FARROWING PEN FOR A GROUP FARROWING PEN, AND RESPECTIVE GROUP FARROWING PEN

Abstract

A farrowing pen for a group farrowing pen arranged in the farrowing pen includes a piglet protection device having a first side part, a second side part, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first side part and is spaced apart therefrom in such a manner that the first and the second side part laterally delimit a receiving space for a sow, and a rear-side door element movable between a closed position and an open position, which, in the closed position, delimits the receiving space on the rear side and, in the open position, opens up a rear-side access to the receiving space.

The farrowing pen designed such that the sow can automatically enter and/or leave the receiving space of the piglet-protection device, with the rear-side door element being transferred by the sow into the closed position if the sow has entered the piglet-protection device.

Claims

1.-23. (canceled)

24. A farrowing pen for a group farrowing pen with a piglet-protection device arranged in the farrowing pen, wherein the piglet-protection device comprises: a first side part; a second side part, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first side part and is spaced apart therefrom in such a manner that the first and the second side part laterally delimit a receiving space for a sow; and a rear-side door element which is movable between a closed position and an open position and which, in the closed position, delimits the receiving space on a rear side and, in the open position, opens a rear-side access to the receiving space; wherein the farrowing pen is adapted to allow the sow to automatically enter and/or leave the receiving space of the piglet-protection device, with the rear-side door element being transferred by the sow into the closed position if the sow has entered the piglet-protection device.

25. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein the rear-side door element in the open position extends in the direction of a movement space arranged adjacent to the piglet-protection device; and wherein a protection device is disposed adjacent to the open position of the rear-side door element.

26. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, further comprising: a locking device having a movement position and a catch position, wherein the locking device locks the rear-side door element in the catch position after a sow has entered the receiving space, and the rear-side door element can be opened in the movement position by the sow located in the receiving space.

27. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein a piglet-movement space is formed adjacent to at least the first side part, the second side part, or both the first side part and the second side part of the piglet-protection device.

28. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein an actuating element is arranged in the region of the receiving space, the actuating element being adapted to be brought from a closed position into an open position by a sow entering the receiving space; wherein the actuating element is coupled to the rear-side door element by means of a coupling device such that a movement of the actuating element brings about a movement of the rear-side door element, and vice versa; and wherein the coupling device is adapted such that the open position of the rear-side door element corresponds to a closed position of the actuating element and the closed position of the rear-side door element corresponds to the open position of the actuating element.

29. The farrowing pen according to claim 28, wherein the rear-side door element is a first rear-side door element, and wherein the piglet-protection device has a second rear-side door element which is arranged adjacent to the first rear-side door element and is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the first and the second rear-side door element in the closed position together delimit the receiving space on the rear side and in the open position open the rear-side access to the receiving space; wherein the actuating element is a first actuating element and the piglet-protection device has a second actuating element which is arranged in the region of the receiving space and is likewise designed to be brought from a closed position into an open position by a sow entering the receiving space; wherein the second actuating element is coupled to the second rear-side door element by means of a second coupling device such that a movement of the second actuating element brings about a movement of the second rear-side door element, and vice versa, wherein the second coupling device is adapted such that the open position of the second rear-side door element corresponds to the closed position of the second actuating element and the closed position of the second rear-side door element corresponds to the open position of the second actuating element; and wherein the second actuating element is arranged adjacent to the first actuating element.

30. The farrowing pen according to claim 29, wherein the first actuating element is adapted as a first actuating door element which, in an open position, runs substantially parallel to the first side part and, in a closed position, projects substantially at a right angle to the first side part into the receiving space, and/or wherein the second actuating element is adapted as a second actuating door element which, in an open position, runs substantially parallel to the second side part and, in a closed position, projects substantially at a right angle to the second side part into the receiving space.

31. The farrowing pen according to claim 29, wherein the first coupling device and/or the second coupling device has a connecting element which connects the first and/or second actuating door element to the first and/or second rear-side door element.

32. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein the farrowing pen has an enclosure which is interrupted by the rear-side door element of the piglet-protection device, and wherein access to the farrowing pen is provided or blocked via rear-side door element of the piglet-protection device.

33. The farrowing pen according to claim 27, wherein a rear piglet-movement space is formed behind the piglet-protection device; and wherein bottom side of the rear-side door element is spaced apart from a floor of the farrowing pen such that the sow is held securely in the piglet-protection device and piglets can change below the rear-side door element into the rear piglet-movement space.

34. The farrowing pen according to claim 33, wherein the rear-side door element in the open position extend into the rear piglet-movement space, and/or wherein the rear piglet-movement space is connected to a first piglet-movement space and to a second piglet-movement space in such a manner that piglets can change from the rear piglet-movement space into the first and second piglet-movement spaces, and vice versa.

35. The arrowing pen according to claim 34, wherein the bottom side of the rear-side door element is at a distance of 15 cm to 20 cm from the floor of the farrowing pen in a vertical direction.

36. The farrowing pen according to claim 34, wherein a separating element is arranged between the rear piglet-movement space and a movement space adjacent to the farrowing pen, said separating element being dimensioned in such a manner that the sow can climb over the separating element and the piglets are kept within the farrowing pen.

37. The farrowing pen according to claim 36, wherein the separating element has a vertical height of 15 cm to 20 cm, and/or wherein the separating element is rounded on its top side.

38. The farrowing pen according to claim 36, wherein the separating element is received exchangeably in a vertical guide.

39. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein a piglet gate is arranged adjacent to a movement space in the enclosure of the farrowing pen, said piglet gate in an open state permitting the piglets to pass out of the farrowing pen into an adjacent movement space.

40. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein the first and the second side parts are arranged in a fixed position.

41. The farrowing pen according to claim 30, wherein the piglet-protection device has a trough console on an end side lying opposite the rear-side door element, wherein the first and second actuating door elements are arranged adjacent to the trough console such that a sow moves the first and second actuating door elements into the open position when the sow approaches the trough console.

42. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein the first side part and/or the second side part are/is designed as a grid-like side part.

43. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein the first and/or the second side part have/has a piglet deflector.

44. The farrowing pen according to claim 24, wherein a first piglet-movement space is assigned a first heating means and a second piglet-movement space is assigned a second heating means, and wherein the first and second heating means are adapted to heat the first and second piglet-movement spaces, respectively, to different temperatures.

45. At least two farrowing pens for a group farrowing pen with a piglet-protection device arranged in the farrowing pen, wherein the piglet-protection device comprises: a first side part; a second side part, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first side part and is spaced apart therefrom in such a manner that the first and the second side part laterally delimit a receiving space for a sow; and a rear-side door element which is movable between a closed position and an open position and which, in the closed position, delimits the receiving space on a rear side and, in the open position, opens a rear-side access to the receiving space; and wherein the farrowing pen is adapted to allow the sow to automatically enter and/or leave the receiving space of the piglet-protection device, with the rear-side door element being transferred by the sow into the closed position if the sow has entered the piglet-protection device; and wherein the at least two farrowing pens are arranged adjacent to one another and with a movement space arranged adjacent to the at least two farrowing pens.

46. A plurality of farrowing pens for a group farrowing pen with a piglet-protection device arranged in the farrowing pen, wherein the piglet-protection device comprises: a first side part; a second side part, which is arranged substantially parallel to the first side part and is spaced apart therefrom in such a manner that the first and the second side part laterally delimit a receiving space for a sow; a rear-side door element which is movable between a closed position and an open position and which, in the closed position, delimits the receiving space on a rear side and, in the open position, opens a rear-side access to the receiving space; and a locking device having a movement position and a catch position, wherein the locking device locks the rear-side door element in the catch position after a sow has entered the receiving space, and the rear-side door element can be opened in the movement position by the sow located in the receiving space; wherein the farrowing pen is adapted to allow the sow to automatically enter and/or leave the receiving space of the piglet-protection device, with the rear-side door element being transferred by the sow into the closed position if the sow has entered the piglet-protection device; and wherein the locking devices of the plurality of the farrowing pens are adapted for simultaneous actuation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The invention is described in more detail below using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached Figures, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a group farrowing pen according to the invention with two farrowing pens and piglet-protection devices arranged therein, in a perspective illustration;

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 show enlarged illustrations of details of the group farrowing pen according to the invention according to FIG. 1 from different perspectives;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a group farrowing pen with eight farrowing pens in a top view;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a farrowing pen in a top view; and

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a region of the farrowing pen according to FIG. 5 in a perspective illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a group farrowing pen 2. In the illustration according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the group farrowing pen 2 has two farrowing pens 4 arranged adjacent to one another. A movement space 6 is arranged adjacent to the farrowing pens 4. The farrowing pen 4 has a rectangular enclosure. The enclosure is interrupted by rear-side door elements 16, 22 of a piglet-protection device 8. Access to the farrowing pen 4 from the movement space 6 is provided via the rear-side door elements 16, 22 of the piglet-protection device 8 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or blocked (as shown for example in FIG. 3).

[0041] The piglet-protection device 8 has a first side part 10 and a second side part 12. The first side part 10 is arranged substantially parallel to the second side part 12 and is spaced apart from the latter in such a manner that the first and the second side part 10, 12 laterally delimit a receiving space for a sow. The rear-side door elements 16, 22 are movable into a closed position and into an open position. In the closed position, the rear-side door elements 16, 22 delimit the receiving space 14 on the rear side. In the open position, the rear-side door elements 16, 22 open up rear-side access to the receiving space 14.

[0042] The piglet-protection device 8 has an actuating element 18. The actuating element 18 is designed to be brought into an open position by a sow entering the receiving space 14, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The actuating element 18 is coupled to the rear-side door element 16 by means of a coupling device 20. The coupling is designed in such a manner that movement of the actuating element 18 brings about movement of the rear-side door element 16, and vice versa. The open position of the rear-side door element 16 here corresponds to the closed position of the actuating element 18 and the closed position of the rear-side door element 16 to the open position of the actuating element 18. The second rear-side door element 22 is arranged adjacent to the first rear-side door element 16 and is likewise movable into a closed position and into an open position.

[0043] In the closed position, the first and the second rear-side door element 16, 22 jointly delimit the receiving space 14 on the rear side and, in the open position, open up the rear-side access to the receiving space 14. The piglet-protection device 8 has a second actuating element 24. It is likewise designed to be brought into an open position by a sow entering the receiving space 14. The second actuating element 24 is coupled to the second rear-side door element 22 by means of a second coupling device 26 in such a manner that a movement of the second actuating element 24 brings about a movement of the second rear-side door element 22, and vice versa. The coupling is designed in such a manner that the open position of the second rear-side door element 22 corresponds to the closed position of the second actuating element 24 and the closed position of the second rear-side door element 22 corresponds to the open position of the second actuating element 24.

[0044] The second actuating element 24 is arranged adjacent to the first actuating element 18. In particular, the first actuating element 18 is designed as a first actuating door element 28. The first actuating door element 28 runs substantially parallel to the first side part 10 in the open position and, in a closed position, runs in particular substantially at a right angle to the first side part 10. The open position of the first actuating door element 28 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the closed position in FIG. 3.

[0045] Furthermore, the second actuating element 24 is also designed as a second actuating door element 30. In the open position (cf. FIG. 3), the second actuating door element 30 runs substantially parallel to the second side part 12 and, in a closed position (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2), runs in particular substantially at a right angle to the second side part 12. In the closed position, the first actuating door element 28 and the second actuating door element 30 project into the receiving space 14. The first coupling device 20 and the second coupling device 26 each have a connecting element 32 which connects the respective actuating door element 28, 30 to the respective rear-side door element 16, 22.

[0046] The piglet-protection device 8 furthermore has a locking device 34 which can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The locking device 34 can be brought into a movement position and into a catch position. The locking device 34 locks the rear-side door element 16, 22 in the catch position after a sow has entered the receiving space 14. In the movement position, the rear-side door elements 16, 22 can be automatically opened by the sow located in the receiving space 14. In the open position, the rear-side door elements 16, 22 extend in the direction of the movement space 6 arranged adjacent to the piglet-protection device 8. A respective protection device 36 which is designed in particular as a guard bracket is formed adjacent to the open position of the respective rear-side door elements 16, 22. This prevents sows which are located in the movement space 6 from inadvertently closing the rear-side door elements 16, 22.

[0047] The first side part 10 and the second side part 12 are arranged in a fixed position. The rear-side door elements 16, 22 are arranged directly adjacent to the side parts 10, 12 or are connected directly thereto. The piglet-protection device 8 furthermore has a trough console 38 on an end side 56 opposite the rear-side door elements 16, 22. The actuating door elements 28, 30 are arranged adjacent to the trough console 38 in such a manner that a sow moves the actuating door elements 28, 30 into the open position, in particular with a shoulder region of the sow, when the sow approaches the trough console 38 within the receiving space 14. The first side part 10 and the second side part 12 are designed as grid-like side parts 10, 12. Furthermore, the first side part 10 and the second side part 12 have a piglet deflector 40. A respective piglet-movement space 42, 46 configured in the manner of a piglet nest is formed adjacent to the side parts 10, 12 of the piglet-protection device 8. As shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking devices 34 of the two farrowing pens 4 are actuable via a common actuating means 50. In this way, for example, the two piglet protection devices 8 can be jointly brought into the catch position or the movement position by a single actuating means 50.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a group farrowing pen 2. The group farrowing pen 2 has a total of eight farrowing pens 4, of which in each case four farrowing pens 4 are arranged adjacent to one another. A movement space 6 which is accessible from all of the farrowing pens 4 is provided between the respective four adjacently arranged farrowing pens 4. Each of the farrowing pens 4 has a piglet-protection device 8 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0049] As can be seen with reference to the farrowing pen 4 illustrated at the top left, the farrowing pen 4 has piglet-movement spaces 42, 46 on both sides of the piglet-protection device 8. Illustrated by way of example, the first piglet-movement space 42 has a first heating means 44. The second piglet-movement space 46 has a second heating means 48. If the first piglet-movement space 42 is heated by means of the heating means 44, 48 to a temperature differing from the temperature of the second piglet-movement space 46, two climate zones can be formed, and therefore the piglets can select their feel-good area.

[0050] As can likewise be seen from FIG. 4 with reference to the farrowing pen illustrated at the top left, the entry of the sow into the piglet-protection device 8 has caused the rear-side door elements 16, 22 to be closed, as a result of which a disturbance by the second sow which is residing immediately adjacent to the farrowing pen 4 and is illustrated in the upper region is avoided. When the rear-side door elements 16, 22 are open, the protection devices 36 which are designed in particular as brackets prevent an undesired or inadvertent closing of said door elements by contact with a sow located in the movement space 6.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of a farrowing pen 104. The farrowing pen 104 is arranged adjacent to a movement space 106. The farrowing pen 104 has a piglet-protection device 108. The piglet-protection device 108 has a first side part 110, a second side part 112 and rear-side door elements 116, 122 which define a receiving space 114 for a sow (not shown). As already described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the rear-side door elements 116, 122 are coupled to actuating elements 118, 124 via coupling devices 120, 126 in such a manner that a sow entering the piglet-protection device 108 closes the rear-side door elements 116, 122 by actuating the actuating elements 118, 124. A pressure console 138 is arranged adjacent to the actuating elements 118, 124. A first piglet-movement space 142 and a second piglet-movement space 146 are located laterally adjacent to the piglet-protection device 108. Furthermore, a rear piglet-movement space 154 is formed behind the piglet-protection device 108.

[0052] As can also be seen in particular with reference to FIG. 6, the undersides 156 of the rear-side door element 116, 122 is spaced apart from a floor 158 of the farrowing pen 104 in such a manner that the sow is held securely in the piglet-protection device 108 and the piglets can change below the rear-side door elements 116, 122 into the rear piglet-movement space 154. In the open position, the rear-side door elements 116, 122 extend into the rear piglet-movement space 154. The rear piglet-movement space 154 is connected to the first piglet movement space 142 and to the second piglet-movement space 146 in such a manner that piglets can change from the rear piglet-movement space 154 into the first and second piglet-movement spaces 142, 146, and vice versa.

[0053] The bottom sides 156 of the rear-side door elements 116, 122 are spaced apart by 15 cm to 20 cm from the floor 158 of the farrowing pen 104 in a vertical direction. A separating element 160 is arranged between the rear piglet-movement space 154 and a movement space 106 adjacent to the farrowing pen 104. The separating element 160 is dimensioned in such a manner that the sow can climb over the separating element 160 and the piglets are kept within the farrowing pen 104. The separating element 160 can optionally be replaced by a separating element of greater height such that the farrowing pen 104 is shielded from animals located in the movement space 106. Such a separating element of greater height can be completely removed if the sow is to leave the farrowing pen 104. The piglets can then also change into the movement space 106. The separating element 160 has a height h of 15 cm to 20 cm. 106 The separating element 160 is rounded in its top side 162, with a tube (not illustrated) in particular being arranged on the top side of the separating element 160. The separating element 160 is received exchangeably in a vertical guide 164.

[0054] The enclosure 166 of the farrowing pen 104 has a door element 168, in particular a piglet gate 168, adjacent to the movement space 106, the piglet gate 168 in an open state, which is achieved in particular by lifting the piglet gate 168 or guiding the piglet gate 168 upward, permitting transfer of the piglets from the farrowing pen 104 into an adjacent movement space 106.