Farrowing pen with a floor and stable building with at least one farrowing pen

Abstract

Farrowing pen with a floor and walls standing on the floor, wherein spatial areas can be separated from each other by the walls, characterized in that the farrowing pen (1,2) has at least one feeding area (10) separated from other areas by walls (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a farrowing crate with a floor and walls standing on the floor, wherein spatial areas can be separated from one another by the walls. The invention further relates to a stable building with at least one aforementioned farrowing crate.

[0002] Farrowing pens of this type are used in the rearing of farm animals, especially pigs. Such a pen provides a space for the sow and an area for the piglets. Separate areas for the sow and piglets are created with walls.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a farrowing crate of the aforementioned type that allows for more species-appropriate housing for the animals. Furthermore, a stable building of the aforementioned type is to be provided.

[0004] With regard to the farrowing crate, this object is achieved according to the invention in that the farrowing crate has at least one feeding area separated from other areas by walls.

[0005] According to the invention, the feeding area in the farrowing pen according to the invention is separated from other areas. This ensures that the mother animal is forced to move to this feeding area. Furthermore, this feeding area remains largely free of contamination.

[0006] According to a further development of the invention, the entrance to the feeding area can be equipped with a door. This can be a swing door that can be opened by the animal. The animal can enter the feeding area through the door, and at least one trough containing feed can be located in the feeding area. It can then exit the feeding area backward through the door.

[0007] If the animal needs to be inspected, the door can be designed so that it can only be opened by one animal in the direction of entry into the feeding area. The animal enters the feeding area but cannot exit again; instead, it is restrained in the feeding area. It can then be inspected, cared for, or even vaccinated.

[0008] According to a further development of the invention, the farrowing crate has a suckling and lying area equipped with a narrow opening. This suckling and lying area is therefore not open to other areas over a large area, but only with a narrow opening. The sow must therefore pass through this opening and then through a door upon entering the feeding area. The animal thus remains in motion, creating a slalom effect.

[0009] The suckling and lying area is preferably adjoined by at least one piglet nesting area. The piglets can move from the piglet nesting area into the suckling and lying area and suckle there. After suckling, the piglets can move into the piglet nesting area. In this piglet nesting area, they are protected from the weight of the mother, thus preventing them from being crushed, and also from being bitten.

[0010] A further development of the invention provides for a perforated floor area between the suckling and lying area and the feeding area. This perforated floor area is accessible from both the suckling and lying area and the feeding area. It is located on the path from the suckling and lying area to the feeding area. On such a perforated floor area, the animals are encouraged to urinate and defecate, while other areas, particularly the suckling and lying area, remain cleaner. Instead of a perforated area, a flat, paved surface can also be provided, from which manure and faeces are then removed mechanically or manually.

[0011] The perforated floor area is preferably allocated to the perforated floor areas of neighboring piglet pens, with grid partitions provided between the areas. These grid partitions allow the animals to establish contact with neighboring animals and to defecate and urinate.

[0012] Placing a drinking trough at the edge of the perforated floor area also encourages the animals to stay in the perforated floor area. Placing the animals' snouts in the drinking water, even in colder conditions, encourages the animals to excrete their feces. To drink after farrowing, the sow must get up and go to the perforated floor area, which is good for the sow's circulation.

[0013] To further develop the farrowing crate according to the invention, an exit door leading to an outdoor run can be provided adjacent to the perforated floor area. This allows the animals to access the outdoors, which is why the exit door is provided. If an animal returns from outside and wants to go to the suckling and lying area, it does so via the perforated floor area. By offsetting the exit door and the opening of the suckling and lying area, a slalom effect for the animal can be created.

[0014] With regard to the stable building, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the farrowing pen with the perforated floor area is brought close to an outer wall of the stable building and in that ventilation openings are arranged in the outer wall and in the ridge area of ​​the stable building.

[0015] Targeted ventilation is therefore proposed for the barn building. Ventilation openings are provided in the outer wall of the barn building, and the invention proposes positioning the perforated floor area closer to this outer wall. This creates a cooler temperature in the perforated floor area than in other areas of the farrowing pen. This advantageously causes piglets to avoid this cooler temperature and prefer to stay in the piglet nesting area. The cool air encourages an adult animal to excrete urine and feces.

[0016] Since ventilation openings are also located in the ridge area, a controlled airflow is created within the barn building. With the ventilation openings positioned high enough in the exterior walls of the barn building, this airflow runs below the roof of the barn building, thus preventing drafts.

[0017] A heat lamp can be placed in the piglet nest, which further reinforces the piglets' reluctance to enter the cooler area. Piglets are attracted to the nest, thus reducing piglet losses during the first few days of life. Piglets only venture into the suckling and resting area to feed their sow.

[0018] The ventilation openings in the exterior wall and ridge are preferably equipped with adjustable closures. These can be used to regulate the air flow. The closures can be part of a climate control system with a weather station, so that the closures are integrated into an automated process.

[0019] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective partial view of two farrowing crates according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective partial view of a farrowing pen according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a schematic plan view of a farrowing pen according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a stable building according to the invention.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows two farrowing pens 1, 2 according to the invention. The farrowing pen (1) arranged in the foreground has walls 3 with which individual areas are separated.

[0021] A sow 4 is located in a straw-lined suckling and lying area 5. Adjacent to the suckling and lying area 5 is a piglet nesting area 6. Piglets can enter the suckling and lying area 5 from this piglet nesting area 6 via a gap 7 in the floor.

[0022] The sow 4 can exit the suckling and lying area 5 through a wall opening into a perforated floor area 8. The perforated floor area 8 can be equipped with metal or concrete gratings. A drinking trough 9 and a feeding area 10 are also assigned to the perforated floor area 8, see Fig. 3.

[0023] In Fig. 1, the farrowing crates 1, 2 are arranged side by side. Both perforated floor areas 8 of the farrowing crates 1, 2 are located next to each other. They are separated by grid partitions 11. Animals can interact with each other here.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows the suckling and lying area 5, in which a sow 4 lies, from which a whole flock of piglets 12 suckle. Fig. Figure 2 shows that an outlet door 13 is assigned to the perforated floor area 8. The sow 4 can only access the outlet door 13 via the perforated floor area 8. The feeding area 10 can also only be accessed via the perforated floor area 8.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows the individual areas of the piglet pen 1. The suckling and lying area 5 is located centrally. The piglet nesting section 6 is connected to this area via the gap 7. The feeding area 10 is located next to the suckling and lying area 5, but both areas 5 and 10 are separated from each other by a wall 3.

[0026] The perforated floor area 8 is located next to the suckling and lying area 5. The sow 4 can exit the suckling and lying area 5 into the perforated floor area 8 along arrow 14. There, she can reach the exit door 13 and exit to the outside along arrow 15. The sow 4 can also enter the feeding area 10 via the perforated floor area 8, arrow 16. The animal can be secured in the feeding area 10, and a trough 17 is also located in the feeding area 10.

[0027] The stable building in Fig.4 is depicted with an outer wall 18 and a sloping roof 19. The farrowing pen 1 is located inside the stable building, with the perforated floor area 8 positioned close to the outer wall 18. Ventilation openings 20 are arranged in the outer wall 18. Cooler air entering from the outside through the ventilation opening 20 reaches the perforated floor area 8. The suckling and lying area 5 and the piglet nesting section 6 are adjacent to the perforated floor area 8.

[0028] Corresponding ventilation openings 20 are also arranged in a ridge area of ​​the stable building, so that an air current along arrow 21 is formed below the roof 19 in the stable building.

Claims

[1] Farrowing pen with a floor and walls standing on the floor, whereby spatial areas can be separated from each other by the walls, characterized by that the farrowing pen (1,2) has at least one feeding area (10) separated from other areas by walls (3). [2] Farrowing pen according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one trough (17) is arranged in the feeding area (10). [3] Farrowing pen according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the entrance to the feeding area (10) is equipped with at least one door. [4] Farrowing pen according to claim 3, characterized by that the door can only be opened in the direction of entry into the feeding area (10) by an animal. [5] Farrowing pen according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it has a suckling and lying area (5) which is equipped with at least one narrow opening. [6] Farrowing pen according to claim 5, characterized bythat at least one piglet nest section (6) is connected to the suckling and lying area (5). [7] Farrowing pen according to claim 5 or 6, a perforated floor area (8) is arranged between the suckling and lying area (5) and the feeding area (10). [8] Farrowing pen according to claim 7, characterized by that at least one perforated floor area of ​​an adjacent piglet pen (2) is assigned to the perforated floor area (8), wherein both perforated floor areas are separated from one another by grid partitions (11). [9] Farrowing pen according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that at least one drinking trough (9) is arranged at the edge of the perforated floor area (8). [10] Farrowing pen according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by that an outlet door (13) into an outlet is provided adjacent to the perforated base area (8). [11] Barn building with at least one farrowing pen (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and with a roof with a ridge area, characterized by that the farrowing pen (1,2) is arranged in the stable building and that ventilation openings (20) are arranged in the outer wall (18) and in the ridge area. [12] Stable building according to claim 11, characterized by that the farrowing pen (1,2) with the perforated floor area (8) is approximated to an outer wall (18) of the stable building. [13] Stable building according to claim 10, characterized by that adjustable closing means are assigned to the ventilation openings (20) in the outer wall (18) and ridge.

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