Systems and methods

Abstract

To provide a system capable of moving a plurality of breeding devices every time a predetermined period of time elapses. [Solution] The system is provided with a plurality of breeding devices that are installed in a livestock barn and are capable of feeding and / or watering livestock animals and housing and breeding the livestock animals. In the system, the plurality of breeding devices are lined up along a predetermined path, and each breeding device moves along the predetermined path so as to approach a predetermined area every time a predetermined period of time passes. The predetermined period is a period based on the difference in age in days, weeks, or months between the livestock animals in adjacent breeding devices, or the predetermined period is a period based on the difference in age in days, weeks, or months between a predetermined breeding period and the livestock animals in a reference breeding device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method. [Background technology]

[0002] When shipping livestock animals such as chickens and pigs for livestock, it is necessary to collect the livestock animals and move them from the livestock barn. After the livestock animals are moved from the barn, it is also necessary to collect the feces and urine and clean the barn. These tasks are hard work for humans and place a heavy burden on the work.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a poultry farming system that improves farming efficiency by allowing chickens to be collected all at once before shipping. The poultry farming system in Patent Document 1 comprises a rearing room, a long and narrow movable floor on which bedding is laid and which can move along the longitudinal direction, and a cover that covers the movable floor and has an outlet at one longitudinal end through which chickens can be discharged together with the bedding by moving the movable floor. The poultry farming system also has rearing rooms stacked in multiple tiers to form rearing buildings, which are set up in multiple rows on the floor at predetermined intervals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-186712 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] At least one object of the present invention is to provide a system or method that is capable of moving a plurality of breeding apparatuses every time a predetermined period of time elapses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to [1] A system comprising a plurality of rearing devices that are installed in a livestock barn and capable of feeding and / or watering livestock animals and capable of housing and rearing the livestock animals, the plurality of rearing devices being lined up along a predetermined path, each of the rearing devices moving along the predetermined path so as to approach a predetermined area each time a predetermined period of time elapses, the predetermined period being a period based on a difference in age in days, weeks or months of the livestock animals in adjacent rearing devices, or the predetermined period being a period based on a difference in age in days, weeks or months between a predetermined rearing period and the livestock animals in a reference rearing device; [2] The system according to [1], wherein each of the rearing apparatuses moves so as to approach the predetermined area, starting with a rearing apparatus that is shortest along the predetermined path to the predetermined area, every time the predetermined period elapses; [3] The system according to [1] or [2] above, wherein each of the rearing apparatuses moves a predetermined distance each time the predetermined period elapses so as to approach the predetermined area, the predetermined distance being a distance based on the number of rearing apparatuses in which the difference in the day, week or month age of the livestock animals in a reference rearing apparatus is within a predetermined range; [4] The system according to any one of [1] to [3] above, further comprising a moving device for moving the rearing devices, wherein one moving device moves a plurality of rearing devices; [5] The system according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the rearing apparatus includes a floor section, and a sheet or film is placed on the floor section; [6] The system according to any one of [1] to [5] above, comprising a feeder installed in the breeding apparatus and / or a water supply installed in the breeding apparatus, wherein the feeder includes a feeding control unit that controls the amount of food supplied to the feeder in the breeding apparatus, and / or the water supply unit includes a water supply control unit that controls the amount of water supplied to the water supply in the breeding apparatus; [7] The system according to any one of [1] to [6] above, comprising at least one computer device and a detection device for detecting the status of livestock animals in the breeding device and / or the status of the breeding device or the vicinity of the breeding device, and comprising a memory means for storing, for each breeding device, the status of the livestock animals and / or the status of the breeding device or the vicinity of the breeding device detected by the detection device; [8] A method to be carried out in a system including a plurality of rearing apparatuses that are installed in a livestock barn and capable of feeding and / or watering livestock animals and capable of housing and rearing the livestock animals, the plurality of rearing apparatuses being lined up along a predetermined path, the method comprising a step of moving each of the rearing apparatuses along the predetermined path so as to approach a predetermined area every time a predetermined period of time elapses, the predetermined period being a period based on a difference in age in days, weeks or months between the livestock animals in adjacent rearing apparatuses, or the predetermined period being a period based on a difference in age in days, weeks or months between the livestock animals in a reference rearing apparatus and a predetermined rearing period; [9] The method according to [8], further comprising the step of recovering livestock animals from a rearing device proximate to the predetermined area at each of the predetermined time periods; This can be achieved by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a system or method capable of moving a plurality of breeding devices every time a predetermined period of time has elapsed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a livestock house according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a livestock house according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a rearing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a movement device and a movement assistance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments as long as it is not contrary to the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the description of the effects is one aspect of the effects of the embodiments of the present invention, and is not limited to those described here. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] In the following, the longitudinal direction of the livestock barn 1 is defined as the front-rear direction. The up-down direction means the direction of gravity. The front-rear direction is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction. The left-right direction and the front-rear direction are directions defined for convenience of explanation. Therefore, the left-right direction and the front-rear direction do not have to match the left-right direction and the front-rear direction of the livestock barn 1. The left direction and the right direction may be interchanged, and the front direction and the rear direction may be interchanged.

[0011] In this embodiment, the system 10 can be used in the business of raising livestock animals. In this embodiment, the livestock animals are not particularly limited as long as they are animals for livestock. Livestock animals include, for example, poultry such as broilers, pigs, cows, etc.

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a livestock barn 1 to which a system 10 according to the present embodiment is applied. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the livestock barn 1 viewed from the upper left to the lower right. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the livestock barn 1 viewed from above downward.

[0013] The livestock barn 1 comprises an entrance area 2 and an exit area 3 (see Figs. 1 and 2). The entrance area 2 is an area that is the starting point of a predetermined route described below. The entrance area 2 may be an area for bringing livestock animals that are young in days, weeks, or months (hereinafter referred to as age, etc.) into the livestock barn 1. The entrance area 2 may be an area through which the youngest livestock animal in the system 10 passes among the livestock animals that are on the predetermined route described below.

[0014] The discharge area 3 is an area that is the end point of a predetermined route described later. The discharge area 3 may be an area for discharging livestock animals that have been raised for a predetermined period from the barn 1. The discharge area 3 may be an area for removing and recovering livestock animals from the breeding apparatus 100 described later. The discharge area 3 may be an area through which the oldest livestock animal in the system 10 passes among the livestock animals present on the predetermined route described later. The discharge area 3 is an example of a predetermined area.

[0015] In this embodiment, the loading area 2 and the unloading area 3 are located near the front end of the livestock house 1. The loading area 2 and the unloading area 3 are preferably located near the entrance and exit of the livestock house 1. The loading area 2 and the unloading area 3 are also arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The loading area 2 and the unloading area 3 may be areas that partially or completely overlap each other.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, predetermined routes (routes L1 to L3) are set in advance in the livestock house 1. The predetermined routes start at the carry-in area 2 and end at the carry-out area 3. The predetermined route is a single continuous route.

[0017] The predetermined path may be a straight path, a curved path, a broken line path that alternately bends back and forth or left and right, or a path that combines a plurality of these paths. For example, the predetermined path shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a straight path L1 that extends backward, a curved path L2 that extends leftward, and a straight path L3 that extends forward. The paths L1, L2, and L3 are one continuous path. The curved path L2 may be a straight path.

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the system 10 includes a plurality of breeding apparatuses 100 (e.g., breeding apparatuses 100a to 100h). The breeding apparatuses 100 are capable of feeding and / or watering the livestock animals. The breeding apparatuses 100 are also capable of housing and breeding the livestock animals. Note that in Figs. 1 and 2, reference numerals are omitted for the breeding apparatuses 100 other than the breeding apparatuses 100a to 100h.

[0019] The breeding apparatus 100 is installed in a livestock house 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of breeding apparatuses 100 are arranged in two rows in the left-right direction in the livestock house 1, aligned in the front-rear direction. The position, range, and number of the breeding apparatuses 100 installed in the livestock house 1 are not particularly limited. The position, range, and number of the breeding apparatuses 100 installed in the livestock house 1 can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the livestock house 1. The configuration of the breeding apparatus 100 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The multiple breeding apparatuses 100 are lined up along a predetermined path. The predetermined path is a path along which the breeding apparatuses 100 move. The breeding apparatuses 100 are along the predetermined path means that the breeding apparatuses 100 overlap the predetermined path when viewed from above. Furthermore, the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 are lined up along a predetermined path means that the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 are lined up in a row on the path. When the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 are lined up along a predetermined path, the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 may be lined up at predetermined intervals or may be lined up randomly. Furthermore, the breeding apparatuses 100 may not be present in a certain section on the predetermined path. The breeding apparatuses 100 can move to a predetermined area (the carrying-out area 3) along the predetermined path (paths L1 to L3).

[0021] The system 10 may include a moving device 200 and a movement assistance unit 300. The system 10 may include a plurality of moving devices 200 (e.g., moving devices 200a to 200d). As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the livestock house 1 is provided with a plurality of moving devices 200.

[0022] The moving device 200 moves the breeding devices 100. In this embodiment, one moving device 200 can move a plurality of breeding devices 100. For example, after the moving device 200a moves the breeding device 100h, the moving device 200a can move the breeding device 100e. The configuration of the moving device 200 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The movement assistance unit 300 functions to move the movement device 200 along a predetermined route. The movement assistance unit 300 is installed on the floor of the barn 1 along the predetermined route. As shown in Fig. 2, the position of the movement assistance unit 300 coincides with the position where the predetermined route exists. The movement assistance unit 300 may be installed so as to cover the entire predetermined route, or may be installed at predetermined intervals on the predetermined route.

[0024] The movement assistance unit 300 is, for example, a guideline, a predetermined mark, and / or a rail. The guideline may be, for example, a magnetic tape, a vinyl tape, or a tape of a predetermined color. The predetermined mark may be, for example, a two-dimensional code, an AR marker, or a combination of predetermined colors and illustrations.

[0025] The system 10 may also include a feeder 110, a waterer 120, and a heater 130. The feeder 110 is installed in the breeding apparatus 100. The waterer 120 is installed in the breeding apparatus 100. Therefore, the breeding apparatus 100 is capable of feeding and / or watering the livestock animals. The feeder 110 and the waterer 120 will be described in detail later.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the heater 130 is installed corresponding to the breeding apparatus 100. The heater 130 may be installed on the ceiling of the barn 1, or may be installed in a specific breeding apparatus 100 (for example, breeding apparatuses 100a to 100c). The heater 130 is preferably installed corresponding to the position of the breeding apparatus 100 where livestock animals of a predetermined age or the like are raised. By functioning the heater 130, the temperature of the breeding apparatus 100 can be controlled according to the age or the like of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100.

[0027] 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a breeding apparatus 100 (100a, 100h) according to this embodiment. In the following, the structure of the breeding apparatus 100a will be described as the structure of the breeding apparatus 100. The breeding apparatus 100h has a structure obtained by rotating the breeding apparatus 100a by 180° around a central axis extending in the vertical direction, except that it does not include a heater 130, which will be described later. Therefore, a description of the breeding apparatus 100h will be omitted.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the breeding apparatus 100 includes a floor section 101. The floor section 101 has a plate shape. The floor section 101 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above and below. The floor section 101 may be a so-called pallet.

[0029] Also, a sheet or film may be placed on the floor portion 101. In Fig. 3, a sheet 102 is placed on the floor portion 101. The sheet or film covers the upper surface of the floor portion 101. The sheet or film may be a biodegradable sheet or film.

[0030] The sheet or film may be made of a slippery material. Alternatively, at least the lower surface of the sheet or film may have slippery properties. For example, the upper and / or lower surfaces of the sheet or film may be coated with a coating agent capable of imparting slippery properties, or a resin with good slippery properties may be laminated on the upper and / or lower surfaces of the sheet or film. This allows the sheet or film to be easily removed from the breeding apparatus 100. Also, feces and urine of livestock animals accumulated on the sheet or film can be easily removed from the sheet or film.

[0031] In addition, at least the upper surface of the floor section 101 may be slippery. For example, the upper surface of the floor section 101 may be coated with a coating agent capable of imparting slipperiness, or a resin with good slipperiness may be laminated on the upper surface of the floor section 101. This allows the sheet or film to be easily removed from the breeding apparatus 100. In addition, feces and urine of livestock animals accumulated on the breeding apparatus 100 can be easily removed from the breeding apparatus 100.

[0032] The breeding apparatus 100 may also include a net 103, a plurality of poles 104, and wheels 105. The net 103 forms the side of the breeding apparatus 100. The net 103 may be a net made of, for example, nylon, polyester, polyethylene, metal, or the like. The height of the net 103 is not particularly limited as long as it is a height that prevents the livestock animals from escaping from the breeding apparatus 100. The height of the net 103 is preferably 40 cm to 140 cm, and more preferably 80 cm to 120 cm.

[0033] The poles 104 are members that extend in the vertical direction, and are inserted into the right side, front side, left side, and rear side of the floor portion 101. The poles 104 are removable from the floor portion 101. An operator can assemble the breeding apparatus 100 by inserting the poles 104 into the floor portion 101 and attaching the net 103.

[0034] The wheels 105 are attached to the floor portion 101. The wheels 105 provide a gap between the floor portion 101 and the floor of the barn 1. This gap is large enough for the moving device 200 to enter.

[0035] The breeding apparatus 100 may include a feeder 110. The feeder 110 includes a feeder main body 111, a conveying pipe 112, and a feeding control unit 113. Food conveyed from the conveying pipe 112 falls into the feeder main body 111. The conveying pipe 112 extends in the front-rear direction. A known feeder may be used for the feeder main body 111 and the conveying pipe 112. The feeder 110 may include a tank in which the feed is stored. The tank is installed in the breeding apparatus 100. The feed in the tank may be conveyed to the conveying pipe 112. The feeding control unit 113 controls the amount of feed supplied to the feeder 110 in the breeding apparatus 100 in which the feeder 110 is installed.

[0036] The feeding control unit 113 is attached to the conveying pipe 112, for example. The feeding control unit 113 may be located at the front end or the rear end of the breeding apparatus 100. The feeding control unit 113 may include, for example, a valve that changes the diameter of the conveying pipe 112. By changing the diameter of the conveying pipe 112, the feeding control unit 113 can adjust the amount of food conveyed into the conveying pipe 112. Alternatively, the feeding control unit 113 may include, for example, an auxiliary unit that assists in the supply of food into the conveying pipe 112. By driving the auxiliary unit, the feeding control unit 113 can adjust the amount of food conveyed into the conveying pipe 112.

[0037] A feeding control unit 113 is attached to each breeding apparatus 100. Therefore, by functioning the feeding control unit 113, the amount of feed supplied to the feeder 110 can be controlled according to the age of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100, etc.

[0038] The breeding apparatus 100 may include a water supply device 120. The water supply device 120 includes a water supply device main body 121, a water supply pipe 122, and a water supply control unit 123. Water supplied from the water supply pipe 122 is supplied to the water supply device main body 121. The water supply pipe 122 extends in the front-rear direction. A known water supply device can be used for the water supply device main body 121 and the water supply pipe 122. The water supply device 120 may include a tank in which water is stored. The tank is installed in the breeding apparatus 100. The water in the tank may be supplied to the water supply pipe 122. The water supply control unit 123 controls the amount of water supplied to the water supply device 120 in the breeding apparatus 100 in which the water supply device 120 is installed.

[0039] The water supply control unit 123 is attached to the water supply pipe 122, for example. The water supply control unit 123 may be located at the front end or the rear end of the breeding apparatus 100. The water supply control unit 123 may include, for example, a valve that changes the diameter of the water supply pipe 122. By changing the diameter of the water supply pipe 122, the water supply control unit 123 can adjust the amount of water supplied into the water supply pipe 122. Alternatively, the water supply control unit 123 may include, for example, an auxiliary unit that assists in the supply of water into the water supply pipe 122. By driving the auxiliary unit, the water supply control unit 123 can adjust the amount of water supplied into the water supply pipe 122.

[0040] The water supply control unit 123 is attached to each breeding apparatus 100. Therefore, by functioning the water supply control unit 123, the amount of water supplied to the water supply device 120 can be controlled according to the age of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100, etc.

[0041] The feeding control unit 113 and / or the water supply control unit 123 may, for example, include a control unit. The control unit is configured, for example, by a microcomputer including a CPU and a ROM (not shown). The control unit may include a communication unit. When the communication unit receives a signal from another computer device, the control unit drives a valve or an auxiliary unit to adjust the amount of food or the amount of water. Alternatively, the control unit may adjust the amount of food or the amount of water by operating the feeding control unit 113 and / or the water supply control unit 123 by an operator.

[0042] Here, the system 10 may include a detection device 140. The detection device 140 may be installed in the breeding apparatus 100 (see FIG. 3). The detection device 140 detects the status of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100 and / or the status of the breeding apparatus 100 or the vicinity of the breeding apparatus 100. The detection device 140 may be, for example, a camera 141 or a sensor 142.

[0043] 3, the detection device 140 may be installed for each breeding apparatus 100, or may be installed on a wall or ceiling of the barn 1. When the detection device 140 is installed on a wall or ceiling of the barn 1, the detection device 140 may detect the status of the livestock animals in the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 and / or the status of the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 or the vicinity of the multiple breeding apparatuses 100.

[0044] The camera 141 can acquire images or videos of the livestock animals. The sensor 142 can detect temperature, humidity, thermal images, sounds, etc. of the breeding apparatus 100 or in the vicinity of the breeding apparatus 100. The sensor 142 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an infrared sensor, a sound sensor, etc.

[0045] The system 10 may include an administrator terminal 4 and / or a server device (not shown). The administrator terminal 4 and the server device are examples of computer devices. The administrator terminal 4 or the server device may include a CPU, a RAM (main memory), a storage unit, and a communication unit. The CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit and controls the administrator terminal 4 or the server device. The storage unit is a storage area for saving programs and data. In this embodiment, the administrator terminal 4 and the server device can be communicatively connected to each other via a communication network. In addition, the administrator terminal 4 and the server device can be communicatively connected to the feeding control unit 113, the water supply control unit 123, the detection device 140, and the mobile device 200 described below via the communication network.

[0046] The information detected by the detection device 140 may be transmitted to the manager terminal 4 or the server device. The system 10 may specify the status of the livestock animals and / or the status of the breeding device 100 or the vicinity of the breeding device 100 in a computer device such as the manager terminal 4 or the server device based on the information acquired by the camera 141 or the sensor 142. The system 10 can store the status of the livestock animals detected by the detection device 140 and / or the status of the breeding device or the vicinity of the breeding device for each breeding device 100. Information regarding the status detected by the detection device 140 or information regarding the status specified from the information detected by the detection device 140 may be stored in a storage unit of the manager terminal 4 or the server device.

[0047] Furthermore, the control information of the feeding control unit 113 and / or the water supply control unit 123 may be transmitted to the administrator terminal 4 or the server device. The system 10 can specify the amount of feed or water to be supplied for each breeding apparatus 100 by the control information of the feeding control unit 113 and / or the water supply control unit 123. Information regarding the amount of feed or water to be supplied may be stored in the storage unit of the administrator terminal 4 or the server device.

[0048] Furthermore, the system 10 may control the feeding control unit 113, the water supply control unit 123, and / or the heater 130 based on information on the situation detected by the detection device 140, information on the situation identified from the information detected by the detection device 140, or information on the amount of feed or water supply. For example, when the size of the livestock animal acquired by the camera 141 is smaller than the average size, the system 10 may control the feeding control unit 113 to increase the amount of feed supplied to the feeder 110. For example, when the temperature acquired by the sensor 142 is higher than the normal temperature, the system 10 may control the water supply control unit 123 to increase the amount of water supplied to the waterer 120. The control of the feeding control unit 113, the water supply control unit 123, and / or the heater 130 may be performed in response to the operation of the manager terminal 4.

[0049] 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a moving device 200 and a movement assistance unit 300 according to this embodiment. The moving device 200 includes a main body 201, a control device 202, wheels 203 (wheels 203a, 203b), a detection unit 210, and a contact unit 220 (contact units 220a, 220b). The moving device 200 may also include a connection unit 221 and an emergency stop button 230.

[0050] The main body 201 is provided with a control device 202, wheels 203, a detection unit 210, a contact unit 220, a connection unit 221, and an emergency stop button 230. The control device 202 controls the moving device 200. The control device 202 may include a CPU, a RAM (main memory), a storage unit, and a communication unit. The CPU executes a program stored in the storage unit, and controls the moving device 200 based on information detected by the detection unit 210. The storage unit is a memory area for saving programs and data. The wheel 203a is provided on the right side of the main body 201, and the wheel 203b is provided on the left side of the main body 201. By pressing the emergency stop button 230, the moving device 200 stops.

[0051] The detection unit 210 detects the movement assisting unit 300. The detection unit 210 is provided, for example, on the underside of the main body 201. For example, when the movement assisting unit 300 is a magnetic tape, the detection unit 210 is a magnetic sensor that detects a magnetic field. When the movement assisting unit 300 is a vinyl tape, the detection unit 210 is an optical sensor that detects light reflection. When the movement assisting unit 300 is a predetermined mark, the detection unit 210 is a camera that detects the predetermined mark.

[0052] The contact portion 220 is a portion that comes into contact with the underside of the breeding apparatus 100. The contact portion 220a is attached to the upper right end portion of the moving apparatus 200, and the contact portion 220b is attached to the upper left end portion of the moving apparatus 200. When the moving apparatus 200 moves below the breeding apparatus 100, the moving apparatus 200 moves the main body 201 and / or the contact portions 220a, 220b upward, and brings the breeding apparatus 100 into contact with the contact portions 220a, 220b. At this time, a connecting portion 221 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the main body 201 engages with a connecting portion provided on the underside of the breeding apparatus 100, thereby connecting the two.

[0053] [System Operation] Next, the operation of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the system 10, each breeding apparatus 100 houses livestock animals whose ages, etc. are within a predetermined range (for example, within 3 days). Furthermore, a plurality of breeding apparatuses 100, each housing livestock animals of different ages, etc., are lined up on a predetermined route. Furthermore, the breeding apparatuses 100 are lined up toward the discharge area 3 so that the ages, etc., of the livestock animals increase.

[0054] In addition, a plurality of breeding apparatuses 100 containing livestock animals whose ages in days are within a predetermined range may be lined up consecutively on a predetermined route. The number of consecutive breeding apparatuses 100 whose ages in days are within a predetermined range on the predetermined route may be the same or different for each month of age. In addition, when there is a difference in the ages of livestock animals in adjacent breeding apparatuses 100, the magnitude of the difference in age may be the same or different for all breeding apparatuses 100 on the predetermined route.

[0055] Using the system 10, an operator can ship livestock animals that are to be shipped after a predetermined breeding period at predetermined intervals. The livestock animals are housed in the breeding apparatus 100 and are raised in the breeding apparatus 100. First, the operator houses livestock animals of the same age, etc. in one breeding apparatus 100 in the carrying-in area 2. The livestock animals to be carried in may be, for example, chicken chicks, piglets, calves, etc. The livestock animals to be carried in may be livestock animals that have grown to a certain extent, for example, livestock animals in the fattening period. Next, the operator installs the breeding apparatus 100 at the position of the breeding apparatus 100a. At this time, the operator may move the breeding apparatus 100 using the moving apparatus 200. When a predetermined period has passed since the breeding apparatus 100 was installed at the position of the breeding apparatus 100a, the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 are moved while housing the livestock animals. The breeding apparatus 100 moves along the paths L1 to L3 every time a predetermined period of time elapses, and moves to the unloading area 3 when the predetermined breeding period is completed.

[0056] In this embodiment, the breeding apparatus 100 can move to a predetermined area (the carrying-out area 3) along a predetermined path (paths L1 to L3). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the breeding apparatus 100a that has passed through the carrying-in area 2 moves backward along path L1 to the position of the breeding apparatus 100d. The breeding apparatus 100a also moves leftward from the position of the breeding apparatus 100d along path L2. Then, the breeding apparatus 100a moves forward from the position of the breeding apparatus 100e to the carrying-out area 3 along path L3. The breeding apparatus 100 can move in at least one traveling direction.

[0057] Here, in the system 10, each breeding apparatus 100 can move along a predetermined path so as to approach the carry-out area 3 every time a predetermined period of time has passed. For example, in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, breeding apparatus 100h moves to the carry-out area 3 after a predetermined period of time has passed. In addition, the other breeding apparatuses 100 move to the positions of the breeding apparatuses 100 that are adjacent to the breeding apparatuses 100 and are closer to the carry-out area 3 on the paths L1 to L3. For example, breeding apparatus 100a moves to the position of breeding apparatus 100b, and breeding apparatus 100g moves to the position of breeding apparatus 100h. "Close to the carry-out area 3" refers to the length of the predetermined path to the carry-out area 3 being the shortest.

[0058] The "predetermined period" during which the breeding apparatus 100 is moved is, for example, a period based on the difference in age, etc., of the livestock animals in the adjacent breeding apparatuses 100. In this case, the difference in age, etc., between the livestock animals housed in one breeding apparatus 100 (for example, breeding apparatus 100h) and the livestock animals housed in the breeding apparatus 100 adjacent to the one breeding apparatus 100 (for example, breeding apparatus 100g) corresponds to the predetermined period. The period is a concept including years, months, weeks, days, or hours. The predetermined periods may be periods of the same length or periods of different lengths. For example, the system 10 may move the breeding apparatus 100 every day, every week, or every month. The system 10 may also move the breeding apparatus 100 every time a different period, such as one day, three days, or two days, has elapsed.

[0059] Adjacent breeding apparatus 100 means that breeding apparatus 100 lined up on a predetermined route are adjacent to each other. Therefore, in Fig. 2, breeding apparatus 100a and breeding apparatus 100b are adjacent to each other, but breeding apparatus 100a and breeding apparatus 100h are not adjacent to each other. Note that when there is no difference in age, etc. of livestock animals present in adjacent breeding apparatuses 100 (for example, when the difference in age, etc. is 0 days), the predetermined period may be a period based on the difference in age, etc. of livestock animals present in adjacent breeding apparatuses 100.

[0060] The "predetermined period" may be a period based on the difference between a predetermined breeding period and the age of livestock animals present in a reference breeding apparatus 100. The reference breeding apparatus 100 is preferably the breeding apparatus 100 (breeding apparatus 100h) with the shortest length on the predetermined path to the carry-out area 3. In this case, the difference between the predetermined breeding period and the age of livestock animals housed in one reference breeding apparatus 100 (for example, breeding apparatus 100h) corresponds to the predetermined period. For example, if the difference between the determined breeding period and the age of livestock animals present in the breeding apparatus 100h at a certain point in time is one day, the predetermined period is one day. In this case, when one day has passed from a certain point in time, the breeding apparatus 100h moves to the carry-out area 3. In addition, the other breeding apparatuses 100 move so as to approach the carry-out area 3.

[0061] Moreover, the system 10 can move each of the breeding apparatuses 100 a predetermined distance along a predetermined path so as to approach the unloading area 3 every time a predetermined period of time elapses. The "predetermined distance" that each of the breeding apparatuses 100 moves is specified by the number of breeding apparatuses 100 that move to the unloading area 3. The "predetermined distance" is a distance based on the number of breeding apparatuses 100 whose difference in age, etc., between the breeding apparatuses 100 and the livestock animals present in the reference breeding apparatus 100 is within a predetermined range (for example, within 2 days). The distance corresponding to the number of breeding apparatuses 100 whose difference in age, etc., between the breeding apparatuses 100 and the livestock animals housed in the reference breeding apparatus 100 (for example, the breeding apparatus 100h) is within a predetermined range corresponds to the predetermined distance. It is preferable that the reference breeding apparatus 100 is the breeding apparatus 100 (the breeding apparatus 100h) whose length on the predetermined path to the unloading area 3 is the shortest.

[0062] For example, when the range of the difference in age, etc. for specifying the predetermined distance is within 0 days, the predetermined distance is specified as follows. When the difference in age, etc. between the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100h and the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100g is 0 days, and the difference in age, etc. between the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100h and the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus 100f is 2 days, the number of breeding apparatuses 100 whose difference in age, etc. is within the predetermined range is 1. In this case, since the breeding apparatuses 100h and 100g are targets for movement to the discharge area 3, the predetermined distance is the distance that two breeding apparatuses 100 move.

[0063] Furthermore, the system 10 can move each of the rearing apparatuses 100 such that, after each predetermined period of time, the rearing apparatuses 100 move closer to the unloading area 3, starting from the rearing apparatuses 100 with a shorter length on the predetermined path to the unloading area 3. The length on the predetermined path to the unloading area 3 is the length corresponding to the predetermined path connecting the unloading area 3 to the position of the rearing apparatus 100.

[0064] Specifically, the rearing apparatuses 100 move in order from the shortest length on the predetermined paths L1 to L3 to the carry-out area 3 so as to approach the carry-out area 3. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 2, the rearing apparatus 100h moves to the carry-out area 3 first, then the rearing apparatus 100g moves on the path L3, and further the rearing apparatus 100g moves on the path L3.

[0065] The movement of the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 is performed as follows. The moving apparatus 200 stores information on the breeding apparatuses 100 to be moved, the distance to move the breeding apparatuses 100, and the route in advance. First, the moving apparatus 200a moves under the breeding apparatus 100h. The moving apparatus 200a connects the connecting portion 221 to the connecting portion of the breeding apparatus 100h. The moving apparatus 200a also moves the contact portion 220 upward. As a result, the breeding apparatus 100h is fixed to the moving apparatus 200a. Then, the moving apparatus 200a moves forward by the stored distance along the route L3 while detecting the movement assistance portion 300 by the detection portion 210. As a result, the moving apparatus 200 can move along a predetermined route, and the breeding apparatus 100 integrated with the moving apparatus 200 moves along the predetermined route.

[0066] Similarly, the movement devices 200b to 200d each move a designated breeding apparatus 100. Note that the movement of the multiple breeding apparatuses 100 may be such that some or all of the breeding apparatuses 100 are moved simultaneously, or such that each breeding apparatus 100 is moved one by one.

[0067] The worker collects the livestock animals from the breeding apparatus 100 that has been moved to the discharge area 3. That is, the worker can collect the livestock animals from the breeding apparatus 100 that is close to the specified area at specified intervals. The method of collecting the livestock animals is not particularly limited. For example, the livestock animals may be collected by only partially opening the net 103 of the breeding apparatus 100. The worker places the livestock animals that have been moved to the discharge area 3 in a cage or the like, and loads the livestock animals onto a truck.

[0068] The worker may collect the livestock animals in the discharge area 3, or may further move the breeding apparatus 100 that has been moved to the discharge area 3 to collect the livestock animals. Alternatively, the breeding apparatus 100 that has been moved to the discharge area 3 may be moved to another system (e.g., a different livestock barn) while still housing the livestock animals.

[0069] After collecting the livestock animals from the breeding apparatus 100, the worker collects the sheet or film placed on the floor 101. On the sheet or film, feces and urine discharged by the livestock animals and bedding such as sawdust are piled up. By collecting the sheet or film in this manner, the worker can collect the feces and urine. In addition, it becomes easy to separate the floor 101 of the breeding apparatus 100 from the feces and urine discharged on the floor 101. In addition, the worker may bury the collected sheet or film in the ground, etc., to dispose of the feces and urine together. Alternatively, the worker may use the collected sheet or film for a predetermined purpose such as compost or power generation. In addition, the worker may separate and collect the feces and urine and bedding from the collected sheet or film.

[0070] [Other embodiments] The system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above and can be modified within the scope of the invention. In addition, the above-described structure of the system 10 and the following structure may be combined in any manner.

[0071] The loading area 2 and the unloading area 3 do not have to be aligned side by side in the left-right direction. For example, in Fig. 2, the loading area 2 may be located near the front end of the barn 1, and the unloading area 3 may be located near the rear end of the barn 1. In this case, the predetermined route may be only the route L1, or two routes may be provided: the route L1 and a route that is oriented in the opposite direction to the route L3.

[0072] The system 10 may have a plurality of predetermined paths, and move a plurality of the breeding apparatuses 100 arranged on each path together. For example, paths α and β are provided in the livestock barn 1 extending from the rear to the front, and the breeding apparatuses 100 arranged on each path are installed so that the ages of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatuses 100 are within a predetermined range, and there is a difference in the ages of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatuses 100 between the paths α and β. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, all the breeding apparatuses 100 on the path α may be moved, and after a further predetermined period of time has elapsed, all the breeding apparatuses 100 on the path β may be moved.

[0073] In the above, the configuration in which the feeder 110 and the water supplying device 120 are provided for each breeding apparatus 100 has been described, but the feeder 110 and / or the water supplying device 120 may be shared among a plurality of breeding apparatuses 100. For example, the system 10 may include the feeder 110 and the water supplying device 120 extending in the front-rear direction along the path L1 and the path L3 in the livestock barn 1. In this case, when the plurality of breeding apparatuses 100 are moved, the feeder 110 and the water supplying device 120 are moved upward. Then, after the movement of the plurality of breeding apparatuses 100 is completed, the feeder 110 and the water supplying device 120 are moved downward. At this time, the net 103 may be provided with a slit so that the conveying pipe 112 and the water supplying pipe 122 extending in the front-rear direction can be installed in the breeding apparatus 100.

[0074] A moving floor that moves in the front-rear direction may be formed on the floor 101. The moving floor may be, for example, a belt conveyor. When the breeding apparatus 100 is moved to the discharge area 3 and the livestock animals are removed from the breeding apparatus 100, the moving floor may be moved to assist in the recovery of the livestock animals. When a sheet or film is placed on the floor 101, the sheet or film may be placed on the moving floor. The system 10 may be provided with a weight sensor on the floor 101 to detect the weight of the livestock animals.

[0075] The breeding apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the wheels 105. In this case, instead of the wheels 105, a member for providing a gap between the floor 101 and the floor of the livestock house 1 is attached to the floor 101.

[0076] In the above, the configuration in which the breeding apparatus 100 can be moved by the moving device 200 has been described, but the method by which the breeding apparatus 100 moves is not particularly limited. For example, the breeding apparatus 100 may be provided with a control unit and a drive unit that drives the wheels 105, so that the breeding apparatus 100 can move independently. Also, for example, the breeding apparatus 100 may be moved by an operator pushing or pulling the breeding apparatus 100.

[0077] In the above, the moving device 200 moves under the breeding device 100 to move the breeding device 100, but the moving device 200 may move left and right or front and rear of the breeding device 100 to lift up and move the breeding device 100. The moving device 200 may have a shape like a forklift, for example.

[0078] In this way, the system is installed in a livestock barn, is capable of feeding and / or watering livestock animals, and includes a plurality of breeding apparatuses capable of housing and breeding livestock animals, the plurality of breeding apparatuses are lined up along a predetermined path, and each breeding apparatus moves along the predetermined path so as to approach a predetermined area every time a predetermined period passes, and the predetermined period is a period based on the difference in age in days, weeks or months between the livestock animals in the adjacent breeding apparatuses, or the predetermined period is a period based on the difference in age in days, weeks or months between the livestock animals in the reference breeding apparatus and a predetermined breeding period, so that the breeding apparatuses housing the livestock animals can be moved every time a predetermined period passes. This allows the preparation for the arrival of livestock animals and the collection of livestock animals to be divided into a plurality of schedules. Therefore, the preparation for the arrival of livestock animals and the collection of livestock animals can be leveled out. Therefore, the burden associated with the preparation for the arrival of livestock animals and the collection of livestock animals can be reduced.

[0079] In this way, each time the predetermined period elapses, each breeding apparatus moves closer to the predetermined area starting with the breeding apparatus that is the shortest along the predetermined path to the predetermined area, so that the breeding apparatuses can be moved in order from the closest to the predetermined area. Also, since the breeding apparatuses housing livestock animals that are older in days or the like can be moved closer to the predetermined area starting with the breeding apparatus that houses the older livestock animals, the work of recovering the livestock animals becomes easier. In this way, each breeding apparatus moves a predetermined distance so as to approach the predetermined area each time the predetermined period elapses, and the predetermined distance is a distance based on the number of breeding apparatuses in which the difference in day, week or month age of the livestock animals in a reference breeding apparatus is within a predetermined range, so that the breeding apparatuses in the system can be moved according to the number of breeding apparatuses to be moved out of the system.

[0080] Furthermore, in this way, the system is provided with a moving device that moves the breeding devices, and one moving device moves multiple breeding devices, so that the system can move multiple moving devices even if there are not the same number of moving devices as the total number of breeding devices.

[0081] Furthermore, since the rearing apparatus includes a floor portion and a sheet or film is placed on the floor portion, after the livestock animals are collected from the rearing apparatus, the worker can remove the sawdust and the feces and urine discharged by the livestock animals from the rearing apparatus simply by removing the sheet or film. Furthermore, since the sheet or film placed on the floor portion is a biodegradable sheet or film, the worker can bury the collected sheet or film in the ground, where it will decompose together with the feces and urine and sawdust accumulated on it.

[0082] Furthermore, in this way, the system includes a feeder installed in the breeding apparatus and / or a water supply installed in the breeding apparatus, and the feeder includes a feeding control unit that controls the amount of feed supplied to the feeder in the breeding apparatus and / or the water supply includes a water supply control unit that controls the amount of water supplied to the water supply in the breeding apparatus, so that the amount of feed and / or the amount of water can be adjusted according to the age of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus, etc. In addition, in this way, the system includes at least one computer device and a detection device that detects the status of the livestock animals in the breeding apparatus and / or the status of the breeding apparatus or the vicinity of the breeding apparatus, and includes a storage means that stores the status of the livestock animals detected by the detection device and / or the status of the breeding apparatus or the vicinity of the breeding apparatus for each breeding apparatus, so that the status of the livestock animals and / or the status of the breeding apparatus or the vicinity of the breeding apparatus can be stored for each breeding apparatus. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10. System 1 Animal shed 2 Loading area 3 Unloading area 4 Manager terminal 100 Rearing Equipment 101 floor portion 102 sheet 103 net 104 pole 105 wheel 110 Feeder 111 Feeder body 112 Conveyor pipe 113 Feeding control section 120 water supply device 121 water supply device body 122 water supply pipe 123 water supply control section 130 Heating 140 Detection device 141 Camera 142 Sensor 200 Moving device 201 Body 202 Control device 203 Wheel 210 detection unit 220 contact unit 221 connection unit 230 emergency stop button 300 Mobility Support Department

Claims

1. The livestock house is provided with a plurality of breeding devices capable of housing and breeding livestock animals; A plurality of rearing devices are arranged movably along a predetermined path, and are configured to move along the path and head toward a predetermined area every time a predetermined period of time elapses; The predetermined period of time is based on the difference in age, week, or month of the animals in adjacent housing units; or A system in which the specified period is based on the difference between a predetermined rearing period and the age in days, weeks, or months of the livestock animals in a reference rearing device.

2. The system described in claim 1, wherein each rearing device is configured to move along the route to the predetermined area from a rearing device that has a shorter length on the predetermined route to the predetermined area each time the predetermined period elapses.

3. Each of the rearing devices is configured to move a predetermined distance toward the predetermined area each time the predetermined period elapses, 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined distance is based on the number of breeding units in which the difference in age in days, weeks or months of livestock animals in a reference breeding unit is within a predetermined range.

4. A moving device for moving the rearing device is provided, The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one moving device moves multiple rearing devices.

5. The housing apparatus includes a floor portion; 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a sheet or film is placed on the floor portion.

6. A feeder and / or a waterer installed in the rearing apparatus; Equipped with The feeder includes a feeding control unit that controls the amount of food supplied to the feeder in the rearing apparatus, and / or The water supply device includes a water supply control unit that controls the amount of water supplied to the water supply device in the rearing apparatus.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. at least one computing device; A detection device for detecting the status of the livestock animals in the breeding device and / or the status of the breeding device or the vicinity of the breeding device; Equipped with A storage means for storing, for each breeding apparatus, the state of the livestock animals detected by the detection device and / or the state of the breeding apparatus or the vicinity of the breeding apparatus. The system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

8. A method for carrying out a system including a plurality of rearing apparatuses capable of housing and rearing livestock animals in a livestock house, the method comprising the steps of: A plurality of rearing devices are arranged movably along a predetermined path, a step of moving each of the mobile devices along a route toward a predetermined area each time a predetermined period of time elapses; having The predetermined period of time is based on the difference in age, week, or month of the animals in adjacent housing units; or A method, wherein the specified period is a period based on the difference between a predetermined rearing period and the age in days, weeks or months of the livestock animals in a reference rearing device.

9. Recovering livestock animals from the rearing equipment proximate to the predetermined area at each of the predetermined time periods.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising:

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