WO2010080162A1

WO2010080162A1 - Piglet separation system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2010080162A1
Application number: PCT/US2009/030752
Authority: WO
Inventors: Theodorus Franciscus Koppens
Original assignee: Ctb Inc.
Priority date: 2009-01-12
Filing date: 2009-01-12
Publication date: 2010-07-15

Abstract

A piglet separation system and method for moving one or more dividers either individually or simultaneously in one or more farrowing pens between lowered and raised positions. When in the raised position, the dividers partition the farrowing pens into first and second sections that allow the separation of the piglets from the sow. The partitioning of the farrowing pens can separate a feeding area where the sow is located and a sleeping area where a cozy environment is provided. When in the raised position, the farmer can selectively move smaller piglets into the feeding area while preventing the larger piglets from eating. When in the lowered position, the dividers can be conveniently located below the floor.

Description

PIGLET SEPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to farrowing pens, and more particularly to a system and method for separating piglets from the sow in each of the farrowing pens.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY [0002] This section provides background and summary information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. Farrowing pens can include a sow crate within which a sow is located. Piglets can be allowed to move about the farrowing pen to feed from the sow. During the feeding, the weaker (smaller) piglets may be limited in their access to the sow due to the stronger (larger) piglets also competing for access to the sow. As a result, the weaker piglets receive less nutrition than the stronger piglets, which can further perpetuate the developmental difference between the weaker and stronger piglets.

[0003] To preferentially feed the smaller piglets, the farmer may physically separate the piglets from the sow and subsequently separate the smaller piglets from the larger piglets. The smaller piglets can then be allowed access to the sow while the stronger piglets are restrained from accessing the sow. As a result, the smaller piglets can receive more nutrition and gain in size to be comparable to the larger piglets. This process can be especially important during the first three to five days of the piglet's life.

[0004] To separate the piglets from the sow, a barrier can be manually moved from a location exterior to the farrowing pen to a position in the farrowing pen that separates the piglets from the sow. The movement of the barrier can be cumbersome and time consuming. Additionally, the barrier can be subject to being misplaced as there is no defined position for the barrier when not positioned in the farrowing pen. [0005] To facilitate the separation of the piglets from the sow, the barrier can be selectively positioned in the farrowing pen while the piglets are sleeping. The piglets generally sleep in an area of the farrowing pen associated with a comfortable or cozy environment, which can be located away from the sow. The time consuming and cumbersome installing of the barriers in multiple farrowing pens, however, can cause the sleeping piglets to wake and seek out the sow to begin feeding again. Once the piglets are awake, separating the weaker piglets from the stronger piglets is time-consuming and difficult.

[0006] A piglet separation system according to the present disclosure utilizes a moveable divider that can be moved from a lowered position with a majority of the divider below a floor of a farrowing pen to a raised position with the divider extending above the floor and partitioning the farrowing pen into first and second sections and thereby preventing piglets in the farrowing pen from moving between the first and second sections. Each divider when in the second position can extend above the floor of the first section and above the floor of the second section. The dividers can be individually or simultaneously moved between the lowered and raised position in multiple farrowing pens. Simultaneous dividing of a section of each farrowing pen can inhibit the opportunity for a sleeping piglet to awake and gain access to the sow prior to the divider being in position. The invention of the present disclosure also provides a method of separating piglets in at least one farrowing pen from the sow. The method advantageously moves a divider from a lowered position to a raised position to separate the piglets from the sow. The separation can advantageously reduce the possibility of a piglet being crushed by the sow when moving from a standing position to a laying position.

[0007] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. [0009] Figure 1 is a fragmented top plan view of a plurality of farrowing pens, each with an assigned sow crate and a divider according to the present disclosure;

[0010] Figures 2, 2A and 2B are fragmented section views along line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing various arrangements of the farrowing pens according to the present disclosure;

[0011] Figures 3, 3A and 3B are simplified representations of various mechanisms to move the dividers between the raised and lowered positions according to the present disclosure; and

[0012] Figures 4A and B are representations of alternate configurations for the openings in the floor of the farrowing pens and an associated configuration for the dividers that can move within the openings according to the present disclosure.

[0013] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] A piglet separation system 18 according to the present disclosure can be used in pig raising operations. Piglet separation system 18, as shown in Figures 1-4, can include a plurality of farrowing pens 20 which can be positioned adjacent one another, such as shown in Figure 1. Each farrowing pen 20 is typically defined by a plurality of walls 22 that define each farrowing pen 20. Specifically, each farrowing pen can include a front wall 23, a rear wall 25, and sidewalls 26 that extend between front and rear walls 23, 25. A sow cage or crate 24 can be disposed in each farrowing pen 20. Sow crate 24 is adapted to maintain a sow therein for feeding piglets. Sow crate 24 limits the movement of a sow therein and can prevent the sow from crushing or injuring the piglets during feeding. Farrowing pens 20 can be adjacent one another, as shown, in which case adjacent farrowing pens 20 can share a sidewall 26.

[0016] The floor 28 of each farrowing pen 20 can include a plurality of gaps or openings 32 therethrough. Openings 32 can be dimensioned to allow liquid and solid waste from the sow and piglets to fall through floor 28 for ease of cleaning while limiting the possibility of the sow or piglet getting trapped therein. In some embodiments, floor 28 can be formed from a plurality of floor members 30 that are spaced apart such that openings 32 are between individual floor members 30.

[0017] Floor 28 can include a first section 38 which corresponds to the feeding section and a second section 40 which corresponds to a preferred resting or sleeping section. First and second sections 38, 40 may be stationary relative to one another. Sow crate 24 is located in feeding section 38. Second section 40 can be a preferred resting or sleeping section by the inclusion of one or more comfort features 42 that provide a cozy environment for the piglets therein. The particular comfort feature 42 can vary. For example, as shown in Figure 2, comfort feature 42 can be a heating device or element 44 which can be located below second section 40. In some exemplary configurations, heating device 44 can be in and/or on floor 28 in second section 40. Heating device 44 can be selectively operated to provide heat to second section 40 thereby providing a cozy environment that encourages the piglets to sleep in second section 40. As another example, as shown in Figure 2A, comfort feature 42 can be provided by having floor 28 be a solid floor without openings 32 therein. The use of a solid floor can prevent drafts or breezes that can chill the piglets and thereby provide a cozy environment that encourages the piglets to sleep in second section 40. As another example, as shown in Figure 2B, comfort feature 42 can be a hood 46 that can be positioned directly above floor 28 of second section 40. Hood 46 can be positioned in close proximity to floor 28 such that heat radiated by the piglets is trapped therein. As a result, hood 46 can provide a cozy environment that encourages the piglets to sleep in second section 40. It should be appreciated that the comfort features 42 disclosed and described in Figures 2, 2A, and 2B are merely exemplary in nature and that other comfort features can be utilized to provide a cozy environment that encourages the piglets to sleep in second section 40.

[0018] A moveable divider 50 can be used to selectively separate first and second sections 38, 40 of each farrowing pen 20. Divider 50 can be configured to fit within one or more openings 32 in floor 28 and move vertically between a lowered position, as shown in solid in Figure 2, and a raised position, as shown in phantom in Figure 2. When in the lowered position, divider 50 does not prevent piglets in the associated farrowing pen 20 from moving between first and second sections 38, 40. For example, when in the lowered position, a top edge 52 of divider 50 can be flush with or below a top surface 54 of first section 38 and/or second section 40 of floor 28. In some exemplary configurations, top edge 52 can extend above top surface 54 of floor 28; however, such extension would be of a magnitude that does not prevent piglets in the associated farrowing pen 20 from moving between first and second sections 38, 40. In some exemplary configurations, a majority of divider 50 is disposed below top surface 50 of floor 28 when in the lowered position. When in the raised position, top edge 52 is disposed above top surface 54 of both first and second sections 38, 40 of floor 28 such that piglets in the associated farrowing pen 20 cannot move between first and second sections 38, 40. Divider 50 can extend continuously or discontinuously between front and rear walls 23, 25 of farrowing pen 20. When divider 50 is discontinuous, the gaps in divider 50 are such that piglets cannot fit between the voids or gaps in divider 50, as described below. Thus, when divider 50 is in the raised position, piglets in the associated farrowing pen 20 cannot move between first and second sections 38, 40.

[0019] The movement of each divider 50 can be constrained by a pair of guides 60 that engage with opposite sides 62, 64 of divider 50. Guides 60 can be integral or attached to front and rear walls 23, 25. Furthermore, the movement of each divider 50 can be between a fixed lowered position and a fixed raised position. It should be appreciated, however, that in some exemplary configurations the actual position of divider 50 in the raised and/or lowered position can vary depending upon the operation of the mechanism utilized to move each divider 50 between the lowered and raised positions. Divider 50 can have a generally flat, planar, thin configuration.

[0020] The dimensions of farrowing pen 20 and the various features therein can vary as desired. In a preferred example, divider 50 can be from about four inches to about 12 inches away from sow crate 24, the width W of heated section 40 can be about 20 inches, and the height H of divider 50 when in the raised position can be about 16 inches above top surface 54 of floor 28. It should be appreciated, however, that these relative dimensions and positioning are merely exemplary and that changes therefrom can be utilized. [0021] Dividers 50 of farrowing pens 20 can be individually or simultaneously moved between the lowered and raised positions by a lift mechanism 70. Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary lift mechanism 70 is shown. Lift mechanism 70 can include a controller 72 that communicates with a motor 74. Motor 74 can drive rotation of a shaft 76 to raise and lower divider 50. Specifically, an output shaft of motor 74 can be coupled to a shaft 76 that is engaged with a pair of sliding members 78. Sliding members 78 can include a camming surface 80 that engages with opposite edges of divider 50 adjacent sides 62, 64. Camming surfaces 80 are sloped such that movement of sliding members 78 toward one another causes divider 50 to move upwardly. When sliding members 78 move away from one another, divider 50 moves downwardly. Shaft 76 can include threads that engage with threads in sliding members 78 such that rotation of shaft 76 within sliding members 78 causes sliding members 78 to move relative to shaft 76 either toward one another or away from one another depending upon the direction of rotation of shaft 76. In this manner, motor 74 can be commanded by controller 72 to rotate in either direction to either move sliding members 78 toward one another and move divider 50 to the raised position or rotate in the opposite direction thereby causing sliding members 78 to move away from one another and divider 50 to move to the lowered position. [0022] In another exemplary configuration, as shown in Figure 3A, lift mechanism 70 includes pulleys 82 that are attached to the output shaft of motor 74 and to shaft 76. A belt 84 can interconnect pulleys 82 such that rotation of motor 74 causes rotation of shaft 76. Pulleys 82 can be of differing sizes to provide a desired result. For example, pulleys 82 can be sized differently to provide a mechanical advantage or differing rates of rotation of shaft 76 in response to rotation of the output shaft of motor 74. [0023] In another exemplary configuration, as shown in Figure 3B, lift mechanism 70 includes a plurality of sprockets 86 that are attached to the output shaft of motor 74 and multiple shafts 76. A chain 88 can interconnect each of sprockets 86 such that rotation of the output shaft of motor 74 causes simultaneously rotation of shafts 76 coupled thereto through chain 88. As a result, simultaneously movement of dividers 50 in multiple farrowing pens 20 can be achieved.

[0024] While lift mechanism 70 has been described with reference to specific exemplary configurations, it should be appreciated that lift mechanism 70 can vary from that shown. For example, the various configurations can be used to provide individual movement to individual dividers 50 or to provide simultaneous movement to multiple dividers 50. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a manual configuration can be employed wherein a hand- operated crank or the like can be rotated to drive movement of divider(s) 50 between the lowered and raised positions. Furthermore, while lift mechanism 70 is shown as pushing divider 50 from the lowered position to the raised position, it should be appreciated that other configurations that pull dividers 50 from the lowered position to the raised position can be employed. For example, cables and the like can be utilized to pull dividers 50 from the lowered position to the raised position. Thus, it should be appreciated that the lift mechanisms 70 described and shown herein are merely exemplary configurations that can be utilized to move dividers 50 between the lowered and raised positions.

[0025] Controller 72 can be manually operated such that a user can move a lever, press a button, or the like to command motor 74 to rotate cylinder 76 to either raise or lower dividers 50. Controller 72 can also be automated such that controller 72 commands motor 74 to automatically raise and lower dividers 50 in response to other conditions, such as certain time periods. [0026] Preferably, divider 50 is moved from the lowered position to the raised position while piglets in the associated farrowing pen 20 are asleep in second section 40. When heating device 44 is present, divider 50 is preferably moved while heating device 44 is active. Simultaneous movement of multiple dividers 50 of farrowing pens 20 reduces the chance of the sleeping piglets waking up and moving from the second section 40 to the first section 38 prior to dividers 50 being in the raised position.

[0027] With divider 50 in the raised position, the farmer tending to the piglets can selectively move individual piglets from second section 40 to first section 38 by lifting the piglet over divider 50. The piglets placed in first section 38 can then have first access to feeding from the sow in sow crate 24. When it is desired to allow the remaining piglets in second section 40 to also compete for feeding from the sow in sow crate 24, lift mechanism 70 can be operated to lower dividers 50. With dividers 50 in the lowered position, the piglets are free to move about farrowing pen 20 and feed from the sow in sow crate 24.

[0028] Dividers 50 can be configured to coincide with differing openings 32 in floor 28. In particular, as shown in Figures 4A and B, when openings 32 are a plurality of discrete openings, divider 50 can include a plurality of projections 51 that extend from a base 53. For example, as shown in Figure 4A, when openings 32 are a plurality of circular openings, an associated divider 50 includes a plurality of cylindrical projections 51 extending from a base 53. Each projection 51 can simultaneously move through openings 32 in floor 28 as divider 50 is moved from the lowered to the raised position. In another example, as shown in Figure 4B, when openings 32 are in the form of a plurality of slots of differing lengths, projections 51 can be of varying lengths to correspond to the varying lengths of the slots 32. Thus, projections 51 can be simultaneously moved through openings 32 in floor 28 when moving divider 50 between the raised and lowered positions. It should be appreciated that when divider 50 includes a plurality of projections 51 , divider 50 forms a plurality of discontinuous barriers separating first and second sections 38, 40. Preferably, the spacing between projections 51 is such that piglets in farrowing pens 20 cannot fit therebetween so that divider 50 prevents piglets from moving between first and second sections 38, 40 when in the raised position. It should be appreciated that base 53 can be below projections 51 , as shown, above projections 51 , or include two bases 53 with one above and one below projections 51.

[0029] Thus, the piglet separation system 18 according to the present disclosure can advantageously move dividers 50 (either individually or simultaneously) in each farrowing pen 20 between raised and lowered positions. In the raised positions, dividers 50 can separate sleeping piglets in second section 40 from the sow in first section 38. The separation can advantageously allow the farmer to selectively allow smaller or weaker piglets to have first chance at feeding from the sow prior to the larger or stronger piglets competing for feeding from the sow. Simultaneously movement of dividers 50 in each farrowing pen 20 can minimize the chance of the piglets waking and moving to first section 38 prior to divider 50 being in the raised position. Additionally, piglet separation system 18 advantageously utilizes dividers 50 that can be easily moved between a lowered position and a raised position. Dividers 50 can be advantageously stored in the lowered position below floor 28 when separation is not needed.

[0030] While piglet separating system 18 according to the present disclosure is shown with reference to a pair of farrowing pens 20 that are adjacent one another, it should be appreciated that the system according to the present disclosure can take a variety of forms and be utilized with farrowing pens 20 of different orientations and configurations. For example, farrowing pens 20 can be individual discrete farrowing pens that are not adjacent one another and can include more than two farrowing pens. Moreover, different groupings of farrowing pens 20 can be disposed in the same building or same area such that the lift mechanism 70 operates dividers 50 for each of the farrowing pens 20 regardless of their proximity to one another. Furthermore, the configuration of sow crate 24 within farrowing pens 20 and the configurations of first and second sections 38, 40 can vary from that shown. Still further, the lift mechanism 70 utilized to move dividers 50 between the lowered and raised positions can take forms other than those shown. For example, mechanical linkages, pneumatic arrangements, and hydraulic arrangements can be utilized, by way of non- limiting example. It should also be appreciated that a farrowing pen 20 can utilize two or more dividers 50 that each separate the associated farrowing pen 20 into a first section 38 and a second section 40.

[0031] Thus, the foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A piglet separation system comprising: at least one farrowing pen; a floor in the at least one farrowing pen; a sow crate in the at least one farrowing pen; and at least one moveable divider in the at least one farrowing pen, the at least one divider moveable between first and second positions, each divider partitioning the at least one farrowing pen into a first section and a second section when in the second position such that piglets in the at least one farrowing pen cannot move between the first and second sections, each divider extending above the floor in the first section and the floor in the second section when in the second position, and at least a majority portion of each divider being located below the floor of the at least one farrowing pen and allowing piglets in the at least one farrowing pen to move between the first and second sections when in the first position.

2. The piglet separation system of claim 1 , further comprising a lift mechanism coupled to the divider.

3. The piglet separation system of claim 2, wherein the lift mechanism is a motorized mechanism.

4. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one farrowing pen is one of a plurality of farrowing pens and each divider in the farrowing pens is simultaneously moveable between the first and second positions.

5. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one opening in the floor and wherein the at least one divider moves through the at least one opening when moving between the first and second positions

6. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each divider is at or below the floor when in the first position and extends above the floor when in the second position.

7. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one farrowing pen is defined by walls and the at least one divider extends between walls of the at least one farrowing pen.

8. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the floor includes a plurality of openings therein, the at least one divider includes a base and a plurality of projections extending therefrom, and the projections configured to extend through the openings when in the second position.

9. The piglet separation system of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a comfort feature in the at least one farrowing pen, the comfort feature located in the second section.

10. The piglet separation system of claim 9, wherein the comfort feature is a heating device that heats at least a portion of the second section.

11. The piglet separation system of claim 9, wherein the comfort feature is a solid floor in the second section, or wherein the comfort feature is a hood located above the floor in the second section, or both.

12. A method of separating piglets from a sow in a farrowing pen including: positioning a sow in a sow crate in at least one farrowing pen; and moving at least one divider in the at least one farrowing pen from a first position wherein a majority of the at least one divider is below a floor of the at least one farrowing pen to a second position wherein each divider extends above the floor of the at least one farrowing pen and each divider partitions the at least one farrowing pen into a first section and a second section thereby preventing piglets from moving between the first and second sections, each divider when in the first position allowing piglets to move between the first and second sections, and each divider when in the second position extending above the floor of the first section and above the floor of the second section.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one farrowing pen is one of a plurality of farrowing pens and moving at least one divider includes moving a plurality of dividers simultaneously from the first position to the second position thereby partitioning the plurality of farrowing pens into first and second sections.

14. The method of any one of claims 12 and 13, wherein moving the at least one divider includes moving the at least one divider through at least one opening in the floor of the farrowing pen.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sow crate is in the first section and moving the at least one divider includes moving the at least one divider from the first position to the second position while piglets in the at least one farrowing pen are in the second section.

16. The method of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein moving the at least one divider includes moving a plurality of projections on the at least one divider through a plurality of openings in the floor of the at least one farrowing pen when moving between the first and second positions.

17. The method of any one of claims 12 to 16, further comprising attracting the piglets into the second section by providing a comfort feature in the second section of the at least one farrowing pen and wherein the sow cage is located in the first section.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the comfort feature includes providing a heating device that heats at least a portion of the second section.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the comfort feature includes providing a solid floor portion in the second section.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the comfort feature includes providing a hood above the floor of at least a portion of the second section.