ACTIVITY DEVICE FOR USE IN POULTRY MANAGEMENT AND/OR REARING AND METHOD OF REARING AND/OR MANAGING POULTRY

Abstract

The invention relates to an activity device for use in poultry management and/or rearing, an activity system, an animal house, in particular for rearing and/or managing poultry, and a method of rearing and/or managing poultry. The present invention relates in particular to an activity device for use in poultry management and/or rearing comprising a material container with at least one material inlet, and at least one pecking opening, a pecking pan for receiving pecking material comprising at least one abrasion section having an abrasion enhancing surface, wherein the material container is arranged and designed to guide pecking material from the material inlet to the pecking opening, and wherein the pecking opening is arranged and designed in such a way that pecking material in the material container is prevented from falling out of the pecking opening due to gravity.

Claims

1.-15. (canceled)

16. An activity device for use in poultry management and/or rearing comprising: a material container with at least one material inlet and at least one pecking opening; and a pecking pan for receiving pecking material, comprising at least one abrasion section having an abrasion enhancing surface; wherein the material container is arranged and designed to guide pecking material from the material inlet to the pecking opening, and wherein the pecking opening is arranged and designed in such a way that pecking material in the material container is prevented from falling out of the pecking opening due to gravity.

17. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the material container comprises two or more pecking openings.

18. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the pecking opening has an essentially slot-shaped cross section orthogonal to an opening direction with a main extension direction and a secondary extension direction arranged orthogonal to the former; wherein during operation, the secondary extension direction is preferably arranged essentially horizontally and its extension furthermore preferably increases in the direction of the pecking pan.

19. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the pecking opening extends to an end of the material container facing the pecking pan.

20. The activity device pursuant to claim 19, wherein the end of the material container facing the pecking pan is arranged at a distance from the pecking pan in the area of the pecking opening.

21. The activity device pursuant to claim 18, wherein the secondary extension direction has dimensions of less than 8 mm.

22. The activity device pursuant to claim 18, wherein during operation, the main extension direction is arranged vertically and has dimensions of more than 2 mm.

23. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the pecking opening has an essentially round cross section orthogonal to an opening direction, and the essentially round cross section has a diameter of less than 8 mm.

24. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the material inlet is arranged and designed to be coupled with a conveyor system, wherein said coupling is performed by means of a coupling unit.

25. The activity device pursuant to claim 24, said coupling is arranged at the material container.

26. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the abrasion section comprises at least one dividing element that divides the abrasion section into two or more partial abrasion sections.

27. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the abrasion enhancing surface of the abrasion section comprises at least one abrasion material or a combination of two or more abrasion materials, the abrasion material(s) being chosen from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, plastic, corundum, boron nitride, diamond, or minerals.

28. The activity device pursuant to claim 27, wherein the abrasion material comprises steel.

29. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein a main extension direction and/or a cross section of the pecking pan has dimensions of less than 200 mm.

30. The activity device pursuant to claim 16, wherein the pecking pan has a plate-shaped geometry with a circular, oval, or square cross section.

31. An activity system comprising: at least one activity device pursuant to claim 16, and a conveyor system for transporting pecking material; wherein the activity device is connected with the conveyor system via a coupling unit in such a way that pecking material is transported from the conveyor system into the material container, and wherein during operation the horizontal dimensions of the activity device are smaller than or equal to the respective horizontal dimensions of the conveyor system in the area of the activity device.

32. The activity system pursuant to claim 31, further comprising at least one feed pan for providing feed.

33. An animal house for rearing and/or managing poultry, comprising: at least one aviary installation; and a litter area; wherein the aviary installation containing at least one activity device pursuant to claim 16.

34. An animal house for rearing and/or managing poultry, comprising: at least one aviary installation; and a litter area; wherein the aviary installation containing at least one activity system pursuant to claim 31.

35. A method for rearing and/or managing poultry, comprising the steps of: providing an activity device pursuant to claim 16, providing pecking material and arranging the pecking material inside a material container of the activity device.

36. A method for rearing and/or managing poultry, comprising the steps of: providing an activity system pursuant to claim 31, providing pecking material and arranging the pecking material inside a material container of the activity system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the invention are, by way of example, described by means of the attached figures. The following is shown in

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic two-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of an activity system;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the activity system pursuant to FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic two-dimensional view of another exemplary embodiment of an activity system;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic two-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of an activity device;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic three-dimensional detailed view of a pecking opening of an activity device in accordance with the activity system pursuant to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic three-dimensional detailed view of an activity device in accordance with the activity system pursuant to FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic two-dimensional view of an aviary installation known in prior art;

[0046] FIG. 8 is an aviary installation pursuant to FIG. 7 during operation;

[0047] FIG. 9 is a schematic two-dimensional view of an aviary installation including an exemplary embodiment of an activity system;

[0048] FIG. 10 is an aviary installation pursuant to FIG. 9 during operation;

[0049] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an animal house with two aviary installations known in prior art;

[0050] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an animal house with two aviary installations, each comprising an exemplary embodiment of an activity system; and

[0051] FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an animal house with an activity option known in prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] 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.

[0053] Identical elements or elements with essentially the same or similar function are referred to with the same reference number in the figures. The activity systems 1, 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprise an essentially identical activity device 10, respectively. The activity device 10 comprises a pecking pan 120, which has a planar extension, which is arranged horizontally in the displayed operating state. The material container 110 has a tube-shaped geometry. Due to this tube-shaped geometry, the material container 110 has an opening on each of its front faces, respectively. Furthermore, the material container 110 extends from a first end 111 to a second end 112. The first end 111 of the material container 110 is facing the pecking pan 120, wherein a distance 116, in particular shown in FIG. 5, is provided between the pecking pan 120 and the material container 110.

[0054] This arrangement is, in particular, designed in such a way that the center axis of the tube-shaped material container 110 is arranged orthogonally to the surface of the pecking pan 120. The arrangement of the material container 110 at the pecking pan 120 is achieved by means of a first dividing wall 131, a second dividing wall 132, a third dividing wall 133, and a fourth dividing wall 134. The dividing walls each have a planar extension, wherein this planar extension has the geometry of a right triangle. The dividing walls 131-134 are respectively arranged with the first leg at the pecking pan 120 and with the second leg at the exterior wall of the material container 110. Furthermore, the dividing walls 131-134 are arranged at equal distances from each other in the circumference direction of the tube-shaped material container 110. Thus, the material container 110 is arranged between the dividing walls 131-134 and is held by them at the predefined distance 116 above the pecking pan 120.

[0055] Furthermore, the activity device 10 comprises a total of four pecking openings, of which merely two pecking openings 113, 114 are shown in FIG. 1. The pecking openings 113, 114 have an essentially slot-shaped cross section orthogonal to an opening direction. Furthermore, the slot-shaped cross section has a main extension direction and a secondary extension direction arranged orthogonal to the former. The main extension direction, which, in the present example, is arranged vertically and, therefore, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the material container 110, has dimensions which exceed the dimensions of the secondary extension direction multiple times. Furthermore, the pecking openings 113, 114 have a main extension in the main extension direction between a first end, which faces the pecking pan 120, and a second end, which faces the conveyor system 205. The dimensions of the pecking openings 113, 114 in the secondary extension continuously decrease from the first end to the second end. The second end also has a semicircular geometry.

[0056] As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, in particular, the diameter of the material container 110 is smaller than the diameter of the pecking pan 120. The ring-shaped area between the outer wall of the pecking pan 120 and the material container 110, which is, therefore, left free, has an abrasion-enhancing material so that an abrasion section 122 is formed in this area. Furthermore, the dividing walls 131-134 divide this abrasion section 122 into four partial abrasion sections. Furthermore, the plate-shaped geometry of the pecking pan 120 has a pecking pan rim 124, which leads to the result that pecking material falling from the pecking opening 113, 114 onto the pecking pan 120 essentially remains in the pan 120.

[0057] The difference between the activity systems 1, 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is, in particular, the design of the conveyor systems 20, 20, which are configured to transport pecking material 5. The conveyor systems 20, 20 are respectively arranged at the front face of the second end of the material container. The activity system 1 of FIG. 1 is designed as a feeding trough, which has a rectangular cross section orthogonal to the transport direction. The activity system 1 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a conveyor tube with a drag auger (not shown), which has an essentially circular cross section orthogonal to the transport direction.

[0058] The aviary installations already known in the prior art, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, comprise a first nest 210 and a second nest 220, which, in particular, are designed to provide poultry with a space for laying eggs. In addition, at a distance from the nests 210, 220, the aviary installation 2 has a first holding area 230 and a second holding area 240. The first holding area 230 is arranged vertically above the second holding area 240, wherein a passage area 245 with a feed pan 250 is arranged below the second holding area 240. The passage area 245 is, in particular, arranged and designed to allow the poultry passage to the nests 210, 220. Presently, a feed pan 250 is arranged in the passage area 245. Especially FIG. 8 shows that the feed pan 250 is arranged in such a way that it has a plurality of disadvantages. First, the feed pan 250, as a large component, is arranged in the passage area 245 and blocks and/or restricts passage for the poultry and the capacity of the aviary installation 2 is reduced by the feed pan 250. In addition, FIG. 8 shows that excrements 273, 274 of the poultry 271, 272 can easily end up in the feed pan 250.

[0059] The aviary installations with the activity devices 10 or activity systems, respectively, shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 show that with their compact dimensions the activity devices 10 do not present an obstacle for the poultry in the passage area 245. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 10, in particular, due to the compact dimensions of the activity device 10, no or merely a limited amount of excrements of the poultry 271, 272 ends up in the activity device 10. The reason for this is, inter alia, that the horizontal dimensions of the activity device 10 are smaller than the horizontal dimensions of the conveyor system 205.

[0060] FIG. 11 shows an animal house 3 with a litter area 310 and two aviary installations 2 with identical design known in prior art. In addition, a rack 320 is located in the litter area 310 in animal house 3 which restricts or prevents passage for a person. FIG. 13 shows another area of the animal house 3, wherein said area comprises a total of four drinking troughs 251-254 as well as two feed pans 250. Furthermore, said area of the animal house 3 comprises a rack 320, which is arranged between the drinking troughs 252, 253. In this case as well, passage through the animal house is made difficult for a person, since only a small passage way is provided between the drinking trough 252 and the rack 320.

[0061] The animal house 3 in FIG. 12 comprises two aviary installations 2, each comprising an activity device 10 and/or an activity system, where no additional activity devices, for example, in the form of racks, are necessary in the litter area. Thus, a person is not prevented from passage through the litter area by an activity device so that daily work is made easier for the person working in the house.

[0062] An activity device 10 pursuant to the invention as well as its arrangement in an aviary installation 2 and/or in an animal house 3 has, in particular, the advantage that the poultry kept in said animal house will be less inclined to engage in feather pecking and less inclined to engage in cannibalism. Moreover, the work of the person working in the animal house is facilitated, since no activity options need to be arranged in the litter area. The poultry are continuously entertained by the activity device and, in addition, may also be provided with additional feed by means of the activity device. Furthermore, the activity device pursuant to the invention has, first of all, the result that due to the improved house climate and the thus-reduced stress of the poultry, feather pecking and/or cannibalism are reduced or prevented. Moreover, the beaks of the poultry are abraded due to the activity device pursuant to the invention so that, even if feather pecking occurs, only a small risk of injury exists.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.