FR2833809A1 - Poultry force feeding cage and apparatus has lengthwise aperture that allows feeder to insert arm to seize each bird in turn - Google Patents

Abstract

The cage, comprising a frame (2) that stands on the ground. a raised horizontal mesh floor (5), walls (6, 7), a top (8) and an access door, has at least one lengthwise aperture (15) extending between its two end walls (6) that allows the feeder to insert an arm to seize the birds one at a time. Below the lengthwise aperture it has a scalloped opening (12) for the passage of each bird's head and neck, and to receive and hold the base of the neck while the bird is attached to the force feeding apparatus (33) situated above the cage.

Description

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CAGE AND INSTALLATION FOR POULTRY FEEDING
The invention relates to a cage for force-feeding poultry - in particular palmipeds such as ducks or geese - as well as an installation comprising at least one such cage.

 During the force-feeding of poultry, the latter must be regularly supplied with force-feeding food using a force-feeding cannula to be able to be introduced into the poultry's esophagus in order to deliver a portion of food. As a result, poultry cannot be left free during the force-feeding period.

 In addition, it is necessary to be able to force-feed the different poultry successively, avoiding any force-feeding error (forgetting one poultry or multiple force-feeding of the same poultry).

 Two categories of devices are currently known which aim to solve this problem. The first known device, the most commonly used, consists of placing poultry in semi-freedom in mini-pens, that is to say cages comprising a frame, a raised horizontal floor with skeleton, and walls peripheral, but free of upper walls.

Each mini-park includes a plurality of semi-free range poultry (at most 7 poultry per square meter in accordance with the European standard). These mini-parks are juxtaposed to each other, and the booster moves from mini-park to minipark to seize each of the poultry in the mini-park and to force-feed it. These operations are extremely painful for the force-feeder who must bend down to seize each of the poultry, group the non-force-fed poultry in one corner of the mini-park and the force-fed poultry in another corner ... They are long and tedious and often sources of feeding errors. In practice, poultry can easily move from one mini-park to another, thus leading to frequent feeding errors.

 Some installations include traditional, fully enclosed parallelepiped cages, fitted with an access door through which the force-feeder can grasp poultry, extract it from the cage, force-feed it, then replace the poultry in said cage. Such facilities are suitable for

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 very small-scale holdings with a low number of force-fed poultry. They are long and tedious and in no way suitable for large farms for force-feeding a large number of poultry.

 The second category of known devices consists of individual cages. Each poultry is thus imprisoned in a cage of its own with the neck emerging from an opening of this cage permanently. This of course results in a certain ease of force-feeding. However, totally trapped poultry are stressed and the force-feeding is of lower quality.

Modern standards tend to prohibit the use of individual cages.

 The invention therefore aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a cage for force-feeding poultry in semi-freedom which allows simple and rapid force-feeding of poultry. The invention also aims to facilitate operations for the force-feeder by proposing a more ergonomic cage and thanks to which the force-feeding operations are less painful and less tedious.

The invention also aims to limit the risks of error during force-feeding.

 The invention is more particularly aimed at proposing a cage suitable for force-feeding in large series, that is to say compatible with large-scale operations.

 The invention also aims to provide a cage compatible with a highly automated mechanical booster installation.

 In addition, the invention aims to provide such a cage which is also simple, low cost of production, easy to clean and maintain.

 To do this, the invention relates to a cage for force-feeding poultry - in particular palmipeds such as ducks or geese - comprising: - a frame capable of resting on the ground, - a raised horizontal skeleton floor adapted for receive at least one poultry in semi-freedom, - two opposite end walls and two opposite side walls adapted to define a peripheral enclosure around the floor,

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 - an upper ceiling closing in the upper part the side and end walls so as to prevent the exit of the poultry (ies), - at least one access door allowing at least one poultry to enter the cage , characterized in that it comprises: - at least one longitudinal lumen extending between the two end walls, adapted to allow the passage of an arm through it, so that a booster located outside of the cage can grasp each poultry to force-feed, - through at least one of the side walls and under a longitudinal lumen, at least one scalloped opening of compression adapted to allow the passage of the head and neck of a poultry through it , and to receive and hold the base of the neck of the poultry while the latter is extended outside the side wall, upwards from this notched opening.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the dimensions of the floor and the distance between the walls are adapted so that each poultry located in the cage can be grasped by at least one force-feeder from the outside by passing an arm through the ) longitudinal light (s).

 A cage according to the invention can be of the bilateral type, that is to say allowing the gripping of the poultry from each of these side walls, or, on the contrary, of the monolateral type, only one of the side walls allowing the entry poultry. Thus, in a first alternative embodiment according to the invention, each side wall comprises a longitudinal lumen in the upper part and at least one notched opening, the cage being bilateral. In a second variant in accordance with the invention, one of the side walls comprises a longitudinal lumen in the upper part and at least one notched opening, the other lateral wall being free of longitudinal light and of notched opening, the cage being monolateral .

 To facilitate access to poultry and for ergonomic purposes for the feeder, advantageously and according to the invention, each longitudinal lumen is formed in an upper portion of a side wall

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 extending upwardly inclined towards the inside of the cage so as to facilitate access to the booster towards the opposite side wall.

 Furthermore, advantageously, a cage according to the invention comprises means for immobilizing the head of a poultry relative to the frame, neck extended upwards from each notched opening for force-feeding.

 A cage according to the invention can be adapted to contain a single poultry in semi-freedom. However, advantageously, a cage according to the invention is adapted to receive several poultry, and comprises several notched openings for the simultaneous force-feeding of several poultry.

 Furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, each side wall which comprises a longitudinal lumen, further comprises: - a vertical lower portion extending from the floor over an appropriate height to prevent the passage of the body of a poultry, - Above and at a distance from this lower portion, a wavy edge oriented downwards to define, with the upper edge of the lower portion, each notched opening.

 The lower portion of the side wall may be formed for example of a solid plate or a mesh or any other equivalent device preventing the passage of poultry. Advantageously and according to the invention, the corrugated edge is formed by a corrugated bar.

 Furthermore, advantageously and according to the invention, the corrugated edge is the lower part of a part pivotally mounted around a longitudinal axis so as to form an access door.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, each longitudinal lumen is formed between two straight horizontal bars extending between the two end walls. Advantageously and according to the invention, at least one of the bars is surrounded by a tube capable of rolling around the bar so as to cooperate by rolling with the arm of the booster, avoiding its friction on the bar. Preferably, the two bars are each surrounded by a tube and the upper bar has a tube with a diameter greater than the lower bar. In

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 further, advantageously and according to the invention, the upper bar is mounted at its ends in oblong bearings so as to allow a lifting of this upper bar over a certain height under the thrust of the booster arm, ensuring its subsequent descent by gravity in the low position. In this way, the longitudinal lumen can have a variable width which can be increased by the force-feeder when the latter grasps poultry, which facilitates handling. Once these manipulations have been carried out, the width of the longitudinal lumen returns to its nominal value sufficiently small to dissuade poultry from trying to pass through this longitudinal lumen.

 Furthermore, advantageously, a cage according to the invention comprises a longitudinal gutter for supplying water extending at a distance from each side wall comprising a longitudinal lumen. This longitudinal gutter passes through at least one of the end walls for its water supply. It is placed above the floor at an appropriate height to allow poultry to drink easily and is high enough to avoid any droppings depositing in this gutter. The gutter is advantageously surmounted by a longitudinal central wall preventing the passage of poultry from one side to the other of this gutter. When poultry drink, their head is oriented towards the gutter and their rump is oriented towards the opposite side wall. In this position, the force-feeder can easily grasp the animal's neck to reverse its position and pass it through a notched opening in the side wall. The entry of poultry is facilitated by the fact that the longitudinal lumen is arranged in an upper inclined portion of the side wall as indicated above.

 Advantageously and according to the invention, the floor comprises larger meshes in the vicinity of the side walls. These larger meshes facilitate the passage of droppings.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the side walls are extended downwards and inwards under the floor by droppings recovery plates.

 Also, advantageously and according to the invention, the frame comprises a base adjustable in height relative to the ground.

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 A cage according to the invention is advantageously adapted to be used in an automatic or semi-automatic mechanized feeding system. Advantageously, a cage according to the invention comprises upper rails for receiving a motorized food distribution cart rolling above the ceiling.

 The invention also extends to an installation for force-feeding poultry, in particular palmipeds such as ducks or geese, characterized in that it comprises at least one cage according to the invention.

Advantageously, an installation according to the invention comprises at least one line of cages juxtaposed horizontally and aligned along the same horizontal axis, two adjacent cages being separated by a common end wall.

 The invention also relates to a cage and an installation characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.

 Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description which refers to the appended figures illustrating, by way of nonlimiting examples, various alternative embodiments of the invention, and in which: - FIG. 1 is a schematic view in partial transverse section and from an axial end, of a line of cages of an installation according to a first embodiment of the invention suitable for force-feeding palmipeds with grain corn, - the Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a motorized distribution carriage of the installation of Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, more particularly suitable for force-feeding from a mash, FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view in elevation illustrating a cage and a motorized carriage for distributing the installation of FIG. 3,

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 - Figure 5 is a schematic view in axial section illustrating means for automatic dosing of mash for the installation of Figure 3, - Figure 6 is a partial top view illustrating an embodiment of the means allowing the automatic control of the carriage and control of the automatic dosing of food, - Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a cage of an installation according to the invention, - Figure 8 is a schematic detail view in elevation of a first mode for producing the means for immobilizing an installation according to the invention, FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c schematically illustrate the various steps implemented for force-feeding poultry with the immobilizing means of FIG. 8, - Figure 10 is a schematic detail view in elevation illustrating a second embodiment of the immobilization means of an installation according to the invention.

 FIG. 1 represents a line of cages of an installation according to the invention, seen from its axial end. The same installation can obviously include several lines of parallel cages, or even series of cages arranged not in line, but in a completely different way, for example in a circle, or otherwise.

 The installation therefore comprises a plurality of cages such as the cage 1 shown in FIG. 7. This cage is adapted to be able to receive several poultry simultaneously in semi-freedom, that is to say able to move within the cage 1. Advantageously and according to the invention, the cages are of the type providing complete enclosure of the poultry which therefore cannot pass from one cage to the other.

 Each cage 1 comprises a frame 2 resting on the ground by means of a base 3 which, in the example shown, is formed by four vertical feet, the lower ends of which include means 4 for height adjustment (for example screw / nut type).

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 Each cage 1 further comprises a horizontal and raised skeleton floor 5 (wire mesh) suitable for receiving poultry in semi-freedom, while dropping the droppings by gravity through the meshes of this floor 5. The cage 1 further comprises two opposite end walls 6 formed of vertical bars, and two opposite side walls 7. The end walls 6 and the side walls 7 are adapted to define a peripheral enclosure around the floor 5. Each cage 1 also includes an upper ceiling 8 closing in the upper part, the side walls 7 and the end walls 6 so to prevent the exit of poultry. An access door 9 allows each poultry to enter the cage 1. Each side wall 7 comprises a vertical lower portion 10, preferably formed by a solid plate or a mesh, extending from the floor 5 upwards to an appropriate height to prevent the passage of the body of a poultry, and, above and at a distance from this lower portion 10, a wavy edge 11 oriented downwards, to define, with the free upper edge of the portion lower 10, a plurality of scalloped openings 12 restraining the base of the neck of a poultry. This corrugated edge 11 is preferably formed by a simple corrugated bar 13 which is therefore twisted so as to form the notched openings 12. This bar 13 is articulated by its two longitudinal ends to the frame 2 so as to be able to pivot about an axis horizontal between a raised position where it allows the engagement of a poultry between the lower portion 10 and itself, and a lowered position where it does not allow the entry or exit of poultry.

Thus, this corrugated bar 13 acts as an access door 9 for poultry.

 Each indented opening 12 is preferably provided with pads 14 for holding and supporting the base of the neck of a poultry, preferably two lateral pads 14 adapted to press on each side of the upper part of the base of the neck of a poultry. The inventor has in fact found that the presence of such lateral pads 14 had the effect of considerably calming the animal. In a variant not shown, the height of the corrugated bar 13, and therefore of the corrugated edge 11, can be adjustable relative to the frame 2 so as to allow its adjustment according to the length of the necks of poultry.

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e pour présenter une portion supérieure inclinée 16 comme représenté figures 7 et 9a. Ainsi, les ouvertures échancrées 12 et notamment la barre 13 ondulée sont fixées sur une portion inclinée 16 de la paroi latérale 7. From the free upper edge of the lower portion 10, the side wall 7 is preferably inclined inward and upward at an angle

e to present an inclined upper portion 16 as shown in Figures 7 and 9a. Thus, the notched openings 12 and in particular the corrugated bar 13 are fixed on an inclined portion 16 of the side wall 7.

 Above the corrugated bar 13, the side wall 7 comprises a longitudinal lumen 15 extending between the two end walls 6 and adapted to allow the passage of an arm of the booster through it, so that a booster located outside the cage 1 can grab each poultry to force-feed, pass its head and neck through a notched opening 12 until the base of the poultry's neck comes to rest under the pads 14 d 'a scalloped opening 12 where it is then held in position while the neck is extended outside the side wall 7, upwards (substantially vertically or more or less inclined) from this scalloped opening 12.

 In the example shown, the two side walls of each cage 1 each include a longitudinal slot 15 in the upper part and notched openings 12, the cage 1 being of the "bilateral" type. In a variant not shown, only one of the side walls could comprise such a longitudinal lumen 15 in the upper part and notched openings 12, the other lateral wall being free of such longitudinal lumens 15 and notched openings 12, the cage being "mono lateral" type.

 The inclined upper portion 16 of the side wall 7 makes it easier to access the booster inside the cage by passing its arm through the longitudinal lumen 15, towards the opposite side wall and therefore facilitates the entry of poultry even if the latter are far from the booster. The height of the floor 5 relative to the ground is adapted to avoid the force-feeder having to bend down to grasp the poultry through the longitudinal lumen 15.

 Each longitudinal lumen 15 is formed between two bars 17, 18, horizontal straight and rigid longitudinal, namely an upper bar 17, and a lower bar 18 extending parallel to each other between the two end walls 6 At least one of these bars 17,18 is

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 surrounded by a tube 19.20 able to roll around the corresponding bar 17.18, so as to cooperate by rolling with the arm of the booster avoiding its friction on this bar 17.18. In the example shown, the two bars 17,18 are provided with a tube 19,20, the tube of the upper bar 17 being of larger diameter. In addition, the upper bar 17 is mounted, at its ends, in oblong bearings 21 so as to allow a lifting of this upper bar 17 over a certain height under the thrust of the booster arm, then ensuring its subsequent descent by gravity in low position. Such a displacement limited in height of the upper bar 17 facilitates the movements of the force-feeder with a view to entering a poultry in the cage 1.

 The upper ceiling 8 is formed, in the example shown, of rigid longitudinal horizontal bars. Alternatively, it could be a mesh or even a solid or perforated wall. A longitudinal gutter for supplying water 22 is provided, preferably along the longitudinal median of the rectangular floor 5 in the case of a bilateral cage. This gutter 22 is located above the floor 5 and the end walls 6 are provided with lights for the passage of the gutter 22 from one cage to another. The height of the gutter 22 relative to the floor 5 is sufficient to prevent poultry from depositing droppings in this gutter 22. A longitudinal central wall 62, for example formed of longitudinal horizontal bars, extends above the gutter 22 to separate the bilateral cage into two separate spaces. In the case of a monolateral cage, the gutter extends along the side wall free of longitudinal light 15. The poultry extends, in all cases, between the gutter 22 and the side wall 7 provided with the light longitudinal 15.

 Preferably, the meshes of the floor 5 are larger in the vicinity of the lower portion 10 of the side walls 7 so as to promote the evacuation of the droppings down through the floor 5. The side walls 7 are preferably extended downwards and inwards under the floor 5 by inclined solid plates 23 directing the droppings towards a gutter 24 where a circulation of water allows their evacuation. In the variant shown in FIG. 3, a conveyor belt 25 driven with continuous movement

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 longitudinally under the floor 5 allows the recovery of the droppings and their continuous evacuation.

 Above the corrugated bar 13, the frame 2 defines a gantry 26 supporting mouthpieces of buccal tubing 27 provided with means for immobilizing the head of a poultry relative to this frame 2.

 Each mouthpiece tip 27 comprises two oblong intraoral half-shells 28,29 adapted to be able to be applied against the internal parts of the beak of a poultry without injury, and to be able to be introduced into the beak of the poultry up to the throat of this poultry , at least substantially at the end of the windpipe and to be able to be crossed by a feeding cannula 30 formed of a straight tube extending axially beyond the mouthpiece tip 27 in the esophagus of poultry for its force-feeding, this force-feeding cannula 30 being connected to means for distributing food (corn kernels, mash, etc.) under pressure.

One of the half-shells 28, 29, called the fixed half-shell 28, is adapted to be applied against an internal part of the upper mandible 31 of poultry.

The other half-shell, called mobile half-shell 29, is adapted to come to bear against the tongue and the internal part of the lower mandible 32 of poultry. The two half-shells 28, 29 are assembled to each other so that they can be either in the position of introduction into the beak of the poultry, close to one another, or in the feeding position, spaced from each other by the feeding cannula 30 introduced through the mouthpiece nozzle 27, that is to say between the two half-shells 28, 29, the latter then being applied against the parts internal beaks of poultry.

 Each half-shell 28, 29 is at least substantially in the form of a portion of cylinder with convexity oriented towards the outside, that is to say towards the parts of the spout on which it is intended to be applied. The concavities of the two half-shells are therefore opposite one another. The fixed half-shell 28 is rigidly fixed under a horizontal plate 33, for example by welding, itself integral with the gantry 26 of the frame 2. It extends downwards, at least substantially vertically under this plate 33 and from a light 34 formed through the plate 33 to allow the passage of a cannula

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1 au moins sensiblement au niveau de l'extrémité de la trachée-artère, à l'intérieur de l'oesophage. Compte tenu de la forme effilée mais arrondie à l'extrémité libre des demi-coquilles 28,29, celles-ci sont faciles à introduire dans le bec jusqu'à l'extrémité de la trachée-artère, sans risque de blessure. Les positions relatives de chaque ouverture échancrée 12 par rapport à l'embout 27 de tubage buccal correspondant imposant une position du cou en extension, concourent à éviter tout risque de blessure lors de l'introduction de l'embout 27 de tubage buccal jusqu'à l'orifice de la trachée-artère. La longueur des demi-coquilles 28,29, (et donc celle de l'embout 27 de tubage buccal), est adaptée pour que l'extrémité libre des demi-coquilles 28,29 ne dépasse pas sensiblement la nuque de la volaille, notamment pour ne pas gêner les manoeuvres et la mise en place de la volaille. De la sorte, la mise en place du bec de l'animal autour de l'embout de tubage buccal 27 est simple, immédiate, et ne nécessite pas de précautions particulières. Il n'y a en particulier aucun risque de blessure compte tenu notamment de la forme effilée des deux demi-coquilles 28,29. gavage 30. The fixed half-shell 28 is tapered towards its free end, that is to say downwards. Its free end is nevertheless rounded to avoid any injury. The fixed half-shell 28 is in practice formed of a cylindrical tubular portion cut along a cutting plane inclined relative to its main axis, this cutting plane moving away radially towards the outside when one moves downwards. . The movable half-shell 29 has a similar shape and is articulated to the fixed half-shell 28 around a transverse horizontal axis 35, in the vicinity of their respective upper ends 36, 37. The length of each of the half-shells 28, 29 is adapted so that these can be engaged inside the beak of a poultry, to the bottom of the gullet, extending

1 at least substantially at the end of the windpipe, inside the esophagus. Given the tapered but rounded shape at the free end of the half-shells 28, 29, these are easy to introduce into the beak up to the end of the windpipe, without risk of injury. The relative positions of each notched opening 12 with respect to the corresponding mouthpiece 27 of mouthpiece imposing an extended neck position, help to avoid any risk of injury during the introduction of mouthpiece 27 of mouthpiece to the orifice of the windpipe. The length of the half-shells 28.29, (and therefore that of the mouthpiece 27 of mouth casing), is adapted so that the free end of the half-shells 28.29 does not substantially exceed the neck of the poultry, in particular so as not to interfere with maneuvers and the placement of poultry. In this way, the establishment of the animal's beak around the mouthpiece tip 27 is simple, immediate, and does not require any special precautions. In particular, there is no risk of injury, in particular given the tapered shape of the two half-shells 28, 29.

'd'fi passage prédéfini pour l'introduction d'une canule de gavage 30 lors de son déplacement vers le bas en vue du gavage d'une volaille. En pénétrant dans The lumen 34 and the extreme edges of the two upper ends 36, 37 of the half-shells 28, 29 form an opening, known as the upper external opening 38, adapted to always remain outside the beak of a poultry receiving this end piece 27, and to allow the passage, through it, of a feeding cannula 30. This upper external opening 38 constitutes a

'd'fi predefined passage for the introduction of a feeding cannula 30 during its downward movement for the feeding of poultry. When entering

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 the mouthpiece tip 27, the feeding cannula 30 moves the movable half-shell 29 away from the fixed half-shell 28 by applying these two half-shells against the mandibles of poultry, as shown for example in FIG. 9b. If necessary, provision may be made for elastic return of the movable half-shell 29 to the fixed half-shell 28 so as to ensure that these two half-shells are in the permanently close position before the fitting of the spout 'a poultry and during this establishment. When it is introduced into the beak of a poultry, the mouthpiece 27 is thus applied against the internal walls of the mandibles of the poultry pushing them outwards as well as the tongue and the glottis, which has the effect of automatically opening the entrance to the esophagus.

 Furthermore, the fixed half-shell 28 comprises a pinching pad 39 adapted to be able to be applied against the internal end part of the upper mandible. An external pinching lining 40 is articulated around a horizontal axis 41 with respect to the frame 2 so that this lining 40 can either be moved away from the pad 39, or brought closer to this pad 39 so as to pinch the upper mandible of a poultry and thus immobilize the beak of the poultry and therefore its head relative to the frame 2. The pad 39 and the lining 40 making a pinch of the mandible can be formed of flexible and elastic synthetic material (foam, rubber, ... ). This elasticity makes it possible to pinch the mandible without damaging it and to adapt to different thicknesses of mandibles. The movements of the lining 40 can be controlled by means of a lever 42 actuating a link 43 which bears on the rear face of the lining 40 so as to apply this lining 40 against the shoe 39 when the lever 42 is raised and, on the contrary , release this lining 40 when the lever 42 is lowered. The kinematics of the mechanism thus formed advantageously has a dead center for locking in the raised position of the lever 42 so as to keep the mandible pinched when the lever 42 is released in this position. The elasticity of the pad 39 and the lining 40 facilitate the passage of neutral and blocking.

The rod 43 can also be elastic in traction for the same purpose.

 FIG. 10 represents an alternative embodiment of a mouthpiece nozzle 27 which differs from that of FIG. 8 on the one hand by the

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 fact that it is removably mounted relative to the plate 33, by means of a simple hook 44, the mouthpiece nozzle 27 being fixed to the plate 33 by simple suspension. This hook 44 can be engaged in a slot 45 formed in the plate 33 in the vicinity of the light 34 to receive the hook 44. In addition, the control lever 42 and the link 43 are replaced by a toggle mechanism 46 whose kinematics also has a blocking dead center allowing, here again, to produce a blocking in the close position of pinching of the lining 40 on the shoe 39 of the fixed half-shell 28. This alternative embodiment makes it possible to introduce the end piece 27 of buccal tubing in the beak before suspending it from the plate 33, that is to say before immobilizing the head of the animal relative to the frame 2.

 In the embodiment of Figure 7, the cage 1 comprises on each side, four mouthpieces 27 mouth buccal above four corresponding notched openings 12.

 In addition, the frame 2 comprises two upper angles 47 extending longitudinally and on each side against the gantries 26, so as to define a raceway for a motorized carriage 48 for distributing food.

 Figure 2 shows an example of such a motorized cart in the case where the food is corn kernels. This carriage comprises rollers rolling on the angles 47 at least part of which is coupled to a drive motor carried by the carriage 48, and a tank 49 forming a food tank. This tank 49 is provided with a horizontal rotary mixer 50 longitudinal motorized by a motor 51 and two longitudinal endless screws 52, one on each side, delivering the food by lights 53 formed in the lower part of a wall d end of tank 49.

 The distribution carriage 48 also carries two motorized endless belt conveyors 54 adapted to receive the food leaving the lights 53 of the tank 49 and to drive it upwards to pour it into a hopper 55 supplying four feeding cannulas 30 distributed along the feed hopper 55.

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 This hopper 55 extends longitudinally on the side of the tank 49 and carries four individual tanks 57 each having a lower end in the form of a funnel opening into a cannula 30 for feeding. The hopper 55 is fed by the conveyor 54 at one of its axial ends, and an endless screw 56 extends longitudinally in the hopper 55 to distribute the food inside the different individual tanks 57. Each feeding cannula 30 is provided with an axial endless screw 58 driven in rotation by an electric motor 59 also carried by the hopper 55, and adapted to force the passage of food under pressure through the cannula 30.

 The hopper 55 is itself mounted on a mobile chassis 60 guided in vertical translation by vertical slides on the main chassis of the motorized carriage 48. The position of the mobile chassis 60, of the feed hopper 55 and therefore of the various force-feeding 30 along the vertical, is controlled by a vertical cylinder 61 whose body is fixed to the chassis of the carriage 48 and whose actuating rod is fixed to the movable chassis 60 of the hopper 55. When the cylinder 61 is deployed (left part Figure 1) the feeding cannulas 30 are in the high transfer position, fully cleared above the mouthpieces of mouthpiece 27. The motorized carriage 48 can therefore roll longitudinally, in particular to pass from a group of mouthpieces 27 of mouthpiece to another.

 The groups of mouthpieces 27 of buccal tubing supplied simultaneously by each group of cannulas 30 of the carriage 48 do not necessarily correspond to a single cage 1. In fact, since the longitudinal distance separating two successive mouthpieces 27 in the longitudinal direction of advancement of the carriage 48 is constant, including from one cage to another, the carriage 48 can be immobilized astride two cages 1. It is thus possible to independently adjust the number of feeding cannulas 30 of the carriage 48 independently of the number of end pieces 27 of buccal tubing which corresponds to the number of poultry in each cage 1. The number of end pieces 27 of poultry in each cage 1 depends on the rate which can be adapted by the force-feeder to grasp the poultry and fix it to the end pieces 27. The number of cannulas 30 of the carriage 48

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 is then adapted according to the booster durations so that the carriage 48 at least substantially follows the booster in synchronism.

 Each conveyor 54 is mounted on the chassis of the carriage 48 pivoting about a longitudinal horizontal axis 63, and its position relative to this axis 63, is defined by a jack 64. When the actuating rod of the jack 64 is retracted, the conveyor 54 is in the active position where it receives the food falling by gravity from the light 53 in its lower inlet chute 65 whose opening is oriented upwards, transports the food upwards to make it open into its outlet chute 66, the opening of which is oriented downwards, in the feed hopper 55. When the jack 64 is deployed, the conveyor 54 is tilted in a more vertical position above the axis 63 (left part FIGS. 1 and 2), the outlet chute 66 being released from the feed hopper 55 so that the latter can be moved up vertically. Conversely, in the low position for feeding the cannulas 30 and the hopper 55, each feeding cannula 30 is engaged in a mouthpiece of mouth tubing, inside the neck of an animal, and the conveyor 54 is tilted. (right part Figures 1 and 2) so that its outlet chute 66 delivers the food into the hopper 55 of supply.

 FIG. 3 represents an alternative embodiment more particularly intended for the supply of liquid, pasty or semi-pasty pâté. In this variant, each feeding cannula 30 is supplied with food from an alternative linear supply pump 68, carried by the motorized carriage 48, the details of which are shown in FIG. 5. This pump 68 comprises a double pneumatic cylinder effect 69 controlling a three-way valve 70 for supplying or discharging an electromagnetic main pumping cylinder 71. The three-way valve 70 comprises an inlet 72 for food, an outlet 73 for food, and communicates with one end of the cylinder 74 of the jack 71, on one side of the piston 75. When the pneumatic jack 69 is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the food can be discharged by the piston 75 from the cylinder 74 through the outlet 73. If one modifies the position of the double-acting cylinder 69 by supplying compressed air to the corresponding air inlet 76, the piston 77 of this cylinder is pushed back, which displaces a shutter 78 brought to

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 the end of the rod of this jack 69 which initially blocked the food inlet 72. The shutter 78 then releases the food inlet 72 and obstructs the passage to the outlet 73. In this way, the food enters through the inlet 72 and fills the cylinder 74, the piston 75 moving to the bottom. of cylinder 74.

To switch to discharge mode, the opposite air inlet 79 is supplied to the double-acting cylinder 69, which replaces the shutter 78 in the position for closing the food inlet 72 and again releases the outlet 73 of food.

Simultaneously, the electromagnetic cylinder 71 is actuated, which pushes the piston 75 in the direction of delivery of food towards the outlet 73. The electromagnetic cylinder 71 is provided with a linear sensor 81 which makes it possible to precisely adjust the total admissible stroke for the piston 75, corresponding to the volume of the dose of food to be delivered into each feeding cannula 30. The piston 75 is provided with a permanent magnet 80 cooperating with the magnetic linear sensor 81 of this jack 71.

 Each of the 68 alternative pumps thus formed at its outlet 73 which is connected to one of the booster cannulas 30, and its inlet 72 which is connected to a reservoir of food which travels along the cages 1 on a carriage (not shown) in synchronism with the motorized carriage 48. The mash being delivered under pressure, thanks to the jacks 71 in particular, in the force-feeding cannulas 30, the latter are simply fixed to the chassis 60 movable in vertical translation under the effect of the jack 61.

 The piloting of the motorized carriage 48 can be controlled for example by means of photoelectric cells carried by this motorized carriage 48 and each comprising a light beam directed downwards towards the plate 33 carrying the mouthpiece tips 27 partially shown in FIG. 6 The plate 33 includes a first lumen 85 making it possible to control the stopping of the motorized carriage 48 in the position where the feeding cannulas 30 are opposite the lumens 34 and the mouthpiece tips 27. In other words, when the light beam oriented towards the bottom of the carriage 48 meets this light 85, the corresponding photoelectric cell detects that the carriage 48 has arrived in position and interrupts the rolling of this carriage 48 on the angles 47. Furthermore, the plate 33 comprises, for each end piece 27 of casing buccal, two

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lumières 86, 87, semblables qui se jouxtent et une plaquette 88 montée coulissante transversalement par rapport à la platine 33 pour pouvoir obturer soit les deux lumières 86, 87, soit uniquement l'une 86 de ces deux lumières 86, 87, soit aucune d'entre elles. Le chariot motorisé 48 comprend deux cellules photoélectriques et deux faisceaux lumineux correspondant à ces deux lumières 86, 87. Lorsque le chariot 48 est à l'arrêt en position, si les deux cellules photoélectriques sont activées et reconnaissent que les deux lumières 86, 87 sont laissées libres, une alimentation de la canule de gavage 30 correspondante par une première dose, par exemple une dose pleine, est commandée. S'il est détecté que seule la lumière 87 est laissée libre, une deuxième dose, par exemple une demi-dose, d'alimentation en nourriture est fournie à la canule de gavage 30. Si les deux lumières 86, 87 sont obturées par la plaquette 88, la canule de gavage 30 n'est pas alimentée. On peut ainsi, de façon extrêmement simple, permettre au gaveur de régler l'alimentation de chaque volaille d'une cage, individuellement. D'autres variantes de réalisation sont possibles pour individualiser la dose d'alimentation pour chaque volaille.

lights 86, 87, similar which adjoin each other and a plate 88 slidably mounted transversely relative to the plate 33 in order to be able to close either the two lights 86, 87, or only one 86 of these two lights 86, 87, or no d 'between them. The motorized carriage 48 comprises two photoelectric cells and two light beams corresponding to these two lights 86, 87. When the carriage 48 is stationary in position, if the two photoelectric cells are activated and recognize that the two lights 86, 87 are left free, a supply of the corresponding feeding cannula 30 with a first dose, for example a full dose, is controlled. If it is detected that only the lumen 87 is left free, a second dose, for example a half dose, of food supply is supplied to the feeding cannula 30. If the two lumens 86, 87 are closed by the wafer 88, the feeding cannula 30 is not supplied. It is thus possible, in an extremely simple manner, to allow the booster to regulate the feeding of each poultry of a cage, individually. Other alternative embodiments are possible to individualize the feed dose for each poultry.

In the embodiment corresponding to a grain food, the metering can be carried out by a simple operating delay of the electric motors 58, it being specified that the individual reservoirs 57 disposed above the feeding cannulas 30 form food reserves of '' a volume greater than an individual dose. In the embodiment where the food is formed of mash, the metering is of the volumetric type and corresponds to the stroke of the electromagnetic jack 71.

In all cases, the motorized distribution carriage 48 includes an automatic system controlling its operation and control.

The installation according to the invention operates as follows.

The booster moves along the cages 1 slightly in advance with respect to the motorized distribution trolley 48. When it arrives at a cage 1 before the trolley 48, it passes one of its arms through the longitudinal lumen 15 to catch a poultry, the head and neck of which he passes through a notched opening 12. He grasps the head of the animal with his other hand and puts the

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 beak of the animal in place around the mouthpiece nozzle 27 located immediately above this notched opening 12. It immobilizes the nozzle on this mouthpiece nozzle 27 by actuating the lever 42 as shown for example in FIG. 9a. It then proceeds successively in the same way to place a poultry to force-feed on each mouthpiece tip 27.

Meanwhile, the motorized carriage 48 arrives in position above the corresponding cage 1, then the jack 61 is activated to lower the booster cannulas 30 through the slots 34 of the plate 33 and through the tubing tips 27 as shown in figure 9b. As can be seen, the animal's neck is perfectly straight, in extension, so that no risk of injury by the feeding cannula 30 exists. Going down through the mouthpiece nozzle 27, the feeding cannula 30 pushes the two half-shells. Depending on the position of the plate 88, a predetermined amount of food is delivered into the crop of the animal.

After the force-feeding, the actuator 61 is activated in the direction of the ascent of the cannulas 30. Beforehand, the conveyors 54 are placed in the inactive position by actuation of the actuator 64 to allow the ascent of the hoppers 55. The lever 42 is then lowered, as shown in Figure 9c, to release the head of the animal which returns to the cage spontaneously. The lowering of the lever 42 for the release of the animal's beak can be carried out manually by the booster, or, preferably, automatically, for example by a cam 89 integral with the chassis of the carriage 48 which cooperates with the various levers 42 successively when the motorized carriage 48 moves longitudinally. As a variant, provision could be made for a specific device (actuated by a specific jack or, via an appropriate mechanism, by the jack
61) lower the lever 42 when raising the feeding cannula 30.

It should be noted that the notches of the notched openings
12, formed by the corrugated edge 11, are preferably asymmetrical, these notches being substantially more hollowed upstream relative to the direction of movement of the motorized carriage 48 and of the force-feeder so as to facilitate blocking of the animal's neck when it is brought vertically and upstream for the establishment of the spout on the mouthpiece fitting 27 corresponding.

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The invention can be the subject of numerous variant embodiments with respect to the examples shown and described above. eee
In particular, the means for immobilizing the beak of the poultry on the mouthpieces of the mouth casing 27 can be of the automatically triggered type, that is to say resiliently recalled in the pinching position and controlled by a feeler coming to detect the arrival from the end of the mandible of the animal's beak. In the embodiments shown, preferably, the pinching lining 40 is returned to the release position by a spiral return spring mounted around its axis 41 or by any other appropriate equivalent means.

 The pinching organs 39.40 of the upper mandible can be supplemented or replaced by other means for immobilizing the head of the poultry relative to the mouthpiece nozzle 27, and even more generally relative to the frame 2 It is possible, for example, as a variant or in combination, to pinch means for the lower mandible and / or for guiding or holding members in position of the head of the poultry and / or of the upper part of its neck. These different immobilization means can be adapted in particular according to the nature of the poultry to be force-fed. In the case of ducks or geese, it is generally sufficient to pinch the upper mandible to immobilize the head of the poultry relative to the frame 2. The height of the pinching organs 39, 40 (means of immobilizing the head) can be adjustable relative to the frame 2, to allow adjustment according to the length of the animals' necks. The same applies to the vertical position of the end pieces 27 relative to the notched openings 12.

 The mouthpieces 27 and the feeding tubes 30 can be made of metallic material which is easy to clean and sterilize, or of more or less flexible synthetic material.

 The motorized distribution carriage 48 is preferably motorized by an electric motor or by any other equivalent motor (hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.). Similarly, the cylinders 61, 64 allowing the displacement of each feeding cannula 30 and the tilting of the conveyors 54 can be pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders or be replaced by

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 electric motors. The control means may be different from those described solely by way of example, formed essentially of photoelectric cells. On the same line of cages 1, two adjacent cages share the same end wall 6. However, this line arrangement is not compulsory. The raceways 47 of the motorized carriage 48 can be produced not by the frame 2 of the cages itself, but by an independent frame making it possible, for example, to move the cages independently of the motorized carriage 48, for example with a view to cleaning them. The motorized carriage 48 can itself carry cleaning ramps, or be replaced by a cleaning carriage at the end of the force-feeding carrying water spraying ramps on the cages 1. A tank can be carried by the carriage 48 including in the variant suitable for mash distribution. Conversely, the tank can be carried by an independent trolley rolling on the ground in the variant adapted to the distribution of whole corn.

Claims (20)

1 / -Cage for force-feeding poultry-notably palmipeds such as ducks or geese-comprising: a frame (2) able to rest on the ground, receive at least one poultry in semi-freedom, - two opposite end walls (6) and two opposite side walls (7) adapted to define a peripheral enclosure around the floor (5), - an upper ceiling (8) closing in upper part the side walls (7) and end (6) so as to prevent the exit of the poultry (ies), - at least one access door (9) allowing the entry of at least one poultry in the cage, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one longitudinal lumen (15) extending between the two end walls (6), adapted to allow the passage of an arm through it, so a force-feeder located outside the cage can grab each poultry to force-feed, - through at least one of the side walls (7) and under a longitudinal lumen (15), at least one notched opening (12) of contention adapted to allow the passage of the head and neck of a poultry through it, and to receive and maintain the base of the neck of the poultry while the latter is extended outside the side wall (7), upwards from this notched opening (12).  2 / -Cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimensions of the floor and the distance between the walls (6,7) are adapted so that each poultry located in the cage can be gripped by at least one force-feeder from the outside by passing an arm through the longitudinal lumen (s) (15).  3 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each side wall (7) comprises a light <Desc / Clms Page number 23>  longitudinal (15) in the upper part and at least one notched opening (12), the cage being bilateral.  4 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the side walls (7) comprises a longitudinal lumen (15) in the upper part and at least one notched opening (12), the other side wall being free of longitudinal light and indented opening, the cage being monolateral.  5 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each longitudinal lumen (15) is formed in an upper portion (16) of a side wall (7) extending inclined upwards towards the inside the cage so as to facilitate access to the booster to the opposite side wall.  6 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (39,40, 42) for immobilizing the head of a poultry relative to the frame (2), extended neck upwards from each notched opening (12) for force-feeding.  7 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is adapted to receive several poultry, and comprises several indentations (12) for the simultaneous force-feeding of several poultry.  8 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each side wall (7) which comprises a longitudinal lumen (15), further comprises: - a vertical lower portion (10) extending from from the floor (5) to an appropriate height to prevent the passage of the body of a poultry, - above and at a distance from this lower portion (10), a wavy edge (11) oriented downwards to define, with the upper edge of the lower portion, each notched opening (12).  9 / -Cage according to claim 8, characterized in that the corrugated edge (11) is formed by a corrugated bar (13).  10 / -Cage according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the corrugated edge (11) is the lower part of a part <Desc / Clms Page number 24>  pivotally mounted around a longitudinal axis so as to form an access door (9).  11 / - Cage according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each longitudinal lumen (5) is formed between two straight horizontal bars (17,18) extending between the two end walls (6).  12 / -Cage according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one of the bars (17,18) is surrounded by a tube (19,20) capable of rolling around the bar (17,18) so as to cooperate by rolling with the booster arm, avoiding its friction on the bar (17,18).  13 / -Cage according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the upper bar (17) is mounted at its ends in oblong bearings (21) so as to allow a lifting of this upper bar (17) on a certain height under the thrust of the booster arm, ensuring its subsequent descent by gravity into the low position.  14 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal gutter (22) for supplying water extending at a distance from each side wall (7) comprising a longitudinal lumen ( 15).  15 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the floor (5) comprises larger meshes in the vicinity of the side walls (7).  16 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the side walls (7) are extended downwards and inwards under the floor (5) by plates (23) for recovering droppings .  17 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the frame (2) comprises a base (3) adjustable in height relative to the ground.  18 / -Cage according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises rails (47) upper receiving a carriage (48) motorized food distribution rolling above the ceiling (8) . <Desc / Clms Page number 25>  19 / - Installation for feeding poultry - in particular palmipeds such as ducks or geese - characterized in that it comprises at least one cage according to one of claims 1 to 18.  20 / -Installation according to claim 19, characterized in that it comprises at least one line of cages (1) juxtaposed horizontally and aligned along the same horizontal axis, two cages (1)

 adjacent being separated by a common end wall (6). i