination angle (α1) relative to a horizontal line (H), and the embedded floor (8) has a smaller inclination angle than the floor (4), in particular, the embedded floor (8) is arranged horizontally.

3. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The feeding device (2) comprises a feeding device (6) having a feeding trough (10), and the recessed floor (8) is suspended from the feeding trough (10) or placed thereon, in particular, the recessed floor (8) is provided with a hook (44) which is configured to engage in the feeding trough (10).

4. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The floor (4) and the embedded floor (8) are configured as grid floors (4, 8), and the mesh width (M) of the embedded floor (8) is E ) is different from the mesh width (M) of the floor (4) B ).

5. The breeding device (2) according to claim 4, The embedded floor (8) has a smaller mesh width (M) than the floor (4). E ).

6. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The built-in floor panel (8) is constructed in multiple parts, in particular in three parts.

7. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The rearing device (2) comprises an approach plate (18) which is arranged adjacent to the downwardly inclined end (20) of the floor (4), and a rolling gap (22) is formed between the floor (4) and the approach plate (18), the size of which is determined so that eggs can roll down between the floor (4) and the approach plate (18), The recessed floor panel (8) comprises a substantially horizontal section (46) in the installed state and a substantially vertical section (42) in the installed state, and the substantially vertical section (42) at least partially, in particular completely, closes the roll-off gap (22).

8. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The feeding device (6) comprises at least one drinking trough (24), and the drinking trough (24) is designed to be height-adjustable, and / or the feeding device (6) comprises at least one feeding trough (10), and the feeding trough (10) is designed to be height-adjustable, so that the drinking trough (24) and / or the feeding trough (10) are accessible from the floor (4) and the built-in floor (8).

9. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The rearing device (2) comprises at least one nest (28) and / or an egg rolling system (30) and at least one isolating fence (32, 40), which is removably arranged on the rearing device (2) and is configured to isolate the nest (28) and / or the egg rolling system (30).

10. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The feeding device (2) comprises a perch (34), wherein the perch (34) is designed to be height-adjustable.

11. A feeding device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, The feeding device (2) has at least one lateral partition wall (36) with a ventilation opening (38), and the ventilation opening (38) arranged adjacent to the recessed floor (8) has a smaller opening diameter (d) than the ventilation opening (38) not arranged adjacent to the recessed floor (8).

12. A poultry animal house (100) for raising poultry animals, in particular a house for laying hens, comprising a raising device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

13. A method for raising poultry animals, comprising the following steps: - providing a feeding device (2) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, - housing poultry animals, in particular day-old chicks, on the recessed floor (8), -Raising chicks into egg-laying hens, - after raising the chicks, removing the recessed floor (8), - The laying hens are kept on the floor (4) of the rearing device (2).

14. Use of a rearing device (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims in a poultry animal house (100), preferably in a poultry animal house according to claim 12, for rearing poultry animals, in particular laying hens or day-old chicks.

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