Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
  • A01K39/06—Cramming appliances, e.g. helical force-feeders
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K31/00—Housing birds
  • A01K31/002—Poultry cages, e.g. transport boxes
  • A01K31/007—Floors

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of poultry farming and more specifically that of cages for poultry and in particular to palmipeds raised to be force-fed.
• the invention relates to a variable volume collective cage comprising a modular device.
• the invention also relates to a modular device for equipping a collective cage.
• Such collective cages with variable volumes are particularly used for force feeding web birds.
• this individual dwelling is increasingly neglected in favor of the third type of housing described below, which is a "collective cage” dwelling, in which several palmipeds are partitioned in parks raised above the ground to facilitate work of the gaveur.
• the "collective housing" with variable volume or more generally collective cages with variable volume is recommended by the European directive 98/58 relative to the protection of animals on farms, is a collective cage sufficiently spacious to accommodate several palmipeds, mainly geese and ducks, while providing them with sufficient space to allow them to to fight. In this way, palmipeds maintain social contact, they can move, spread their wings and they must also be able to water through a trough judiciously placed along a wall of the cage. In practice, the floor space should be about 1250 cm 2 per animal. There are generally between 4 and 6 palmipeds per collective cage.
• the collective cages are all equipped with a floor in the form of a grid formed of metal rods with a diameter of a few mm and spaced from each other to allow the droppings and soils to flow by gravity or under the effect of the passage of the palmipeds.
• the Applicant has noted that the collective cages were not designed for the rest of the waterfowl because the grids constituting the floor on which the palmipeds rest are uncomfortable and sources of many injuries including the legs of the waterfowl. Indeed, the animals suffer from the discomfort of contact on these grids, and moreover, very frequently get stuck in the said grids, resulting in bleeding and hematoma on the legs, or swelling paralyzing joints. To avoid this discomfort, the waterfowl must constantly move.
• the invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a modular device for equipping the floors of the collective cages, to allow palmipeds to rest avoiding injury improving comfort and preserving their health.
• the invention relates to a variable volume collective cage for the feeding of waterfowl, comprising front walls (23) and rear and a floor formed by a grid, said cage being mainly characterized in that it further comprises at least one modular device comprising a perforated plate of a plurality of orifices said plate being rotatable about a longitudinal axis, parallel to the width (1 p ) of said cage, said plate being disposed on the floor, so that its length (L d ) is parallel to the width (l p ) of the floor of the cage and at a distance from the front and rear walls of the cage, such that it can be returned.
• waterfowl can rest on a floor that does not come in the form of a grating or metal grids.
• the floor on which the palmipeds rest comprises at least one modular device comprising a perforated plate of a plurality of orifices intended to be arranged on a floor grid of the cage.
• the plate or plates have a better comfort than metal grids.
• the device provides the webs with a beach on which they can rest without risk of injury, thus significantly increasing the comfort of the animals and their well-being.
• the at least one modular device further comprises a rod forming the longitudinal axis of rotation of length greater than the length (L d ) of the plate, fixed along a longitudinal edge of said plate and protruding from both sides; other of said plate. - The axis of rotation is maintained at each of its ends by a holding system, forming a hinge.
• the hinge-retaining system is in the form of a tube fixed to the side walls of the collective cage or on the floor grid of the collective cage or is in the form of a clip system, suitable for 'snap on the floor grid or on the side faces of the collective cage,
• the plate is stiffened along its length by the rod forming the axis of rotation on the one hand and by a fold formed along the plate at a distance between 1 and 3 cm from the edge opposite to that bearing the axis of rotation, so that the plate has an inclined edge opposite the axis of rotation, the angle of inclination of the edge being less than 30 °.
• the material constituting the device is chosen from at least one of the following materials: high density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), galvanized steel or stainless steel and preferably stainless steel.
• HDPE high density polyethylene
• ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
• galvanized steel or stainless steel and preferably stainless steel.
• the collective cage comprises a trough disposed along its rear wall; the modular device is located at a distance from the trough so that the waterfowl can put their paws on the plate while they drink.
• the axis of rotation of the device and the hinge holding means are arranged opposite the drinking trough, so that the device pivots towards the rear wall of the cage.
• the at least one modular device is removable and can be installed in any existing cage.
• the collective cage comprises at least a first modular device, and at least one second modular device as described above.
• the second modular device is positioned in front of the first device relative to the front and rear walls of the collective cage, said devices being arranged in the cage so that the plates of the first and second devices are rotatable about their axis of rotation, said axes of rotation being parallel to each other.
• the end of the first plate opposite to its axis of rotation is adapted to abut on the axis of rotation of the second plate, so that the first and second plates form a continuous surface.
• the end of the first plate opposite its axis of rotation has an overlap zone with the second plate above the axis of rotation
• the angles situated at the end of the second plate opposite its axis of rotation are truncated, the truncated portion joining the lateral and longitudinal edges of said second plate.
• the thickness of the plate is preferably between 0.05 millimeters and 5 millimeters, more preferably between 0.5 millimeters and
• the invention also relates to a modular device for collective cage of palmipeds as described above, the modular device advantageously comprising a perforated plate of a plurality of orifices (16) said plate being rotatable about an axis longitudinal, parallel to the width (l p ) of said cage.
• the modular device further comprises a rod forming the longitudinal axis of rotation greater than the length (Ld) of the plate, fixed along a longitudinal edge of said plate and protruding on either side of said plate.
• the plate has a width (l d ) less than half the depth (P) of the collective cage and less than the height (H) of said cage.
• the modular device can be easily installed on existing cages and fixed by the previously described holding system. The modular device is removable.
• the plate is mobile in rotation about a longitudinal axis, parallel to the width of the floor of said cage, said axis of rotation being maintained, each of its ends, by a holding system, forming a hinge, fixed to said floor,
• each holding system is fixed mechanically to the floor, for example by clamps, or by welding, or by gluing, the plate has a width less than half the depth of the collective cage and less than the height of the said cage,
• FIG. 2 a diagram seen from above and in the assembled position of the device of FIG. 1, fixed on the floor grid of a collective cage of palmipeds,
• FIG. 3 a diagram of the device of FIG. 2 seen in lateral section along axis A-A,
• FIG. 4 is a side sectional diagram of a collective cage with a variable volume of palmipeds equipped, on its floor grid, with a modular device according to the invention
• FIG. 5 a schematic plan view and exploded of a first and a second modular device according to the invention
• FIG. 6 a diagram seen from above and in assembled position of the first and second devices of FIG. 5, fixed on the floor grid of a collective cage,
• FIG. 7 a diagram of the devices of FIG. 6 seen in lateral section along the axis A-A,
• FIG. 8 a side sectional diagram of the variable volume collective cage of FIG. 4 equipped, on its floor grid, with the first and second modular devices according to the invention
• Figure 9 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a fastening system of one or more modular devices according to the invention.
• Figures 4 and 8 illustrate an example of a collective cage bearing the reference 20.
• the cage comprises two housings facing each other having identical structures and forming a same assembly carried by a base, placing said set at height of man.
• collective cage 20 or collective housing 20 a housing of the cage 20 relative to the cage example illustrated in Figures 4 and 8.
• variable volume collective cage as shown schematically in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 and 8, comprises front walls 23, rear 26, side walls 22, and a floor 24.
• the front wall 23 is the one towards which the waterfowl are confined during periods of feeding and facing the gaveur. This wall generally has an inclined shape between the bottom and the top 27 of the cage.
• the rear wall 26 is opposed to the front wall 23.
• a collective cage comprises two collective dwellings facing one another and separated from each other by a rear wall, a drinking trough 25 being housed between the two walls 26. Therefore the rear wall 26 is actually located between the two housing.
• the side walls 22 are the walls that allow closing the cage by connecting the front and rear walls.
• the term "depth" P of the cage the distance between the front panel 23 and the rear wall 26; the term “width” l p of the cage, the distance between the two side walls 22; and finally the term “height” H the vertical distance between the floor 24 and the top of the cage, said height H being of variable size along the inclined edge of the front wall 23.
• the front wall is located in a corridor on along which operators operate during the feeding operations and during the cage cleaning operations (the cages being empty).
• Figures 1, 2 and 3 diagrammatically show a modular device 1 0 to equip a collective cage according to the invention.
• the figures illustrate respectively top views in exploded form, from above in assembled form and fixed on the floor of a cage, and in section along the transverse axis A-A.
• the modular device advantageously comprises a plate 1 3 perforated with a plurality of orifices 1 6.
• the plate has a flat surface without relief not providing discomfort or injury to palmipeds, they remain standing or lying down.
• the plate is thin, it does not have cells in its thickness but holes to let the droppings of the palmipeds.
• the plate has a length L d less than or equal to the width l p of the collective cage. It is intended to be disposed on the pre-existing floor grid 24 of the collective cage.
• the orifices 1 6 allow the evacuation of manure palmipeds under the passage of palmipeds and by gravity.
• the diameter of the orifices is small enough to avoid any risk of injury to waterfowl and sufficient to allow the evacuation of manure by gravity. Thus, their diameter will not exceed 20 mm, preferably it is of the order of 1 6 mm.
• the length L d of the plate depends essentially on the dimensions of the cage to be equipped and in particular on its width l p . In general, the length of the plate 13 will vary between 70 cm and 1 cm.
• the plate 1 3 is rotatable about an axis 1 January.
• This axis 1 1 is in the form of a rod, whose length is greater than that L d of the plate 1 3.
• the rod 1 1 is fixed to the plate 13 along a longitudinal edge by any known means such as welding, gluing or any other mechanical fastening.
• it protrudes on both sides of the longitudinal edge of the plate.
• It is held in place, in the cage, at each of its ends by a holding system 1 2 forming a hinge.
• Each holding system 1 2 is preferably in the form of a tube, in which is embedded one end of the rod 1 1 forming the axis of rotation so that the rod is held firmly in translation in the tube 1 2 but remains free in rotation.
• the tube 12 will have an inside diameter of 12 mm and a length of about 100 mm.
• the holding system 12 disposed at each end of the modular device is fixed on the floor grid 24 of the collective cage by any known means.
• the holding system 12 disposed at each end is fixed to the side walls 22 of the collective cage by any known means.
• the holding systems can be fixed on each lateral edge of the floor 24 or on each side wall 22 of the cage by welding, gluing or by any other mechanical means, such as clamps for example.
• the holding system may for example be formed of a clip system, adapted to snap onto the floor grid or on the lateral faces of the collective cage, and comprising an orifice in which comes insert one end of the rod 1 1 forming the axis of rotation.
• the modular device is not accessible from below because of the presence of a drinking trough and / or a baffle plate on the front face of the cages.
• the floor grate 24, and consequently the device can only be cleaned by the top of the cage 20. Therefore, in order to be able to easily and quickly clean the soil and excrements rejected by the waterfowl, the device is preferably designed to turn completely, that is to say to turn 180 ° about its axis of rotation 1 1.
• the device can be cleaned easily without the need to disassemble and reassemble after cleaning.
• its width l d is preferably less than half the depth P of the collective cage and less than the height H of the cage.
• the perforated plate 13 has for example a width l d of the order of 17 cm.
• the plate 13 is preferably stiffened. For this, it is stiffened along a longitudinal edge by the rod 1 1 forming the axis of rotation and along the other longitudinal edge, by a fold 14 formed along the plate at a distance between 1 and 3 cm from the longitudinal edge, preferably at a distance substantially equal to 2 cm, so that the plate has an inclined edge Opposite to the axis of rotation 11, the angle of inclination of the edge being less than 30 °, and preferably of the order of 20 °.
• the modular device is made of a shock-resistant material and sufficiently rigid.
• This material is advantageously chosen from at least one of the following materials: high density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), galvanized steel or stainless steel. We will however prefer stainless steel, which is easy to maintain.
• the thickness of a plate is generally measured in tenths of a millimeter (1/10 th of a millimeter).
• the thickness of a plate according to the invention is preferably between 0.05 millimeters (ie 0.5 / 10ths of a millimeter) and 5 millimeters (ie 50 / 10ths of a millimeter). More preferably, the thickness of a plate is between 0.5 millimeters (5/10 th of a millimeter) and 1 millimeters (10/10 th of a millimeter).
• the modular device remains in place under its own weight.
• the modular device may also be held in place by at least one torsion spring disposed on at least one end of the axis of rotation 1 1 and at least one turn surrounding said end.
• Such a torsion spring prevents the palmipeds raise the plate with their legs.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the modular device disposed on the floor grid 24 of a collective cage
• Figure 4 schematizes a collective cage comprising two housings facing one another and separated one of the other by their rear wall 26, each housing being equipped with the modular device 10 according to the invention.
• the collective cage comprises, between each rear wall 26, a trough 25 common to the two housing.
• the modular device is advantageously located at a distance from the front walls 23 and rear 26 such that it can be completely returned, pivoting 180 ° about its axis of batching 1 1, in order to be cleaned properly.
• the modular device is placed on the floor 24 at a distance from the waterer 25 such that the waterfowl can put their legs on the device while they drink and thus rest properly without having to go down / leave the device.
• this distance will be of the order of 20 cm.
• the direction of rotation for cleaning is in any case towards the waterer 25.
• the device 10 is placed in such a way that the axis of rotation 1 1 and the hinge-holding means 12 are arranged facing the waterer 25.
• the plate pivots in the direction of the rear wall 26, as shown diagrammatically by the arrow in Figure 4, to an area of the cage where the height H is the largest, in order to have a device having a width sufficient for palmipeds.
• this space will be sufficient space between the modular device and the walls of the cage to allow the droppings to flow through the gate of the floor 24 and prevent them from being trapped in the cage.
• this space must be greater than or equal to 10 cm between the side wall watering and 5 to 6 cm between side walls and modular device.
• the modular device described form a comfortable floor for palmipeds that can rest without risk of injury, especially when they drink. Their stress is thus reduced.
• the device can be turned completely around its axis of rotation, its cleaning duplex is facilitated.
• the inclined edge 15 not only stiffens the plate 13 but also has the advantage of raising it from the floor 24. It then allows the animals to feel the sensation of being perched and to avoid that they mount on top of each other and avoid any contact with the existing floor 24.
• FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 Another advantageous embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, is proposed in the following with two modular devices arranged in a housing (cage).
• several modular devices 10 are installed in a housing.
• the modular devices are preferably arranged in front of each other with respect to the front and rear walls 23 of the collective cage, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8.
• a first 10.1 and a second modular device 10.2 are positioned on the floor grid 24 of the collective cage, the second device being located in front of the first relative to the front walls 23 and rear 26 of said cage.
• Each modular device comprises a plate 13.1; 13.2 and an axis of rotation 1 1 in the form of a rod and around which the plate is movable in rotation.
• the plate of each modular device is attached to its own axis of rotation 1 1 by a longitudinal edge.
• the plates 13.1 and 13.2 of two adjacent modular devices are advantageously positioned in the continuity of one another, so as to form a support surface of the corresponding waterfowl to the sum of the individual surfaces of each of the two plates.
• the lateral edges of the two plates are located in the extension of each other, and the axes of rotation 1 1 of the two plates are parallel to each other.
• the waterfowl can circulate from one plate to another without coming into contact with the floor grid 24 of the collective cage, and without risk of injury due in particular to the contact of the legs of the waterfowl on the grid or due to legs stuck in the openings of the floor grid of the collective cage.
• the plates 13.1 and 13.2 of the two neighboring modular devices are simultaneously returned, especially during the cleaning of the latter, said plates are advantageously positioned in continuity with one another so as to form a area corresponding to the sum of the individual surfaces of each of the two plates.
• the lateral edges of the two plates are located in the extension of each other, and the axes of rotation 1 1 of the two plates are parallel to each other.
• the first plate 13.1 advantageously comprises an overlapping zone 17 with the second plate 13.2, above the axis of rotation 1 1 or rod on which is fixed said second plate. The overlap is visible when the first plate bears on the second plate ( Figure 7).
• the second plate 13.2 may be stiffened along its length by a fold as shown in FIG. 1, so that said plate has an inclined edge 15 opposite to the axis of rotation, the angle of inclination of which is preferably less than 30 °.
• the combination of the overlap 17 of the first plate and the inclined edge of the second plate allows said plates to form a flat bearing surface allowing the palmipeds to maintain a good balance when they bear against said plates.
• the second plate 13.2 may be regular.
• the absence of an inclined edge makes it possible to form a slope so that the palmipeds are in a position slightly inclined towards the front wall 23 of the cage. This configuration can be advantageous for carrying out operations requiring that the head of the webs be in the vicinity of the front wall, especially during force-feeding.
• the corners of the second plate 13.2 are truncated, the truncated portion 18 joining the lateral and longitudinal edges of said plate. This feature prevents the accumulation of manure palmipeds in the corners of the cage, especially in the corners of a compartment of the cage.
• the dimensions of the device may vary from one device to another to form a floor surface partially or totally inclined.
• the axes of rotation 1 1 of the two devices may have the same or different diameter.
• the plates 13.1; 13.2 of the two devices have a thickness preferably identical.
• the modular device advantageously comprises a removable fastening system corresponding to the embodiment variant described above.
• the system is in the form of a clip 19 which is positioned at the ends of the rods 1 1 of the plates.
• the fastening system is substantially linear in shape to match the wires (stems) of the floor of the collective cage and to the plate of the modular device.
• the fastening system has several curvatures along its length.
• the system 19 comprises, including a first curvature and a de19.1, and a second curvature 19.2 for receiving the rod 1 1 of a plate 13.1 and 13.2 (not visible in this figure) and several other curvatures 19.3 intended to accommodate the son 26 (rods) of the floor parallel to the width l p of the collective cage or the length L d of the plate of the modular device.
• the user inserts the clip from outside the collective cage, so that the son of the floor or the a lateral face of the collective cage, and the end of the rod of the plate are positioned respectively in the first and second curvatures of the clip. Then the user slides the clip outwardly of the collective cage until it abuts against the side wall of said collective cage. Once in place, the clip allows to maintain in fixed position one or more plates, said plates are in the position of use or in the inverted position.
• the bends are advantageously surround the son of the floor of the collective cage from below, so that said bends abut against said floor son, thus preventing the plate from moving.
• the bends are advantageously surround the rods of the axes of rotation of the plates from above, thus capping said rods, so that the friction generated by the contact between the curvatures and the rods contribute to prevent the plate from moving.
• the fastening system may comprise a variable number of curvatures depending on the number of rods to be fixed.
• the clip allows to maintain in fixed position only a portion of the plates positioned in the collective cage, so that the remaining devices retain their mobility.
• curvatures that indifferently cover the rods and / or the son of the floor of the collective cage from above, from below, or from the side.
• the fastening system is positioned in support against the side wall of the collective cage, so that the bends are surrounding the rods of the plates and the warp or weft son of the side wall of the cage.
• the modular device according to the invention fits on any existing collective cage regardless of the containment system, such as those sold under the names "Labadie”, “palmistar”, “L640”, “palmizen” “,” Aquaduck “, or” La Guitoune "for example.
• the modular devices installed in several juxtaposed cages can be independent as on the plan but especially dependent on each other and allow a saving of time for the turnaround at the time of cleaning.
• the devices are juxtaposed to each other and are connected by the same rod forming the axis 1 1 which has a length of several meters and up to about half of the feeding room.
• the rod 1 1 may be equipped at one end of a handle allowing an operator to perform the reversal of all devices attached to said rod.
• the waterfowl can rest by placing the two legs on the plate 13 (or plates), and feel a well being, without stress or risk of injury. Thus, they can drink quietly, the legs resting on the plate in comfort.
• the comfort of the animals has been improved and the number of injuries is considerably reduced thanks to this modular device.
• the welfare state of the animals is thus improved.
• the reversibility of the plate around its axis of rotation allows to clean perfectly with great ease.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Birds (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

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Family

ID=51610357

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Citations (4)

• 2014
  • 2014-07-25 FR FR1457235A patent/FR3024016B1/fr active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-05-05 FR FR1554043A patent/FR3024017B1/fr active Active
  • 2015-07-22 EP EP15753397.7A patent/EP3171690A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-07-22 CN CN201580047837.4A patent/CN106659143A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-07-22 WO PCT/FR2015/052013 patent/WO2016012716A1/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (4)

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