Process for the production of earthworms intended for animal feed, installation and nutrient medium for implementing the process

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing earthworms for animal feed, which method consists of: - producing a culture medium by earthworms, - preparing a basic nutrient medium comprising a mixture of different components suitable for obtaining a mixture whose C / N ratio is between 25 and 45, and adding to said mixture of components a proportion of said culture medium, - incorporating a quantity of earthworms into said basic nutrient medium, - allowing the earthworms to develop and multiply during a determined growth period, while controlling the humidity level of the nutrient medium so that this humidity level is between 75 and 90%, - at the end of the growth period, separating the earthworms and their nutrient medium, - optionally carrying out at least one earthworm processing operation to obtain a processed earthworm-based product, - using the earthworms,or the processed product based on earthworms, for animal feed.,

Description

Title of the invention: Method for producing earthworms intended for animal feed, installation and nutrient medium for implementing the method Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of the production of earthworms.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a process for producing earthworms intended for animal feed (poultry, pigs and fish in particular), an installation for implementing the process and also a nutrient medium for implementing the process. State of the art

[0003] Earthworms can effectively participate in the diet of various animals such as poultry (laying hens, meat chickens, etc.), pigs or even fish, replacing soy, fish meal and synthetic amino acids.

[0004] To develop a profitable sector, the production of earthworms for animal feed must be rapid and comply with current standards.

[0005] It is therefore necessary to establish optimal development conditions for earthworms, and ensure their efficient feeding with locally available raw materials. Presentation of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a method for producing earthworms intended for animal feed, which method consists of:

[0007] - to produce a culture medium by earthworms,

[0008] - to prepare a basic nutrient medium comprising a mixture of different components suitable for obtaining a mixture whose C / N ratio is between 25 and 45, and adding to said mixture of components a proportion of said culture medium,

[0009] - to incorporate a quantity of earthworms into said basic nutrient medium,

[0010] - to allow the earthworms to develop and multiply over a period of determined growth (preferably between two and four months), while controlling the humidity level of the nutrient medium so that this humidity level is between 75 and 90%,

[0011] - at the end of the growth period, to separate the earthworms and their nutrient medium,

[0012] - possibly to implement at least one transformation operation of the earthworms to obtain a processed earthworm-based product,

[0013] - to use earthworms, or the processed earthworm-based product, for animal feed.

[0014] Such a process makes it possible to optimize the growth and multiplication of earthworms.

[0015] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the method according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0016] - the culture medium added to the mixture of components is the final nutrient medium resulting from a separation stage between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period;

[0017] - the proportion of final nutrient medium resulting from the separation step between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period, which is added to the mixture of components, is between 10 and 50% by weight;

[0018] - the operation of preparing the basic nutrient medium consists of integrating into the mixture of components a majority proportion by weight of brewery dregs, excluding the addition of culture medium;

[0019] - the operation of preparing the basic nutrient medium consists of mixing different components reduced to small particles, ranging in size from 0 to 5 millimeters.

[0020] The present invention also relates to an installation for implementing the method defined above, which installation comprises:

[0021] - a growth container, the interior volume of which is intended to receive earthworms and a basic nutrient medium and which is suitable for the growth of earthworms in said nutrient medium during said growth period,

[0022] - at least one separation device designed to separate said earthworms and said nutrient medium, after the end of the growth period, which separation device comprises a screening device, and

[0023] - means of reception for earthworms separated from their nutrient medium.

[0024] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the installation according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0025] - the installation comprises a conveyor system for transporting the container of growth towards a discharge device to feed said separation device.

[0026] - the installation comprises a growth container made of wood, which container growth is mounted on a raising base and comprises a cover element provided with a plurality of perforations.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a basic nutrient medium for implementing the method defined above, which basic nutrient medium comprises:

[0028] (a) a C / N ratio of between 25 and 45,

[0029] (b) a proportion of final nutrient medium resulting from the separation step between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period,

[0030] (c) a mixture of different components, among which a majority proportion by weight of brewery dregs, excluding the addition of nutrient medium at the end of the growth period.

[0031] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] Furthermore, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the following description given with reference to the appended drawing which illustrates a non-limiting form of embodiment of the invention and where:

[0033] [Fig-1] is a general and schematic view of an installation in accordance with the invention for the production of earthworms for animal feed.

[0034] General description of the process.

[0035] The process for producing earthworms intended for animal feed in accordance with the invention consists of:

[0036] (a) preparing a basic nutrient medium comprising a mixture of different components suitable for obtaining a mixture with a C / N ratio of between 25 and 45, and adding to this mixture of components a proportion of an earthworm culture medium from prior production,

[0037] (b) incorporating into the basic nutrient medium a quantity of earthworms,

[0038] (c) allowing the earthworms to develop and multiply over a period of determined growth (advantageously between two and four months), while controlling the humidity level of the basic nutrient medium so that this humidity level is between 75 and 90%,

[0039] (d) at the end of the growth period, separating the earthworms and their nutrient medium,

[0040] (e) optionally, to implement at least one transformation operation of the earthworms to obtain a processed earthworm-based product, and

[0041] (f) to use the earthworms, or the processed earthworm-based product, for animal feed.

[0042] The humidity of the culture medium is for example checked once a week and, if necessary, adjusted between 75 and 90% by adding water.

[0043] For optimal growth, the temperature of the culture medium is between 10 and 30°C, and its pH between 6 and 8.

[0044] Preferably, in the basic nutrient medium, the components are reduced to small particles whose size is less than 5 millimeters. This operation is carried out by grinding the components in a suitable grinder to obtain a particle size of between 0 and 5 millimeters.

[0045] The incorporation of the earthworms into the basic nutrient medium (step (b)) is preferably carried out 14 to 22 days after the preparation of said basic nutrient medium.

[0046] On the other hand, still preferably, the culture medium mentioned in step (a), which is added to the mixture of components, consists of the culture medium (or nutrient medium) obtained at the end of the growth period, during the separation between the earthworms and their nutrient medium (step (d)) of a previous production of earthworms.

[0047] This proportion of added nutrient medium is advantageously between 10 and 50% of the weight of the mixture of components.

[0048] Description of the installation

[0049] An installation for implementing the process for the production of earthworms is shown diagrammatically in [Fig.l].

[0050] This installation 1 is preferably arranged in a closed room allowing a temperature to be maintained between +5°C and +30°C.

[0051] The corresponding installation 1 comprises at least one growth container 2 (and preferably several growth containers 2), the interior volume 3 of which is intended to receive a basic nutrient medium and earthworms, and which is adapted for the growth of the earthworms in the nutrient medium during the growth period.

[0052] The growth container 2 preferably consists of a box or crate of generally parallelepiped shape, made of wood, comprising a base element 21 mounted on a raising base 22 and which is bordered by side walls 23.

[0053] Its upper opening can receive a removable cover element 24 provided with perforations.

[0054] The growth container 2 may have a volume of the order of 1m3, with dimensions of Imx Imx 1m.

[0055] The installation 1 for implementing the method according to the invention also comprises a system in the form of a conveyor 4, for example a roller-type conveyor, adapted for taking charge of the growth container(s) 2, and for transferring them to a discharge device 5 responsible for feeding a separation device 6 designed to separate the earthworms and the nutrient medium (then consisting of a product that can be called “vermicompost”), after the end of the growth period.

[0056] The discharge device 5 may consist of a finger-type stacker.

[0057] For its part, the separation device 6 may consist of a screening device of the TROMMEL rotary screen type.

[0058] The nutrient medium (worm compost) is received by an endless conveyor 7 for transfer to a storage area, with a view to its recovery in particular as fertilizer, or with a view to its incorporation into the basic nutrient medium of a subsequent production of earthworms.

[0059] For their part, the earthworms are received by an endless conveyor 8 which transfers them:

[0060] - towards a receiving container 9, for their live packaging at use as is for animal feed, or

[0061] - towards a processing installation 10, to obtain a product transformed from earthworms.

[0062] For example, the processing installation 10 may comprise extruder-type equipment for obtaining an aqueous / oily phase 11, and a solid phase 12.

[0063] The basic nutrient medium.

[0064] The basic nutrient medium comprises a mixture of a certain proportion of components which can be chosen in particular from algae, legume hay, straw, brewer's grains, and cardboard.

[0065] Preferably the basic nutrient medium comprises at least one of the aforementioned components, more preferably, it comprises two or three of these components; it can also comprise all of these components.

[0066] The components are chosen according to their ease of supply, and also according to the C / N ratio ultimately sought, namely a C / N ratio between 25 and 45, taking into account the classic basic values mentioned in table 1 below.

[0067] [Tables 1] C / N SEAWEED 17 LEGUMINE FO§N 10 PAtLL£ 65 BREWER'S DRAFT 10 CARTON 150 EGG SHELL 25

[0068] Where C / N corresponds to the known Carbon to Nitrogen ratio of the raw material (PM) mentioned.

[0069] For example, a mixture of components corresponding to the following examples 1 to 4 can be used:

[0070] Example 1 % mi^œpoiwo IQ / N MP ŒN MIXTURE 1 SEAWEED 15 17 2.55 | LEGUME HAY W 0 STRAW 46 65 26 BREWERY CRECHES 35 10 3.5 I CARTON 5 150 7.5 EGG SHELL 5 25 L25 100 <8 |

[0071] Example 2 % mcœPÔRATO IC / N MF ŒN SEAWEED MIX 17 0 LEGUME HAY 30 W 3 STRAW 25 65 18.25 BREWER'S GRAINS 35 10 3.5 CARDBOARD 5 150 7.5 EGGSHELL 5 125 100 31.5

[0072] Example 3 % DINCœPQRATO i C / N MP C / N SEAWEED MIX 17 0 LEGUMINE HAY 35 10 STRAW 65 0 BREWER'S BRECCHES 40 10 4 CARDBOARD 20 150 30 EGGSHELL 5 25 1.25 100 39.75

[0073] Example 4 1 C / N MP C / N MIX | SEAWEED 15 17 I Legume Hay 20 10 ? STRAW 65 0 | BREWER'S BREADS 40 10 4 CARTON 15 150 22.5 EGGSHELL 10 25 2.5 I 100 33.55 |

[0074] Example of earthworm production process:

[0075] - Phase 1: Mixing of raw materials

[0076] After their preparation by grinding, the chosen mixture of raw materials is made and the mixture is left as is for a few days.

[0077] The mixture of raw materials obtained must be as fine as possible to facilitate degradation by earthworms (the particle size of the components is between 0 and 10 millimeters, and preferably between 0 and 5 millimeters).

[0078] It must also be homogeneous or relatively homogeneous.

[0079] This phase allows the temperature of the mixture to rise (25 - 30°C) and takes place anaerobically. It is important to optimize the multiplication of earthworms and their growth by allowing the development of bacteria and fungi for 14 to 22 days (for example 18 days).

[0080] - Phase 2: filling the growth containers with the basic nutrient medium matured and earthworms

[0081] In each wooden container, 1 tonne of matured raw material mixture and 15 kg of earthworms are incorporated. To facilitate their establishment in the new growth medium, the raw material mixture is supplemented with a quantity of a final end-of-growth nutrient medium from a previous production. This optimizes growth and avoids excessive mortality during this handling.

[0082] For example, 15 to 20 kg of the final nutrient medium at the end of the earthworm growth is added, which is mixed with the matured raw material mixture.

[0083] The mixing of the raw materials with the final nutrient medium is carried out just before incorporation into the container and then the earthworms are introduced into this mixture.

[0084] Depending on the outlets for the recovery of the vermicompost, it is possible to choose to incorporate up to 50% by weight of final nutrient medium into the basic nutrient medium, to allow faster growth of the earthworms.

[0085] It will be appropriate to water the growth containers to obtain a humidity of 75 to 90% (80% on average), and to cover these containers to limit evaporation. The water used to moisten the containers can be, in the case of using algae in the basic nutrient medium, the same water that was used to wash them because it contains nutrients that can be used by the earthworms for their growth.

[0086] This growth period can last about 2 to 4 months; on average it lasts about 3 months.

[0087] - Phase 3: separation of the earthworms and the final nutrient medium (vermicompost).

[0088] In an industrial scheme, the growth containers are placed on a roller conveyor 4, which is easy to clean, and which allows them to be moved to the pouring device 5.

[0089] The discharge device 5 allows the growth containers to be completely emptied onto a conveyor belt arranged to bring the medium / earthworm mixture to the sieve 6 in order to separate the two products.

[0090] After separation, the vermicompost is stored for marketing as fertilizer or for use to supplement the basic nutrient medium.

[0091] Use of earthworms

[0092] The earthworms produced can be used as they are, alive, for animal feed.

[0093] For example:

[0094] - For laying hens, a ration of earthworms can be of the order 8% of the overall diet, or for a hen consuming 120 grams of feed, 10 grams of earthworms / day.

[0095] - For pheasants, a ration of earthworms can be of the order of 8% of the overall diet, i.e. for a pheasant consuming 50 grams of feed, 4 grams of earthworms / day.

[0096] Earthworms may also undergo a transformation process before their use as food.

[0097] The earthworm production tests give, for an initial mixture of 1000 kg of basic nutrient medium and 15 kg of earthworms, a production after 3 months of 350 kg of earthworms.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for producing earthworms for animal feed, which method consists of: - producing a culture medium in the form of vermicompost by earthworms, - preparing a basic nutrient medium comprising a mixture of different components having a C / N ratio, adapted to obtain a mixture whose C / N ratio is between 25 and 45, and adding to said mixture of components a proportion of said culture medium, which operation for preparing the basic nutrient medium consists of integrating into the mixture of components a majority proportion by weight of brewer's grains, excluding the addition of culture medium, - incorporating a quantity of earthworms into said basic nutrient medium, - allowing the earthworms to develop and multiply during a determined growth period, while controlling the humidity level of the nutrient medium so that this humidity level is between 75 and 90%,- at the end of the growth period, to separate the earthworms and their nutrient medium, - possibly to carry out at least one earthworm processing operation to obtain a processed earthworm-based product, - to use the earthworms, or the processed earthworm-based product, for animal feed.,

2. Method for producing earthworms according to claim 1, characterized in that said culture medium added to said mixture of components is the final nutrient medium resulting from a step of separation between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period.

3. A method of producing earthworms according to claim 2, characterized in that the proportion of final nutrient medium resulting from the step of separation between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period, which is added to said mixture of components, is between 10 and 50% by weight.

4. A method of producing earthworms according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the preparation operation The basic nutrient medium consists of mixing different components reduced to small particles, the size of which is between 0 and 5 millimeters.

5. A method of producing earthworms according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it consists of allowing the earthworms to develop and multiply during a growth period of between two and four months.

6. Installation (1) for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises: - a growth container (2), the interior volume (3) of which is intended to receive earthworms and a basic nutrient medium and which is adapted for the growth of the earthworms in said nutrient medium during said growth period, and - at least one separation device (6) designed to separate said earthworms and said nutrient medium, after the end of said growth period, which separation device (6) comprises a sieving device, and - receiving means (8) for the earthworms separated from their nutrient medium.

7. Installation according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises a conveyor system (4) for transporting the growth container (2) to a discharge device (5) for feeding said separation device (6).

8. Installation according to any one of claims 6 or 7 characterized in that it comprises a growth container (2) made of wood, which growth container (2) is mounted on a raising base (22) and comprises a cover element (24) provided with a plurality of perforations.

9. Basic nutrient medium for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a C / N ratio of between 25 and 45, in that it comprises a proportion of final nutrient medium resulting from the step of separation between the earthworms and the nutrient medium at the end of the growth period, and in that it comprises a mixture of different components, including a majority proportion by weight of brewery dregs, excluding the addition of nutrient medium at the end of the growth period.

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