METHOD FOR PRODUCE A STRAW MAT, STRAW MAT AND STRAW STABLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a straw mat for farm animals, in particular for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets. Furthermore, a straw stable with such a straw mat is disclosed, although not claimed.

[0002] Methods and devices of the type mentioned above are generally known from the state of the art, for example from recommendations of the Board of Trustees for Technology and Construction in Agriculture (Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft eV). In particular, straw barns for sows, i.e., barns with a straw mat in a sow rest area, are known from the state of the art.

[0003] The present invention has recognized that, although such straw stables or corresponding straw mats in the living area of ​​such straw stables have become known in principle to avoid manure stables and the odor pollution associated with manure stables, this fundamental advantage comes at the expense of a whole series of disadvantages. Among other things, the invention has recognized that, according to the recommendations of the Board of Trustees for Technology and Construction in Agriculture (Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft eV), this type of stable requires a relatively heavy use of straw, which leads to a significant growth of the manure mat in the living area of ​​the livestock. In this context, state-of-the-art straw stables typically produce manure mats with a thickness of approximately 80 cm.These large quantities of manure, in turn, disadvantageously require considerable storage capacity and thus cause costs for storing the manure in addition to the costs for the considerable quantities of straw.

[0004] Furthermore, the manure from this type of straw barn has a disadvantageous characteristic: it usually has a moist, sticky consistency below the upper layer, with associated, not insignificant ammonia emissions due to decomposition processes.

[0005] Although it has become known from the state of the art to remove the manure from the living area of ​​the aforementioned manure mat within a fattening passage, this leads to the direct disadvantage of associated disturbance among the animal population and is also a logistical problem, since the animals have to be led away from their housing areas during mucking within a fattening passage in order to make room for the machines required for removing such manure mats.

[0006] EP 1 564 664 A2 discloses a robot for cleaning a deep litter house whose floor surface consists of a thick layer of bedding. EP 3 066 916 A1 discloses a hanging trolley for a cattle barn for transporting bedding, comprising a container for receiving the bedding and a dispensing system for dispensing the bedding to a cattle resting place. US 2016 / 0183493 A1 discloses a facility for dairy animals comprising pens in a free-range barn and a milking parlor in which the animals from the pens are milked simultaneously while being separated. EP 1 099 370 A1 discloses a livestock breeding facility and a method for breeding livestock, such as pigs, cattle, horses, sheep, deer, and the like, with reduced labor.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide methods of the type mentioned above which enable a more economical and at the same time species-appropriate keeping of farm animals in straw stables in a better way than is currently known.

[0008] This object is achieved by a method for producing a straw mat in a living area provided in a straw stable for farm animals, in particular for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets according to the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0009] A particular advantage of the present invention is that the automatic initial bedding of preferably shredded straw in the living area up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat significantly reduces the amount of straw required to construct a straw barn. On the one hand, the automatic initial bedding of straw avoids laborious manual bedding, while at the same time the automation allows the amount of straw required for a specific living area to be precisely determined and maintained. In addition, the automatic initial bedding only up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat in the living area ensures that only the absolutely necessary minimum amount of straw is required for the straw mat.

[0010] Thanks to the invention, the keeping of farm animals on straw is thus considerably simplified, since in particular the straw and personnel costs are considerably reduced when keeping them on straw according to the invention.

[0011] The present invention also avoids the irregular thickness of the straw mat which is almost always present when bedding is done by hand.

[0012] Overall, the present invention offers the advantage that overall straw consumption is reduced by at least approximately 50% compared to known straw barns, while at the same time, the workload for the livestock farmer is also significantly reduced with a straw mat produced according to the invention due to the automatic generation of a uniform thickness. Particularly in piglet rearing, it has been found that the straw requirement in kilograms per animal place and day can be reduced from a value of 0.5 kilograms per animal place and day known from the prior art to below 0.2 kilograms per animal place and day using the present invention.

[0013] The present invention is particularly characterized by the advantage that it addresses natural animal behavior through the straw mat produced and at the same time avoids manure, while producing considerably less manure, in particular in comparison to the straw stables of the type mentioned above known from the prior art, by up to 50% less manure.

[0014] The present invention offers the further advantage that, despite the reduction in the amount of straw required to produce the straw mat described several times above, joint and bone problems in the animals can be virtually eliminated due to the uniformity of the straw mat produced automatically by the invention. In particular, when farm animals are kept in a rest area on a straw mat produced according to the invention, abscesses no longer occur in the farm animals due to the flexibility of the straw mat. Bedsores are also prevented by the straw mat produced according to the invention.

[0015] A surprising advantage of the present invention has been found to be that curly-tailed pigs can also be kept on straw as farm animals, since the objects of the present invention can almost completely prevent the cannibalistic behavior of curly-tailed pigs, which has become known from the prior art.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention also avoids the problems known when keeping livestock on slatted floors. In particular, pigs can significantly better express their natural rooting behavior on a straw mat that is preferably permanently free of holes, damp spots, and / or rot. Another surprising advantage has been shown to be that the produced or obtained straw mat can also generate heat, thus contributing to the heating of a corresponding stable building and thus to considerable energy cost savings.

[0017] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0018] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the initial bedding takes place up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat, amounting to a maximum of approximately 0.2 m, preferably a maximum of approximately 0.1 m, more preferably a maximum of approximately 0.05 m. The aforementioned thicknesses, more preferably thicknesses of approximately 0.2 m, approximately 0.1 m, or approximately 0.05 m, further improve the advantages of the invention described above. In particular, these preferred thicknesses further reduce straw consumption. At the same time, the present invention has found that these preferred thicknesses maintain the resilience or elasticity of the substrate formed by the straw mat for the farm animals, since the automated bedding of the straw ensures the uniformity of the thickness of the straw mat even at these preferred, particularly small thicknesses.The invention has also recognized that after the initial bedding and before stocking with livestock, a thickness can be easily adjusted to suit the respective livestock species by means of the automated initial bedding - if desired and / or necessary.

[0019] A dividing element is provided in the living area, which separates a movement and resting area for the farm animals from a drinking and feeding area for the farm animals. The initial bedding in the movement area takes place up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat, amounting to a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 20%, of the height of the dividing element directly adjacent to the straw mat. This offers the advantage that, by limiting the maximum thickness of the initially bedding straw mat relative to the dividing element, it is ensured that as little straw as possible gets into the drinking and feeding area of ​​the farm animals, which in turn advantageously prevents any water or moisture present in the drinking and feeding area from being introduced into the straw mat located in the movement area.In this way, it is advantageously achieved that the straw mat remains sufficiently dry in the movement area in order to maintain the desired elasticity of the straw mat in order to permanently prevent bedsores, joint and bone problems or abscesses in the farm animals.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the step of applying a composting agent that promotes a rotting process and essentially prevents putrefaction, preferably comprising a mineral soil additive, to the occupied area. This embodiment offers the further advantage, particularly when using a mineral soil additive in the composting agent, that the already existing reduction in the occurrence of rot in the straw mat due to the thin straw mat according to the invention is further improved and, in particular, harmful germs in the straw mat are prevented. Instead, in this embodiment, a bacterial flora that promotes the rotting process and active substances that prevent the development of diseases are advantageously formed in the straw mat. Chemical disinfection of the straw mat is advantageously not required.Another advantage of this embodiment is that the risk of hospitalitis in farm animals is further reduced.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the initial bedding is carried out with straw containing a composting agent that promotes the rotting process and substantially prevents decay, preferably containing a mineral soil additive. In this embodiment, the composting agent, which preferably contains a mineral soil additive, is not introduced separately, but rather together with the straw of the initial bedding. This eliminates an additional step for introducing the composting agent.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by using rock flour obtained from natural stones through a grinding process as a soil additive. Particularly preferred rock types for this purpose are quartzite, granite, slate, diabase, and / or basalt.

[0023] The invention is characterized by the step: The thickness of the straw mat is increased after the initial bedding by a maximum of approximately 20%, preferably a maximum of approximately 10%, more preferably a maximum of approximately 5%, of the thickness of the straw mat existing after the initial bedding by automatic, demand-based re-bedding. The advantages lie in particular in ensuring a slight and controlled growth of the straw mat by automatic, demand-based re-bedding of a predetermined percentage of the existing thickness. The advantages of the invention mentioned above are realized in a particularly effective manner, since the demand-based re-bedding prevents uncontrolled growth of the manure mat, as is known from the prior art.Rather, this embodiment advantageously achieves an absolute minimization of straw consumption to maintain the elasticity of the straw mat necessary to realize the advantages mentioned above. A further advantage is that the further reduced total straw consumption also further reduces the overall amount of manure. Another particular advantage of this embodiment is that the climate in a straw barn with a straw mat produced according to the invention is further improved, since the ammonia load in the barn air is further reduced. At the same time, the need-based re-bedding also further reduces fly infestation of farm animals on a straw mat produced in this way.

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the step: The thickness of the straw mat is adjusted after the initial bedding by automatic, needs-based re-bedding within a range of a maximum of approximately 0.5 m, preferably a maximum of approximately 0.3 m, more preferably a maximum of approximately 0.2 m, and even more preferably a maximum of 0.1 m. The invention has recognized that the advantages of the present invention can be realized in particular with the above dimensions of the maximum thickness of the straw mat after the automatic, needs-based re-bedding. The invention has also recognized that after re-bedding, thicknesses in the range of approximately 0.3 m to 0.5 m are particularly suitable for fattening pigs, while thicknesses after re-bedding in a range of approximately 0.2 m to approximately 0.3 m are particularly suitable for sows, while thicknesses after re-bedding in a range of approximately 0.1 m to approximately 0.2 m are particularly suitable for piglets.The invention has recognized that the thickness of the straw mat can be adjusted to the weight of the livestock after the initial bedding by automated, needs-based re-bedding in order to further reduce straw consumption or the resulting manure in line with the weight of the animals, while maintaining the advantages of the invention described at the beginning.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the step: in the straw stable, preferably in the living area, more preferably in an area directly above, preferably about 1 to about 2.4 m, more preferably about 1 to about 2 m, even more preferably about 1 to about 1.5 m above, the straw mat, a certain air temperature and / or a certain air humidity and / or a certain CO 2 concentration and / or a certain NH 3 concentration and / or a certain air pressure is set. This embodiment of the invention offers the particular advantage that the stable climate is further improved with a straw mat produced in this way, the ammonia load in the stable air is further reduced, fly infestation is further reduced, and above all a straw mat produced in this way can remain in the straw stable for the duration of a complete cycle.In the present disclosure, a passage is understood to mean a period of time from the animals being brought into the stable to their removal from the stable, whereby this period depends, in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, on whether piglets or sows are kept or whether fattening is carried out.

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the air temperature and / or the CO 2 content of the air and / or the air humidity are used as control variables for maintaining the straw or manure mat.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the air humidity in the straw stable, preferably in the living area, more preferably in an area above the straw mat, is set below the dew point.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by the following steps: The presence of areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat is automatically detected, and straw, preferably present as a mixture of shredded and long-fiber straw, more preferably containing a composting agent that promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents putrefaction, and even more preferably containing a mineral soil additive, is automatically and specifically re-spread onto the detected areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat. This invention particularly advantageously further reduces straw consumption because straw is specifically re-spread only onto the areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat.

[0029] A straw mat is also described. A particular advantage of the evenly and resiliently distributed straw mat throughout the living area is that the animals are not distributed unevenly, thus preventing the straw mat from becoming evenly distributed and further exacerbating its unevenness. This, in turn, permanently prevents exposed flooring in the living area, ensuring that the straw mat remains permanently resilient throughout the entire living area. This means that the straw mat permanently prevents joint and bone problems, abscesses, and bedsores in the animals.

[0030] A preferred embodiment of the straw mat is characterized in that the thickness after the initial bedding of straw and before stocking with livestock is a maximum of 0.2 m, preferably a maximum of 0.1 m, more preferably a maximum of 0.05 m. The aforementioned thicknesses, more preferably thicknesses of approximately 0.2 m, approximately 0.1 m or approximately 0.05 m, further enhance the advantages mentioned above. In particular, these preferred thicknesses of the straw mat further reduce straw consumption. At the same time, it has been found that the preferred thicknesses increase the flexibility and resilience of the straw mat.The elasticity of the straw mat can be maintained permanently, since the required uniformity of the straw mat ensures sufficient flexibility even at these small thicknesses, while at the same time the straw consumption is reduced even further, so that the economic efficiency of the straw mat produced differs considerably from the economic efficiency of the known straw mats.In this context, it was also recognized that a thickness after initial bedding of straw and before stocking with livestock of approximately 0.2 m is preferred for fattening pigs, of approximately 0.1 m is preferred for sows, and of approximately 0.05 m is preferred for piglets, since due to the different weights of the different livestock species, the thickness can be reduced to the aforementioned thicknesses in adaptation to the average weight of the respective livestock species in order to achieve minimal straw consumption while at the same time ensuring tread elasticity.

[0031] A preferred embodiment of the straw mat is characterized in that the average thickness after stocking with livestock is a maximum of 0.5 m, preferably a maximum of 0.3 m, more preferably a maximum of 0.2 m, and even more preferably a maximum of 0.1 m. It has been recognized that the advantages mentioned above can be realized in particular with the above dimensions of the maximum thickness of the straw mat after stocking with livestock.It was also recognized that after stocking with livestock, in particular through automatic, needs-based re-bedding of straw in the livestock area, thicknesses in the range of around 0.3 m to 0.5 m are particularly suitable for fattening pigs, whereas thicknesses after the preferably automatic, needs-based re-bedding of straw in a range of around 0.2 m to around 0.3 m are particularly suitable for sows, while thicknesses after the preferably automatic, needs-based re-bedding of straw in the livestock area in a range of around 0.1 m to around 0.2 m are particularly suitable for piglets. It was also recognized that the thicknesses of the straw mats can be specifically adapted to the weight of the respective livestock species even after the initial bedding, for example through automatic, needs-based re-bedding, in order to reduce straw consumption and / orto further reduce the amount of manure produced even after the initial bedding, adapted to the weight of the animals, while maintaining the advantages described above through the aforementioned thicknesses.

[0032] A straw barn is also disclosed, the advantages of which are identical to those mentioned above. In particular, the straw barn also has the aforementioned advantages of the manufactured straw mat, since the straw barn incorporates the manufactured straw mat in its living area.

[0033] The straw stable is characterized by a substantially flat, preferably gap-free, floor serving as the living area, and a base that is raised above the floor, preferably by at least about 0.2 m to at least about 0.5 m, more preferably in a stepped manner, and serves as the feeding and / or watering area. The advantage of the base that is raised above the exercise area and serves as the feeding and / or watering area lies in particular in the fact that the base serving as the feeding and / or watering area can be easily kept free of straw, since this is preferably only spread in the exercise area, which in turn ensures that as little straw as possible gets into the feeding and / or watering area, which in turn advantageously prevents any water or moisture present in the feeding and / or watering area from being introduced into the straw mat in the exercise area.In this way, it is advantageously achieved that the straw mat can remain sufficiently dry in the movement area in order to be able to maintain the desired elasticity of the straw mat according to the invention in the movement area in order to be able to permanently maintain the advantages according to the invention of preventing bedsores, joint and bone problems or abscesses in the farm animals in such a straw stable.

[0034] The base preferably occupies approximately 20% of the living area. This has proven to be a species-appropriate layout.

[0035] Preferably, the base of the base is slightly roughened to allow the livestock to advantageously rub off their hooves in the area of ​​the base.

[0036] Preferably, the movement area has a single drainage channel to allow the necessary cleaning water to be drained away when mucking out the straw barn.

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the straw barn according to the invention is characterized by an air conditioning device for setting a specific air temperature and / or air humidity in the straw barn, wherein the air temperature and / or air humidity is preferably set in a region directly above, more preferably 1 to 2.4 m, even more preferably 1 to 2 m, even more preferably 1 to 1.5 m above, the straw mat. The advantages of this embodiment are, in particular, that the barn climate in such a barn is further improved, the ammonia load in the barn air is further reduced, fly infestation is further reduced, and above all, such a straw barn has the advantage that the straw mat located in the living area, preferably in the movement area, can remain in the straw barn for the duration of a complete cycle before it needs to be mucked out.

[0038] A preferred embodiment of the straw stable according to the invention is characterized in that the air conditioning device is designed such that the climate parameters for determining the controlled variable can be adjusted directly above, preferably 1 to 2.4 m, even more preferably 1-2 m, even more preferably 1-1.5 m above, the straw mat below the dew point.

[0039] A preferred embodiment of the straw barn according to the invention is characterized in that the air conditioning system is designed such that the air temperature and / or the CO2 content of the air and / or the air humidity are used as control variables for maintaining the straw or manure mat. It has been shown that the advantages mentioned above are particularly evident at such values.

[0040] The straw barn has an automatic bedding system for the initial bedding of straw for the straw mat and, if necessary, for additional bedding of straw for the straw mat. The automatic bedding system is preferably equipped with sensors for detecting areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat, in order to further spread straw preferentially on these wetter areas. The advantages of an automatic bedding system lie in the fact that manual bedding and the associated time-consuming and costly personnel expenditure can be completely dispensed with. The provision of an automatic bedding system therefore brings considerable economic advantages. At the same time, the housing of the farm animals is adapted to their behavior, as the automatic bedding system ensures that a straw mat of even thickness is present everywhere in the movement area.The preferred equipment of the automatic bedding device with sensors for detecting areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat offers the advantage that it can be determined fully automatically and specifically at which point the straw mat has become wetter. This means that with this embodiment it can be determined fully automatically and specifically at which points straw may need to be re-spread. This embodiment therefore ensures that only the absolutely necessary minimum amount of straw needs to be re-spread, since re-spreading of straw is only necessary at areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat. In the further preferred embodiment, in which straw only needs to be re-spread specifically at the wetter areas, the aforementioned advantages are implemented in a particularly simple manner with the help of the automatic bedding device.

[0041] A preferred embodiment of the straw barn is characterized by the sensors being optical, preferably operating in the infrared range, and / or acoustic, preferably operating in the ultrasonic range, and / or inductive and / or capacitive sensors. With the help of such sensors, the detailed design of which is technically familiar to those skilled in the art, the automation of the re-littering process can be implemented particularly easily.

[0042] A preferred embodiment of the straw barn is characterized by a portal system serving as an automatic bedding device with a straw basket for receiving straw to be bedding, such that straw can be dropped over any section of the living area by means of the portal system. Such a straw barn has the further advantage that the inventive portal system with a straw basket for receiving straw to be bedding, with straw being able to be dropped over any section of the living area by means of the portal system, makes it particularly easy to automate the initial bedding or the subsequent bedding as needed.This is because an automatic bedding device having such a portal system, preferably with sensors for detecting areas of the straw mat that are wetter than the rest of the straw mat, can reach every point within a living area in a particularly simple manner and is thus able to specifically discharge only the amount of straw required for initial bedding or for targeted re-bedding of a wetter area of ​​the straw mat, for example one detected by the sensors. Thus, with such a portal system, the method according to the invention for producing a straw mat in a living area for farm animals provided in a straw barn can be implemented particularly cost-effectively. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous that such portal systems can also be easily retrofitted to existing straw barns.

[0043] A stable building disclosed here has all the advantages mentioned above, as it has a straw stable, which in turn has a straw mat.

[0044] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Where there is any doubt, identical or functionally equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The drawings show: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a stable building without a roof; Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a straw mat; Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a straw stable; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a stable building without a roof; Figure 5 shows a partially sectioned side view of the stable building of the Figure 4 ; Figure 6 an enlarged, perspective view of the straw basket of the Figure 4 and 5and Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a perspective, schematic view of an embodiment of a stable building 1 without a roof. The stable building 1 has a straw stable 2 and an outbuilding 4 not relevant to the present invention. The straw stable 2 is in the two Figure 1 The pens 2a and 2b shown in the bottom right are made of straw mats, while the other pens are shown for purely graphic reasons to complete the stable building 1, but can also be omitted. For the realization of the Figure 1 For the stable building 1 shown or the straw stable 2 shown, one of the pens 2a or 2b is completely sufficient. The straw stable 2 according to Figure 1at least in each of the pens 2a and 2b there shall be a rest area 6a or 6b for farm animals, for example for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets.

[0046] To simplify the further description, only the living area 6b of the straw barn 2 will be described in more detail below. However, the living area 6a is preferably designed to have the same functions.

[0047] The living area 6b has a straw mat 8. The straw mat 8 has a substantially uniform and essentially tread-elastic thickness. The straw stable has in the pen 2b a Figure 1 The floor is essentially flat and preferably free of gaps and is covered by the straw mat 8 and serves as a movement area 10. The movement area 10 is in the Figure 1For purely illustrative reasons, the curved bracket is only shown in the visible area; however, the movement area 10 actually extends to a side wall 12 of the stable building 2.

[0048] On the side of the movement area 10 facing away from the side wall 12, the movement area 10 borders on a stepped raised base 14 of the living area 6b, which serves as a feeding and / or watering area. The base 14 has a step 16 raised by 0.2 m above the floor in the movement area 10. Furthermore, the base 14 has an upper surface 18, which is again raised by 0.2 m above the level of the step 16. The surface 18 is slightly roughened to allow claw abrasion for the farm animals when they are on the level 18. In the Figure 1In the embodiment shown, the straw mat 8 also has a thickness of 0.2 m, so that the surface of the straw mat 8 and the surface of the step 16 lie in one plane and are aligned at the line 19 of the Figure 1 border each other.

[0049] To complete the base 14 serving as a feeding and / or drinking area, it is equipped with a feeding and drinking station 20 which is integrated into a pen partition wall 22 for separating pen 2a from pen 2b.

[0050] The step 16 spaced the straw mat 8 from the surface 18 of the base 14 both horizontally and vertically, so that essentially no straw from the straw mat 8 lying in the movement area 10 reaches the surface 18.

[0051] The straw stable 2 in the Figure 1The embodiment shown further comprises an air conditioning device 24 for setting a specific air humidity in the straw stable 2. The air conditioning device 24 is designed such that it can be used to set the air humidity to a specific desired value in a range of approximately 1 to approximately 2 m above the straw mat 8. For this purpose, the air conditioning device 24 has a sensor for determining the air humidity in the pen 2b, which is connected to control electronics (not shown) of the air conditioning device 24 in order to blow appropriately pretreated air into the pen 2b with the aid of fan wheels 28 of the air conditioning device 24. It is also possible for air to be sucked out of the pen 2b, dried or humidified with the aid of the fan wheels 28 and then blown back into the pen 2b through at least one of the fan wheels 28.For the removal or supply of air, the stable building 2 furthermore has, in particular in the area of ​​the pens, and thus in particular also in the area of ​​the pen 2b, ventilation flaps 30, which can be opened or closed preferably by actuators (not shown) through the control of the air conditioning device 24 for the removal of air from the pen 2b or for the supply of fresh air into the pen 2b.

[0052] In addition, the straw stable 2 has in the side wall 12, in the opposite side wall 13 and in the Figure 1 The wall 15 facing the outbuilding 4 has windows 32 that allow light to enter the pens of straw barn 2, especially pen 2b. Optionally, the windows 32 can also be closed.

[0053] The straw stable 2 further comprises an automatic bedding device 34 for the initial bedding of straw for the straw mat 8 and for the subsequent bedding of straw for the straw mat 8, wherein the automatic bedding device 34 is equipped with sensors (not shown) for detecting moister spots 36 of the straw mat in relation to the remaining straw mat 8, in order to be able to selectively spread straw on the straw mat 8 at these moister spots 36. In the Figure 1 The wetter spot 36 is shown only schematically and symbolically. Rather, the wetter spot 36 can be located at any point on the straw mat 8 within the movement area 10 on the straw mat delimited by the step 16 at line 19, the pen wall 22, the outer wall 12, and the front wall 15.

[0054] The sensors of the automatic bedding device 34 (not shown) are, for example, optical sensors, preferably operating in the infrared range, and / or acoustic sensors, preferably operating in the ultrasonic range, and / or inductive and / or capacitive sensors.

[0055] In the Figure 1 In the stable building 1 or straw stable 2 shown, the automatic bedding device comprises a portal system 38 with a straw basket 40 for receiving straw to be spread into the lounge area 6b of the bay 2b formed by the movement area 10 and the base 14 for the initial bedding of straw or for the subsequent bedding of straw for the straw mat 8.

[0056] With the help of the portal system 38, the automatic bedding device 34 and in particular the straw basket 40 can be moved in a plane above the bay 2b. For this purpose, the bedding device has support rails 42 and 44 running parallel to the outer wall 12, on which rails 47 and 48 running perpendicular thereto and guided in the rails 42 and 44 can be moved parallel to the side wall 12 with the help of an electric motor 46. The straw basket 40 can in turn be moved with the help of a Figure 6 shown electric motor 49 along the rails 47 and 48 transversely to the direction of movement of the rails 47 and 48. In this way, the automatic bedding device 34 is able to spread bedding material, in particular straw, for example at the Figure 1shown position of the straw basket 40 through a roof hatch (not shown) in the roof (not shown) and to spread the straw specifically into the accommodation area 6b, in particular into the movement area 10 defined above, as required. A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention used for this purpose is described below, in particular with reference to Figure 7 described in more detail.

[0057] The one in the Figure 1 However, the straw stable 2 shown has an automatic bedding device 34 which, in particular in the movement area 10, can carry out an automatic initial bedding of shredded straw up to a substantially uniform and predetermined thickness of the straw mat 8.

[0058] The automatic bedding device 34 is furthermore capable of discharging, before, after and / or simultaneously with the initial bedding of straw, a composting agent that promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents putrefaction, preferably containing a mineral soil additive, with the aid of the straw basket 40 to any location within the bay 2b, preferably to any location within the movement area 10.

[0059] The automatic bedding device 34 is furthermore capable of increasing the thickness of the straw mat 8 present after the initial bedding of straw by automatically adding more straw as required, for example by 0.05 m to then 0.2 m, as shown in the Figure 1 This thickness of the subsequent bedding is thus, in the embodiment shown here, between approximately 5% and approximately 10% of the thickness of the straw mat 8 after the initial bedding.

[0060] The automatic bedding device 34 is also capable of automatically detecting the presence of wetter spots 36 on the straw mat 8 relative to the rest of the straw mat 8, and of automatically and specifically spreading straw onto the detected spots 36 on the straw mat 8 that are wetter relative to the rest of the straw mat 8, with straw present as a mixture of shredded and long-fiber straw, containing a composting agent that promotes the rotting process and essentially prevents decay, and containing a mineral soil additive. In other words, the automatic bedding device 34 is thus capable of determining the need for straw to be spread based on a sensory assessment of the existing straw mat 8, for example, optically within the framework of an image analysis, for example with the aid of a camera that can operate in the visible or non-visible light range.Alternatively or additionally, non-optical sensors such as ultrasonic sensors, inductive sensors or capacitive sensors are conceivable. The determination of the areas 36 where additional straw and / or composting agent is necessary can take place instantaneously, i.e. immediately when driving over the pens, and the additional straw can also be added immediately; alternatively, however, it is also conceivable for the sensory inventory of the existing straw mat 8 or all straw mats 8 in the straw barn 2 to be carried out in a first step and for the additional straw to be added to the straw to be added in a second step. With such a variant, it is possible, for example, to adapt the composition of the straw to be added accordingly by selecting appropriate ratios of shredded, long-fiber straw and / or composting agent.

[0061] Figure 2shows a straw mat 8, such as is used in the movement area 10 of the straw stable of the Figure 1 The straw mat 8 has, in the area shown in the Figure 2 illustrated embodiment, a substantially uniform, resilient thickness d of 0.2 m, formed from shredded straw. To fulfill the function of a base for farm animals, it is sufficient if the straw mat has a substantially uniform thickness of a maximum of 0.05 m after the initial bedding of straw. However, the straw mat 8 can also have any other average thickness from approximately 0.025 m to approximately 0.2 m after the initial bedding. After stocking with farm animals, the straw mat 8 can have thicknesses between approximately 0.1 m and approximately 0.5 m.

[0062] The straw mat 8 of the embodiment of the Figure 2with a method according to the invention for producing a straw mat in a living area provided in a straw barn for farm animals, in particular for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets. Particularly preferred is a straw mat 8 according to Figure 2 manufactured by a process as exemplified with reference to the Figure 7 described.

[0063] Figure 3 shows another straw barn 2. The Figure 3 The embodiment of the straw barn 2 shown may, but need not, have all the features of the straw barn 2 according to the first embodiment according to Figure 1 have.

[0064] The straw stable 2 of the second embodiment according to Figure 3has a lounge area 6b. The lounge area is shown in a schematic sectional view. The lounge area has a substantially flat, gap-free floor 11 serving as a movement area 10, preferably represented by a substantially smooth concrete slab, and a base 14 which is raised in a stepped manner relative to the floor 11 and serves as the feeding and watering area of ​​the lounge area 6b. The base 14 has a step 16 which is raised by a height H1 of 0.2 m relative to the floor 11. The base 14 also has a slightly roughened surface 18 for claw abrasion for the farm animals, which surface is also raised by a height H2 of 0.2 m relative to the step 16.

[0065] In the movement area 10 of the lounge area 6b there is a straw mat 8. In the straw mat 8 of the Figure 3 For example, it can preferably be the straw mat 8 of the Figure 2and / or also around the straw mat 8 of the Figure 1 The straw mat 8 of the Figure 3 has a thickness d of 0.2 m. The straw mat 8 of the Figure 3 was created by initially spreading straw up to a height of 0.15 m and by subsequently spreading straw up to a thickness d of 0.2 m.

[0066] The living area, especially the feeding and watering area 14 is in the Figure 3 shown on the left by a bay partition wall 50, and is in the Figure 3 shown on the right by an outer wall 12 of the straw barn 2. In the direction perpendicular to the paper plane of the Figure 3 The living area 6b is separated, for example, by a wall 14 of the stable building 1 of the Figure 1 limited, while the lounge area 6b is separated from the viewer, for example, by a bay partition wall 22 according to Figure 1 is limited.

[0067] In the Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the base 14 occupies approximately 25% of the total width B of the lounge area 6b. Preferably, the base 14 occupies approximately 20% of the floor area of ​​the lounge area 6b.

[0068] Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of another stable building 1 without a roof. The stable building 1 of the Figure 4 is preferably essentially functionally identical to the stable building 1 of the Figure 1 .

[0069] In contrast to the stable building 1 of the Figure 1 are those in the Figure 1 The pivoting parts 51 of the bay partition walls 50, shown closed, are Figure 4 shown half-open. Figure 4 the open parts 51 of the bay partition walls 50 are shown in the right four bays 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, while in the three bays 2e-2g shown on the left, the pivotable parts 51 form a left part of the respective bay partition wall 50.

[0070] In addition, the stable building has cross bracings 54 outside the lateral outer walls 12 and 13, respectively, to counteract any dynamic forces that may occur in the rail 44 (not shown on the side wall 13). Corresponding cross bracings 54 are also provided in the central area of ​​the stable building 1 and are connected to the rail 42 (the possible rail facing the upper pens is shown in the Figure 1 not shown) to counteract the dynamic forces arising.

[0071] In addition to the design of the Figure 1 The stable building 1 or the straw stable 2 of the Figure 4 In the pens 2a-2f, a feeding station 20a is provided in the middle of the base 14 serving as a feeding and drinking area.

[0072] As in the embodiment of the Figure 1 schematically indicated, the design of the straw stable 1 of the Figure 4a ring-shaped supply line 56 provided in the central area for supplying the feeding stations 20 and 20a. For this purpose, the supply line is fed into a preferably provided annex 5 of the stable building 1 via a supply inlet 56a and returned via a supply outlet 56b.

[0073] Figure 5 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a straw barn. Preferably, the Figure 5 The straw barn shown essentially corresponds in its functions to one or both embodiments of the straw barn 2 according to the Figure 1 and 3 . Identical or functionally equivalent parts are therefore again identified with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, reference is made to the description of the corresponding features of the straw barn 2 according to Figure 1 or according to Figure 3 As with the Figure 3For purely graphic reasons, straw mat 8 is shown with a dashed line.

[0074] As in the embodiment of the Figure 1 As can be seen, the straw stable 2 also has the embodiment of the Figure 5 Outside the straw barn 2, there is a support arm system 60 provided in a floor 58, from which the rail 44 of the portal system, running parallel to the side wall, is suspended. For this purpose, horizontal short arms 60a of the support arm system 60 extend from the vertical supports 60b of the support arm system 60, anchored in the floor, through openings 62 in the side wall 12 inward into the living area 6b.

[0075] Likewise, vertical supports 66b are arranged on the pen partition wall 50 facing a central inner wall 64 of the straw barn 2, correspondingly mirror-inverted vertical supports 66b, on which, in contrast to the supports 60b on the side wall 12, however, horizontal arms 66a spanning the central inner wall 64 hold the rail 42 facing the pen partition wall 50. Furthermore, supply lines 21 are schematically indicated, which connect the feeding station 20a with the central supply line 56 (in the Figure 5 not shown).

[0076] Figure 6 shows an enlarged, schematic detail view of the automatic bedding device 34 according to the Figure 1 , 4 and 5 Identical or functionally identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0077] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. The embodiment of the Figure 7is characterized in that a method for producing a straw mat, for example a straw mat 8 according to one of the preceding embodiments, in a living area provided in a straw barn, for example a straw barn 2 according to one of the preceding embodiments, for example a living area 6b according to one of the preceding embodiments, for farm animals, in particular for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets, according to step 100 an automatic initial bedding of, preferably shredded, straw takes place in the living area up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat, wherein the initial bedding takes place up to a substantially uniform thickness d of the straw mat 8 of a maximum of 0.2 m, preferably a maximum of 0.1 m, more preferably a maximum of 0.05 m.

[0078] Since a dividing element is provided in the living area which separates a movement area for the farm animals from a drinking and feeding area for the farm animals, the initial bedding takes place up to a substantially uniform thickness of the straw mat, a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 20%, of the straw mat directly adjacent to the height of the dividing element.

[0079] Preferably, in step 200, a composting agent comprising a mineral soil additive that promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents decay is added to the occupied area. Alternatively, step 200 can also be performed simultaneously with step 100.

[0080] A further step 300 follows, in which the thickness of the straw mat after the initial bedding is increased by a maximum of 20%, preferably a maximum of 10%, more preferably a maximum of 5%, of the thickness of the straw mat present after the initial bedding according to step 100, by automatic, demand-based re-bedding.

[0081] Preferably, the thickness d of the straw mat 8 is adjusted after the initial bedding by automatic, demand-based re-bedding in a range of maximum 0.5 m, preferably maximum 0.3 m, more preferably maximum 0.2 m, even more preferably maximum 0.1 m.

[0082] Preferably, in the straw stable 2, preferably in the accommodation area 6b, more preferably in an area directly above, preferably 1 to 2.4 m, more preferably 1 to 2 m, even more preferably 1 to 1.5 m above, the straw mat 8, a specific air temperature and / or a specific air humidity and / or a specific CO 2 concentration and / or a specific NH 3 concentration and / or a specific air pressure is set.

[0083] The inventive method according to Figure 7comprises the following further steps: The presence of moister spots on the straw mat 8 in relation to the rest of the straw mat 8 is automatically detected, and straw, preferably present as a mixture of shredded and long-fiber straw, more preferably containing a composting agent that promotes a rotting process and essentially prevents putrefaction, and even more preferably containing a mineral soil additive, is automatically targeted onto the detected spots on the straw mat 8 that are moister in relation to the rest of the straw mat 8 (these steps are in Figure 7 not shown).

Claims

1. Method for producing a straw mat (8) in a living space (6b) for livestock, in particular for sows and / or fattening pigs and / or piglets, provided in a straw pen (2), comprising the step: automatic initial spreading of preferably defibrated straw into the living space (6b) up to a substantially uniform thickness (d) of the straw mat (8), wherein a separating element (14) which separates a moving space (10) for the livestock from a drinking and feeding region (14) for the livestock is provided in the living space (6b), wherein the initial spreading is performed up to a thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) of at most 50%, of a height of the separating element (14) that is directly adjacent to the straw mat (8), wherein the part of the separating element directly adjacent to the straw mat is a step of a pedestal, wherein the pedestal serves as the drinking and feeding region and is raised relative to a substantially flat floor which serves as the living space, furthermore comprising the step: the thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) is increased after the initial spreading by automatic demand-based post-spreading by at most 20% of the thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) present after the initial spreading.

2. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the initial spreading is performed up to a substantially uniform thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) of at most 0.2 m, preferably at most 0.1 m, furthermore preferably at most 0.05 m.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the initial spreading is performed up to a thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) of at most 20%, of a height of the separating element (14) that is directly adjacent to the straw mat (8).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step: delivering a composting agent, preferably including a mineral soil additive, which promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents putrefaction into the living space (6b).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the initial spreading is performed using straw which includes a composting agent, preferably including a mineral soil additive, which promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents putrefaction.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the step: the thickness (d) of the straw mat (8) after the initial spreading is set by automatic demand-based post-spreading in a range of at most 0.5 m, preferably at most 0.3 m, furthermore preferably at most 0.2 m, even furthermore preferably at most 0.1 m, and / or comprising the step: a specific air temperature and / or a specific air humidity and / or a specific CO2 concentration and / or a specific NH3 concentration and / or a specific air pressure are / is set in the straw pen (2), preferably in the living space (6b), further preferably in a region directly above, preferably 1 to 2.4 m, furthermore preferably 1 to 2 m, even furthermore preferably 1 to 1.5 m above, the straw mat (8), and / or comprising the steps: - a presence of areas of the straw mat (8) that are moister in relation to the remaining straw mat (8) is automatically detected; and - straw which is preferably present as a mixture of defibrated and long-fiber straw and which furthermore preferably includes a composting agent, furthermore preferably including a mineral soil additive, which promotes a rotting process and substantially prevents putrefaction is post-spread in an automatic targeted manner onto the detected areas of the straw mat (8) that are moister in relation to the remaining straw mat (8).