An egg counting system applied to a laying hen farm

Abstract

This invention discloses an egg counting system for laying hen farms. Each row of chicken houses consists of multiple cages, and each cage houses a set number of laying hens. A branch conveyor line is installed on the egg-producing side of any row of chicken houses. A visual egg counting device is installed on any branch conveyor line, configured to count the eggs on the branch conveyor line and identify their quality. During a first time period, the branch conveyor line stops operating, and the eggs produced by the hens in the cages roll onto the branch conveyor line, with the eggs from multiple cages in the same row of chicken houses arranged in multiple, spaced piles on the branch conveyor line. During a second time period, the branch conveyor line starts operating, and the visual egg counting device counts and identifies the quality of each pile of eggs. The egg counting system judges the environment and health of the laying hens in the corresponding cages based on the number and quality of the eggs, eliminating the need for farm workers to inspect each cage individually, thus reducing workload.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aquaculture technology, and in particular to an egg counting system for use in laying hen farms. Background Technology

[0002] The egg farm consists of multiple chicken cages, and the eggs laid by the hens in each cage are transported via conveyor lines. An egg counter counts the eggs on the conveyor line. The egg counter uses image recognition technology to detect the number of eggs. The egg counter uses a camera to photograph the eggs transported on the conveyor line below, acquiring egg image information, which is then transmitted to a controller. The controller analyzes the image recognition module and outputs the egg count result.

[0003] In existing egg-laying hen farms, only egg counters can identify the total number of eggs on the conveyor line. They cannot accurately track the egg-laying status of hens in each cage, thus failing to provide insights into the environmental conditions and health of the hens within each cage. In practice, farm workers must inspect each cage individually, a labor-intensive task that cannot guarantee the timely detection of any abnormalities, hindering efforts to improve egg production.

[0004] The information disclosed in this background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this application, and therefore may include prior art that is not known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems mentioned in the background art, this invention proposes an egg counting system for laying hen farms. It can identify the number of eggs laid by hens in each cage and the surface of the eggs, thereby judging the environment inside each cage and the health of the hens. This eliminates the need for farm workers to inspect each cage one by one, reducing their workload.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: In some embodiments of this application, an egg counting system for use in laying hen farms is provided, comprising: Multiple rows of chicken houses, each row of which consists of multiple chicken cages arranged together, with a set number of laying hens kept in each chicken cage; Multiple branch conveyor lines, with one of the branch conveyor lines provided on the egg-laying side of any row of chicken houses; A visual egg counting device is provided on any of the branch conveyor lines, and the visual egg counting device is configured to count the eggs on the branch conveyor line and identify the quality of the eggs. During the first time period, the branch conveyor line stops operating, and the eggs produced by the laying hens in the chicken cages roll onto the branch conveyor line. The eggs in multiple chicken cages located in the same row of chicken houses are arranged in multiple piles at intervals on the branch conveyor line. During the second time period, the branch conveyor line starts to operate, and the visual egg counting device counts the eggs in each pile and identifies the quality of the eggs. The egg counting system judges the environment inside the corresponding chicken cage and the health of the laying hens based on the number and quality of the eggs.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the visual egg counting device includes a camera and a controller. The camera captures and acquires egg image information and transmits the egg image information to the controller. The controller analyzes the image recognition and analysis module to obtain the number of eggs and the quality of the eggs. The quality of the eggs includes blood eggs, dirty eggs, soft-shelled eggs, and normal eggs.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, a gear counter is provided on the branch conveyor line. The gear counter is equipped with an encoder or a proximity switch. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs on the branch conveyor line with multiple chicken cages one by one according to the pulse equivalent of the gear counter.

[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the branch conveyor line moves at a set speed, and the egg counting system also includes a timer. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs on the branch conveyor line with multiple chicken cages one by one according to the timing information of the timer.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the egg counting system further includes a main conveyor line, and a plurality of branch conveyor lines are connected to the main conveyor line.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the first time period includes a first time period I and a first time period II, wherein the branch conveyor line stops operating during the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively, and the branch conveyor line starts operating after the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, when the number of eggs laid in the chicken cage during the first time period I is less than a set number M1, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in the chicken cage.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, when the number of eggs laid in the chicken cage during the first time period II is less than a set number M2, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in the chicken cage.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are: The egg counting system disclosed in this application can not only count eggs, but also identify the quality of eggs, and match the quantity and quality of eggs with each chicken cage. Then, based on the quantity and quality of eggs, the system can judge the environment inside each chicken cage and the health of the laying hens, eliminating the need for farmers to inspect each chicken cage one by one, thus reducing their workload.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the detailed embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of an egg counting system according to some embodiments.

[0018] Figure label: 1. Branch conveyor line; 2. Main conveyor line; 3. Chicken house; 4. Chicken cage; 5. Eggs; 6. Visual egg counting device. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0021] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0024] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various structures of the invention. To simplify the disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in different examples; such repetition is for simplification and clarity and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various embodiments and / or arrangements discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided in this invention, but those skilled in the art will recognize the application of other processes and / or the use of other materials.

[0025] In some embodiments of this application, an egg counting system for use in laying hen farms is provided, with reference to... Figure 1 It includes multiple rows of chicken houses 3, each row of chicken houses 3 is composed of multiple chicken cages 4, and each chicken cage 4 houses a set number of laying hens. For example, each chicken cage 4 houses 10 laying hens.

[0026] The egg counting system also includes multiple branch conveyor lines 1, with one branch conveyor line 1 installed on the egg-producing side of any row of chicken houses 3. In other words, a branch conveyor line 1 is installed on the front side of each row of chicken houses 3, and the eggs 5 produced by multiple chicken cages 4 in the same row of chicken houses 3 are transported through the branch conveyor line 1.

[0027] The egg counting system also includes a visual egg counting device 6, which is installed on any branch conveyor line 1. The visual egg counting device 6 is configured to count the eggs 5 on the branch conveyor line 1 and identify the egg quality. The visual egg counting device 6 uses image recognition technology to count the eggs 5 and identify the egg quality.

[0028] Egg quality can be categorized as bloody, dirty, soft-shelled, or normal. The appearance of an egg is the most direct indicator of its health; by examining bloodstains, dirt, and soft-shelled eggs, one can quickly determine reproductive, nutritional, intestinal, and environmental issues in the flock.

[0029] Specifically, blood on the eggshell reflects problems with the hen's reproductive tract and anus. When a brooder first starts laying eggs, the reproductive tract is not fully open, and slight initial bleeding is normal. If the hen's anus is everted or it has been pecked, blood will stain the egg. If the hen has inflammation of the oviduct, the mucosa will be congested and damaged, resulting in blood staining the egg. One or two bloody eggs occasionally are not a major problem. However, if multiple eggs are found consecutively over several days, it indicates oviductitis or vent pecking.

[0030] Soft-shelled eggs reflect nutritional deficiencies and problems with calcium and phosphorus absorption in laying hens. Furthermore, older hens may also experience a decline in eggshell quality. A large number of soft-shelled eggs should raise suspicion of feed or disease issues.

[0031] Dirty eggs reflect the intestinal health of laying hens and the hygiene of the environment inside the cage. The main sources of dirty eggs are: poor intestinal health and diarrhea in laying hens; excessively dirty cages and egg trays; and poor ventilation and high humidity in the cage, which makes it difficult for feces to dry.

[0032] During the first time period, the branch conveyor line 1 stops operating, and the eggs 5 produced by the laying hens in the chicken cages 4 roll onto the branch conveyor line 1. The eggs 5 in multiple chicken cages 4 located in the same row of chicken houses 3 are arranged in multiple piles at intervals on the branch conveyor line 1.

[0033] During the second time period, branch conveyor line 1 starts operating, and visual egg counting device 6 counts and identifies the quality of eggs in each pile. The egg counting system judges the environment and health of the chickens in the corresponding chicken cage 4 based on the quantity and quality of eggs 5.

[0034] Laying hens primarily lay eggs in the morning, with the peak occurring 3-4 hours after sunrise, between 8:00 and 11:00 AM. Most chicken farms achieve 70%-80% of their daily egg production before noon. A small number of hens lay eggs between the afternoon and 3:00 PM, accounting for approximately 20%-30% of their daily production; if they begin laying eggs after 3:00 PM, they will likely stop laying eggs the following day.

[0035] Based on the aforementioned egg-laying characteristics of laying hens, the egg counting system is configured to stop operating the branch conveyor line 1 during the first time period. This first time period is understood to be the egg-laying time of the laying hens. The eggs 5 produced by the laying hens in each cage 4 roll down onto the branch conveyor line 1 and accumulate. Since the branch conveyor line 1 is stopped, the eggs 5 in each cage 4 roll onto the branch conveyor line 1 in an intermittent, multi-piled arrangement, meaning that the eggs 5 in each cage 4 are piled together.

[0036] The second time period is the non-laying time of the hens. During this time, branch conveyor line 1 starts operating, transporting eggs 5. While branch conveyor line 1 is transporting eggs 5, the visual egg counting device 6 counts and identifies the quality of the eggs 5 on branch conveyor line 1. Since the eggs 5 are piled up on branch conveyor line 1, the quantity and quality of each pile of eggs 5 can be correlated one-to-one with each chicken cage 4. Thus, based on the number and quality of eggs laid in each chicken cage 4, the environment inside each cage 4 and the health of the hens can be determined, eliminating the need for farmers to inspect each cage 4 individually, reducing workload.

[0037] The egg counting system of this application can not only count eggs, but also identify the quality of eggs, and match the quantity and quality of eggs 5 with each chicken cage 4. Then, based on the quantity and quality of eggs 5, the system can judge the environment inside each chicken cage 4 and the health of the laying hens, eliminating the need for farmers to inspect each chicken cage 4 one by one, thus reducing their workload.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the visual egg counting device 6 includes a camera and a controller. The camera captures and acquires image information of the eggs 5 and transmits the image information of the eggs 5 to the controller. The controller analyzes the image recognition and analysis module to obtain the number of eggs and the quality of the eggs. The quality of the eggs includes blood eggs, dirty eggs, soft-shelled eggs and normal eggs.

[0039] This article will not elaborate on conventional technologies such as cameras, controllers, and image recognition and analysis modules.

[0040] In some embodiments of this application, a gear counter is provided on the branch conveyor line 1. The gear counter is equipped with an encoder or a proximity switch. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs 5 on the branch conveyor line 1 with multiple chicken cages 4 according to the pulse equivalent of the gear counter.

[0041] By using a gear counter, which has a simple structure and low cost, the technical requirement of corresponding multiple piles of eggs 5 with multiple chicken coops 4 can be met.

[0042] In other embodiments of this application, the branch conveyor line 1 moves at a set speed, and the egg counting system also includes a timer. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs 5 on the branch conveyor line 1 with multiple chicken cages 4 one-to-one according to the timing information of the timer.

[0043] If the moving distance of the branch conveyor line 1 within a set time period is constant, then the technical requirement of corresponding multiple piles of eggs 5 with multiple chicken cages 4 can be achieved by using a timer. The structure is simple and the cost is low.

[0044] In some embodiments of this application, the egg counting system further includes a main conveyor line 2, with multiple branch conveyor lines 1 connected to the main conveyor line 2. The eggs 5 on each branch conveyor line 1 are eventually collected onto the main conveyor line 2 and then output from the main conveyor line 2.

[0045] In some embodiments of this application, the first time period includes a first time period I and a first time period II. The branch conveyor line 1 stops operating during the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively, and starts operating after the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively.

[0046] For example, as mentioned above, the first time period I is from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the first time period II is from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

[0047] When the number of eggs laid in chicken cage 4 during the first time period I is less than the set number M1, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in chicken cage 4.

[0048] When the number of eggs laid in cage 4 during the first time period II is less than the set number M2, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in cage 4.

[0049] In the description of the above embodiments, specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0050] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An egg counting system for use in laying hen farms, characterized in that, Including: Multiple rows of chicken houses, each row of which consists of multiple chicken cages arranged together, with a set number of laying hens kept in each chicken cage; Multiple branch conveyor lines, with one of the branch conveyor lines provided on the egg-laying side of any row of chicken houses; A visual egg counting device is provided on any of the branch conveyor lines, and the visual egg counting device is configured to count the eggs on the branch conveyor line and identify the quality of the eggs. During the first time period, the branch conveyor line stops operating, and the eggs produced by the laying hens in the chicken cages roll onto the branch conveyor line. The eggs in multiple chicken cages located in the same row of chicken houses are arranged in multiple piles at intervals on the branch conveyor line. During the second time period, the branch conveyor line starts to operate, and the visual egg counting device counts the eggs in each pile and identifies the quality of the eggs. The egg counting system judges the environment inside the corresponding chicken cage and the health of the laying hens based on the number and quality of the eggs.

2. The egg counting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The visual egg counting device includes a camera and a controller. The camera captures and obtains egg image information and transmits the egg image information to the controller. The controller analyzes the image recognition and analysis module to obtain the number of eggs and the quality of the eggs. The quality of the eggs includes blood eggs, dirty eggs, soft-shelled eggs and normal eggs.

3. The egg counting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch conveyor line is equipped with a gear counter, which is paired with an encoder or proximity switch. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs on the branch conveyor line with multiple chicken cages one by one according to the pulse equivalent of the gear counter.

4. The egg counting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch conveyor line moves at a set speed. The egg counting system also includes a timer. The egg counting system associates multiple piles of eggs on the branch conveyor line with multiple chicken cages one by one according to the timing information of the timer.

5. The egg counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The egg counting system also includes a main conveyor line, and multiple branch conveyor lines are connected to the main conveyor line.

6. The egg counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first time period includes a first time period I and a first time period II. The branch conveyor line stops operating during the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively, and starts operating after the first time period I and the first time period II, respectively.

7. The egg counting system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the number of eggs laid in the chicken cage during the first time period I is less than the set number M1, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in the chicken cage.

8. The egg counting system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the number of eggs laid in the chicken cage during the first time period II is less than the set number M2, the egg counting system determines that there is an abnormality in the laying hens and / or the environment in the chicken cage.

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