METHOD FOR INCUBATING A POULTRY EGG ON A HATCHERY

Abstract

An egg storage system includes an egg storing section configured for storing eggs during a heating period in storage prior to incubation. The egg storage section is configured to heat eggs from an initial temperature to a set temperature. The egg storage section comprises a temperature control system to control a temperature in the egg storage section according to a temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed. The temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed is based on a determined time of arrival and a desired moment of hatching, and the temperature course over time at least comprises a gradual temperature increase during the heating period in storage in the storage section from a measured initial temperature at the time of arrival to a set predetermined temperature between a physiological zero and the incubation temperature.

Claims

1. An egg storage system comprising: an egg storing section configured for storing eggs during a heating period in storage prior to incubation, wherein the egg storage section is configured to heat eggs from an initial temperature to a set temperature, wherein the egg storage section comprises a temperature control system to control a temperature in the egg storage section according to a temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed; wherein the temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed is based on a determined time of arrival and a desired moment of hatching, wherein the temperature course over time at least comprises a gradual temperature increase during the heating period in storage in the storage section from a measured initial temperature at the time of arrival to a set predetermined temperature between a physiological zero and the incubation temperature.

2. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the egg storage section comprises a number of compartments.

3. The egg storage system according to claim 2, wherein at least two respective compartments of the number of compartments have their own respective temperature control system to enable operating the at least two respective compartments at a different temperature.

4. The egg storage system according to claim 3, wherein each of the number of respective compartments comprise a respective temperature control system to control a temperature in the respective compartment according to a respective temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed.

5. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the egg storage section comprises a partition member for temporary separating adjacent compartments of the number of compartments.

6. The egg storage system according to claim 5, wherein the partition member comprises a temporary cover enclosing an egg trolley.

7. The egg storage system according to claim 6, wherein the temperature control system controls a temperature within the egg trolley.

8. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the eggs are organized and/or grouped into batches of eggs, and a temperature course over time is determined for each batch of eggs.

9. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the heating period in storage in the storage section is at least 24 hours.

10. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein heating the number of eggs in the storage section from the initial temperature to the set temperature comprises increasing the temperature during at least 80% of the heating period in storage.

11. The egg storage system according to claim 10, wherein heating the number of eggs in the storage section from the initial temperature to the set temperature comprises increasing the temperature during the entire heating period in storage.

12. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the increasing of the temperature during the heating period in storage is with linear progression in an interval of at least 12 hours and/or in an interval of at least 50% of the heating period in storage.

13. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein during the heating the number of eggs in storage from the initial temperature to the set temperature, the gradient over a time interval of 24 hours is between 0,075 F. (0.042 C.)/hour and about 1 F. (0.56 C.)/hour.

14. The egg storage system according to claim 1, wherein the number of eggs are heated evenly over time during the entire heating period in storage.

15. A hatchery comprising: the egg storage system according to claim 1, and an incubating device separate from the egg storage section and configured for incubating eggs during an incubation period at an incubation temperature until hatching is about to occur.

16. The hatchery according to claim 15, comprising a central control unit operationally coupled with both the temperature control system of the egg storage section, and a temperature control system of the incubating device, wherein the central control unit comprises instructions in accordance with the temperature course over time to which the number of eggs should be exposed to.

17. The hatchery according to claim 16, wherein the temperature course over time comprises heating the number of eggs in the incubating device from the set predetermined temperature to the incubation temperature.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] The present invention will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a hatchery according to the invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of an egg storage system according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a graph of a temperature course over time according to the invention,

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a graph of a number of temperature courses over time in embodiments according to the invention;

[0057] FIG. 5 is a type of stacked bar chart of subsequent steps in embodiments of the method according to the invention; and

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a step in an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a hatchery 1 according to the invention. The hatchery 1 comprises an egg storage system 2. The egg storage system 2 is configured for use in a method according to the invention as described. The egg storage system 2 comprises an egg storing section 4a. The egg storing section 4a is configured for storing eggs 28 during a heating period in storage prior to incubation. The egg storage section 4a is configured to heat eggs from an initial temperature to a set temperature. Therefore, the egg storage section 4a comprises a temperature control system 6a to control a temperature in the egg storage section. The temperature control system 6a comprises a heating device 9a to supply heat to the egg storage section 6a. The temperature control system 6a comprises a temperature sensor 10a to measure the temperature in the egg storage section 6a.

[0060] In this case, the hatchery comprises a central control unit 27. The central control unit 27 is operationally coupled with both the temperature control system 6a, 6b of the egg storage section 3 and a temperature control system 26 of the incubating device 11. The central control unit 27 comprises instructions in accordance with the temperature course over time 16, 19, 20, 21 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to which the number of eggs should be exposed to.

[0061] In this case, the egg storage system comprises a number of egg storage sections 4a, 4b. An egg storage section 4a can also be referred to as compartment 4a of the egg storage section. Here, the egg storage system 2 has two egg storage sections 4a, 4b. In this case, the two respective compartments 4a, 4b each have their own respective temperature control system 6a, 6b to enable operating the at least two respective compartments at a different temperature. The temperature in the two respective compartments 4a, 4b can be individually controlled. For each of the two respective compartments 4a, 4b there can be determined an own individual temperature course over time to which the number of eggs in the respective compartment should be exposed.

[0062] In this case, each of the number of respective compartments 4a, 4b comprise a respective temperature control system 6a, 6b to control a temperature in the respective compartment 4a, 4b. Therefore, the temperature and temperature course over time can be tailored to the number of eggs in the respective compartment 4a, 4b.

The Hatchery 1 comprises the egg storage system 2 as well as an incubating device 11. The incubating device 11 is separate from the egg storage section 3. The incubating device 11 is configured for incubating eggs during an incubation period at an incubation temperature. The incubating period is normally 21 days as an industry standard. The incubation temperature is normally 100 F. which is about 37.8 C.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an egg storage section 3 in an embodiment of an egg storage system according to the invention. In this case, the egg storage section 3 comprises an egg compartment formed by an egg trolley 7. The trolley 7 contains a number of egg trays 12. The trays 12 can be stacked or are configured to be stackable. The egg trays 12 are filled with poultry eggs 28, in this case chicken eggs.

[0064] The trolley 7 is enclosed by a cover 8 that isolates the interior of the trolley 7 from the surroundings to such an extent that the temperature in the interior of the trolley 7 can be controlled. The egg storage section 3 comprises a temperature control system 6c to control the temperature within the interior of the trolley 7. The cover 8 is configured as a temporary cover that can be easily arranged on and taken from the trolley 7. In this case, the cover 8 encloses one trolley 7 however any suitable number of trolleys 7 is conceivable.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a graph 12 of a temperature course over time 13 according to the invention. The graph illustrates the temperature course over time 13 that the number of eggs is exposed to during the method according to the invention.

[0066] The method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 is described under reference to FIGS. 1-3. The method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of receiving in the storage section 3 a number of eggs at a time of arrival. The number of eggs normally originate from a laying farm and are transported to the hatchery to be incubated there until hatching occurs.

[0067] The method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of storing a number of eggs in the egg storage section 3 for a heating period in storage of at least 1 days, like a number of days, for example between 2-4 days. The egg storage section 3 functions as a buffer that enables to improve a degree of filling of the incubating device 11.

[0068] The method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of transporting 5 the number of eggs from the storage section 3 into the incubating device 11.

[0069] The method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of incubating the number of eggs in the incubating device 11 during the incubation period until hatching occurs.

[0070] In the context of the current invention, it is important that the method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of determining a temperature course over time 13 to which the number of eggs should be exposed based on the time of arrival and desired moment of hatching. In other words, the step of determining a temperature course over time 13 can only be performed when or as soon as the time of arrival as well as the desired moment of hatching is known. The temperature course over time at least comprises a temperature increase phase 16 during the heating period in storage in the storage section from an initial temperature 23 to a set temperature 24. The set temperature 24 is between a physiological zero and the incubation temperature. In this case, the set temperature 24 is similar to the incubation temperature which is normally about 100 F. (37.8 C.). Thus, in this case, the temperature course over time 13 comprises heating the number of eggs in the incubating device 11 from the set temperature 23 to the incubation temperature 24. The initial temperature 23 as shown, is the usual storage temperature of about or less than 64 F. (17.8 C.). Of course, it is conceivable the eggs arrive at a slightly different temperature than the initial temperature 23.

[0071] In the context of the current invention, it is important that the method for incubating a poultry egg on a hatchery 1 comprises the step of heating the number of eggs during the heating period in storage from the initial temperature 23 to the set temperature 24.

[0072] In this case, the egg storage section 3 comprises a number of compartments 4a, 4b, wherein at least two respective compartments of the number of compartments have their own respective temperature control system 6a, 6b to enable operating the at least two respective compartments at a different temperature. As a result, the step of determining a temperature course over time 13 can be or is done individually for both compartments 6a, 6b. Each compartment 6a, 6b has its own temperature course over time 13.

[0073] In this case, the heating the number of eggs in the storage section from the initial temperature 23 to the set temperature 24 in phase 16 comprises increasing the temperature during at least 20% of the heating period in storage, in this case during the entire heating period in storage, with linear progression. In other words, the method comprises minimizing a temperature gradient in an interval of at least 12 hours during the heating phase 16 of the number of eggs during the heating period in storage. In a different approach, during the step of heating the number of eggs during the heating period in storage from the physiological zero 25 to the set temperature 24, the temperature gradient over a time interval of 24 hours is between 0,075 F. (0.042 C.)/hour to 0.85 F. (0.47 C.)/hour. The temperature gradient does not exceed 1 F. (0.56 C.)/hour.

[0074] In this case, the temperature course over time 13 comprises a predetermined activation period 15. In the activation period 15, the number of eggs is heated from the initial temperature 23 to the physiological zero 25. The activation period 15 being predetermined is to say that this period can be determined independent from the time of arrival as well as the desired moment of hatching. The activation period is a standard period of normally about 5 hours.

[0075] In this case, the temperature course over time 13 comprises a predetermined accommodation period 14 wherein the number of eggs is maintained at the initial temperature 23.

[0076] The determining of the temperature course over time 13 to which the number of eggs should be exposed commences as soon as possible, preferably directly, after the time of arrival. It will be clear that thereafter, executing the temperature course over time 13 starts as soon as possible by instructing the temperature controller 6a accordingly.

[0077] The method according to the invention is in particular useful for long stored eggs.

[0078] FIG. 4 shows a graph of a number of temperature courses over time 16, 19, 20, 21 in embodiments according to the invention. The temperature course 16 is identical to the one shown in FIG. 3 and is shown here as comparison.

[0079] All temperature courses over time 19, 20, 21 and 16 comprise a predetermined accommodation period 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d wherein the number of eggs is maintained at the initial temperature 23. The duration of the accommodation period differs depending on time allocated to heating of the number of eggs in the storage section 3.

[0080] In this case, all temperature courses over time 19, 20, 21 and 16 comprise a predetermined activation period 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d. In the activation period 15, the number of eggs is heated from the initial temperature 23 to the physiological zero 25. The activation period 15 being predetermined is to say that this period can be determined independent from the time of arrival as well as the desired moment of hatching. The activation period is a standard period of normally about 5 hours.

[0081] All temperature courses over time 19, 20, 21 and 16 comprise a temperature increase phase 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d during the heating period in storage in the storage section from an initial temperature 23 to a set temperature 24. The set temperature 24 is between a physiological zero and the incubation temperature. In case of temperature course 16, the set temperature 24 is similar to the incubation temperature which is normally about 100 F. (37.8 C.). The temperature courses 19, 20, 21 differ with the temperature course 16 in that the temperature increase during the heating period in storage in the storage section is from an initial temperature 23 to a set temperature about right between a physiological zero 25 and the incubation temperature 24. This means that the temperature gradient can be further minimized as clearly shown. In other words, the heating of the number of eggs is continued in the incubation device 11. The temperature course over time 19, 20, 21 is thus executed in both the storage section 3 and the incubation device11.

[0082] As a result of the heating of the number of eggs during the heating period in storage and in the storage section 3, the method allows adjusting the incubation period depending on the heating period in storage and degree of heating. In other words, the heating of the number of eggs during the heating period in storage influences the stay in the incubating device as well as the stay at the hatchery 1. In particular the incubation period is reduced with at least 12 hours compared to industry standard of 21 days.

[0083] The aspect that the heating of the number of eggs during the heating period in storage influences the stay in the incubating device as well as the stay at the hatchery 1, is also visualized in FIG. 5 that shows a stacked bar chart of subsequent steps in embodiments of the method according to the invention. The stacked bars 19, 20, 16 correspond to similar temperature courses as the temperature courses over time 19, 20, 16 as shown in FIG. 4. As a comparison, a prior art way to incubate eggs is shown in stacked bar 22. In that case, the poultry embryo is activated and heated outside the storage only.

[0084] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a step 25 in an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The method step 25 comprises organizing and/or grouping of the number of eggs into batches of eggs. As a result, this enables that all embryos of the number of eggs have the same age which enables to make use of warming profiles in a so-called single stage incubator. Here, the trolleys 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are grouped into batches of eggs of trolley 7a and 7b on the one hand and trolley 7c and 7d on the other hand. Therefore, for each off the batches of eggs, the suitable temperature course over time can be determined individually.

[0085] The present invention has been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible and are included in the scope of protection as defined in the appended claims.