A livestock system for raising livestock, especially poultry, and related livestock sheds.

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 rearing system for rearing livestock, in particular poultry animals. The invention further relates to a livestock barn, use and method.

Background Art

[0002] A rearing system of the type mentioned at the beginning is known from the prior art. For example, such a rearing system is used for rearing laying hens for egg production, and is often provided with a grid-shaped floor. For example, the grid-shaped floor is designed as a wire mesh floor, which is coarse-meshed and often designed to be inclined. Due to the inclined grid-shaped floor, eggs roll so that they can be collected manually.

[0003] Such a rearing system is often located in an at least partially closed barn. As a result, poultry animals are not exposed to natural sunlight at all, or only to a limited extent. In this regard, it has been observed that a lack of exposure to sunlight reduces the quality of meat produced from poultry animals or the quality of egg shells.

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Against this background, an object of the present invention is to further develop a rearing system of the type mentioned above so as to eliminate as much as possible the drawbacks found in the prior art. In particular, a rearing system that positively affects the health of poultry animals, the quality of produced meat, and the quality of egg shells is proposed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] According to the present invention, the object is achieved by a rearing system of the type mentioned at the outset. In the present invention, the rearing system comprises at least one light source for illuminating the bodies of livestock with light. The at least one light source is designed as an ultraviolet B light source configured to emit ultraviolet B light to the bodies of the animals.

[0006] This invention is based on the discovery that the production of vitamin D in animals is promoted by placing an ultraviolet B (UV-B) light source, which illuminates the animal's body with ultraviolet B light, within the rearing system. As a result, the quality of the meat and the texture of the eggshells are improved. Surprisingly, it has also been shown that illumination with ultraviolet B light can reduce the incidence of sternal injuries in livestock animals. Therefore, illuminating animals with ultraviolet B light has a positive effect on animal welfare and health. In the rearing system, it is preferable that the light source be positioned so that the ultraviolet B light is emitted to parts of the animal's body that are only lightly covered, such as the skin or legs (also called shins) of poultry.

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

[0008] According to one embodiment, the rearing system comprises at least one floor, particularly a grid-like floor, for housing poultry animals. At least one ultraviolet B light source is configured to irradiate the shin area of ​​the poultry animals reared on the floor. This can be done by positioning the ultraviolet B light source in a targeted manner, particularly towards or adjacent to the shin area of ​​the poultry animals. In this method, the ultraviolet light can penetrate the skin in areas of the poultry's body with less hair or feathers, and can promote the production of vitamin D in the animal's body.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the rearing system includes a crossbar. At least one ultraviolet B light source is positioned on the crossbar. Poultry animals often remain still on the crossbar within the rearing system. Therefore, the area where the animals' shins typically rest is known. This allows for targeted illumination of that area.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the rearing system includes an air duct that extends particularly below the floor. At least one ultraviolet B light source is placed in the air duct and configured to emit light toward the poultry through an opening in the floor. In this manner, the ultraviolet B light is emitted toward the underside of the animal's body, particularly in the area of ​​the shins. At the same time, the ultraviolet B light source placed in the manner described above can be protected from contamination.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the rearing system includes a separation grid for separating living areas. At least one ultraviolet B light source is positioned on the separation grid. By positioning the ultraviolet B light source on the separation grid, it is also possible to target and irradiate desired parts of the animal's body. Thus, the separation grid has proven to be a particularly suitable alternative installation option for ultraviolet B light sources.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the rearing system includes a feeder. At least one ultraviolet B light source is placed in the feeder. The ultraviolet B light source can be designed, for example, as a light strip, and emits light particularly downwards. Such an arrangement of the ultraviolet B light source makes it possible to irradiate ultraviolet light particularly on 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 breeding system includes a perch with a cavity formed therein. At least one ultraviolet B light source is placed in the cavity. The perch is made of a material that transmits ultraviolet B light at least partially, particularly a transparent material. The ultraviolet B light source may be designed, for example, as a light tube. Since the light source is located inside the perch, the shins of animals on the perch are illuminated with ultraviolet B light, particularly so that they are targeted. The perch is preferably made of plastic. According to one embodiment, the perch with the ultraviolet B light source is located outside the breeding system.

[0014] According to one embodiment, at least one ultraviolet B light source is positioned on the outer surface of the rearing system and configured to emit ultraviolet B light toward adjacent rearing systems. In this method, ultraviolet B light can be emitted over a wide area toward adjacent rearing systems. Therefore, rearing systems that do not have an ultraviolet B light source, or the living areas of animals located between adjacent rearing systems, can also be illuminated with ultraviolet B light.

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

[0016] The present invention has been described above in relation to livestock systems. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to livestock sheds for raising livestock, particularly poultry. The present invention achieves the objectives set forth at the beginning in relation to livestock sheds. The livestock shed comprises a livestock system described in at least one of the exemplary embodiments described above. The livestock shed utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the livestock system according to the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, the embodiments described above are referenced and incorporated herein by reference. In particular, it has been shown that by using the livestock system according to the present invention in a livestock shed, which is a closed building, the production of vitamin D in the animals' bodies is promoted despite the absence or limited exposure to sunlight.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the rearing system described in at least one of the above embodiments for rearing livestock, particularly poultry, in a livestock shed, preferably the livestock shed described in the above exemplary embodiments. Such use also utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing system and livestock shed according to the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, the above embodiments are referenced and incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for illuminating livestock, particularly poultry, using a rearing system described in any one of the above claims. The method includes illuminating the area of ​​the shins of livestock, particularly poultry, continuously or discontinuously with ultraviolet B light. The method also utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the rearing system, the livestock shed, and the above-described use of the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, the embodiments described above are referenced and incorporated herein by reference.

[0019] By continuously or discontinuously illuminating livestock, overall animal welfare can be improved. Some livestock species can optically receive ultraviolet light. Therefore, depending on the application, it may be more effective to illuminate with ultraviolet B light discontinuously, for example, only during designated periods or only during the daytime, rather than continuously. In this way, changes in livestock behavior caused by ultraviolet B light illumination can be more reliably minimized or eliminated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention are evident from the appended claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments are described in detail in the following description with reference to schematic drawings.

[0021] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary first embodiment of the breeding system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary second embodiment of the breeding system according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Figure 1 shows a rearing system 2 for raising livestock 10, particularly poultry 10. The rearing system 2 is located within a schematically shown livestock shed 100. In this embodiment, the rearing system 2 has three levels E. The lower level E is provided with a moderately sloped floor 8 for housing the poultry 10. Furthermore, such a sloped floor 8 is also shown on the upper level E of the rearing system 2.

[0023] The rearing system 2 includes a plurality of light sources 4 for illuminating the bodies of livestock (not shown in Fig. 1) with light. The light sources 4 are designed as ultraviolet B (UV-B) light sources 6. Each ultraviolet B light source 6 is configured to emit ultraviolet B light toward the bodies of animals. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate different installation positions of the ultraviolet B light sources 6. Basically, the rearing system 2 may include all of the ultraviolet B light sources 6, only a part of the ultraviolet B light sources 6, or one ultraviolet B light source 6.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the rearing system 2 includes an air duct 16. Specifically, the air duct 16 extends below a floor 8. The ultraviolet B light source 6 is arranged in the air duct 16 and configured to emit light through an opening 18 in the floor 8 toward poultry animals reared on the floor 8. In this way, the ultraviolet B light source 6 is protected from contamination. At the same time, the poultry animals receive irradiation of ultraviolet B light on their legs, that is, the tibia portions.

[0025] The rearing system 2 further includes a feed trough 22. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is arranged on the feed trough 22.

[0026] The rearing system 2 further includes perches 24. A cavity 26 is formed in each perch 24. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is arranged in the cavity 26. The ultraviolet B light source 6 can be formed as a light strip, for example. The perch 24 is formed at least partially from a material permeable to ultraviolet B light, particularly a transparent material. This allows ultraviolet B light to be emitted from the cavity 26 of the perch 24 toward poultry animals.

[0027] The rearing system 2 further has an outer surface 28. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is arranged on the outer surface 28 of the rearing system 2. Said ultraviolet B light source 6 is configured in particular to emit ultraviolet B light toward an adjacent rearing system 30. In this way, ultraviolet B light can also be emitted to the adjacent rearing system 30 that is not provided with an ultraviolet B light source 6.

[0028] The rearing system 2 includes a sheet metal perch 32. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is positioned on the sheet metal perch 32. This allows for illumination of the shins of the livestock, even in this case. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the rearing system 2 is designed as a birdhouse 36.

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

[0030] The rearing system 2 shown in Figure 2 further includes a foot rail 14. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is positioned on the foot rail 14. This arrangement takes advantage of the fact that livestock 10 having the body 11 illustrated in Figure 2 receive ultraviolet radiation from the ultraviolet B light source 6 positioned on the foot rail 14 in the shin area.

[0031] The rearing system 2 shown in Figure 2 further includes a separation grid 20 for separating living areas. At least one ultraviolet B light source 6 is placed on the separation grid 20. As a result, the poultry animals 10 are also exposed to radiation in this case.

[0032] The embodiment shown in Figure 2 also includes an air duct 16. The air duct 16 extends downward from the floor 8. The ultraviolet B light source 6 is positioned in the air duct 16 and aligned so that the light is emitted towards the poultry 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-like floor) 10 Livestock / Poultry Animals 11. Animal bodies 12. The shin of a poultry 14 Crossbeam 16 Air duct 18. Floor openings 20 separation grid 22. Feeder 24 Perches 26. Hollow in the perch 28. Outer surface of the rearing system 30 Adjacent breeding systems 32 Sheet metal perch 34 group cages 36 Birdhouse 100 Livestock sheds E stage

Claims

1. At least one light source (4) for illuminating the body (11) of the livestock (10), A perch (24) in which a cavity (26) has been formed, Equipped with, The at least one light source (4) is designed as an ultraviolet B light source (6) configured to emit ultraviolet B light to the body (11), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is placed in the cavity (26) and is positioned to irradiate ultraviolet B light onto the shin of the body (11) of a poultry (10) perched on the perch (24), The perch (24) is formed from a material that transmits ultraviolet B light, at least partially. A livestock system (2) for raising livestock (10).

2. At least one light source (4) for illuminating the body (11) of the livestock (10), Air duct (16) and, Equipped with, The at least one light source (4) is designed as an ultraviolet B light source (6) configured to emit ultraviolet B light to the body (11), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is positioned in the air duct (16) and is configured to irradiate ultraviolet B light through an opening (18) in the floor (8) with the shins of the bodies (11) of poultry animals (10) on the floor (8) as the irradiation target. A livestock system (2) for raising livestock (10).

3. At least one light source (4) for illuminating the body (11) of the livestock (10), Sheet metal perch (32), Equipped with, The at least one light source (4) is designed as an ultraviolet B light source (6) configured to emit ultraviolet B light to the body (11), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is positioned on the sheet metal perch (32) and is configured to irradiate ultraviolet B light onto the shin of the body (11) of a poultry (10) perched on the sheet metal perch (32), with the shin being the target of irradiation. A livestock system (2) for raising livestock (10).

4. The breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultraviolet B light source (6) emits light in the wavelength range of 280 nanometers to 315 nanometers.

5. It comprises at least one floor (8) for housing poultry (10), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is configured to irradiate the area of ​​the shin (12) of a poultry animal (10) being raised on a floor (8). A breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Equipped with crossbars (14), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is positioned on the crossbar (14), A breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. It is equipped with a separation grid (20) for separating living areas, At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is located on the separation grid (20), A breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. Equipped with a feeder (22), At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is located in the feeder (22), A breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. At least one of the ultraviolet B light sources (6) is positioned on the outer surface (28) of the rearing system (2) and is configured to emit ultraviolet B light toward an adjacent rearing system (30). A breeding system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. A rearing system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a flock cage (34) or a birdhouse (36), or designed as the flock cage (34) or the birdhouse (36).

11. A livestock shed (100) for raising livestock (10), comprising a livestock system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. Use of the livestock system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in a livestock shed (100) for raising livestock (10).

13. A method for illuminating livestock (10) using a rearing system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising illuminating the livestock (10) continuously or discontinuously with ultraviolet B light, with the shins of the poultry's body as the irradiation target.

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