A mixture for an animal bedding

Abstract

The present invention relates to mixture for animal beddings, especially to mixtures for animal beddings comprising peat and wood shavings. The mixture comprises a composition of peats including a white peat and a brown peat, soft wood shavings and broadleaf wood shavings. The composition of peats in the mixture is from 30 to 60 vol%. The soft wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 25 vol%. The broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 50 vol%.

Description

[0001] A MIXTURE FOR AN ANIMAL BEDDING

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the invention

[0004]

[0001] The present invention relates to mixture for animal beddings, especially to mixtures for animal beddings comprising peat and wood shavings.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006]

[0002] Animal beddings should effectively absorb moisture, such as droppings, spilled water, or any other liquids in the coop. Absorbent bedding helps maintain a drier environment, which is critical for the health of animals, for example bovine animals, poultry. Excessive moisture can lead to bacterial growth, ammonia build up, and various health issues for the animals, including foot problems and respiratory ailments. Aside from absorbency, other important factor for the animal bedding is to provide a comfortable surface for the animals to walk, rest, and nest is essential for their well-being and productivity. Animal bedding shall help regulate temperature, providing insulation against both cold and hot climates, keeping the animals comfortable. The animal bedding shall help manage and reduce odours, especially ammonia from animal waste, maintaining better air quality in the coop. Bedding materials should be clean, free from mold, toxins, or harmful chemicals that could affect the health of the animals. Bedding that's easy to clean and replace contributes to better hygiene in the coop and simplifies the overall management of the poultry environment. Ensuring that bedding meets these necessities is crucial for maintaining a healthy and conducive environment for animals, contributing to their wellbeing and productivity.

[0007]

[0003] French patent application No. FR2298272 Al discloses an animal bedding that consists sieved, dry, fresh sawdust, sphagnum peat moss, fresh turf slightly mixed with earth, and pine essence. The preparation of the bedding includes sieving of the sawdust, stirring and subsequently mixing it with sphagnum moss and fresh turf, and leaving to air. The resulting stabilised product has enhanced moisture absorbance, is convenient to handle and animals do not eat it. However, FR2298272 is silent about the characteristics of the peat according to von Post humification scale, which has a significant impact on such properties as moisture holding capacity. The US patent application publication No. US5271355 discloses a mixture of wood and peat being formed to be dispensable for absorbing liquids and other substances. The material is produced by grinding chips into a sawdust-like material, drying the material to remove moisture therefrom and mixing the material with a peat to form the absorbent material. The resulting material is then pelletized to form pellets of the absorbent material. Similar bedding material is disclosed in the European patent publication No. EP3136845, which is a composition suitable for poultry bedding based on pine or fir wood shavings and sphagnum of a light peat type. While pine or fir wood shavings are absorbent, sphagnum peat moss, especially of the lighter variety, might have a different moisture retention capacity. Depending on the proportions and specific characteristics of the sphagnum peat, it could either enhance moisture retention excessively or not complement the absorbent nature of wood shavings, potentially leading to moisture-related issues like excessive dampness or uneven moisture distribution within the bedding. Sphagnum peat can compact over time, forming clumps that might hinder proper airflow and create uneven surfaces in the bedding. This could affect the comfort and movement of the poultry and make the bedding less effective in moisture absorption and waste management.

[0008]

[0004] The object of the invention is to overcome abovementioned problems by preparation of a new, alternative mixture for animal beddings.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010]

[0005] The aim is reached by preparation of specific mixture for an animal bedding. The mixture comprises a composition of peats and a composition of wood shavings. The composition of peats includes a white peat and a brown peat. The white peat according to Von Post humification scale is in a range of Hl to H3 and the brown peat according to Von Post humification scale is in a range of H4 to H7. The composition of peats in the mixture is from 30 to 60 vol%. The composition of wood shavings comprises soft wood shavings and broadleaf wood shavings. The soft wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 25 vol%. The broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 50 vol%. The white peat in the composition of peats is from 30 to 50 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is from 45 to 70 vol%.

[0011]

[0006] The soft wood shavings and the broadleaf wood shavings are obtained from thermally treaded soft wood. Thermal treatment of shavings provide shavings, which are free from various fungi, mold and pests.

[0012]

[0007] Moreover, the broadleaf wood shavings are selected from the group of aspen wood shavings, alder wood shavings, black alder wood shavings and combination thereof. Since the mixture can also be reused or utilized in agriculture, as a soil improver and / or fertilizer, use of the broadleaf wood shavings improve this utilization of the mixture in agriculture. In addition, the smell of soft wood shavings is more pronounced than that of broadleaf wood shavings, because the soft wood shavings contain more resins, tannins, and essential oils. Utilization of the broadleaf wood shavings diminishes these characteristics allowing to maintain technical effects of wood shavings in the mixture. For example, resins in soft wood shavings can cause harm to animals by sticking to their feet. Addition of broadleaf shavings to the mixture provides such combination of soft wood shavings and broadleaf wood shavings that substantially decrees this problem, while maintaining positive effects of wood shavings presence in the mixture.

[0013]

[0008] The size of peat particles in the composition of peats are in a range of 0 to 40 mm. This fraction provides even distribution of the mixture for the animal bedding in the animal housing as well as maintaining necessary ventilation requirements.

[0014]

[0009] The von Post humification scale is a field test to rank organic soils by degree of humification (decomposition). The 10 steps (Hl to H10) correspond to percentage of decomposition i.e. Hl = 10% or undecomposed plant material, and H10 = 100% decomposed or colloidal, such as the highest caloric value burnable black peat. Hl is completely undecomposed peat which, when squeezed, releases almost clear water. Plant remains easily identifiable. No amorphous material present. H2 is almost entirely undecomposed peat which, when squeezed, releases clear or yellowish water. Plant remains still easily identifiable. No amorphous material present. H3 is very slightly decomposed peat which, when squeezed, releases muddy water, but from which no peat passes between the fingers. Plant remains still identifiable, and no amorphous material present. H4 is slightly decomposed peat which, when squeezed, releases very muddy brown water. No peat is passed between the fingers, but plant remains are slightly pasty and have lost some of their identifiable features. H5 is moderately decomposed peat which, when squeezed, releases very muddy water with a very small amount of amorphous granular peat escaping between the fingers. The structure of the plant remains is quite indistinct although it is still possible to recognize certain features. The residue is very pasty. H6 is moderately highly decomposed peat with a very indistinct plant structure. When squeezed, about one- third of the peat escapes between the fingers. The residue is very pasty but shows the plant structure more distinctly than before squeezing. H7 is highly decomposed peat. Contains a lot of amorphous material with very faintly recognizable plant structure. When squeezed, about one-half of the peat escapes between the fingers. The water, if any is released, is very dark and almost pasty. H8 is very highly decomposed peat with a large quantity of amorphous material and very indistinct plant structure. When squeezed, about two-thirds of the peat escapes between the fingers. A small quantity of pasty water may be released. The plant material remaining in the hand consists of residues such as roots and fibres that resist decomposition. H9 is practically fully decomposed peat in which there is hardly any recognizable plant structure. When squeezed, it is a fairly uniform paste. H10 is completely decomposed peat with no discernible plant structure. When squeezed, all the wet peat escapes between the fingers.

[0015]

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention the mixture comprises the composition of peats in the mixture is from 45 to 55 vol%, the soft wood shavings in the mixture are from 15 to 25 vol%, and the broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are from 20 to 30 vol%. The white peat in the composition of peats is from 30 to 50 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is from 45 to 70 vol%.

[0016]

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the invention the mixture comprises the composition of peats in the mixture about 50 vol%; the soft wood shavings in the mixture are about 25 vol%; and broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are about25 vol%. The white peat in the composition of peats is about 25 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is about 25 vol%.

[0012] The mixture of the present inventions offers several technical effects for sustaining an optimal environment for animals. The mixture of peats, encompassing both white and brown peats in specific humification ranges, contributes to effective moisture absorption and regulation within the bedding. This assists in maintaining an optimal level of dryness essential for animal health. The combination of soft wood shavings and broadleaf wood shavings provides a varied texture and supportive surface for animal activities such as walking, resting, and nesting. This diversity aids in minimizing the risk of injuries and foot problems while offering comfort to the animals. The presence of various types and specific proportions of peats and wood shavings, especially from broadleaf trees, enhances absorbency, assisting in managing moisture and controlling odours, particularly ammonia from animal waste. This contributes to improved air quality within the animal housing. The mixture, with aforementioned specific volumes of peats and wood shavings, offers insulation properties that assist in regulating the temperature within the room or coop. This helps in maintaining a comfortable environment for the animals, regardless of external weather conditions. The combination of materials in this specified mixture allows for better waste management, reducing bacterial growth, and simplifying the cleaning process. This contributes to improved hygiene and facilitates easier maintenance of the animal bedding.

[0013] Overall, this specialized mixture of peats, soft wood shavings, and broadleaf wood shavings presents technical effects that collectively enhance moisture control, provide comfort and support, regulate temperature, manage odours, and improve the overall hygiene of the animal bedding environment.

[0017] Detailed description of the embodiments

[0018]

[0014] Example No. 1. The mixture for an animal bedding, wherein the mixture comprises a composition of peats, soft wood shavings and broadleaf wood shavings. The composition of peats includes a white peat and a brown peat, wherein the composition of peats in the mixture is 50 vol%. The white peat in the composition of peats is 50 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is 50 vol%. The soft wood shavings in the mixture is 25 vol%. The broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture is 25 vol%.

[0015] Example No. 2. The mixture for the animal bedding, wherein the mixture comprises a composition of peats in amount of 50 vol% from the mixture, wherein the white peat in the composition of peats is 30 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is 70 vol%. The brown peat is less prone to dusting. Hence, allowing to provide the mixture for the animal bedding that is not so prone to dusting. The soft wood shavings in the mixture is 25 vol%. The broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture is 25 vol%.

[0019]

[0016] Example No. 3. The mixture for the animal bedding, wherein the mixture comprises a composition of peats in amount of 50 vol% from the mixture, wherein the white peat in the composition of peats is 50 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is 50 vol%. The soft wood shavings in the mixture is 10 vol%. The broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture is 40 vol%. The following mixture provides more distinct aforementioned effects of broadleaf wood shavings.

[0020]

[0017] While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments of which have been described and have been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mixture for an animal bedding, wherein the mixture comprises :- a composition of peats, wherein the composition of peats includes a white peat and a brown peat, wherein the white peat according to Von Post humification scale is in a range of Hl to H3 and the brown peat according to Von Post humification scale is in a range of H4 to H7, and wherein the composition of peats in the mixture is from 30 to 60 vol%;- soft wood shavings, wherein the soft wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 25 vol%; and- broadleaf wood shavings, wherein the broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are from 10 to 50 vol%.

2. The mixture according to Claim 1, wherein the composition of peats in the mixture is from 45 to 55 vol%; the soft wood shavings in the mixture are from 15 to 25 vol%; and broadleaf wood shavings in the mixture are from 20 to 30 vol%.

3. The mixture according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the white peat in the composition of peats is from 30 to 50 vol%, and the brown peat in the composition of peats is from 45 to 70 vol%.

4. The mixture according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the soft wood shavings are obtained from thermally treaded soft wood.

5. The mixture according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the broadleaf wood shavings are obtained from thermally treaded broadleaf wood.

6. The mixture according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the broadleaf wood shavings are selected from the group of aspen wood shavings, alder wood shavings, black alder wood shavings and combination thereof.