FR2759542A1 - Egg production system with complete nests transferred mechanically - Google Patents

Abstract

A separator's (15) transverse padded bars (6) retain eggs delivered, complete with nests, by conveyors (2), which, at rest, provide floors for a row of nesting boxes (13). Eggs are gathered (4) from an oscillating reception tray (5). Nest litter, falling through the bars, is distributed (7,8), after disinfection, to outgoing conveyors (1) providing floors for a second row of boxes, backing the first. One separator serves, e.g. 3 such double rows. The recycled litter provides nests for each box. Mechanically operated side-screens admit birds to boxes releasing them after laying. The conveyors then bring all nests to the separator. At row ends, any remaining birds are persuaded into a holding pen, electrically or pneumatically (11).

Description

 The present invention relates to laying workshops for collecting eggs, separating the litter from the eggs, parking the incubators, replenishing the beds with litter boxes, disinfecting the litter boxes and expelling the laying hen after laying. It improves and completes the patented invention, published under the number 2730903 and registered under the number 9502545.

 The traditional collection of breeding eggs is carried out manually in nesting boxes at ground level in laying workshops, from where a very important time spent in an unhealthy atmosphere and in bent positions which can cause respiratory problems and lom kiss.

 Since the incubators are parked in the same conditions, the farmer is therefore confronted with the same problems but in addition there is a risk of injuries by pecking and scratching of very aggressive incubators. This work is very painful, the breeder hesitates to do it, which leads to a much longer brooding cycle (loss of eggs).

 Changing the bedding in the nesting boxes every 8 or 15 days leading to a drop in laying is just as arduous a job as the two preceding. The breeder therefore tends to neglect this task, which results in a significant amount of time spent cleaning the eggs.

The tests of automatic nesting boxes carried out until now in this style of breeding remained very limited because of their cost, the problems created and the problems not solved
- the parking of incubators with the same drawbacks as before;
- a mechanical ejection cycle of all the layers at the same time on certain types of machines causes some broken eggs, injuries and very significant stress to the layers
- carpets replacing litter boxes in nesting grounds prevent laying hens from making their nests, thus encouraging them to prefer hen bedding. The carpets get dirty quickly and do not dry out due to the poor ventilation of the laying cells.

Cleaning the carpets would take a very long time (from 500 to 2400 laying cells). These soiled carpets soil the eggs, they are changed with each batch of layers resulting in a significant cost
- the shallow depth of the egg cells hinders laying hens preferring darkness.

 This set of drawbacks results in a laying on the ground of 10 to 25% and an egg breakage of 1 to 3%.

The device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks and provides other advantages
- the transfer of eggs at a single point saves 2 to 6 hours of time by collection depending on the type of breeding and the laying period. I1 also allows the comfort of the breeder S a well-appointed workstation in a healthy atmosphere
- the transfer of the incubators (only the incubators remain in the nests during the advancement of the carpets) in a park allows a saving of time of 1/2 to 2 H 30 per day according to the period of laying and the type of breeding. I1 also reduces the incubation cycle (more eggs) and eliminates the risk of injury and stiffness
- the ventilation due to the daily transfer and ejection of the litter keeps the litter dry and not parasitized, hence clean eggs, which eliminates the cleaning of the eggs (15 to 100 minutes per collection). It also saves a large volume of litter (the litters are no longer changed for each batch). Currently, breeders spend 2 to 5 hours per week changing litter boxes
- the twinning of nesting boxes provides an additional useful surface of 50 to 150 m2, which corresponds substantially to an additional production of 250 to 1300 eggs per day. It also provides a circulation corridor on the nesting boxes giving a good visualization of the livestock and the possibility of carrying out mechanical mulching of the henhouse
- the addition of litter on the carpets allows the hens to make their nest, to significantly reduce the laying on the ground, to avoid soiling and breaking of the eggs
- the mechanical opening of the laying cells programmed in the morning before the laying and the mechanical closing by the breeder before the stopping of the transfer system avoids the contamination of the litters except laying (the laying hens do not soil the nests during the laying)
- by the significant depth (from 10 to 25 cm) of the laying cells, the laying hens are hidden in their nest
- by the possibility of installing several levels of laying huts while keeping a height accessible to laying hens, the invention makes it possible to have a large number of cells necessary for certain farms
- periodic disinfection of litter should increase the fertility of eggs and the quality of chicks
- by the possibility of installing individual hatches (? 6) with pendulum triggering an air exhaust 10 to 20 min after the entry of the laying hen (the laying hens very often remain in the nests after the laying which is carried out after 10 15 mins). This system allows a very significant increase in the availability of laying cells and also great inconvenience for incubators.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
FIG. 1 represents the pickup head on three levels,
FIG. 2 represents the transfer head on three levels,
FIG. 3 represents a top view of the complete circuit without the nesting boxes on one level,
FIG. 4 represents an end view of the nesting boxes on two levels,
In reference to these drawings
- Sliding bottoms (16) over which belts (1-2) pass transfer the complete nests at a speed of 1 to 12 m / min.

 - Layers (9) with spaces (10) of 10 to 25 cm (depending on the type of breeding) above the carpets (1-2) allow sufficient passage for incubators and complete nests.

 - Partitions (17) provided with tarpaulins (18) separate the laying cells (13) to facilitate the incubator making its nest and avoid air circulation in the nesting boxes (9).

 - Mechanized hatches (12) programmed open the spawning cells (13) in the morning before spawning and close these same cells (13) by a contactor actuated by the breeder before stopping the machine.

 - Worms (3) rotating in the opposite direction to the incoming flow allows the exchange of complete nests between the belts (l) and the belts (2).

 - Electrodes (11) force the incubators (24) to enter the pens (22).

 - A separator (15) fitted with fixed or rotating padded rollers (6) collects the eggs (20) and lets the litter (19) pass which fall on a carpet (7). The separator (15) leads the eggs to a shelf (5).

 - A carpet (7) receives the litter (19) from the separator (15) and leads them at a speed of about 100 m / min against deflectors (8) which eject them onto the carpet (1).

 - A back-and-forth tablet (5) collects the eggs (20) between the rollers (6) and place them on a collection table (4). The reciprocating movement is given by the rolling of the rollers (6) on the end of the shelf (5) and a spring (25) at the other end. A stop (22) limits the forward movement.

 - A sprayer (21) allows disinfection of the litter in tunnels (14).

 - A floor (23) allows circulation on the nesting boxes.

 - Individual balance hatches allow the evacuation of laying hens.

Claims (10)

 1) Layers with one or more levels of cells of variable dimensions, depending on the type of poultry, with circulation floor (23), transfer system for complete nests (eggs + litter and possible incubators), disinfection of the litter, automatic separation of the eggs from the litter, ejection of the incubators by a system of individual balance hatches with expulsion of the hens.  2) Device according to claim l characterized in that movable, rigid or flexible partitions (] 8) separate the laying cells (13).  3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that worms (3) transfer the nests (litter + eggs) from the carpets (1) to the carpets (2).  4) Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that hatches (12) mechanized and programmed open the cells (13) before the start of spawning. The remote control closing of the cells (13) is made by the breeder before the transfer system stops.  5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a tablet (5) reciprocating collects the eggs (20) between the rollers (6) in movement of the sorter (15) and deposit them on a table (4) for collection .  6) Device according to claims I and 5 characterized in that the automatic egg-litter separation system comprises rollers (6) transporting the eggs to the shelf (5) and letting the litter (19) pass over a carpet ( 7) then is ejected by deflectors (8) on the return belts (1) thus filling the bottoms of the laying cells.  7) Device according to claim l characterized in that a system by electrode (11) or by compressed air constrains the incubators (24) to enter parks (22) at each end of the transfer chains.  8) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that a floor (23) allows a possible circulation of material on the nesting boxes (9).  9) Device according to claim l characterized in that individual hatches (96) with pendulum trigger an escape of air or flashes (after a delay of 10 to 20 minutes) chasing the laying hen laying cells and stops the escape air or flashes a few seconds after the animal leaves.  10) Device according to claim 1 characterized by the addition at the beginning of the chain of a tunnel (14) of disinfection by spraying, misting or fumigation (2l).