POULTRY PARK ON LIFTING TABLE FOR HANDLING POULTRY

Abstract

A poultry handling pen comprising at least one space (30a, 30b, 30c) for receiving the birds, equipped with a rear wall (31, 32, 33) movable between a rear position and a forward position in a transverse direction (T), and intended in the forward position to push the birds towards a front wall (11) perforated by said space, characterized in that said pen comprises, along a longitudinal direction (L) perpendicular to a direction of movement of said wall, a first longitudinal entry end (E) equipped with a first sliding door (21) for opening or closing said first end, a second longitudinal exit end (S) equipped with a second sliding door (24) for opening or closing said second end, said first sliding door and second sliding door being independently operable, said pen being arranged in a frame (10) mounted on a lifting device (70) forming a lifting table,said lifting device being mobile between a low position for the entry and exit of the birds of said enclosure and a high position for the handling of said birds by one or more operators.

Description

Title of the invention: PARK ON A LIFTING TABLE FOR HANDLING POULTRY technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of poultry farming such as waterfowl and the handling of these birds, in particular for force-feeding operations for the production of foie gras. Previous technique

[0002] It is known from documents FR2867353 Al and FR2943216 Al in the name of the applicant to produce collective cages for birds such as waterfowl having a movable rear wall between a retracted position and an advanced position intended in the advanced position to push the waterfowl towards a perforated front wall or a waterfowl retention device which allows their handling by an operator and which allows in particular to carry out force-feeding operations, the rear wall being returned to the retracted position when the waterfowl are left free in the cages. Technical problem

[0003] These known solutions work but are not suitable for farms where the birds are raised on the ground in a building or outdoors. Description of the invention

[0004] In view of this situation, the present disclosure proposes a poultry handling pen comprising at least one poultry reception area equipped with a movable rear wall between a rear position and a forward position in a transverse direction and intended, in the forward position, to push the poultry towards a perforated front wall of said area, said pen comprising, in a longitudinal direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of said wall, a first longitudinal entrance end equipped with a first sliding door to open or close said first end, a second longitudinal exit end equipped with a second sliding door to open or close said second end, said first sliding door and second sliding door being independently operable and, said pen being arranged in a frame mounted on a lifting device forming a lifting table,said lifting device being mobile between a low position for the entry and exit of the birds of said enclosure and a high position for the handling of said birds by one or more operators.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment, said park comprises one or more intermediate sliding doors for separating along said longitudinal direction at least two bird reception areas, each comprising a movable rear wall.

[0006] Advantageously, the sliding doors slide parallel to said transverse direction.

[0007] The sliding doors, which can be operated independently, each include an operating device with a first electric motor, pinion and rack.

[0008] The lifting device is a compass or jack device and includes a support table.

[0009] According to a particular embodiment, the rear wall(s) movable between a rearward position and an forward position in a transverse direction are advantageously operated by a connecting rod and sliding system device, said connecting rod having a first end mounted on a rotating axis driven by a second electric motor.

[0010] The park having several rear walls, these are operated together by means of said rotating axis.

[0011] The park may include a remote control for operating said sliding doors.

[0012] This disclosure also relates to a process for treating volatiles at by means of a park defined above which includes positioning the park on the ground with the rear wall set back and the exit door closed, opening the first sliding door to allow a fixed number of birds into said reception area, closing the first door, advancing the rear wall, lifting the park by means of the lifting device to position the birds at a handling height by one or more operators, handling the birds by said one or more operators, then retracting the rear wall and returning the park to the ground and finally opening the exit door to allow the birds to exit.

[0013] The enclosure comprising one or more intermediate sliding doors to separate, along said longitudinal direction, at least two bird reception areas, each comprising a movable rear wall, the method may comprise, with the enclosure on the ground, the opening of the entrance door and the opening of the intermediate door(s), a progressive entry of the birds into the reception areas from the area adjacent to the entrance door towards the area adjacent to the exit door, the closing of the intermediate doors once the intermediate areas are filled, starting with the area adjacent to the exit door and moving upwards to the area adjacent to the entrance door before the entrance door is closed and before the rear wall is advanced, the enclosure is lifted by means of the lifting device to position the birds at a handling height for one or more operators, the handling of the birds by said one or more operators, and then,After handling the birds, moving back the rear walls and returning the enclosure to the ground, opening the exit gate and then the intermediate gate(s) from the space adjacent to the exit gate towards the space adjacent to the gate, entry for a gradual exit of the volatiles.

[0014] Since the birds are web-footed birds, the said manipulation is a force-feeding operation.

[0015] The enclosure includes a remote control for operating said sliding doors; operation of said doors is carried out by an operator at least two meters away from said enclosure. This helps to keep the birds calm.

[0016] Thus, in the case of a force-feeding pen, the waterfowl enter the force-feeding pen through a first longitudinal end of said force-feeding pen, are received in the partitioned spaces and held in these partitioned spaces so as to allow their handling.

[0017] The park of the present disclosure simplifies operations and allows for easy separation of treated and untreated animals.

[0018] Since the birds are web-footed birds, the said manipulation is a force-feeding operation.

[0019] The poultry handling facility described in this disclosure allows for the treatment of birds in small groups, at human height, and with reduced stress for the animals. This facility is particularly suitable for force-feeding waterfowl such as geese and ducks, but also allows for other procedures such as vaccination or other treatments. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and from the analysis of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] shows an example of the park of the present disclosure in front perspective;

[0022] [Fig.2] shows a detail of a wall operating mechanism;

[0023] [Fig.3] shows a detail of a sliding door operating mechanism;

[0024] [Fig.4] shows a schematic view of a lifting device;

[0025] [Fig.5] shows an example of a flowchart of a process for processing volatiles. Description of the implementation methods

[0026] The drawings and description below contain elements that can not only serve to better understand the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0027] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1], which represents an example of a three-space poultry reception area 30a, 30b, 30c similar to group cages. This area comprises a frame 10 arranged on a lifting device 70 forming a lifting table.

[0028] The bird reception areas each comprise a rear wall 31, 32, 33 movable in a transverse direction T between a rear or recessed position for which the space allows the entry and exit of the birds and leaves them free to to move and a forward or advanced position where the birds are supported against a support bar 11 or a front face with openings in said spaces, the rear wall and the support bar then forming means of restraining the birds allowing in particular for web-footed birds such as geese or ducks to carry out a force-feeding operation.

[0029] The park designed on the basis of several modules juxtaposed along a longitudinal direction L and forming said spaces includes between these spaces sliding doors 22, 23 for separating said spaces.

[0030] The spaces arranged at the longitudinal ends of the park each have a sliding door 21, 24 giving to the outside of the park to define an entrance E and an exit S of the park.

[0031] The aim is for the breeder to be able to go and get the free birds from an enclosure or building to direct them to the park whose entrance sliding door 21 and intermediate sliding doors 22, 23 are open while the exit sliding door 24 remains closed.

[0032] This allows the pen to be filled by first allowing a group of birds to enter the pen up to space 30c at the far end of the pen, then closing the intermediate sliding door of this space, then allowing a second group of birds to enter the pen up to the middle space 30b, closing the sliding door of this space, and finally allowing a last group of birds to enter the pen up to space 30c at the far end of the pen, closing the sliding door of this space, thus closing the pen. Once the pen is full, the rear walls are moved forward to engage the restraint of the waterfowl against the restraint bar 11 or a perforated front section of the spaces.

[0033] In the case where the operating motors of the sliding doors and rear walls are controlled by a remote control 80 these operations are carried out with an operator at a distance from the park, the operator standing about two to three meters from the park for example back from the entrance of the park or behind the birds to guide them towards the entrance of the park.

[0034] Once the pen is closed and the poultry are held forward by the rear wall, the pen is raised to the height of the operator or operators who need to intervene on these poultry, for example in the case of waterfowl for a force-feeding operation.

[0035] After the intervention, the chassis is lowered, the rear walls 31, 32, 33 are moved back and then the sliding doors except the first sliding door are opened to let the birds out.

[0036] The bird reception areas are sized to accommodate one to six birds, and the park may preferably include one to four bird reception areas, with a park of three areas as shown constituting a good compromise between the possible work rate and the weight to be lifted when the birds are in the spaces.

[0037] Figure 2 more precisely represents the rear wall operating device and shows in particular the wall 31 and its operating system which includes a connecting rod device 53 and a sliding system 54, 55, said connecting rod having a first end mounted on a rotating axis 52 driven by an electric motor 51. In the example shown the rotating axis 52 is common to all the rear walls while each rear wall has its connecting rod device and sliding system 54, 55.

[0038] The rotating shaft constitutes a rotation axis for a first end of the connecting rod, which has at its second end a shaft on which a pad 54 is mounted to rotate freely. This pad slides in a bracket 55, and the pad and bracket together form the sliding system. When, with the rear wall facing away, the connecting rod rotates counterclockwise around the axis 52 in [Fig. 2], it moves the pad 54 upwards in the bracket and pushes the wall forward. When, with the front wall facing away, the connecting rod moves clockwise, it moves the pad downwards, which brings the wall back to the rear. A mounting plate 59 connected to the frame of the enclosure reinforces the device at each connecting rod.

[0039] Figure 3 illustrates the example of the sliding door 21 and its operating mechanism, which includes an electric motor 41 with a pinion 401 at its motor shaft output. This pinion meshes with a rack 402 attached to the sliding door 21. The sliding door is guided by frame uprights and can slide, for example, in tracks (not shown). Alternatively, the sliding doors can also move vertically, which would save space at the rear of the enclosure. The other sliding doors are designed on the same model, and each sliding door has its own motor to allow for independent operation.

[0040] The lifting device can be, as in [Fig. 1], a post-and-beam device comprising a pair of uprights arranged in a scissor configuration, the lower end of two parallel uprights being connected to a jack device to move them and allow the playpen to be raised or lowered. [Fig. 4] shows another embodiment of the lifting device 71 based on a vertical jack 70' between the two platforms 72, 73. To allow the playpen to descend to the ground, the jack can be embedded in the ground, with only the movable rod protruding from the ground.

[0041] Fig. 4 represents a flowchart applicable to force-feeding operations of waterfowl but also to care operations on birds.

[0042] The method exemplified in [Fig. 6] comprises, for a pen having a single receiving area, firstly positioning the pen on the ground with the rear wall set back and the exit door 100 closed, opening the first sliding door 120 to allow 130 a fixed number of birds to enter said receiving area, the closing the first door 150, advancing the rear wall 170, lifting 190 the pen by means of the lifting device to position the birds at a handling height by one or more operators, handling 210 the birds by said one or more operators to carry out the planned operation, the birds being held between the wall and a front bar 11 of the pen, then a retraction of the rear wall and the pen being put back on the ground 230 and finally the opening of the exit door 250 to let the birds out.

[0043] In the case where the park has along a longitudinal direction two spaces separated by an intermediate sliding door or three or more spaces separated by sliding doors 22, 23, each space having a movable rear wall 31, 32, 33, the method comprises a ground-level park, the opening 120 of the entrance door 21 and the opening 140 of the intermediate door(s) 22, 23, a progressive entry 160 of the birds into the reception spaces, the birds being guided towards the park, the birds moving from the space adjoining the entrance door to the space adjoining the exit door, the closing 200 of the intermediate doors once the intermediate spaces have been filled, starting with the space adjoining the exit door and moving up to the space adjoining the entrance door. Once this is done, the front door is closed. The rear wall is moved forward to contain the birds.

[0044] It is then possible to carry out the necessary handling of the birds, for example, force-feeding geese or ducks, or providing care such as vaccination. The raised enclosure is at a convenient height, allowing the birds to be handled without the operators having to bend down.

[0045] The method involves, after handling the birds 210, a retraction of the rear walls and a return of the park 240 to the ground.

[0046] Ground-level enclosure: the opening of the exit gate is triggered, followed by the opening of the intermediate gate(s) 260, from the space adjacent to the exit gate towards the space adjacent to the entrance gate, allowing for the gradual exit of the birds. Thus, the birds enter through one longitudinal end of the enclosure and exit through a second longitudinal end, simplifying their management.

[0047] As seen above, in the case where the birds are web-footed birds the manipulation can in particular be a force-feeding operation.

[0048] An improved version of the park includes a remote control system for operating said sliding doors, which allows the operator operating the doors to move away so as not to disturb the birds which thus enter and leave the park calmly.

[0049] The operator can, for example, move at least two meters away from the park.

[0050] The feeding park model of this disclosure is ergonomic and res- animal pecuniary.

[0051] The invention is not limited to the examples described above, only by way of example, but encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may consider within the framework of the protection sought, and in particular the number of reception spaces may be more or less large and these spaces may be designed for a variable number of birds.

Claims

Demands

1. A poultry handling pen comprising at least one poultry reception area (30a, 30b, 30c) equipped with a rear wall (31, 32, 33) movable between a rear position and a forward position in a transverse direction (T) and intended in the forward position to push the birds towards a front wall (11) perforated by said area, characterized in that said pen comprises, along a longitudinal direction (L) perpendicular to a direction of movement of said wall, a first longitudinal entry end (E) equipped with a first sliding door (21) for opening or closing said first end, a second longitudinal exit end (S) equipped with a second sliding door (24) for opening or closing said second end, said first sliding door and second sliding door being independently operable,said enclosure being arranged in a frame (10) mounted on a lifting device (70) forming a lifting table, said lifting device being mobile between a low position for the entry and exit of the birds of said enclosure and a high position for the handling of said birds by one or more operators.

2. Park according to claim 1 wherein said park comprises one or more independently operable intermediate sliding doors (22, 23) to separate along said longitudinal direction at least two bird reception areas each comprising a movable rear wall (31, 32, 33).

3. Park according to claim 1 or 2 for which the sliding doors slide parallel to said transverse direction.

4. Park according to claim 3 for which the independently operated sliding doors each comprise an operating device with a first electric motor (41, 42, 43, 44), pinion (401) and rack (402).

5. Park according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lifting device (70) is a compass (70) or jack (70') device and comprises a support table (73).

6. Park according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear wall(s) (31, 32, 33) movable between a rearward position and an forward position in a transverse direction are operated by a connecting rod device (53) and a sliding system (54, 55), said connecting rod having a first end mounted on a rotating axis (52) driven by a second electric motor (51).

7. Park according to claim 6 comprising several rear walls wherein the rear walls (31, 32, 33) are operated together by means of said rotating axis (52).

8. Park according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a remote control for operating said sliding doors.

9. A method for handling birds using a pen according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises positioning the pen on the ground with the rear wall retracted and the exit door closed (100), opening the first sliding door (120) to allow (130) a fixed number of birds into said receiving space, closing the first door (150), advancing the rear wall (170), lifting (190) the pen by means of the lifting device to position the birds at a handling height by one or more operators, handling (210) the birds by said one or more operators, then retracting the rear wall and returning the pen (230) to the ground and finally opening the exit door (250) to allow the birds to exit.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said pen comprises one or more intermediate sliding doors (22, 23) for separating, along said longitudinal direction, at least two bird reception areas, each comprising a movable rear wall (31, 32, 33), wherein the method comprises a ground pen, the opening (120) of the entrance door (21) and the opening (140) of the intermediate door(s) (22, 23), a progressive entry (160) of the birds into the reception areas from the area adjacent to the entrance door towards the area adjacent to the exit door, the closing of the intermediate doors (200) once the intermediate areas are filled, starting with the area adjacent to the exit door and moving upwards to the area adjacent to the entrance door before the closing of the entrance door (220) before the advancement of the rear wall (170),the lifting (190) of the park by means of the lifting device to position the birds at a handling height by one or more operators, the handling (210) of the birds by said one or more operators.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises, after handling the birds (210), retracting the rear walls and returning the enclosure (240) to the ground, opening the exit gate and then the intermediate gate(s) (260) from the space adjoining the exit gate towards the space adjoining the entrance gate for a gradual exit of the volatiles.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the birds being web-footed birds said manipulation is a force-feeding operation.

13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein the park includes a remote control for operating said sliding doors, an operation of said doors is carried out by an operator at least two meters away from said park.

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