Detachable Inlay Mesh Floor for Dual-Stage Poultry Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing keeping facilities for poultry are not suitable for rearing chicks and laying hens simultaneously, leading to stress, reduced animal performance, and increased transportation costs and CO2 emissions due to the need for rehoming.

Innovation Solution

A keeping facility with a detachable inlay mesh floor for rearing chicks, which can be easily removed and replaced with a mesh floor optimized for laying hens, allowing the same facility to be used for both stages without the need for rehoming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mesh floor with inclination is used for laying hens, then eggs can roll off for collection, but the floor is unsuitable for rearing chicks due to injury risk and insufficient access to feeding troughs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg collection efficiencyVSAvoidsuitability for different growth stages

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The keeping facility is divided into two distinct floor sections: an inclined mesh floor section optimized for laying hens with egg collection capabilities, and a horizontal mesh floor section optimized for chick rearing with appropriate mesh sizes and feeding trough accessibility. This segmentation allows each section to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The keeping facility is designed to serve multiple functions across different growth stages by incorporating both chick-rearing-optimized features (horizontal floor, appropriate mesh size) and laying-hen-optimized features (inclined floor, egg collection system) within the same structure, eliminating the need for complete rehousing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If keeping facilities are designed specifically for laying hens, then egg production is optimized, but rehousing is required for chick rearing which increases stress and transportation costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveegg production efficiencyVSAvoidtime and cost for rehousing operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The keeping facility is pre-configured with dual-floor sections that can accommodate both chick rearing and laying hen operations. The chick-rearing section with horizontal floor and appropriate mesh size is prepared in advance, allowing seamless transition from chick rearing to laying hen operation without requiring complete rehousing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The facility merges chick rearing functionality and laying hen keeping functionality into a single integrated structure. By combining both operational modes in one facility with appropriately designed floor sections, the system eliminates the need for separate rehousing operations, reducing time loss and transportation costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250024818A1Keeping facility for keeping poultry animals, related poultry animal keeping house, keeping method and use

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 BIG DUTCHMAN INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

A keeping facility for keeping poultry animals includes a floor defining a first dwelling surface for laying hens and an inlay defining a second dwelling surface for rearing chicks, wherein the inlay is detachably arranged above the floor. The floor defining the first dwelling surface and/or the inlay defining the second dwelling surface are formed as a mesh floor.