EP2903423A1

EP2903423A1 - Pen for rabbit breeding and breeding unit comprising a plurality of such pens

Info

Publication number: EP2903423A1
Application number: EP14767048.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luc GRENET; Bertrand ROCHETEAU
Original assignee: Terrena SCOP
Current assignee: Terrena SCOP
Priority date: 2013-08-08
Filing date: 2014-08-08
Publication date: 2015-08-12
Also published as: FR3009485A1; FR3009486B1; FR3009485B1; FR3009486A1; WO2015019032A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pen (2) for rabbit breeding comprising - a box shelter (3) that acts as a burrow for the rabbits, said box shelter (3) being delimited by walls that form a horizontal base (5), two side walls (6, 7), a front face (8), a rear face (9) and a movable cover element (10), and - a run part (4) that adjoins said box shelter (3) at said rear face (9) of the latter and is delimited, starting from said rear face (9), (i) by two side partitions (12, 13) and by a façade element (16), and (ii) by a horizontal base (11). Moreover, the box shelter (3) and the run part (4) are in communication via at least one access opening (18) formed in said rear face (9) of said box shelter (3). According to the invention, said lateral partitions (12, 13) and said façade element (16) of the run part (4) each comprise a free upper edge (14, 15, 17) and have a height, preferably between 0.7 and 1 m, suitable for allowing the rabbits the possibility of lifting themselves and jumping without being able to escape.

Description

PARK FOR CULINARY HUSBAND AND BREEDING MODULE COMPRISING A

PLURALITY OF SUCH PARKS

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

The present invention relates to the general field of rabbit breeding.

It relates more particularly to the structures of cages and parks for raising rabbits.

BACKGROUND

In general, until now, rabbits are raised in hutches often made of reinforced cement slabs or in wire cages.

These hutches are fully enclosed, with 0.8 to 1 m of screened facade, 0.60 to 0, 80 m deep and 0.4 to 0.5 m high.

The disadvantage of these hutches is that rabbits rest on the cement floor (cold matter), directly in contact with their droppings (urine and droppings), which is a source of moisture, and which promotes the development of intestinal parasites (pinworms, coccidia, etc.).

In addition, the soil is usually covered with a layer of straw, which must be renewed daily.

Mesh cages have 0.38 to 0.48 m of façade width to a depth of 0.8 to 1.2 m, and a height of 0.28 to 0.35 m, with a grid floor special galvanized mesh of 75 x 13 mm, with a wire diameter of 2 to 3 mm.

The disadvantage of these cages is:

- To be made entirely of mesh, which does not allow rabbits to be naturally protected from environmental variations (humidity, air speed, cold, etc.),

- their low height, which does not allow rabbits to get up,

- their small surface, which generates promiscuity (especially during hot summer), and

- their cage bottom mesh too small diameter (2 to 3 mm), which can cause pains in the legs of animals.

Also known, for example documents FR-2 131 059, FR-2 123 706, FR-2 619 487 or FR-2 173 806 cages comprising - an enclosed part, partitioned by side walls and a grid ceiling, and - a shelter box, communicating with the aforementioned enclosure part by an access opening.

The bottom of the shelter box is located at a lower level than the bottom of the enclosure, or in some cases at the same level.

But, such cages do not allow rabbits to get up and jump. They define a confined space that gives rabbits no feeling of semi-freedom. In addition their structure does not always allow operators to easily access the interior space and cloisonné animals.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes for this a rabbit breeding stock comprising:

- a shelter housing, acting as a burrow for rabbits, delimited by walls forming a horizontal bottom, two side walls, a front face, a rear face and a movable cover member, and

- an enclosed part, adjacent to said box shelter at said rear face of the latter, and delimited, from said rear face: (i) by two side walls and by a facade element, and (ii) by a bottom horizontal;

which shelter box and enclosure portion communicate through at least one access opening formed in said rear face of said shelter box;

and according to the invention, this park is characterized in that said side walls and said front element of the enclosure part each have a free upper edge and each have a height adapted to allow the rabbits the opportunity to get up and to jump without being able to escape.

Preferably, the height of these side walls and facade element of the enclosed part is between 0.70 and 1 m.

According to another characteristic, the shelter housing has solid or perforated side walls, a solid or almost full front face, a solid or almost solid rear face and a solid or almost solid mobile lid element.

This park may further include a roof that covers at least a portion of said enclosure portion, in height and at a distance from said shelter box and said enclosure portion.

Such a breeding stock makes it possible to favor the locomotor behavior of rabbits; and it gives them (especially the rabbits) the ability to self-regulate with time

(temperature, wind, rain, etc.):

- in the enclosed area, especially during the day in good weather or in summer, and

- in the shelter box, especially in bad weather (wind, rain) and in the evening.

There was no or almost no droppings in the shelter box, which optimizes the cleanliness of the animals.

Such a concept favors the welfare of the animals, and that of the breeder, within the framework of a rabbit breeding professional or family.

The presence of the mobile cover of the shelter box allows its opening by the breeder, and thus facilitates the monitoring of animals and their removal / removal of the park. This cover element of the shelter box may comprise at least one movable portion which is carried by a linear guide system, for example of the slide type, for its translation operation between an open position and a closed position.

Its fixed rear portion may include an overhang, extending over at least a portion of the enclosed portion, to form a covering element.

On the other hand, the front face of this shelter box is advantageously of a height less than its rear face, and the movable cover extends in slope between said front and rear faces, in the normal position of closure.

According to yet another particularity, the shelter housing comprises a horizontal platform, which extends above its horizontal bottom, from said rear face, over a portion of the distance between said front face of said rear face.

The presence of this platform increases the living space of rabbits in the shelter box, especially so that they can shelter in bad weather. This platform also makes it possible to raise part of the rabbits, and thus to facilitate their removal from the shelter box.

The facade element and / or at least one of the side walls of the enclosure part advantageously comprises at least one mesh part; in this context, at least one of the side walls of the enclosure portion is preferably entirely mesh or openwork, to maintain contact between the rabbits arranged in two juxtaposed parks.

According to yet another particularity, the facade element of the enclosure part comprises a lower portion surmounted by a meshed upper part, which upper part is movable and cooperates with guide means between two positions:

a closing position of the facade element of the park, in which it is arranged in the extension of said lower part, and

- An opening position of said facade element of said enclosure part, and closing the access opening or openings to the shelter box.

This feature allows to fit all rabbits in the shelter box, to close the access openings and facilitate the recovery of rabbits during their removal.

According to yet another characteristic, the horizontal bottom of the shelter box is formed above the level of the horizontal bottom of the enclosure part. Preferably, the difference in height between the horizontal bottom of the shelter box and the horizontal bottom of the enclosed part is between 15 and 40 cm, and more preferably between 20 and 30 cm.

This particularity aims in particular to facilitate the removal or removal of rabbits in the shelter box.

Still according to another characteristic, the enclosure part is equipped with a feeder, possibly equipped with its own covering means, forming protection against bad weather. According to yet another characteristic, the breeding stock is supported by a base allowing it to be raised above the ground, and the bases of the shelter box and the enclosure part are made by a grating.

The invention also relates to a rabbit breeding module which comprises at least two parks as defined above, juxtaposed laterally, adjacent to their parts enclosed by a mesh or perforated lateral partition, and at their shelter boxes by a solid or perforated side wall.

This module may include a roof, arranged to cover at least the enclosed parts of the various parks, which roof is supported by vertical uprights.

The invention also relates to a rabbit breeding comprising at least two modules as defined above, arranged with the facade elements of their enclosing parts, opposite, separated by a corridor.

In a particularly interesting way, the rabbit breeding comprises at least two rows of a plurality of such modules, separated by a corridor.

Such livestock can be arranged inside a building with its own roof and existing pits.

Preferably, the parks, the modules, or the complete breeding have their own roof arranged to cover at least a portion (and preferably all) of the enclosed parts, and possibly the corridor which separates them, which roof is supported by vertical uprights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The invention will be further illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of two particular embodiments, given solely by way of example and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rabbit breeding module consisting of the juxtaposition of three breeding farms according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the box sheltering from one of the breeding parks of the module of FIG. 1, with a cutaway at one of its side walls to visualize its interior volume and its platform;

- Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view, which illustrates an embodiment of a rabbit breeding according to the invention.

Module 1, illustrated in Figure 1, is intended for breeding rabbits.

This module 1 here consists of a juxtaposition of three breeding farms 2, almost identical to each other.

Each breeding park 2 is for example intended to receive several litters of rabbits (for example two or four litters each comprising between 5 and 10 rabbits).

According to the invention, each farmyard 2 comprises: - a shelter box 3, in which animals can shelter, especially in bad weather (wind, rain) and in the evening, and

- An enclosed area 4, forming a reception area in the open air, in which the animals can in particular develop physical activity.

The shelter box 3 is intended to serve as a burrow for rabbits.

This shelter box 3, shown in isolation in Figure 2, has a generally parallelepipedal shape.

It is delimited by a horizontal grid, perforated or solid (preferably a plastic grating or similar), by two vertical solid or openwork side walls 6, 7, by a full or almost full front vertical face 8, by a full vertical rear face 9 or almost full and a movable cover member 10 full or almost full.

By "openwork" is meant provided with one or a plurality of small orifices or openings. By "almost full" is meant that the element in question may include one or a few openings, for aeration in particular.

The lid member 10 comprises:

a fixed rear band 101, connected to the solid vertical rear face 9, and

a movable front band 102 forming the actual mobile part of the cover element 10.

The fixed rear band 101 of the cover element 10 of this shelter box 3 is secured to the upper edge of the rear face 9 and the side walls 6 and 7.

The movable front band 102 is carried by a linear guiding system, for example of the slideway type, for its translational movement in the general plane of the cover element 10.

This front band 102 is movable between two positions:

an open position, towards the rear, extending facing the rear band 101 and the side of the rear face 9, to release an upper opening, and

- A closed position, forwards, offset from the rear band 101 and the side of the front face 8 to close the upper opening.

The mobile band 102 can be adapted so that in the open position it exceeds the rear face 9 to cover part of the enclosure 4.

For its operation by an operator, the mobile front band 102 may be equipped with one or more handles.

In an alternative embodiment, the fixed rear band 101 may include an overhang that extends over at least a portion of the enclosure portion 4, to form a covering element. In another variant embodiment, the cover element 10 can be made in one piece. For example, it may consist of a pivoting plate mounted articulated on the upper edge of the rear face 9.

On the other hand, the front face 8 of the shelter box 3 has a height which is lower than that of the rear face 9. Thus, this cover member 10 extends slightly downward (of the order of 10 to 20 °), from the rear face 9 to the front face 8.

The upper edge of the vertical side walls 6 and 7 is inclined to follow the slope of the cover 10 and optimize the partitioning.

Removable locking means (not shown), for example at the slides, may be provided to lock the cover member 10 (in particular the movable front band 102) in the closed position, opening or ventilation.

In Figures 1 and 2, there is still the presence of a horizontal platform 26 formed in the interior of the housing 3, to which rabbits can access, or on which an operator can deposit.

This platform 26 extends above the horizontal bottom 5, from the rear face 9.

It preferably extends over all or substantially the entire width of this rear face 9 and over part of the distance separating this rear face 9 from the front face 8 (for example from one-third to one-half of this distance).

The height level of this platform 26 is adapted so that the rabbits can access without being obstructed by the lid 10, and they can access under it, for example in order to hide.

Preferably, the platform 26 is removable.

The enclosure portion 4 is adjacent to the shelter box 3, at the rear face 9 of the latter. This enclosed part 4 is devoid of ceiling wall.

It is delimited by - a plane horizontal bottom 1 1, - two side walls 12, 13, each provided with a free upper edge, respectively 14, 15, and - a front element 16 provided with a free upper edge 17.

If necessary, the upper edges 14, 15 and 17 of the side walls 12, 13 and the facade element 16 may have small inward returns to ensure that the animals can not escape.

One or more access openings 18 is / are provided in the rear face 9 of the shelter box 3, preferably close to the horizontal bottom 5 of the latter, to allow the parked animals to pass at will of this shelter box 3 towards the enclosed part 4, and vice versa. These access openings 18 are here two in number.

The rear face 9 of the caisson 3, the lateral partitions 12, 13 and the facade element 16, which together delimit the enclosed part 4, have a height adapted to allow the rabbits the opportunity to get up and jump, without being able to to escape, this in order to promote activity animals and to be able to dispense with the presence of a mesh cover, thus avoiding the "confinement" side. This height can be between 0.7 m and 1 m. Here, the upper edge of the rear face 9 of the shelter box 3 extends above the upper edges of the walls 12, 13 and 16 of the enclosed part 4.

The side walls 12 and 13 of the enclosure part 4 may be provided full, openwork or mesh.

Preferably, when several livestock farms 2 are juxtaposed laterally, as in module 1 of FIG. 1, it is expected that:

the two end lateral partitions 12 are solid or perforated, to protect the animals from inclement weather (wind, rain), and

- The inner side walls 13, which separate two enclosing parts 4 juxtaposed, are meshed or openwork, to allow the rabbits to see each other, to maintain contact between them and thus improve their behavior in groups.

For its part, the facade element 16 has a solid or perforated lower portion 27 and a meshed or perforated upper portion 28.

This meshed or perforated upper portion 28 may be fixed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, this meshed or perforated upper portion 28 is here mounted in a mobile manner, for example by means of a linear guiding system of the slideway type 21, 22, 23, and it is advantageously operable in translation between two positions:

a closing position of the facade element 16, in which it is arranged in the extension of the lower part 27, and

- An open position of the facade element 16 and closing the opening or openings 18 to access the shelter box 3.

The upper grid portion 28 of the movable facade element 16 cooperates for this purpose with the sliding guide means 21, 22 and 23 which are fixed on the side walls 12 and 13.

These slides 21, 22 and 23 have a downward slope from the front element 16 to the rear face 9.

It is thus possible to fit all the rabbits into the shelter box 3, by translational movement of the mesh portion 28, and to close / seal the access opening or openings 28, in particular to facilitate the return of the rabbits to said shelter box. 3 when removing them, or to clean the enclosed area 4.

The various solid or perforated walls of the enclosed part 4 and the shelter box 3, as well as the bottoms of the enclosed part 4 and the shelter box 3, may be made of plastic, composite material, or other; the mesh parts are made of metal or plastic material.

The funds 1 1 and 5 of the enclosure part 4 and the shelter box 3 can be made by a grating mesh or plastic. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the horizontal bottom 5 of the shelter box 3 is formed above the level of the horizontal bottom 1 1 of the enclosure part 4, to facilitate the removal and / or removal of the rabbits from the shelter box 3.

In addition, the module 1, or the juxtaposed modules 1, can be supported by a leg 30 for its / their elevation above the ground (allowing in particular the elevation of the horizontal bases 5 and 1 1 above the ground), for example at a height of the order of 20 to 30 cm above the ground, still to facilitate the recovery of animals, and also allow the passage of the pit cables in particular.

Feeders (not shown) may be provided removable or not in the enclosure portion 4, to allow rabbits to feed. These feeders can be provided in round shape so that the linear access allows the rabbits or rabbits to eat at the same time with each distribution.

Still preferably, these removable feeders are adapted to allow easy access for operators in the enclosure 4.

These feeders may also be provided with their own cover system, forming protection against the weather, in the case where they are arranged in an area of the enclosure 4 without roof.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the module 1 comprises three breeding farms 2 juxtaposed.

In this case, the external lateral partitions 12 of the enclosed part 4 are solid or perforated. In addition, a screened or perforated partition 13 and a solid wall or openwork 6, 7 act as partition / inner side wall, between two parks 2 juxtaposed.

In front of the front walls 8 and the facade elements 16 juxtaposed parks 2, we note the presence of a longitudinal corridor 31, 32, advantageously provided at ground level, to facilitate the movement of operators and to form a step facilitating their interventions in the parks 2.

The module 1 may have its own roof 33, for example as shown in dashed lines in FIG.

This roof 33 advantageously covers a little more than the surface of the enclosed parts 4. It can also cover the entire surface of the parks 2 juxtaposed.

This roof 33 extends above and away from the upper edge of the partitions

12, 13, 16 which delimit the enclosed parts 4, and also at a distance above the shelter boxes 3.

In FIG. 1, the roof 33 is supported by vertical uprights 34 which are integrated in the module 1.

A rabbit breeding can be formed of a plurality of modules 1 as described above in connection with Figure 1, juxtaposed laterally, that is to say, adjacent to their enclosing parts 4 and at their caissons shelter 3. A rabbit breeding could consist of a juxtaposition of at least two modules 1, or more than three modules 1, as described above in connection with Figure 1.

Such a module 1 or set of modules 1 (with or without roof 33) can be disposed inside a building with its own roof (like hangar, for example).

One or more parks 2 or modules 1 may also be provided on the outside, with or without a roof 33. Without roofing and in the presence of feeders, the latter advantageously comprise a superior protection system against the elements, as mentioned above.

3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a rabbit breeding according to the invention, which comprises two rows A and B of a plurality of modules 1 as described above, arranged with the facade elements 16 of their parts. enclosure 4, opposite, and separated by a central corridor 35.

Here, a roof 36 covers the enclosed parts 4 of each module 1, as well as the central corridor 35, supported by vertical uprights 37.

The floor area of a park 2 (shelter box and enclosed area) may be of the order of 1, 5 to

2 m ² , for the reception of several litters of 5 to 10 young rabbits.

The length of a module 1 (front) may be of the order of 1.80 to 3.20 m, the depth being of the order of 1.80 to 2 m.

The length of the shelter box 3 (façade) may be of the order of 0.80 to 1.00 m, with a minimum height of 0.40 m at the front face 8, and 0.80 m at the level of from the back 9.

The minimum height under the platform 26 is advantageously 0.30 m, as is the minimum height above this platform 26.

The inner height of this shelter box 3, preferably between 0.40 and 0.90 m, allows to build inside a platform 26 having a width of the order of 0.35 to 0.40 m.

The base 30, of the order of 0.25 to 0.3 m high, provides a bottom 5 shelter box 3 at a height of about 0.40 m above the ground, to facilitate recovery rabbits.

For its part, the enclosure portion 4 may have a length (front) of 0.80 to 1 m, with a partition height of between 0.70 and 1 m.

Such a concept of rabbit park, with a shelter box / enclosure enclosure, is particularly well adapted to the well-being of rabbits, they having in particular the possibility of self-regulation by passing from the shelter box 3 to the enclosure part 4 , depending on the time and the time of the day.

Claims

- CLAIMS -

1 .- Rabbit breeding park, comprising:

- a shelter box (3), acting as a burrow for rabbits, delimited by walls forming a horizontal bottom (5), two side walls (6, 7), a front face (8), a rear face (9) and a movable cover member (10), and

- an enclosed part (4), adjacent to said shelter box (3) at said rear face (9) of the latter, and delimited from said rear face (9), (i) by two lateral partitions (12, 13) and a front element (16), and (ii) a horizontal base (1 1),

which shelter box (3) and enclosure part (4) communicate by at least one access opening (18) formed in said rear face (9) of said shelter box (3),

characterized in that said lateral partitions (12, 13) and said facade element (16) of said enclosure part (4) each comprise a free upper edge (14, 15, 17) and each have a height adapted to allow the rabbits the ability to get up and jump without being able to escape.

2. A rabbit breeding park according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the side walls (12, 13) and the facade element (16) of the enclosure part (4) is between 0.7 and 1 m.

3. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said shelter box (3) comprises side walls (6, 7) full or perforated, a front face (8) full or almost full, a rear face (9) full or almost full, and a movable lid member (10) full or almost full.

4. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a roof (33, 36) which covers at least a portion of said enclosure portion (4), in height and remote from said shelter box (3) and said enclosure portion (4).

5. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover element (10) of the shelter box (3) comprises at least one movable part (102) which is carried by a linear guiding system, for its operation in translation between an open position and a closed position.

6. A rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said shelter box (3) comprises a front face (8) whose height is less than the height of its rear face (9). ), said cover member (10) sloping between said front (8) and rear (9) faces in the normal closed position.

7. A rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said shelter box (3) comprises a horizontal platform (26), which extends above its horizontal bottom (5). ), from said rear face (9), over a portion of the distance separating said rear face (9) from said front face (8).

8. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the front element (16) and / or at least one of the side walls (12, 13) of the part enclosure (4) has at least one mesh part.

9. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the facade element (16) of the enclosure part (4) comprises a lower portion (27) surmounted by a part upper screen (28), which upper screen portion (28) is movable and cooperates with guide means between two positions:

a closing position of the facade element (16), in which it is arranged in the extension of said lower part (27), and

- An open position of the front element (16) and closing the opening or openings (18) for access to the shelter box (3).

10. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the horizontal bottom (5) of the shelter box (3) is formed above the level of the horizontal bottom (1 1) of the enclosed part (4), the difference in height between the horizontal bottom (5) of the shelter box (3) and the horizontal bottom (1 1) of the enclosing part (4) being between 15 and 40 cm, and preferably between 20 and 30 cm.

1 1. - rabbit breeding park according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is supported by a base (30) allowing its elevation relative to the ground, and in that said funds (5 and 1 1 ) of the shelter box (3) and the enclosure part (4) are made by a grating.

12. - Module for rabbit breeding, characterized in that it comprises at least two parks (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, juxtaposed laterally adjacent to their enclosure parts (4) by a mesh or perforated lateral partition (13), and at their shelter boxes (3) by a solid or perforated side wall (6, 7).

13. Module for rabbit breeding according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a roof (33, 36), arranged to cover at least the enclosed parts (4) of the various parks (2), which roof ( 33, 36) is supported by vertical uprights (34, 37).

14. - rabbit breeding, characterized in that it comprises at least two modules (1) according to claim 12 or 13, arranged with the facade elements (16) of their enclosing portions (4), opposite, separated by a corridor (35).

15. - rabbit breeding according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises at least two rows of a plurality of modules (1), separated by a corridor (35).

16. - rabbit breeding according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that it comprises a roof (33, 36) arranged to cover at least a portion of the enclosure parts (4) of the various modules (1), and possibly the corridor (35) separating them, which roof (33, 36) is supported by vertical uprights (34, 37).