NL2019037B1

NL2019037B1 - Disposable package for feed and drink for newly hatched birds

Info

Publication number: NL2019037B1
Application number: NL2019037A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Sebastiaan Bruins Wouter; Marijn Stutterheim Wil
Original assignee: Pas Reform Bv
Priority date: 2017-06-08
Filing date: 2017-06-08
Publication date: 2018-12-17
Also published as: WO2018226101A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a package containing feed and/or drink for consumption and digestion by newly hatched birds undergoing incubation and/or baby birds being stored or transported after incubation, preferably immediately or soon after incubation. The top of the package is made of a material that the birds can readily puncture and tear to access the feed and/or drink.

Description

DISPOSABLE PACKAGE FOR FEED AND DRINK FOR NEWLY HATCHED BIRDS

Field ofthe Invention

The present invention relates to a package containing feed and/or drink for consumption and digestion by a bird immediately or soon after its hatching from its egg during its incubation and/or thereafter during its incubation and/or thereafter during its transport after incubation. The invention particularly relates to a package, at least the top of which is made from a clear plastic, through which the bird can see and ultimately access the feed and/or drink. The invention more particularly relates to a biodegradable package, yet more particularly a compostable package.

Background ofthe Invention

In raising poultry, newly laid eggs are typically incubated in large batches under hot, i.e., about 37°C, and dry conditions for up to 21 days until all the fertilized eggs have hatched, or until they should have hatched. Only then are the batches of newly hatched birds removed, and possibly fed with a starter or pre-starter source of feed for the birds.

Normally, most chicken eggs hatch in the period between 18 and 21 days after incubation has begun. Unfortunately, many of the birds that hatch earlier during the final three days of incubation, may suffer growth and/or disease problems. These problems arise principally because of a lack of feed and water, available to the birds that hatch earlier during these last three days for their consumption. Research has shown that these chicks, for their further development and resistance to diseases, could benefit from providing feed and water as soon as possible after hatching. See: "Spread of hatch and delayed feed access affect post hatch performance of female broiler chicks up to day 5" Animal (2014), 8:4, pp 610-617; and "The Effects of the Spread of Hatch and Interaction with Delayed Feed Access After Hatch on Broiler Performance Until Seven Days of Age" 2005 Poultry Science (2005) 84:1314-1320. For this reason, it has been recommended that newly hatched chicks be fed with water and a feed, such as a corn-wheat- soybean-based starter diet, immediately after hatching.

Moreover, problems arise during the transport, after incubation, of newly hatched chicks because of a lack of feed and water, available to them for consumption during transport. Research has shown that these chicks, for their further development and resistance to diseases, could benefit from providing them with feed and water during transport.

Ways have been sought for providing all newly hatched chicks in incubators or hatcheries with feed and water as soon as possible after hatching and thereafter until they are placed in a final poultry or egg-laying farming environment where they will be fed a conventional corn and soybean meal containing essential vitamins and minerals. US33965703 describes a hatching house for chicks with a belt, on which eggs can hatch, and feed troughs adjacent to the belt for the newly hatched chicks. W00234039A1 describes an incubator for chicks containing stacked egg trays, each provided with water and feed for newly hatched chicks. US patents 8196548 and 8272352 describe egg trays for incubators for chicks, each tray being provided with troughs for feed for newly hatched chicks. Also described is an automated feeder for replenishing feed in each trough, requiring each egg tray to be pulled out completely from the incubator, so that the egg tray beneath it can be disposed beneath the automated feeder for filling its toughs.

However, there has been a continuing need for a simpler way of providing feed and/or drink, particularly water, to newly hatched chicks in incubators and/or to baby birds being transported after incubation -- requiring less labour and time.

Summary of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simpler way of providing feed and/or drink, particularly water, to newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, advantageously immediately or soon after they hatch from their eggs during incubation, and/or to baby birds being stored or transported after incubation, advantageously immediately or soon after incubation.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention for providing feed and/or drink to such birds relates to a package containing feed and/or drink for consumption and digestion by such birds, the package including a puncturable wall, advantageously at the top of the package, which puncturable wall covers and closes the package, which can be punctured by the beaks of such birds, particularly by the beaks of newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, and which can motivate such birds to puncture it with their beaks.

Advantageously, the puncturable wall of the package is pliable.

Also advantageously, the puncturable wall is translucent, more advantageously clear, allowing the birds to see the feed and/or drink provided in the package. More advantageously, the puncturable wall is pliable and translucent, particularly clear. Still more advantageously, the puncturable wall is a pliable and translucent, more advantageously clear, plastic film. Yet more advantageously, the plastic film is made of a clear starch-based polymer, a polycaprolactone polymer, a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or a polylactic acid polymer, or copolymers thereof, or cellophane.

Also advantageously, the puncturable wall of the package is biodegradable, more advantageously, compostable. More advantageously, the puncturable wall is biodegradable and pliable. Even more advantageously, the puncturable wall is made of, advantageously consists essentially of, paper, cellophane, Ecoflex® or a starch-based polymer, particularly a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol or a polylactic acid. Still more advantageously, the puncturable wall is a biodegradable, pliable and translucent, plastic film, more advantageously is a cellophane film.

Also advantageously, the package has a tray that is configured to hold the feed and/or drink and that is covered by the puncturable wall. More advantageously, the tray is biodegradable; still more advantageously the tray is compostable; yet more advantageously the tray is made of cardboard, cellophane, polyesters such as those marketed under the trade name Ecoflex® or a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polylactic acid or another starch-based or cellulose-based polymer, particularly cardboard.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for providing feed or drink or both to newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, advantageously immediately or soon after they hatch, and/or to baby birds being stored or transported after incubation, advantageously immediately or soon after their incubation, the method comprising the step of: providing such birds, particularly newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, with the package containing the feed and/or drink, as just described. Advantageously, the package is provided prior to incubation of bird eggs in a hatch tray or the package is provided immediately or soon after newly hatched birds hatch. This method also advantageously includes a subsequent step of: subjecting the package to composting.

Detailed Description ofthe Invention

Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the description ofthe invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting ofthe invention.

The term "biodegradable" as used herein preferably means that a material will, when exposed to the natural environment, be largely (I.e., at least 75%), preferably at least 90%, more preferably 95%, broken down into carbon dioxide, water, methane or simple organic molecules by aerobic digestion and/or anaerobic digestion by micro-organisms and other living things.

The term "compostable" as used herein preferably means that a material will, when mixed with appropriate amounts of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, be decomposed by microorganisms, particularly bacteria, more particularly thermophilic bacteria, actinobacteria, fungi, protozoa and rotifers, to produce a humus or compost.

The term "feed" as used herein preferably means any cultivated cereal that is conventionally fed to immature birds, such as corn, rice, wheat and/or soybean as described in CN 104489391A of 8 April 2015. In this regard, feed for newly hatched birds, particularly newly hatched chicks, can be a specially prepared and formulated mixture of grains, such as a conventional corn-wheat- soybean-based starter mixture. Feed for newly hatched birds, particularly newly hatched chicks, can also contain edible insects and/or parts of edible insects.

The term "edible insect" as used herein preferably means an insect which can be safely used as a food source for humans and/or birds and/or reptiles, particularly humans, and can also be consumed and/or digested by birds and/or reptiles. Examples of edible insects are set forth in the report: "Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security", FAO Forestry Paper 171, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (Rome, 2013); and in the articles: "Insects-a natural nutrient source for poultry-a review", Ann. Anim. Sci., Vol. 16, No. 2 (2016) 297-313; "Black soldier fly as dietary protein source for broiler quails...", Animal, pages 1-8, The Animal Consortium 2016; and "Extraction and characterisation of protein fractions from five insect species", Food Chemistry 141 (2013) 3341-3348. Among "edible insects" are grasshoppers, soldier flies, crickets, cockroaches, termites, lice, stink bugs, cicadas, aphids, scale insects, psyllids, beetles, caterpillars, flies, fleas, bees, wasps and ants, as well as desert locusts, housefly maggots and silkworms, and in CN 104489391A (8 April 2015). While all stages of edible insects can be used for newly hatched birds or reptiles, undergoing incubation, and birds and reptiles, being transported after incubation in accordance with this invention, the larval stage is preferred. Preferred edible insects are live edible insects although killed, preferably cooked, edible insects may alternatively be used for ease of handling. Preferred species of edible insects include the lesser meal worm (Alphitobius diaperinus), the green bottle fly (Phaenica sericata), the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), the buffalo worm (Alphitobius laevigatus) and the meal worm beetle (Tenebrio molitor), particularly their larvae, particularly the larvae of the lesser meal worm, the green bottle fly and the black soldier fly, more particularly the larvae of the lesser meal worm. In this regard, the average dimensions of the larvae of the lesser meal worm, with a maximal reported length of 20 mm, appears to provide an ideal length and proportion for newly hatched birds, particularly newly hatched chicks.

The term "drink" as used herein preferably means an aqueous liquid, preferably water, more preferably a deep eutectic solvent. The term "deep eutectic solvent" or "DES" as used herein preferably means a mixture of water and two or more metabolites which mixture can be safely consumed, as a source of water, by a bird undergoing incubation or transport. A DES has a much lower vapour pressure than water and a much lower melting point than any of its components. The metabolites of a DES can generally be any plant or animal (e.g., mammal, fish, reptile, bird or insect) metabolites, i.e., compounds naturally occurring in a plant or animal cell, but can also be synthetic metabolites, provided they can be safely consumed. For certain applications, preferred metabolites of a DES will be those found naturally in a bird that is to consume the DES. Generally preferred metabolites include sugars (particularly sucrose, D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-fructose, D-xylose, D-trehalose, raffinose and maltose), sugar alcohols (particularly glycerol, adonitol, xylitol, ribitol, 1,2- propanediol, inositol, meso-erythritol and D-sorbitol), amino acids (particularly betaine, betanine, proline, arginine, asparagine, betaine, alanine, lysine, threonine, putrescine, cadaverine, glucosamine, glutamine, and alanine), organic acids (particularly lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, aconitic acid, L-tartaric acid, succinic acid, neuraminic acid, sialic acid, fumaric acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid [preferably in salt form] and phytic acid [preferably in salt form]) and choline derivatives (particularly choline chloride, acetylcholine, choline citrate and choline bitartrate).

The term "motivate such birds to puncture it with their beaks" as used herein with regard to a puncturable wall of the package of the invention preferably means that the puncturable wall is translucent, preferably clear, or has an exterior surface coated, decorated or colored, preferably red, to attract newly hatched birds undergoing incubation and/or a baby birds being transported after incubation to puncture the wall with their beaks.

The term "clear" as used herein with regard to a plastic film of a puncturable wall ofthe package ofthe invention preferably means that the film is transparent, so that a newly hatched bird can see, through it, the feed, drink or both in the package of the invention.

The term "translucent" as used herein with regard to a plastic film of a puncturable wall of the package of the invention preferably means that the film is semi-transparent, so that a newly hatched bird can see, through it, the shapes of the feed and/or drink in the package ofthe invention.

The term "pliable" as used herein with regard to a puncturable wall of the package ofthe invention preferably means that the wall is supple enough, more preferably thin enough, to bend freely and repeatedly, so that a newly hatched bird undergoing incubation and/or a baby bird being transported after incubation can access and consume the feed and/or drink in the package through the wall after the beak of the bird has punctured the wall. In this regard, the film is preferably of a thickness of from 1 pm to 15 pm, preferably no more than 12.5 pm, more preferably of a thickness of from 5 pm to 1 pm to, particularly when the film is cellophane.

The term "puncturable" as used herein with regard to a puncturable wall of the package of the invention preferably means that the wall has a low resistance to dynamic puncture and propagation of that puncture resulting in a tear as measured by ASTM standard D2582. Thereby, the wall can be readily punctured and torn by the beak of a new hatched bird undergoing incubation and/or a baby bird being transported after incubation, so that the bird can then easily access and consume the feed and/or drink in the package.

The puncturable wall of the package of the invention can be heat sealed to the remainder of the package and/or to its optional tray. The heat seal material used for this purpose can be any number of polymers that can be provided between the the puncturable wall and the remainder ofthe package and/or to its optional tray and form a seal between them in response to an energy source such as that supplied via heat, ultrasonics, laser, or other means, applied to the wall. Suitable polymers for this purpose include bio-based polymers such as poly (hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA), polylactides (PLA), cellophane, co-polyesters, and the like.

The term "bird" as used herein preferably means males or females of any avian species but is primarily intended to encompass poultry which are commercially raised for eggs, meat or as breeding stock. Accordingly, the term "bird" is particularly intended to encompass chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails, doves, ostriches, emus, guinea fowl and pheasants.

The term "baby bird" as used herein preferably means a bird which has hatched less than one month previously, more preferably less than fifteen days previously.

The term "newly hatched bird " as used herein preferably means a baby bird, more preferably a chick, duckling, gosling or poults, yet more preferably a chick, which: has hatched less than 7 days previously, more preferably has hatched less than 3 days previously, yet more preferably has hatched less than 1 day previously, still more preferably has just hatched or is about to hatch.

The term "incubation" herein preferably means a process by which oviparian animals, such as birds hatch their eggs, and to the development of the embryo within the egg after leaving the adults' tract. The term "incubation period" herein preferably means the uninterrupted time during which an egg is subjected to conditions simulating brooding until hatching, i.e. emergence of the hatchlings, including any handling or transfers from e.g. an incubator to a hatchery.

In accordance with this invention, a package is provided containing feed, drink or both for consumption and digestion by newly hatched birds undergoing incubation and/or baby birds being stored or transported after incubation, preferably immediately or soon after incubation. The package has, preferably at its top, a puncturable wall that covers and closes the package, that beaks of such birds can puncture, and that can motivate such birds to puncture it with their beaks.

Preferably, the puncturable wall of the package is pliable.

Also preferably, the puncturable wall is translucent, more advantageously clear, allowing the birds to see the feed and/or drink provided in the package. More preferably, the puncturable wall is pliable and translucent, particularly clear. Still more preferably, the puncturable wall is a pliable and translucent, more preferably a clear, plastic film. Yet more preferably the plastic film is made of cellophane.

Also preferably, the puncturable wall of the package is biodegradable, more preferably, compostable. More preferably, the puncturable wall is biodegradable and pliable. Even more preferably, the puncturable wall is made of, preferably consists essentially of, paper, cellophane, a polyesterfilm, such as Ecoflex® or a starch-based polymer, a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol or a polylactic acid, or blends and combinations thereof. Still more preferably, the puncturable wall is a biodegradable, pliable and translucent, plastic film, more preferably is a cellophane film. The film may also comprises a composite film comprising different functional layers or coatings, e.g. paper with a suitable, e.g. a starch-based clay coating to enhance gas-impermeability.

Preferably, where feed is used that does not contain live insects, the film provides for a sufficiently low gas permeability. In a different preferred embodiment, the film may allow for oxygen permeation to allow live insect feed to breathe.

Also preferably, the package has a tray that holds the feed and/or drink and that is covered by the puncturable wall. More preferably, the tray is biodegradable; still more advantageously the tray is compostable; yet more preferably, the tray is made of cardboard, cellophane, a polyester film, such as Ecoflex®, or a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polylactic acid or another starch-and/or cellulose-based polymer, particularly cardboard.

Preferably, the feed may be packaged under a protective or modified atmosphere, in particular reduced in oxygen cotent, which allows to limit decay or premature oxidation of feed components, and may enhance storage stability, in particular during the incubation period, which can last up to 25 days in the case of Gallus Gallus Domesticus.

The configuration and dimensions of the package of this invention and its optional tray and puncturable wall are not critical. Preferably, the package and tray are substantially rectangular and are adapted to be placed along, and adjacent to, an internal wall of: an egg tray or hatcher basket in a settler or hatcher for birds; or a transport basket for birds in a truck. Preferably, packages are provided along at least two opposite internal walls of each hatcher basket and transport basket, or at the outside whereby the birds can reach the feed and/or drink through suitable openings in the basket more preferably along all internal walls of each hatcher basket and transport basket, surrounding the birds therein. It is preferred that the package of this invention and its tray are each about 50 cm in length so that they can be placed lengthwise or widthwise along the walls in conventional hatcher baskets of 79 cm X 56 cm. However, longer and/or shorter packages of this invention and their trays can be used in such conventional hatcher baskets, as well as in larger and smaller hatcher baskets. The height of the package of this invention and its tray is preferably about 3-5 cm, more preferably about 3.5 -4.0 cm, so that newly hatched birds can easily access the feed and/or drink in the tray. However, taller and/or shorter packages of this invention and their trays can be also used.

Alternatively, the puncturable wall of the package of the invention could form a pouch with the remainder of the package. In such pouch, the remainder of the package could be made of the same material as the puncturable wall. Preferably, the pouch with its puncturable wall provides at least minimal oxygen and/or water vapor barrier properties. Preferably, the puncturable wall could also form a pouch comprising a feed tray, or the wall and the tray may integrally form the package.

Also in accordance with the invention is a method for providing feed or drink or both to newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, preferably immediately or soon after they hatch, and/or to baby birds being stored or transported after incubation, preferably immediately or soon after their incubation, the method including the step of: providing such birds, particularly newly hatched birds undergoing incubation, with the package containing the feed and/or drink, as just described., Preferably, the package is provided prior to incubation of bird eggs in a hatch tray or the package is provided immediately or soon after newly hatched birds hatch. This method also preferably includes a subsequent step of: subjecting the package to composting.

Further in accordance with this invention, bird eggs can be placed in stacked egg trays or hatcher baskets in a settler for incubation during their first 18 days after being laid. The stacked hatcher baskets can then be transferred into a hatcher for the last three days of their incubation. The settler and hatcher can each have a multi-level incubation shelf system that can hold a multitude of stacked hatcher baskets, each of which holds a multitude of eggs. The settler and hatcher each typically provide the eggs with controlled air flow and temperature for incubation, preferably in climate controlled chambers. During incubation, eggs are kept in the hatcher baskets until the birds hatch (after about 18-21 days for chicks). After hatching, the newly hatched birds can be transported by truck in conventional stacked transport baskets to a poultry house. The truck can have a multi-level shelf system that can hold a multitude of stacked transport baskets, each of which holds a multitude of newly hatched birds.

Claims

A package, food and / or drink comprising for consumption and digestion by newly hatched birds that undergo an incubation, and / or by baby birds that are transported after an incubation; wherein the package comprises a pierceable wall covering and sealing the package, the pierceable wall being pierceable by the jaws of such birds.

A package according to claim 1, for consumption and digestion by newly hatched birds, immediately after or soon after hatching them from the egg during incubation, and / or by baby birds being transported after an incubation.

A package according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the baby birds are transported immediately after or soon after the incubation.

Package as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the pierceable wall is located at the height of the top of the package.

A package according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pierceable wall can motivate the birds in question to pierce the wall with their beak.

The package of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pierceable wall is pliable.

7. Package as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the pierceable wall is light-transmitting so that the birds can see the food and / or drink that is present in the package.

The package of claim 7, wherein the pierceable wall is clear.

The package of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pierceable wall is a clear plastic film.

A package according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the pierceable wall is biodegradable and preferably compostable.

A package according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pierceable wall is made of paper, cellophane, a polyester, a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol, or a polylactic acid, or a polymer based on cellulose and / or starch, or a mixture or a combination of the foregoing.

A package according to claim 11, wherein the pierceable wall consists essentially of paper, cellophane, a polyester, a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol, or a polylactic acid, or a cellulose and / or starch-based polymer, or a mixture or a combination of the foregoing.

A package according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the package comprises a dish configured to receive the food and / or drink therein, and which is covered by the pierceable wall.

A package according to claim 13, wherein the tray is biodegradable and preferably compostable.

A package according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the tray is made from cardboard, cellophane, a polyester, a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polylactic acid or a cellulose and / or starch-based polymer, or a mixture or combination of polymeric materials, preferably cardboard.

16. Method for offering food or drink, or both, to newly hatched birds undergoing an incubation, preferably immediately after or soon after hatching, and / or to baby birds being transported after an incubation, preferably immediately after or soon after their incubation, the method comprising the steps of: presenting to such birds, in particular to newly hatched birds undergoing an incubation, the package according to any of claims 1 to 15, food and / or drink.

The method of claim 16, wherein the package is presented prior to incubation in a hatching dish in which bird eggs are present.

The method of claim 17, wherein the package is offered immediately or soon after the newly hatched birds hatch from the egg.

The method of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising an additional step of subjecting the package to a composting.

Use of a package according to any of claims 1 to 15, to offer feed or drink or both in a biodegradable package to birds while undergoing an incubation or being stored or transported after an incubation, in particular at an out-of-date the eggs are birds that undergo an incubation. Category of literature mentioned: X: state of the art of special interest in itself Y: in conjunction with other literature of particular interest state of the art A: state of the art not of category X or Y technique O: referring to a non-written state of the art P: literature published between priority date and submission date T: literature on theory or principle not published on time that forms the basis of the E: patent literature published on or after the submission date of the present application e whose filing date or priority date is prior to the filing date of the present application D: mentioned in the application L: literature mentioned for other reasons &: member of the same patent family; corresponding literature Written Opinion Patent application 2019037 are not known from Dl. Claim 1 and claims 2-15 dependent on it are therefore new to D1. The effect of these difference measures is that the package can be used to offer food and / or drink to newly hatched birds that undergo an incubation, and / or to baby birds that are transported after an incubation, and that these birds themselves use the package with open their mouths. An average person skilled in the art packs for food and drink who is instructed to use the package known from Dl for offering feed and / or drink to newly hatched birds that undergo an incubation, and / or to baby birds that after an incubation transported, the package from D1 will be filled without inventive labor with the desired feed and / or the desired beverage. If the person skilled in the art is instructed to adjust the package known from D1 so that said birds can themselves open the package with their mouth, he will choose the thickness of the pierceable wall ("12") such that this wall ("12 ") can be pierced by the pelvis of said birds. Claim 1 is therefore not considered inventive with respect to D1 and the knowledge of the skilled person. An analogous reasoning applies to claims 2 and 3, so that also claims 2 and 3 are not considered inventive with respect to D1 and the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. The pierceable wall ("12") in D1 is located at the top of the package. The wall ("12") is a foldable, clear plastic film (see paragraphs [0044] and [0045]). Because the pierceable wall ("12") is clear, the wall can motivate the birds in question to pierce the wall with their beak (see application, page 7, lines 24-29). The pierceable wall ("12") consists of polyester (see paragraph [0045]). The package includes a tray ("tray 2") configured to receive food and / or beverage ("food product 10") therein, and which is covered and sealed by the pierceable wall ("12"). The shell is made of polyester ("CPET material", see paragraph [0047]). Herewith the characteristic features of claims 4-9, 11-13 and 15 are known from D1. In dependence on claim 1, claims 4-9, 11-13 and 15 are therefore not inventive with respect to D1 and the knowledge of the skilled person. The characterizing features of claims 10 and 14 show no direct co-operation with the inventive concept of claim 1. Moreover, the use of biodegradable polyester in the field of food and drink packaging is well known. Thus claims 10 and 14 add nothing inventive to D1 and the knowledge of the skilled person. Written Opinion Patent Application 2019037 Document D2 D2 discloses a package ("packing container 1", see figures 1-6), which comprises a pierceable wall ("cover 3", see paragraph [0028]) that covers and closes the package. The measures of claim 1 that • the package comprises feed and / or drink for consumption and digestion by newly hatched birds undergoing an incubation, and / or by baby birds being transported after an incubation; and • the pierceable wall can be pierced by the jaws of such birds, are not streams from D2. Claim 1 and dependent claims 2-15 are therefore new to D2. According to an analogous reasoning as given in D1, claims 1-3 are not considered inventive with respect to D2 and the knowledge of the skilled person. The pierceable wall ("3") in D2 is located at the top of the package (see Figure 6), is pliable (see Figure 3) and is a clear plastic film ("transparent vinyl film", see paragraph [0001] ). Because the pierceable wall ("3") is clear, the wall can motivate the birds in question to pierce the wall with their beak (see application, page 7, lines 24-29). The package comprises a dish ("container body 2") which is configured to receive food and / or drink ("food and drink"), and which is covered and closed off by the pierceable wall ("3"), see paragraph. Herewith the characteristic measures of claims 4-9 and 13 will be known from D2. In dependence on claim 1, claims 4-9 and 13 are therefore not inventive with respect to D2 and the knowledge of the skilled person. Document D3 D3 discloses a method ("feeding method", see figure 5) for offering feed ("gel feed F") to newly hatched birds ("chicks H", "during the first 7 days of life", see paragraph [0052]) which are subjected to an incubation and / or to baby birds that are transported after an incubation (see paragraph [0082]), the method comprising: offering a package ("feed containers 2" to such birds ("H") "), which includes the feed (" F "). The difference measure that the package comprises a pierceable wall covering and sealing the package, whereby the pierceable wall can be pierced by the birds' jaws, is not known from D3. Claim 16 and claims 17-19 dependent on it are therefore new to D3. Conclusion 20 is also new to D3 due to the lack of said difference measure. In the state of the art investigated with regard to methods for offering feed and / or drink to newly hatched birds and / or baby birds, no indication has been found that points in the direction of said difference measure. Claims 16-20 are therefore considered inventive with respect to D3. Written Opinion Patent application 2019037 Document D4 D4 discloses a method ("promoting feed growth", see Figure 7a) for offering feed ("offering feed") to newly hatched birds ("young chicken 100", "during their first days" , see paragraph [0026]) which undergo an incubation (see paragraph [0029]), the method comprising: offering such birds ("100") a package ("trough 102") that feeds the feed 103 "). The difference measure that the package comprises a pierceable wall that covers and closes the package, whereby the pierceable wall can be pierced by the birds' jaws, is not known from D4. Claims 16-20 are therefore considered new and inventive with respect to D4.