POULTRY HOUSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EGG LAYING DUCKS

Abstract

The invention relates to a poultry housing unit, in particular for ducks to lay eggs, a poultry house, in particular for keeping ducks, and a method for keeping ducks. The invention relates to a poultry housing unit for ducks to lay eggs, comprising a plurality of nests arranged one beside the other and above a floor area, at least one supporting element extending in the vertical direction from a lower supporting end to an upper free end and arranged relatively movably in the vertical direction in relation to the floor area, and a locking element which interacts with the supporting element to block movement of the supporting element in a vertically upward supporting direction relative to the floor area and to allow movement of the supporting element relative to the floor area in a vertically downward direction of free motion.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. A poultry housing unit, in particular for ducks to lay eggs, comprising: a plurality of nest boxes arranged one beside the other above a floor area; at least one supporting element extending in the vertical direction from a lower supporting end to an upper free end and arranged relatively movably in the vertical direction in relation to the floor area; and a locking element operably coupled with the supporting element to block movement of the supporting element in a vertically upward supporting direction relative to the floor area and to allow movement of the supporting element relative to the floor area in a vertically downward direction of free motion.

20. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein the floor area is formed by any of a grid arrangement, a rib arrangement, or a frame arrangement and has a triangular, rectangular or polygonal geometry; and wherein a first supporting element is arranged in an area adjacent to a first corner.

21. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 20, further comprising a second supporting element arranged in an area adjacent to a second corner, a third supporting element is preferably arranged in an area adjacent to a third corner, and a fourth supporting element is preferably arranged in an area adjacent to a fourth corner.

22. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein the at least one supporting element is held by means of a blocking mechanism against movement along its direction of extension, wherein the blocking mechanism preferably comprises any of: at least one spring-mounted catch; at least one movable latching element; at least one frictional resistance; at least one hydraulic unit; or a brake mechanism.

23. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein the at least one supporting element has recesses on least one outer side, the at least one spring-mounted catch has a latching end at a distance from a pivot point, wherein said latching end can be arranged in the recesses, and a force in the direction of said recesses is preferably exerted upon it by a spring, and the recesses and the catch are arranged and adapted such that the at least one supporting element is substantially unable to move in the supporting direction, wherein the latching end latches into a recess when the at least one supporting element moves in the supporting direction, and the at least one supporting element can be moved in the direction of free motion, wherein the latching end does not latch into a recess when the at least one supporting element moves in the direction of free motion.

24. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 22, wherein the spring has a spring force and the supporting element, when there is no load on it from the poultry housing unit, and by its own weight in the direction of free motion, can move the catch out of a latched position and can extend in the direction of free motion.

25. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, further comprising a release member arranged and adapted to allow movement of the at least one supporting element in the supporting direction.

26. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 25, wherein the release member engages a spring-mounted catch and is arranged and adapted to space a latching end of the spring-mounted catch from the supporting element.

27. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 22, wherein: the blocking mechanism includes at least one spring-mounted catch, and the release member is arranged and adapted to cause the spring-mounted catch to unlatch from a recess in the supporting element, wherein said unlatching can be triggered preferably centrally.

28. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, comprising: a guide mechanism having a tubular geometry with an inner cross section, the at least one supporting element having an outer cross section, wherein the inner cross section of the guide mechanism and the outer cross section of the supporting element have complimentary geometry, and the inner cross section of the guide mechanism and the outer cross section of the supporting element are operably coupled whereby the at least one supporting element is movably arranged inside the guide mechanism.

29. The poultry housing unit according to claim 19, the poultry housing having a standing mode and an adjustment mode: wherein in the standing mode the lower supporting end of the at least one supporting element is placed on a supporting area, the weight of the poultry housing unit is at least partially on the at least one supporting element, and the at least one supporting element supports the poultry housing unit at a defined distance above the supporting area, and wherein in the adjustment mode the weight of the poultry housing unit is substantially not on the at least one supporting element, and the at least one supporting element is arranged substantially movably by its own weight in the direction of free motion.

30. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, comprising a bridging element arranged and adapted to allow poultry access to the floor area, wherein the bridging element has a flat or stepped surface.

31. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 30, wherein the bridging element extends slopingly downwards from one edge of the poultry housing unit.

32. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, comprising a covering element, wherein in an operating mode, at least sections of said covering element are arranged over the floor area in the vertical direction.

33. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein an egg collecting unit is arranged on one side of the at least one of the plurality of nest boxes; and wherein laying sections of the plurality of nest boxes are spaced apart in the vertical direction from the egg collecting unit, whereby an adjustable gradient is provided from the laying section to the egg collecting unit.

34. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein the nest boxes are each provided as an element which can be tilted about at least one horizontal axis.

35. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, comprising a nest access barrier arranged and adapted to block access for the poultry to at least one of the plurality of nest boxes.

36. The poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, comprising a side rail extending along one side in the region of the floor area and having one or more recesses in the region of the nest boxes.

37. A poultry house, in particular for the production of duck eggs, comprising a poultry housing unit pursuant to claim 19, wherein the poultry housing unit further comprises a nest lifting device arranged and adapted to move the poultry housing unit relative to a supporting area to selectively increase a vertical distance between the poultry housing unit and the supporting area.

38. A method for keeping ducks, comprising the steps of: providing a poultry housing unit comprising a plurality of nest boxes arranged one beside the other above a floor area; at least one supporting element extending in the vertical direction from a lower supporting end to an upper free end and arranged relatively movably in the vertical direction in relation to the floor area; and a locking element operably coupled with the supporting element to block movement of the supporting element in a vertically upward supporting direction relative to the floor area and to allow movement of the supporting element relative to the floor area in a vertically downward direction of free motion; and moving the poultry housing unit in an adjustment mode in a substantially vertical direction, wherein a distance between a supporting area and the floor area is increased; wherein the at least one supporting element extends by its own weight in the adjustment mode and supports the poultry housing unit in a subsequent standing mode with a defined distance between the supporting area and the floor area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described by way of example and with reference to the attached Figures, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic, three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a poultry housing unit;

[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic, two-dimensional front view of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 is another schematic, two-dimensional side view of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 4 is a schematic, three-dimensional view of a blocking mechanism of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 5 is a schematic, three-dimensional view of an embodiment of an adjusting device for a nest access barrier in the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0051] FIG. 6 is another schematic, three-dimensional view of the adjusting device for the nest access barrier in the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 7 is a schematic, three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a tiltable nest element of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 8 is a schematic, three-dimensional detail view of an embodiment of a poultry housing unit;

[0054] FIG. 9 is another schematic, two-dimensional front view of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a schematic, two-dimensional detail view of an edge protector;

[0056] FIG. 11 is a schematic, three-dimensional view of the poultry housing unit shown in FIG. 1, with the supporting elements shown in the extended state; and

[0057] FIG. 12 is a schematic, three-dimensional detail view of a release mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] As referenced in the Figures, the same reference numerals may be used herein to refer to the same parameters and components or their similar modifications and alternatives. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, right, left, rear, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the present disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. The drawings referenced herein are schematic and associated views thereof are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0059] Identical elements, or elements with substantially the same or similar function are marked with the same reference signs. An exemplary embodiment of a poultry housing unit according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-12. Poultry housing unit 1 extends in the longitudinal direction from a first end 2 to a second end 4. Nest boxes 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 are arranged one beside the other in the longitudinal direction. Two neighbouring nest boxesi.e., 30, 31 are separated one from the other by a partition wall 38. In the region of its first end 2, poultry housing unit 1 has a first corner 10 and a second corner 11. A first supporting element 100 is arranged at the first corner 10. The first supporting element 100 extends in a vertical direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the poultry housing unit 1, from a first lower supporting end 101 to a first upper free end 102.

[0060] As is shown in FIG. 4, in particular, the first supporting element 100 has a substantially rectangular cross section. A first guide mechanism 110 is arranged at the first corner 10. The first guide mechanism 110 forms a rectangular through hole in which the first supporting element 100 is arranged and is guided for vertical displacement relative to the guide mechanism. The first supporting element 100 has an outer peripheral area which matches an inner peripheral area of the through hole of the first guide mechanism 110.

[0061] The first supporting element 100 has a plurality of recesses 126. The recesses are arranged one beside the other in a vertical row. Poultry housing unit 1 has a first locking element in the form of a first catch 120, catch 120 being arranged and adapted in such a way that it can latch with a nose 120a into one of recesses 126. Catch 120 and recesses 126 are designed in such a way that movement of supporting element 100 in an upward vertical supporting direction 500 is blocked by the nose 120a of the catch 120 latching into a recess 126, whereas movement in an opposite, downward vertical direction of free motion 501 is allowed. For this purpose, catch 120 is arranged about a first pivot point 122, which is above the nose 120a of the catch 120 and positioned laterally adjacent to the supporting element 100. A spring element 124 is arranged and design in such a way that it exerts a spring force on catch 120, such that a force that presses nose 120a of the catch 120 towards the first supporting element 100 is always applied to the catch 120. As a result, catch 120 can pivot about its rotational axis against the force of spring 124 when the supporting element 100 is moved downwards by its own weight, thus exerting a force on the nose 120a of the catch 120 via the recesses. In contrast to that, catch 120 is held self-reinforcingly in the recess 126 when a upwardly directed force acts on the supporting element 100. Supporting element 100 can therefore be extended downwards, but it is blocked by catch 120 from retracting upwards. The weight of the first supporting element 100, the friction of the first supporting element 100 inside the first guide mechanism 110 and the spring force of spring 124 with which catch 120 is pressed into recesses 126, are coordinated with each other to such an extent that, on the one hand, spring 124 presses catch 120 with sufficient force into recesses 126, thus fulfilling its latching function, and, on the other hand, movement of the first supporting element 100 in the direction of free motion 501 is made possible as soon as there is no load on supporting element 100, in that the catch is pressed out of the recess 126. In particular, the catch 120 can latch by positive engagement in the recess 126 under the effect of the weight force of the poultry housing unit on the supporting element 100, thus preventing the catch 120 from moving undesirably out of the recess 126.

[0062] The poultry housing unit 1 also has a release member 121a which engages an eyelet 121 attached to catch 120 to move catch 120 against the force of the spring. As a result, catch 120 is not arranged in one of recesses 126 and is not latched in. When release member 121a is actuated, poultry housing unit 1 can be moved in the direction of free motion 501 and can thus be lowered. The unlatching of catch 120 from one of recesses 126 can be supported by means of a stand relieving element, because it is easier for the catch 120 to unlatch from one of recesses 126 when there is no load on supporting element 100. The stand relieving element can be provided in the form of rope or as a Bowden cable, for example. Another possible release mechanism 225 is shown by way of example in FIG. 12.

[0063] At the second corner 11, there is arranged a second supporting element 20 that extends from a second lower supporting end 21 to a second upper free end 22 and is arranged analogously with the first guide element 100 in a second guide mechanism 23. A stand element 24 is provided at its lower supporting end 101 and it is made mobile or immobile by means of a second locking element in the form of a second catch 26.

[0064] Poultry housing unit 1 also has a roof 50 with a roof ridge, from which roof elements extend slopingly downwards. Two roof rockers 51 for preventing or at least making it difficult for poultry, in particular ducks, from sitting on the roof, are movably arranged on the roof ridge. A removable covering element 52 adjoins each side of the roof ridge. A fixed covering element 54 is arranged on the side of the removable covering element 52 facing away from the roof ridge. In operating mode, fixed covering element 54 is securely arranged and in particular is not designed to be removed in the operating mode.

[0065] In FIG. 6, a nest roof extension element 58 is shown which is provided in addition to the removable covering element 52 and the fixed covering element 54 and which forms part of the roof 50 of poultry housing unit 1. The nest roof extension element 58 can be variably mounted in relation to a clear height above the floor area, so it can likewise be used to adjust the brightness in the nest box or to cast a shadow into the nest.

[0066] It is particularly preferred that the nest roof extension element 58 is arranged pivotably about a horizontal pivot axis. It is further preferred that the horizontal pivot axis is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of poultry housing unit 1. It is also preferable that the pivot axis is arranged adjacent to an inwardly facing edge of the fixed covering element 54, which extends in the longitudinal direction of poultry housing unit 1.

[0067] Alternatively or additionally thereto, the nest roof extension element 58 may also be movable. For example, the nest roof extension element 58 may be arranged and adapted so as to be moved under and/or over the fixed covering element 54 and/or the removable covering element 52.

[0068] In another preferred variant, the nest roof extension element 58 has a depth in a direction from the roof ridge to the eaves, and said depth can be varied. It is particularly preferred that the plurality of different nest roof extension elements 58 are provided that have different depths and are replaceable. FIGS. 5 and 6 show how a nest access barrier can be realised. A guide recess 56 is provided for this purpose at a side wall at the first end 2 of poultry housing unit 1 and preferably likewise at a side wall at the second end 4 of poultry housing unit 1 and in partition walls 38. A guide pin 55 in the form of a long pipe is disposed on the nest access barrier and can be guided inside guide recess 56. This allows the nest access barrier to be moved back and forth. It can also be seen from FIG. 1 that the nest access barrier can be moved by means of a barrier pull element 310, in that the latter extends through the fixed covering element 54 to the nest access barrier. On the right-hand side of FIG. 2, it can be seen that guide pin 55 is arranged in an upper position. In this position, the nest access barrier is in an upper position, thus allowing access to the nest. On the left-hand side of FIG. 2, it can be seen that the guide pin is arranged in a lower position. In this position, the nest access barrier is in a lower position, so access to the nest is substantially impossible. To allow adjustment of the nest access barriers, barrier pull element 310 comprises a first lifting element 312 and a second lifting element 314.

[0069] The poultry housing unit is also arranged at a nest lifting device 300, which can lift poultry housing unit 1. In FIG. 11, the poultry housing unit is shown in a state in which supporting elements 100, 20 are extended.

[0070] Details of how the nest boxes are arranged are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Nest box 30 has a tiltable walking area 200. The tiltable walking area 200 extends from an outer end located at an outer edge of poultry housing unit 1 to an inner end, which is not shown here, and which extends to an egg conveyor 40. The tiltable walking area 200 preferably has a gradient from its outer end 201 to the inner end. The gradient slopes downwards from the outer end 201 to the inner end. Due to this downwardly sloping gradient, an egg that is laid on the tiltable walking area 200 inside nest box 30 will roll towards the middle of the poultry housing unit, where egg conveyor 40 is arranged, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0071] The angle of inclination of the tiltable walking area 200 can be varied by means of a gradient adjustment device 210. Gradient adjustment device 210 comprises an adjusting rod 212, on which a section of the tiltable walking area 200 adjacent to the outer end 201 lies. Adjustment bar 212 can be adjusted in height by means of a locking device 214. As can be seen in FIG. 8, in particular, locking device 214 comprises a first locking hole 215, a second locking hole 216, and a third locking hole in which adjusting rod 212 is arranged. By arranging adjusting rod 212 in a higher locking hole, for example the second locking hole 216 or the first locking hole 215, the gradient of the tiltable walking area is increased.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows an edge protection element 7. This is specifically provided for placement at an edge, in order to protect the animals. If the bridging element is not to be put in place, for example because of the height of poultry housing unit 1 or because of larger animals, edge protector 7 is intended to protect the edge in such a way that animals cannot injure themselves on it.

[0073] FIG. 12 shows the blocking mechanism with a spring-mounted catch 220, by means of which an override is realised. Catch 220 is mounted rotatably about a pivot point 222. The catch 220 has a latching end 221 that can be arranged in recesses (not shown) in the supporting element. Latching end 221 is spaced apart from pivot point 222, so a force that is not directed at pivot point 222 results at latching end 221 in a torque about pivot point 222. A spring element 224 is also provided that spaces catch 220 apart from pivot point 222, and which exerts a force in the direction of the recesses on latching end 221. A puller 225 is also provided at an unlatching end 223 and is arranged and adapted to move catch 220 in such a way that latching end 221, in particular, moves against the force of the spring, thus causing catch 220 to unlatch from the recess and the supporting element to be movable in a direction that provides support. Latching end 223 is likewise spaced apart from pivot point 222, so a force acting on latching end 223 causes a torque about pivot point 222.

[0074] Due to the first supporting element 100 and the second supporting element 20, poultry housing unit 1 can be adjusted in height with little effort. Adjusting the height of the poultry housing unit 1 above a supporting area can also be performed automatically and/or by a central control centre. As a consequence, the animals are disturbed less, find constant conditions where they enter their nests, despite an increasing amount of litter, and are thus kept in a more species-appropriate manner by the poultry housing unit, with the result that the well-being of the animals can be significantly increased.

[0075] Besides the vertical adjustment of the poultry housing unit, the well-being of the animals can also be increased by the removable covering element. By adjusting the height of the poultry housing unit, the lighting conditions in the nest boxes are changed accordingly, because the angle of incident light changes as a result of the vertical adjustment. In order to provide constant nesting conditions in this respect, it is possible, by means of the removable covering element 52 and the adjustable nest roof extension element 58, to provide identical or similar conditions. The gradient at which eggs roll away inside the nest boxes can also be varied. Thus, in addition to improved productivity, constant nest conditions also mean that the transportation of eggs can be improved.

[0076] It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

[0077] For purposes of this disclosure, the term operably coupled (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

[0078] For purposes of this disclosure, the term operably connected (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term operable defines a functional relationship between components.

[0079] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible, e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc. without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown in multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of the wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of the wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

[0080] It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

[0081] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure and method without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.