GB2165434A - Races for pesticidal treatment of animals - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal race of the open ended gangway type having upstanding side walls (4) characterised in that the race includes at least one downwardly projecting rail (10) supported above the gangway, the rail (10) is adapted to cause an animal passing through the race to lower its head.

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in pesticidal treatment of animals In our UK patent 2 106365 Bwe describe and claim an invention for impeding the progress of animals at the entrance end portion of a race in order to provide a separation between animals passing in single file through the race, which separation is necessaryforthe operation of a sighting device which effects the spraying of the individual animals. From approximately mid-length of the race end the animals are free to proceed at their normal speed during which they are sprayed with a pesticide for example.

The race of the aforesaid patent has performed well in the field and the failure rate through insufficient separation of animals when automatically applying pesticide to the animals passing through the race has been small.

Nevertheless, we have experimented with improvements to the race of the aforesaid patent in order to eliminate the possibility to apply pesticide to an animal as desired. In our aforesaid patent we impede the progress of the animals by providing closely spaced apart portions of side panels of the race at the entrance end thereof so that movement of the legs of the animals are restricted.

Our experiments to improve the race have included the suspension of flexible screens across the race between the side walls and at a height above the floor of the race such that animals are caused to lower their heads in order to proceed through the race. This provides a separation between the rump portion of a leading animal and the brisket portion of the animal immediately following. The separation provides the necessary break for a sighting device of an electronic system which triggers the spraying of each individual animal.

We have found that opaque screens fail to produce the desired effect as the animals regard the screen as a barrier and baulk before coming into contact with the screen thereby interrupting the steady flow of animals through the race. From these experiments we have deduced that sheep will proceed through a race if they can see a sufficiently clear space ahead of them.

The present invention consists in a race of the kind formed as an open ended gangway having upstanding side walls, characterised in that the race includes at least one downwardly projecting rail supported above the gangway, which rail only partially obstructs the forward view, and which is adapted to cause an animal, passing through the race, to lower its head.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa side eievation of a race according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the race shown in Figure 1, and; Figure 3 is a plan view of the race of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the race comprises a base 1, a pair of side frames 2 and a floor 3 which may be slightly ramped at each end as indicated.

Adjustable wall panels 4 extend longitudinally of the race and are located by pins 5 which project from the bottom of each panel 4 and home in holes (not shown) formed in the floor as single holes or as series of holes permitting positional adjustment of the distance between the two panels to suit the size of animal being treated. The upper edge of each panel 4 is pivotally connected to one end of a respective link 19. The other end of each link 19 is pivotally connected to a selectively adjustable lever 6 which is pivoted at one frame 2 and includes a pin 7 which selectively engages one of a series of holes 8 in an adjustment plate 9 at the other frame 2.

Movement of lever 6 effects the concerted inward or outward movement of panels 4.

The panels 4 are spaced apart sufficiently for animals to proceed through the race in single file whilst being restrained from wandering from a locus being a straight line path virtually corresponding to the longitudinal centre-line of the floor.

In order to provide the illusion of a space ahead together with means to cause an animal to lower its head and thereby cause the animals to become spaced apart, two overhead rails 10 connected with the frames 2 and adjustably suspended above the floor are provided at the departure end of the race.

The rails 10 may take the form of metal tubes or alternatively metal plates. It is of course possible to use materials other than metals, rigid plastics or wood being possible alternatives however, for the rugged use to which the apparatus is subjected metal components are preferred.

The rails 10 are placed generally parallel to each other and parallel to the centre line of the floor of the race, either side of the centre iine. Additionally a third rail (not shown) may be employed and if so employed it is located centrally between the other fins. It may be suspended to the same height as its neighbours or alternatively it may be located on a higher plane. The purpose of a centrally located rail is to prevent an animal lifting its head whilst passing beneath the rails 10 and becoming caught by the head or neck. We have found however, that with two rails 10 spaced either side of the centre line animals such as sheep lower their head when approaching the rails and retain their head in the lowered position until they are free of the departure end of the race.To ensure that the sheep do not attempt to place their heads between the rails when only two are used the rails 10 may be joined by a cross bar 11 at the entrance end of the rails.

Because separation is caused by the overhead rails and the resultant lowering of the head of an animal traversing the race, straight sided side panels 4 may be employed in the race.

Alternatively the panels may include humps 12 as described in our UK patent 2 106 365 B which restrict the width of the race.

To compensate for flocks of sheep of differing sizes the rails 10 are vertically adjustable. To enable adjustment of the rails 10, clamps 15 are provided attached to beams 16 and 17 which clampingly engage upward projections 18 of the rails 10. Beams 16 and 17 are fixedly attached to frames 2.

Liquid treatment nozzles (not shown) are provided at desired locations so to direct the treatment liquid selectively downwardly toward the animal passing along the race. These nozzles may be attached to beams 16 and 17 orto rails 10. If the nozzles are adjustable the liquid may be jetted forwardly or rearwardly of the mounting point at which the nozzle is located as desired. At or near the middle of each side panel 4 a further adjustable nozzle 20 may be provided.

Spraying is triggered by a sighting device 21 of an electronic system (not shown) which detects the passing of the individual animals.

In operation, to allow the progress of the animals at the required spacing when going through the departure end portion of the race, the panels 4 are adjusted so to permit only one animal at a time to proceed through the race and the rails 10 are vertically adjusted to suit the height of the animals.

The animals proceed through the race in single ftle each lowering its head as it passes beneath the rails. This causes the animals to separate to provide a necessary break for the sighting device 21 of the electronic system which effects the spraying of the individual animals.

Claims (8)

1. A race of the kind formed as an open ended gangway having upstanding side walls, characterised in that the race includes at least one downwardly projecting rail supported above the gangway, which rail only partially obstructs the forward view, and which is adapted to cause an animal, passing through the race to lower its head.

2. A race according to claim 1 including a base, a pair of side frames extending upwardly from said base, and a floor between said side frames.

3. A race according to claim 2 including panels constituting said side walls.

4. A race according to claim 3 including two rails height adjustably connected with said frames.

5. A race according to claim 4wherein said height adjustment is achieved by the provision of screwdown clamps which are fixed to beam extending between said frames and which clampingly engage upwardly projecting formations on said rails.

6. A race according to claim 5 including two links one pivotally connected to each of said panels, the other ends of the links being connected to an adjustment lever, selective movement of which effects the concerted inward or outward movement of said panels.

7. A race according to claim 5 including a cross bar extending between said rails at the end of said rails.

8. A race substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.