Weighing device in poultry cage and weighing method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a weighing device and a weighing method in a poultry cage, and the weighing device comprises a supporting beam which is used for supporting and connecting a plurality of poultry cages at the same time; the weighing meshes are arranged at the bottoms of the poultry cages, and preset spacing distances are formed between the weighing meshes and the bottoms of the poultry cages; the weighing sensor is connected to the bottom of the weighing mesh through the supporting beam; the weighing controller is connected to the supporting beam and is used for receiving and processing the weighing data of the plurality of weighing sensors; wherein the number of the weighing controllers is multiple, and one weighing controller is at least electrically connected with two groups of weighing sensors. According to the weighing method, error values are screened out by adopting a two-layer threshold value judgment method. The system is suitable for a single-poultry single-cage mode, poultry in a plurality of cages can be weighed at the same time, and the weighing controller adopts a modular design, so that large-scale application is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of poultry breeding, in particular to a weighing device in a poultry cage and a weighing method thereof. Background Art

[0002] During the poultry breeding and rearing process, it is necessary to continuously collect phenotypic data of poultry in stages in order to build pedigrees and evaluate breeding benefits. According to breeding management requirements, the weight of breeding poultry needs to be collected once a week. At present, relevant data is basically collected manually, which is cumbersome and error-prone. Manual collection puts great stress on poultry, seriously affecting breeding and rearing efficiency.

[0003] In recent years, some weighing equipment has been developed for automated weighing of poultry at home and abroad. For example, foreign companies such as Big Dutchman, Fancom and Veit have launched a suspended disc platform automatic weighing system for commercial group farming scenarios. Domestic companies such as EI Electronics have launched a floor-standing coercion platform automatic weighing system for commercial group farming scenarios. China Agricultural University has developed a perch-type three-dimensional weighing system for perch-type welfare cages. However, existing research and products are all aimed at flat farming or large cage group farming models, with the weight mean and uniformity of group-raised poultry as the measurement target, which is not suitable for weighing needs under the existing mature commercial cage farming model. There are also studies on the use of machine vision for poultry weight estimation, but the measurement error is large and cannot meet the weight measurement needs. Therefore, low-cost, stress-free automated weighing of poultry in cages in standardized commercial cage farming scenarios is a focus of work in the field of poultry production. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application provides a poultry cage weighing device, comprising: A support beam for supporting and connecting a plurality of poultry cages at the same time; A weighing mesh is arranged at the bottom of each poultry cage and has a preset spacing distance from the bottom of the poultry cage; A weighing sensor connected to the bottom of the weighing mesh through the support beam; A weighing controller, connected to the support beam and used to receive and process weighing data from a plurality of weighing sensors; Wherein, the weighing controller includes multiple ones, and one weighing controller is electrically connected to at least two groups of the weighing sensors.

[0005] Furthermore, the support beam has a section of mounting beam extending in the same direction, and a plurality of poultry cages are evenly distributed on both sides of the mounting beam along the length direction thereof.

[0006] Furthermore, the weighing sensors are connected to the mounting beams, and two groups of weighing sensors are evenly distributed under each weighing mesh.

[0007] Furthermore, a support block is arranged between the weighing sensor and the weighing mesh, and the support block passes through the bottom of the poultry cage and does not contact the bottom of the poultry cage, which can further ensure the accuracy of the weighing data.

[0008] Furthermore, a plurality of weighing controllers are arranged on the mounting beam, and each weighing controller is electrically connected to four groups of weighing sensors on both sides of the mounting beam.

[0009] Furthermore, the spacing distance between the weighing mesh and the bottom of the poultry cage is 1-2 cm.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottom of the poultry cage is arranged to be tilted downward outward along the mounting beam, and the weighing mesh is arranged parallel to the bottom of the cage to avoid errors caused by different positions and postures of poultry, while facilitating the eggs to roll into the egg trough below to improve measurement accuracy.

[0011] Furthermore, the long side of the weighing mesh is close to the long side of the bottom of the poultry cage and its length is at least three fifths of the long side of the bottom of the poultry cage, ensuring that the poultry can stand completely on the weighing mesh.

[0012] As another aspect of the present application, a weighing method is also provided, which uses the above-mentioned weighing device in a poultry cage and comprises the following steps: S1, number each poultry cage, and before weighing, all weighing controllers reset the age count to 0 through the reset button; S2, determining the theoretical weight average of poultry at different ages through the pre-measured growth weight curve of the poultry breed, and taking 70% of the daily theoretical weight average as the weight adaptive threshold A; S3, weigh the poultry one hour before the poultry eats. After the weighing controller obtains the weight data, it adds the data measured by the two sensors in the same cage. If the value is higher than the weight adaptive threshold A, the data is determined as a valid weight value and enters the next step of calculation and processing. The poultry is initially screened out of the weighing mesh or partially in the weighing mesh to reduce numerical noise; S4, when the data measured by the weighing sensor is higher than the weight adaptive threshold, the weighing controller will measure the weight on the weighing mesh at a frequency of 2 times / second, and calculate 10 values ​​every 5 seconds. By calculating the variance of consecutive values, when the value variance is lower than the threshold B, it means that the value fluctuation is small, and the average value of these 10 values ​​is judged to be a valid value, otherwise the weight is collected again, where the threshold B is 0.5% of the theoretical weight of poultry and not less than 3g.

[0013] The poultry cage weighing device and weighing method of the present application have the following beneficial effects: 1. By controlling two groups of weighing sensors in poultry cages with one weighing controller, multiple poultry can be weighed at the same time, which is suitable for large-scale breeding; 2. The weighing mesh is independent of the bottom mesh of the poultry cage to avoid errors caused by different positions and postures of poultry, and at the same time facilitate the eggs to roll into the egg trough, thereby improving the measurement accuracy; 3. The error value can be screened out by the two-layer threshold judgment method to ensure the accuracy of weighing data and improve measurement accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a weighing device in a poultry cage of the present application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a weighing device applied to a single cage structure in this application; Figure 3 The flowchart of the weighing controller receiving weighing data processing.

[0015] Marked in the figure: 10, support beam, 11, mounting beam, 12, connecting plate, 13, weighing sensor, 14, supporting block, 15, weighing mesh, 16, weighing controller, 17, poultry cage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0017] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0018] In the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "middle", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe the present application and its embodiments, and are not used to limit the indicated devices, elements or components to have a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0019] In addition, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings in addition to indicating orientation or positional relationship. For example, the term "on" may also be used to express a certain dependency or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0020] In addition, the terms "installed", "set", "provided with", "connected", "connected", and "socketed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; it can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be an internal connection between two devices, elements, or components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0021] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments. Example

[0022] See also Figure 1-Figure 2 The present embodiment provides a weighing device in a poultry cage, comprising a support beam 10, a mounting beam 11 extending outwardly from one side of the support beam 10, a row of poultry cages 17 are respectively arranged on both sides of the mounting beam 11, and five groups are arranged in each row, and the ends are fixed by the support beam 10, and the support beam, the mounting beam and the poultry cages are fixed by welding, ten groups of connecting plates 12 are respectively arranged at intervals on both sides of the mounting beam 11, a weighing sensor 13 is arranged on each group of connecting plates 12, and a group of supporting blocks 14 is arranged on each weighing sensor 13, and the supporting blocks 14 penetrate the bottom net of the poultry cage and do not contact the poultry cage, and a weighing mesh 15 is commonly arranged on two adjacent groups of supporting blocks 14, and the weighing mesh 15 is higher than the bottom net of the poultry cage, and five groups of weighing controllers 16 are arranged at intervals on the mounting beam 11, and the weighing controllers 16 are fixed below the mounting beam by bolts, and each group of weighing controllers 16 controls four groups of weighing sensors 13 on both sides, that is, one group of weighing controllers is used to receive the weighing data of two groups of poultry and perform calculation processing.

[0023] Figure 1Only part of the structure of the weighing device in the poultry cage of the present application is shown. The other side of the mounting beam 11 also has the same number of connecting plates, weighing sensors and support block structures. Two sets of adjacent support blocks also have a weighing mesh. The complete structure should be consistent with the two sets of weighing mesh structures near the mounting beam 11. Other structures are not shown in the figure.

[0024] The bottom net of the poultry cage 14 is arranged outwardly and downwardly along the mounting beam 11. Generally, an egg trough is arranged below the bottom net for receiving poultry eggs. Therefore, the weighing mesh 15 is also arranged downwardly and the distance between the weighing mesh and the bottom net should not be too large, and about 1.5 cm is more suitable. This can ensure that the poultry eggs will not be broken when they tilt and roll down. At the same time, since the weighing mesh is a grid structure, the size of the grid should not be too large.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, in order to ensure that the poultry can stand completely on the weighing mesh when weighing, the shape of the weighing mesh 15 follows the shape of the bottom mesh of the poultry cage, generally a rectangular structure, and the long side of the weighing mesh is set as close as possible to the long side of the bottom mesh, but not in contact with it. The length of the long side of the weighing mesh 15 is about 3 / 5 of the length of the bottom mesh.

[0026] The weighing sensor 13 in the present application adopts a pressure sensor, and the weighing controller 16 adopts a modular setting, which has an A / D conversion module, a voltage stabilization module, an independent power supply, a data processing module and a data transmission module. The data processing module is used to balance the data transmitted by the weighing sensor to obtain more accurate measurement values, and the data transmission module transmits the measurement values ​​to the cloud server via WIFI.

[0027] The present application is applicable to the single-cage single-bird mode. After the weighing sensor measures the weight on the weighing mesh, it feeds the data back to the weighing controller. The weighing controller sends the screened and processed data to the server through the data transmission module. The weighing sensor 13 adopts an independent power supply design, a low-power controller and sensor, and a simple circuit. The weighing controller is designed with a data transmission serial port and a charging serial port, which is convenient for large-scale application. Example

[0028] The present embodiment provides a weighing method, which adopts the above-mentioned weighing device in the poultry cage. Since the poultry may have different postures in the cage, the weighing readings fluctuate and generate a large number of deviation values, while the actual weight does not fluctuate greatly within a certain period of time. Frequent reading of the poultry weight reduces the life of the equipment and reduces the battery life. The weighing controller of the present application should wake up and weigh within a fixed time period, and arrange a reasonable startup time period according to the eating habits of the poultry, which can save power without affecting the update of data and increase the service life and battery life of the equipment.

[0029] like Figure 3As shown, the theoretical average weight of chickens at different ages is determined by the pre-determined growth weight curve of the poultry breed, and 70% of the daily theoretical average weight is used as the weight adaptive threshold A; before the poultry enters the cage, all controllers reset the age count to 0 through the reset button; when weighing is required, the poultry is weighed one hour before the poultry eats, and after the weighing controller obtains the weight data of the weighing sensor, the data measured by the two sensors in the same cage are added together. If the value is higher than the weight adaptive threshold A, the data is determined to be a valid weight value and enters the next step of calculation and processing.

[0030] Initially screen out the cases where the poultry is outside the weighing mesh or partially on the weighing mesh to reduce the numerical noise. Through this operation, the values ​​returned by the weighing sensor when the poultry is not on the weighing mesh or not all of its weight is on the weighing mesh can be screened out, thereby reducing the amount of calculation, and the remaining values ​​that meet the requirements are used for the next threshold screening; The data processing module uses algorithm processing to remove numerical anomalies caused by the position and movement of breeding birds, such as breeding birds standing on one leg or part of their trunk lying on the weighing mesh, as well as data fluctuations caused by breeding birds combing their feathers, flapping their wings and feeding on the weighing mesh. When the data measured by the weighing sensor is higher than the weight adaptive threshold, the weighing controller will measure the weight on the weighing mesh at a frequency of 2 times / second, and calculate 10 values ​​every 5 seconds. By calculating the variance of consecutive values, when the value variance is lower than the threshold B, it means that the value fluctuation is small, and the average of these 10 values ​​is determined to be a valid value, otherwise the weight is collected again.

[0031] The heavier the poultry is, the greater the fluctuation in value caused by activity will be. Therefore, threshold B should be proportional to the theoretical weight of the poultry. The value of threshold B is usually 0.5% of the theoretical weight of the poultry. Affected by the accuracy of the sensor, the minimum threshold B should not be less than 3g.

[0032] This application can be used to measure the weight of poultry according to their age groups and behavioral activities. The algorithm can be used to screen valid weight values, and the valid weight values ​​can be matched to cage numbers through the data transmission module, and then transmitted to the Alibaba Cloud Internet of Things platform and the terminal host computer data integration platform via WIFI, so as to facilitate real-time monitoring of the precise weight of poultry and increase the battery life of the device, and facilitate real-time monitoring of poultry weight at any location and at any time, as well as integrated processing and analysis of data.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, it is still possible for those skilled in the art to modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or to make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features therein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A weighing device in a poultry cage, characterized in that: include: A support beam for supporting and connecting a plurality of poultry cages at the same time; A weighing mesh is arranged at the bottom of each poultry cage and has a preset spacing distance from the bottom of the poultry cage; A weighing sensor connected to the bottom of the weighing mesh through the support beam; A weighing controller, connected to the support beam and used to receive and process weighing data from a plurality of weighing sensors; Wherein, the weighing controller includes multiple ones, and one weighing controller is electrically connected to at least two groups of the weighing sensors.

2. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support beam is provided with a section of mounting beam extending in the same direction, and a plurality of poultry cages are evenly distributed on both sides of the mounting beam along the length direction thereof.

3. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The weighing sensors are connected to the mounting beams, and two groups of weighing sensors are evenly distributed under each weighing mesh.

4. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A support block is arranged between the weighing sensor and the weighing mesh, and the support block passes through the bottom of the poultry cage and does not contact the bottom of the poultry cage.

5. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A plurality of weighing controllers are arranged on the mounting beam, and each weighing controller is electrically connected to four groups of weighing sensors on both sides of the mounting beam.

6. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The spacing distance between the weighing mesh and the bottom of the poultry cage is 1-2 cm.

7. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cage bottom of the poultry cage is arranged to be inclined outward and downward along the mounting beam, and the weighing mesh is arranged parallel to the cage bottom.

8. The poultry cage weighing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The long side of the weighing mesh is close to the long side of the bottom of the poultry cage and has a length of at least three fifths of the long side of the bottom of the poultry cage.

9. A weighing method for a poultry cage weighing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1, number each poultry cage, and before weighing, all weighing controllers reset the age count to 0 through the reset button; S2, determining the theoretical weight average of poultry at different ages through the pre-measured growth weight curve of the poultry breed, and taking 70% of the daily theoretical weight average as the weight adaptive threshold A; S3, weigh the poultry one hour before they eat, add the data measured by the two weighing sensors in the same cage, if the value is higher than the weight adaptive threshold A, the data is determined to be a valid weight value, and enter the next step of calculation and processing; S4, when the data measured by the weighing sensor is higher than the weight adaptive threshold A, the weighing controller will measure the weight on the weighing mesh at a frequency of 2 times / second, and calculate 10 values ​​every 5 seconds. By calculating the variance of consecutive values, when the value variance is lower than the threshold B, it means that the value fluctuation is small, and the average of these 10 values ​​is determined to be a valid value, otherwise the weight is collected again.

10. The weighing method of the weighing device in the poultry cage according to claim 9, characterized in that: The threshold value B is set to be 0.5% of the theoretical body weight of the poultry and not less than 3 g.

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