Aviary Cage Manure Removal Grate and Sloped Floor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aviary cages with increased open spaces for 'cage free' hens face challenges in maintaining cleanliness due to ammonia contamination and inefficient manure and egg collection, leading to higher manual cleaning requirements and egg loss.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a belt system with a grate over it, positioned between the sides of the aviary cage, where the grate has angled portions to guide eggs onto egg conveyors and allows manure to pass through to a collection belt, while a scratching floor slopes towards the grate to facilitate self-cleaning by directing deposits onto the belt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If open spaces are provided for cage free hens, then hen welfare and product quality are improved, but manure collection efficiency deteriorates and ammonia contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scratching floor is designed to slope toward the grate, enabling hens to automatically scratch and direct manure toward the collection area without human intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces ammonia contamination while maintaining open space benefits for hen welfare.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor is segmented into a scratching area and a grate area, with the grate positioned to receive manure from the scratching floor. This segmentation allows separate zones for hen activity and manure collection, improving collection efficiency while preserving open space for welfare.
2Adaptability or versatility
If open spaces are provided for cage free hens, then hen welfare is improved, but manual cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service manure removal where the sloped scratching floor automatically directs manure to the grate and collection belt, eliminating the need for manual cleaning while maintaining open space benefits for hen welfare.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning is replaced by a passive gravitational system where the sloped floor and grate work together to automatically transport manure to the collection area, reducing labor requirements while preserving hen welfare.
3Adaptability or versatility
If eggs are allowed to remain in open spaces, then egg collection flexibility is improved, but egg loss and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The scratching floor enables hens to automatically scratch eggs toward the grate, creating a self-service egg collection system that prevents egg loss and contamination while maintaining flexibility for cage-free production.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped grate is positioned to preliminarily direct both eggs and manure toward the collection area before final collection occurs, ensuring eggs are moved promptly from open spaces to prevent loss and contamination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system reduces ammonia levels, decreases manual cleaning needs, and ensures efficient egg collection, allowing for the care of a larger number of birds with reduced worker exposure to hazards and increasing the likelihood of selling eggs as 'cage free' products.
Implementation Method 1
The scratching floor is sloped toward the grate to facilitate movement of an egg on the scratching floor to the grate
Implementation Method 2
A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt
Data Source
AI summary
An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.