Breeding system for breeding livestock, particularly, poultry, and related livestock shed

Abstract

To provide a breeding system that preferably influences on health of a livestock animal, quality of produced flesh, and quality of an egg shell.SOLUTION: Provided is a breeding system 2 for breeding livestock, particularly, poultry, including at least one light source 4 for irradiating a body of the livestock with light. The at least one light source 4 is designed as an ultraviolet B wave light source 6 configured to emit ultraviolet B wave light to the body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing system for raising livestock, in particular poultry animals. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a livestock stable, uses and methods. [Background technology]

[0002] Rearing systems of the type mentioned at the beginning are known from the prior art. They are used, for example, for rearing laying hens for the purpose of egg production and often comprise a grid floor. For example, the grid floor is designed, for example as a wire mesh floor, has a coarse mesh and is often designed to be inclined. Due to the inclination of the grid floor, the eggs roll down so that they can be collected by hand.

[0003] Such rearing systems are often located in at least partially enclosed sheds, which results in no or limited exposure of the poultry animals to natural sunlight, and in this regard, it has been observed that lack of exposure to sunlight reduces the quality of the meat or egg shells produced from the poultry animals. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to further develop a rearing system of the above-mentioned type so as to eliminate as far as possible the drawbacks found in the prior art. In particular, a rearing system is proposed which has a positive effect on the health of the poultry animals, on the quality of the meat produced and on the quality of the egg shells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a farming system of the type mentioned in the introduction, which comprises at least one light source for illuminating the bodies of the livestock, the at least one light source being designed as a UV-B light source arranged to emit UV-B light towards the bodies of the animals.

[0006] The invention is based on the discovery that the production of vitamin D in animals is promoted by arranging an ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light source in the rearing system, which in particular illuminates the animal's body with ultraviolet-B light. This results in improved meat quality and eggshell texture. Surprisingly, it has also been shown that illumination with ultraviolet-B light can reduce the occurrence of sternum lesions in livestock animals. Thus, illuminating animals with ultraviolet-B light has a positive effect on the welfare and health of the animals. In the rearing system, the light source is preferably arranged such that the ultraviolet-B light is emitted onto parts of the animal's body that are less covered, such as the skin or legs (also called shanks) of poultry animals.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the UV-B light source emits light in the wavelength range of 280 nanometers to 315 nanometers. UV-B light of said wavelengths has been shown to be particularly suitable for promoting the production of vitamin D in animals. According to one embodiment, the UV-B light source emits light only in said wavelength range. According to an alternative embodiment, the UV-B light source emits light in a broader spectrum, but also in the UV-B range. According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises a plurality of light sources designed as UV-B light sources.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises at least one floor, in particular a lattice floor, for housing the poultry animals. At least one UV-B light source is configured to irradiate the shin area of ​​the poultry animals reared on the floor. This can be done by targeting the UV-B light source, in particular to an area adjacent to or towards the shin area of ​​the poultry animals. In this way, the UV light can penetrate the skin in areas of the poultry body with less hair or feathers and can stimulate the production of Vitamin D in the animal's body.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises a crossbeam. At least one UV-B light source is arranged on the crossbeam. Poultry animals often rest on the crossbeam in the rearing system. Therefore, the area where the animal's shins are usually located is also known. This allows targeted illumination of said area.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises an air duct, in particular extending below the floor. At least one UV-B light source is arranged in the air duct and configured to emit light towards the poultry animals through an opening in the floor. In this way, UV-B light is emitted towards the underside of the animal's body, in particular towards the shin area. At the same time, the UV-B light source arranged in the above-mentioned manner can be protected from contamination.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises a separation grid for separating the living areas. At least one UV-B light source is arranged in the separation grid. The location of the UV-B light source in the separation grid also allows for targeted irradiation of desired parts of the animal's body. Therefore, the separation grid has proven to be a particularly suitable alternative mounting option for the UV-B light source.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises a food bowl. At least one UV-B light source is arranged in the food bowl. The UV-B light source can be designed, for example, as a light strip and emits light in particular downwards. Such an arrangement of the UV-B light source allows UV light to be irradiated in particular in the shin area of ​​the animal. This is advantageous for promoting the production of vitamin D in the animal's body.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises a perch in which a cavity is formed. At least one UV-B light source is arranged in the cavity. The perch is made of a material that is at least partially transparent to UV-B light, in particular a transparent material. The UV-B light source can be designed, for example, as a light tube. As the light source is arranged inside the perch, the shank of the animal on the perch is illuminated with UV-B light in a specifically targeted manner. The perch is preferably made of plastic. According to one embodiment, the perch provided with the UV-B light source is arranged outside the rearing system.

[0014] According to one embodiment, at least one UV-B light source is arranged on an outer surface of the habitation system and configured to emit UV-B light towards the adjacent habitation system. In this manner, UV-B light can be emitted over a wide area towards the adjacent habitation systems, so that habitation systems not having a UV-B light source or animal living areas between the adjacent habitation systems can also be illuminated with UV-B light.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises or is designed as a group cage or aviary. Such group cage or aviary housings have proven to be particularly suitable for egg-laying poultry animals.

[0016] The invention has been described above in relation to a rearing system. In another aspect, the invention relates to a livestock shed for rearing livestock, in particular poultry animals. The invention achieves the object mentioned at the beginning in relation to a livestock shed, which comprises a rearing system according to at least one of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. The livestock shed utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing system according to the invention and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made to the above-mentioned embodiments, the contents of which are incorporated herein. In particular, it has been shown that the use of the rearing system according to the invention in a livestock shed, which is a closed building, promotes the production of vitamin D in the animal's body, despite no or limited exposure to sunlight.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a rearing system according to at least one of the above embodiments for rearing livestock, in particular poultry animals, in a livestock shed, preferably according to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, said use also making use of the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing system according to the invention and the livestock shed according to the invention and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made to the above-mentioned embodiment, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0018] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for illuminating livestock, in particular poultry animals, by means of a rearing system according to any one of the previous claims, the method comprising continuous or discontinuous illumination of the livestock, in particular the shank area of ​​the livestock, by means of UV-B light. The method also utilises the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing system according to the invention, the livestock shed according to the invention and the use according to the invention, and vice versa. In this respect, reference is made to the above-mentioned embodiments, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

[0019] Illuminating livestock, either continuously or discontinuously, can improve the overall welfare of the animals. Some livestock species are optically able to receive UV light. For this reason, in some applications it may be effective to illuminate with UV-B light discontinuously, for example only during defined periods or during the day, rather than all the time, i.e. continuously. In this way it is possible to more reliably minimize or eliminate changes in livestock behavior due to UV-B illumination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the appended claims and the following description, in which exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first exemplary embodiment of a breeding system according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a second exemplary embodiment of a rearing system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] 1 shows a rearing system 2 for rearing livestock 10, in particular poultry animals 10. The rearing system 2 is arranged in a diagrammatically illustrated livestock shed 100. In this embodiment, the rearing system 2 has three levels E. The lower level E is provided with a moderately inclined floor 8 for accommodating the poultry animals 10. Moreover, such an inclined floor 8 is also shown in the upper level E of the rearing system 2.

[0023] The breeding system 2 comprises a number of light sources 4 for illuminating the bodies of livestock (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The light sources 4 are designed as ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light sources 6. Each UV-B light source 6 is configured to emit UV-B light onto the body of an animal. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate different installation positions of the UV-B light sources 6. Essentially, the breeding system 2 can comprise all the UV-B light sources 6, only some of the UV-B light sources 6 or one UV-B light source 6.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the rearing system 2 comprises an air duct 16. In particular, the air duct 16 extends below the floor 8. The UV-B light source 6 is arranged in the air duct 16 and configured to emit light through an opening 18 in the floor 8 towards the poultry animals reared on the floor 8. In this way, the UV-B light source 6 is protected from contamination. At the same time, the poultry animals are irradiated with UV-B light on their legs, i.e., on their shins.

[0025] The breeding system 2 further includes a feed trough 22. In the feed trough 22, at least one ultraviolet-B light source 6 is disposed.

[0026] The breeding system 2 further comprises perches 24. Each perch 24 has a cavity 26 formed therein. At least one UV-B light source 6 is arranged in the cavity 26. The UV-B light source 6 can be formed, for example, as a light strip. The perches 24 are formed at least partially from a material that is transparent to UV-B light, in particular a transparent material. This allows UV-B light to be emitted from the cavity 26 of the perch 24 towards the poultry animals.

[0027] The breeding system 2 further includes an outer surface 28. At least one ultraviolet-B wave light source 6 is disposed on the outer surface 28 of the breeding system 2. The ultraviolet-B wave light source 6 is configured to emit ultraviolet-B wave light particularly toward the adjacent breeding system 30. In this way, ultraviolet-B wave light can be emitted to the adjacent breeding system 30 that does not include the ultraviolet-B wave light source 6.

[0028] The rearing system 2 comprises a sheet metal perch 32, on which at least one UV-B light source 6 is arranged, again allowing targeted illumination of the shanks of the livestock. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the rearing system 2 is designed as an aviary 36.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a livestock shed 100 with a rearing system 2. The rearing system 2 includes group cages 34. The rearing system 2 comprises a number of light sources 4 for illuminating the bodies 11 of the livestock 10 with light. The light sources 4 are designed as UV-B light sources 6. The UV-B light sources 6 are configured to emit UV-B light onto the bodies 11 of the animals. In particular, the light emitted by the UV-B light sources 6 has a wavelength range from 280 nanometers to 315 nanometers. The rearing system 2 comprises at least one floor 8 for housing the poultry animals 10, in particular a lattice-shaped floor 8. The at least one UV-B light source 6 is configured to irradiate the area of ​​the shins 12 of the poultry animals 10 reared on the floor 8.

[0030] The rearing system 2 shown in Fig. 2 further comprises a foot rail 14. At least one UV-B light source 6 is arranged on the foot rail 14. This arrangement allows a livestock 10 having a body 11 as illustrated in Fig. 2 to be irradiated with UV light from the UV-B light source 6 arranged on the foot rail 14 in the shin area.

[0031] The rearing system 2 shown in Fig. 2 further comprises a separating grid 20 for separating the living areas. At least one UV-B light source 6 is arranged in the separating grid 20. Thus, the poultry animals 10 are also irradiated in this case.

[0032] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 also includes an air duct 16. The air duct 16 extends below the floor 8. The UV-B light source 6 is disposed in the air duct 16 and aligned such that light is emitted towards the poultry animals 10 through an opening in the floor 8 (not shown in Figure 2). [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 2. Rearing System 4 light source 6 Ultraviolet B light source 8 Floor (grid floor) 10 Livestock / Poultry Animals 11 Animal Body 12 Poultry shins 14 Crossbar 16 Air Duct 18 Floor Opening 20 separation grid 22 Feeder 24 Perch 26 Perch Hollow 28 Exterior of the Rearing System 30 Adjacent breeding systems 32 Sheet Metal Perch 34 Group Cage 36 Birdhouse 100 Livestock shed E stage

Claims

1. at least one light source (4) for illuminating the body (11) of the livestock (10), The at least one light source (4) is designed as an ultraviolet B light source (6) configured to emit ultraviolet B light onto the body (11); A farming system (2) for raising livestock (10), in particular poultry animals (10).

2. The rearing system (2) of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet-B light source (6) emits light in the wavelength range of 280 nanometers to 315 nanometers.

3. It comprises at least one floor (8), in particular a lattice floor (8), for housing poultry animals (10), at least one of the UV-B light sources (6) is configured to irradiate a shin (12) area of ​​a poultry animal (10) kept on a floor (8); A rearing system (2) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A cross bar (14) is provided, At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is disposed on the crosspiece (14). A rearing system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An air duct (16), in particular an air duct (16) extending below the floor (8), At least one of the UV-B light sources (6) is arranged in the air duct (16) and configured to emit light towards the poultry animals (10) through an opening (18) in the floor (8). A rearing system (2) according to claim 3 or 4.

6. A separation grid (20) for separating the living areas, At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is disposed on the separation grating (20). A rearing system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A food bowl (22) is provided; At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is disposed in the food bowl (22). A rearing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A perch (24) having a cavity (26) formed therein, At least one ultraviolet B light source (6) is disposed in the cavity (26); the perch (24) is at least partially made of a material that is transparent to UV-B light, in particular a transparent material; A rearing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. At least one of the ultraviolet-B light sources (6) is arranged on an outer surface (28) of the rearing system (2) and is configured to emit ultraviolet-B light toward an adjacent rearing system (30). A rearing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A sheet metal perch (32), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is disposed on the sheet metal perch (32). A rearing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. A rearing system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising or designed as a group cage (34) or aviary (36).

12. A stable (100) for keeping livestock (10), in particular poultry animals, comprising a rearing system (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11.

13. Use of a rearing system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in a livestock shed (100), preferably said livestock shed (100) according to claim 12, for rearing livestock (10), in particular poultry animals.

14. A method for illuminating livestock (10), in particular poultry animals (10), by means of a rearing system (2) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, comprising continuous or discontinuous illumination of the livestock (10), in particular the area of ​​the shins (12) or further body parts of the livestock, by means of UV-B light.

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