Poultry house, in particular turkey house, for keeping poultry and use

Abstract

Poultry house (100), in particular turkey house (100), for keeping poultry animals, with an interior space (2) which has an animal living area (4), wherein the interior space (2) is open on at least one side (6a, 6b) to the surroundings (10) of the poultry house (100) by means of at least one opening (8a, 8b), characterized by at least one filter device (12) which is configured to draw in fresh air (14), filter it and release it as filtered air (16) to the interior space (2), and a closing device (18) which is configured to close the at least one opening (8a, 8b), in particular during the operation of the filter device (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a poultry house, in particular a turkey house, for keeping poultry, having a house interior which has an animal accommodation area, wherein the house interior is open on at least one side by means of at least one opening to the surroundings of the poultry house.

[0002] Such poultry houses, particularly turkey houses, are known from the prior art. They are often designed as so-called open houses, with the interior of the house being essentially open on at least one long side, in particular on two opposite long sides. Although this house concept has proven fundamentally successful and ensures good ventilation of the house interior, it has been shown that such turkey house types, due to their open design, are quite susceptible to the transmission of diseases from wild animals to poultry, particularly turkeys, kept in such a house. For example, it has been shown that turkeys kept in such an open turkey house are susceptible to infection with so-called avian influenza (AI), also known as fowl plague, during the bird migration months in autumn.

[0003] To prevent such infections, filter systems are known to be used in closed poultry houses. These systems are designed to draw in fresh air, filter it, and release the filtered air into the interior of the house. However, this solution cannot currently be used satisfactorily for open-construction turkey houses.

[0004] Against this background, the object of the invention was to further develop a poultry house of the type described above in such a way that the disadvantages found in the prior art are eliminated as far as possible. In particular, the aim was to provide a poultry house with an open design that reduces the risk of infection of the poultry kept in the house from externally introduced pathogens.

[0005] According to the invention, the object is achieved in a poultry house of the type mentioned at the outset by at least one filtering device which is designed to suck in fresh air, filter it and release it as filtered air to the interior of the house, and a closing device which is designed to close the at least one opening of the interior of the house to the environment, in particular during operation of the filtering device.

[0006] The invention takes advantage of the finding that a filtration device can also be used for open-construction turkey houses if a closure device is simultaneously provided which is designed to close the openings of the poultry house between the interior of the house and the surroundings of the poultry house. In this way, the advantages of an open-construction turkey house with regard to ventilation can still be enjoyed, and the opening(s) of the poultry house can be closed by means of the closure device, in particular when there is a particular risk of infection for the poultry due to bird migration. If there is no such risk of infection, the operation of the filtration device can be dispensed with and conventional ventilation means can be used, if necessary.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the closure device comprises at least one curtain configured to close or open the at least one opening. Such a curtain has proven particularly suitable for temporarily closing all openings of the poultry house interior to the surroundings of the poultry house in a simple manner, namely by lowering such a curtain, particularly for periods associated with an increased risk of infection. The use of a curtain is cost-effective, and such systems can be retrofitted to existing poultry houses. Furthermore, such a curtain can be rolled up to save space when not in use, and the opening and closing can be easily automated. Preferably, one curtain is provided on each long side of the poultry house interior.According to one embodiment, the curtain extends across the entire long side of the poultry house provided with openings. The curtain is particularly designed such that all of the openings are closed by the curtain(s).

[0008] According to one embodiment, the filter device comprises a fan and a filter, in particular a mechanical filter, which is designed to filter particles from the fresh air drawn in. For this purpose, the mechanical filter preferably comprises suitably designed carrier particles. Viruses adhere to the corresponding carrier particles and are thereby sufficiently filtered out of the fresh air drawn in. This ensures that the filtered air discharged into the interior of the barn is purified of viruses to such an extent that the risk of infection for the poultry housed in the barn interior is reduced as much as possible.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the filter device comprises a cooling unit, in particular an adiabatic cooling unit, wherein the cooling unit is configured to condition the temperature of the filtered air. By means of the cooling unit, the air supplied to the interior of the poultry house can be appropriately conditioned, i.e., cooled or heated to a desired temperature. In this way, the welfare of the poultry kept in the poultry house can be increased.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a pipe system for supplying the filtered air to the interior of the stable is provided between the filter device and the interior of the stable. In this way, the filtered air can be supplied to the interior of the stable in a targeted manner. According to one embodiment, a nozzle arrangement is arranged between the pipe system and the interior of the stable, which nozzle arrangement is designed to discharge the filtered air in a directed manner into the interior of the stable, wherein the discharge direction is preferably adjustable. In this way, the supply of the filtered air to the interior of the stable and the air mixing in the interior of the stable can be optimized.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the interior of the poultry house is open on at least two sides by means of an opening towards the surroundings of the poultry house, in particular on opposite long sides of the interior of the poultry house, and each side is assigned a closure device, in particular a curtain, for closing the openings.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the poultry house is designed as an open-air house. This type of turkey house configuration has proven particularly suitable, although such types of houses are subject to the described susceptibility to viral infections from wild animals.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the filter device is configured to generate a current pressure in the poultry house interior when the curtain(s) is closed, which pressure preferably exceeds the ambient pressure in the surroundings of the poultry house. This ensures that, even if the openings are not completely sealed by the curtains, no unfiltered and potentially virus-contaminated air from the surroundings can penetrate into the interior of the poultry house due to the filtered air constantly flowing out of the poultry house interior toward the environment. Thus, any leaks, which may be structural or system-related, have no significant impact on the viral load in the poultry house interior.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the curtain is made of a substantially gas-tight material, whereby the curtain shields, or largely shields, the interior of the poultry house from the surroundings of the poultry house. As described, minor leaks are unproblematic due to the positive pressure that is preferably present in the interior of the house, since the positive pressure prevents the penetration of pathogens even if the seal is not completely sealed.

[0015] According to one embodiment, at least one recirculation fan is arranged in the interior of the poultry house, wherein the recirculation fan is configured to distribute the filtered air supplied to the interior of the poultry house throughout the interior of the poultry house. Furthermore, such a recirculation fan can also be used to mix the air in the interior of the poultry house during periods when there is no risk of infection for the animals kept in the poultry house, provided the closure device or curtains are open and the filter device is not operating.

[0016] When ventilating the interior of the poultry house, a current pressure is preferably created inside the poultry house that is, in particular, 1 Pascal (Pa) to 40 Pa higher than the air pressure in the surrounding area of ​​the poultry house. This ensures that only or almost only filtered air enters the poultry house, and structural or system-related leaks have no significant impact on the risk of infection for the poultry kept inside the house.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the temperature of the filtered air is conditioned before being fed into the interior of the barn, in particular to a temperature of 8°C to 35°C. This temperature range has proven particularly suitable for increasing animal welfare. The temperature is preferably adapted to the animals kept, their growth stage, and the season. Thus, the temperature of the filtered air can be 32°C–35°C for smaller animals, such as broilers, and up to 12°C for heavy roosters in winter and approximately 22°C in summer.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the at least one opening, in particular all openings, are closed and the ventilation is performed during periods in which bird migration is observed in the vicinity of the poultry house. During these months, which are particularly susceptible to avian influenza and in which wild animals pass through the vicinity of the poultry house due to bird migration, the openings of the open-air house are closed accordingly, and the fresh air released into the interior of the house is filtered. During periods in which there is no or only a very low risk of infection from wild animals, the poultry house can be operated as a conventional open-air house.

[0019] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a poultry house according to at least one of the preceding claims for keeping poultry, in particular turkeys.

[0020] The use also utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the poultry house according to the invention. Reference is made to the above statements, and their content is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0021] The invention is described in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0022] Here we show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a poultry house according to the invention in a plan view; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 an alternative embodiment of a poultry house according to the invention in different views.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a poultry house 100, which is designed in particular as a turkey house 100. The poultry house 100 is designed for keeping poultry. The poultry house 100 has a house interior 2. The house interior 2 has an animal rest area 4. The house interior 2 is separated on two opposite sides 6a, 6b by means of a Fig. 1, the opening 8a, 8b is open to the surroundings 10 of the poultry house 100. Such a poultry house 100 is also referred to as an open-construction house or an open-sided house. The poultry house 100 further comprises a total of four filter devices 12. Each of the filter devices 12 is configured to draw in fresh air 14 from the surroundings 10 of the poultry house 100, filter it, and discharge it as filtered air 16 into the interior 2 of the house.

[0024] The poultry house 100 further comprises a total of two closure devices 18, which are designed to close the openings 8a, 8b arranged on the sides 6a, 6b of the house interior 2. On the remaining sides 8c, 8d, the poultry house 100 is closed, i.e., there is no connection between the house interior 2 and the surroundings 10 of the poultry house 100. The closure devices 18 each comprise a curtain 20, which is designed to close or open the openings 8a, 8b. The curtains 20 can be moved into a closed position, in which the openings 8a, 8b are closed, and into an open position, in which the openings 8a, 8b are opened. If the poultry house 100 is to be operated as an open house, the curtains 20 are moved into the open position, and the filter devices 12 are deactivated.During periods in which there is an increased risk of infection from wild animals, in particular migratory birds, in the vicinity of the poultry house 10, the curtains 20 are closed, ie in particular lowered, thereby closing the openings 8a, 8b and then releasing filtered air 16 into the interior space 2 of the house by means of the filter devices 12.

[0025] The filter devices 12 are designed to maintain a current pressure p when the curtains 20 are closed. innen in the stable interior 2. This is preferably greater than an ambient pressure p U, so that the penetration of pathogens from the environment 10 of the poultry house 100 into the interior 2 of the house is prevented. The preferably permanent outflow of air from the interior 2 of the house toward the environment 10 of the poultry house 100 prevents air contaminated with viruses from penetrating the interior 2 of the house. The curtains 20 are made of a substantially gas-tight material and shield the interior 2 of the house from the environment 10 of the poultry house 100. Two recirculation fans 30 are also arranged in the interior 2 of the house. The recirculation fans 30 are designed to distribute the filtered air 16 supplied to the interior 2 of the house within the interior 2 of the house and to ensure ventilation of the interior 2 of the house even when the filter devices 12 are not operating.

[0026] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 also shows a poultry house 100 which is designed as an open turkey house 100. As in particular Fig. 2, the interior space 2 of the poultry house is open on opposite longitudinal sides 6a, 6b by means of a plurality of openings 8a, 8 to the surroundings 10 of the poultry house 100. Also in the poultry house shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a total of four filter devices 12 are provided, which are designed to suck in fresh air 14, filter it and deliver it to the stable interior 2. The closure devices 18 in the form of curtains 20, which are also provided on the long sides 6a, 6b, are in Fig. 3 only schematically indicated. The curtains 20 are also designed to open or close the openings 8a, 8b of the interior space 2 of the poultry house 100 to the surroundings 10. The length of the curtains 20 corresponds at least to the length of the sides 6a, 6b, so that all openings 8a, 8b can be closed by the curtains 20. In this way, as described, a current pressure p innen which is higher than an ambient pressure p U preferably at least slightly raised so that air flows out of the stable interior 2, but cannot flow into it from the outside.

[0027] In Fig. 3 also schematically shows the structure of a filter device 12. The filter device 12 has a fan 22 and a filter 24, which is designed in particular as a mechanical filter 24. The filter 24 is designed to filter particles from the sucked-in fresh air 14. The mechanical filter 24 preferably has carrier particles to which corresponding pathogens adhere and are thus removed or filtered from the sucked-in fresh air 14. As also shown in Fig.3, the filter device 12 has a cooling unit 26. The cooling unit 26 is designed as an adiabatic cooling unit 26. The cooling unit 26 is designed to condition a temperature T of the filtered air 16, i.e. in particular to influence it in such a way that a temperature in the barn interior 2 can be kept in a range that is particularly preferred for poultry farming. Between the filter device 12 and the barn interior 2, a pipe system 28 for supplying the filtered air 16 to the barn interior 2 is provided. Adjacent to the pipe system 28 and between the barn interior 2 and the pipe system 28, there is a nozzle 32. By means of the nozzle 32, a flow direction of the filtered air 16 supplied to the barn interior 2 can be influenced as desired and in this way the mixing of the filtered air 16 in the barn interior 2 can be optimized. List of reference symbols 2 Stable interior 4 animal lounge area 6a,b Long sides of the stable interior 8a-d opening 10 Surroundings of the poultry house 12 Filter device 14 intake fresh air 16 filtered air 18 Locking device 20 curtains 22 blowers 24 mechanical filters 26 adiabatic cooling unit 28 Pipe system 30 recirculation fan 32 nozzle 100 poultry house (turkey house) p innen current pressure in the stable interior p U Ambient pressure T Temperature of the filtered air

Claims

[1] Poultry house (100), in particular turkey house (100), for keeping poultry, with a house interior (2) which has an animal accommodation area (4), wherein the house interior (2) is open on at least one side (6a, 6b) by means of at least one opening (8a, 8b) to the surroundings (10) of the poultry house (100), characterized by at least one filter device (12) which is designed to suck in fresh air (14), to filter it and to release it as filtered air (16) to the stable interior (2), and a closure device (18) which is designed to close the at least one opening (8a, 8b), in particular during operation of the filter device (12). [2] Poultry house (100) according to claim 1, wherein the closure device (18) comprises at least one curtain (20) which is adapted to close or open the at least one opening (8a, 8b). [3] Poultry house (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter device (12) comprises a fan (22) and a filter (24), in particular a mechanical filter (24), which is designed to filter particles from the sucked-in fresh air (14). [4] Poultry house (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter device (12) has a cooling unit (26), in particular an adiabatic cooling unit (26), which is designed to condition a temperature (T) of the filtered air (16). [5] Poultry house (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a pipe system (28) for supplying the filtered air (16) to the interior space (2) of the house is provided between the filter device (12) and the interior space (2). [6] Poultry house (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the house interior (2) is open on at least two sides (6a, 6b) each by means of at least one opening (8a, 8b) to the surroundings (10) of the poultry house (100), in particular on opposite longitudinal sides (6a, 6b) of the house interior (2), and wherein each side (6a, 6b) is assigned a respective closure device (18), in particular a curtain (20), for closing the openings (8a, 8b). [7] Poultry house (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the poultry house (100) is designed as an open house. [8] Poultry house (100) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the filter device (12) is designed to measure a current pressure (p innen ) in the stable interior (2), which preferably has an ambient pressure (p U) in an environment (10) of the poultry house (100). [9] Poultry house (100) according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the curtain (20) is formed from a substantially gas-tight material and shields the interior space (2) from the surroundings (10) of the poultry house (100). [10] Poultry house (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one recirculation fan (30) is arranged in the house interior (2), wherein the recirculation fan (30) is designed to distribute the filtered air (16) supplied to the house interior (2) in the house interior (2). [11] Use of a poultry house (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims for keeping poultry, in particular turkeys.

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