WO2016193407A1

WO2016193407A1 - Method for feeding hatchling chickens while being transported and a cage for use in the method

Info

Publication number: WO2016193407A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/062593
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cibele Araujo TORRES
Original assignee: Nutreco Nederland B.V.
Priority date: 2015-06-05
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2016-12-08

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a method for feeding a group of hatchling chickens (6) present on a bottom of a cage (1), the method comprising presenting feed (5) to the chickens in the cage, wherein the feed is presented at a level above the heads of the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over a surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom (2) of the cage. The invention also pertains to a cage for use in this method and a lid for closing such a cage.

Description

METHOD FOR FEEDING HATCHLING CHICKENS WHILE BEING TRANSPORTED AND A CAGE FOR USE IN THE METHOD

GENERAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention in general pertains to a method for feeding a group of hatchling chickens present on a bottom of a cage, the method comprising presenting feed to the chickens in the cage. The invention also pertains to a cage for use in this method and a lid for closing such a cage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In commercial environments poultry chicks are usually produced in hatcheries, a facility where fertile eggs are set and hatched under artificial conditions. After hatching, these birds are grown to full size in specialized farms (broiler or breeder farms). Poultry hatcheries produce a majority of the birds consumed in the developed world including chickens, turkeys, ducks and some other minor bird species. It is a multibillion dollar industry, with highly regimented production systems used to maximize bird size versus feed consumed. Poultry generally start with naturally (chickens) or artificially (turkeys) inseminated hens that lay eggs; the eggs are cleaned and shells are checked for soundness before putting them in the incubators. The incubators control temperature and humidity, and turn the eggs until they hatch. Generally large numbers are produced at one time so the resulting birds are uniform in size and can be harvested at the same time. Once the eggs hatch chicks are often vaccinated and put in cages (crates, trays, boxes) for transport to the farm where they are grown to full size birds. Typically, 100 chicks (from now on also called "chickens") are place in a transportation cage.

During transport of the chickens, feed is sometimes provided in the cages, for example in the form of chunks of nutrient rich gel (such as GroGel Plus B, available from Dawe's Laboratories, Arlington Heights, IL, USA). Chickens may freely feed from the gel in order to reduce effects such as weight loss and dehydration. A disadvantage of this method is the bottom of the cage becomes messy with a mixture of the feed, faeces and dust. This way also the chickens themselves get messy. Also, it was found that despite the presence of sufficient feed, many animals still suffer from weight loss and dehydration. This may be due to the fact that chickens that are initially positioned remote from the feed, or chickens that are physically less developed, have limited or even no access to the feed. At best, no decrease of the average weight of the chickens in the box is a result achieved in practice. Given the effect that weight loss and dehydration can often not be prevented at all, in order to avoid the above described messy situation, often therefore no feed is provided in the transport boxes, in particular when the estimated transport time is less than 24 hours.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the invention to provide for a method for feeding a group of hatchling chickens that overcomes or at least mitigates disadvantages of prior art feeding methods. In particular, it is an object to provide for a method that is suitable for feeding hatchling chickens during transport in cages, which method is able to prevent overall weight loss. Preferably, the method is able to provide overall weight gain during transport. It is another object of the invention to provide for a cage for use in this method, in particular a cage suitable for transporting hatchling chickens from the hatchery to a remote farm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet the main object of the invention a method as defined in the GENERAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION section here above has been devised, wherein the feed is presented at a level above the heads of the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over a surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom of the cage (from now on also referred to as "tray"). To applicant's surprise the hatchling chickens are capable of feeding themselves even with the feed distributed above their heads. This is in contrast with what one would expect: newly hatches chickens instinctively preen themselves, scratch and eat solid feed from the ground. These inborn behaviours do clearly not include pecking towards a site above their heads. Feeding mechanisms for hatchling chickens in commercial chicken production have been developed over the last few decades by recognizing these inborn behaviours and are always directed at presenting feed (in contrast with liquids) at eye level or below. It was therefore highly surprising to see that hatchling chickens do feed from feed presented above their heads, and may even be capable of gaining average weight when being transported this way, while being packed in a cage. This is in complete contrast with prior art methods.

In the present method there is no mixing of feed with faeces which provides an inherent advantage over prior art methods wherein feed is distributed on the bottom of the tray. Moreover since the feed is evenly distributed above the chickens, there is no or hardly any competition between the new born chickens in order to get access to the feed. All chickens have relative easy access to the feed regardless of their placement within the tray. Another advantage is that the current practices in hatching, transporting and unloading of the chickens do not need adaptation and can remain intact as they are.

The invention has also led to a cage for keeping a group of hatchling chickens while being transported, the cage comprising a bottom and one or more sidewalls that define a space to confine the hatchling chickens, and a lid to cover a top opening of the cage, which lid has a lower surface faced towards the bottom of the cage, the lower surface being provided with feed for the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the said lower surface. Next to this, the invention has led to a cage having a bottom and one or more sidewalls that define a space to confine a group of hatchling chickens, the bottom having an inner surface faced towards the interior of the cage, and an opposing outer surface face towards the exterior of the cage, wherein the outer surface of the bottom of the cage is provided with feed for hatchling chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the outer surface.

Likewise, the invention has led to a lid for closing a top opening of a cage for transporting hatchling chickens, wherein the lid, on its surface that faces the interior of the cage, is provided with feed for the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the surface. Such a lid can be advantageously used with an existing type of transport cage for hatchling chickens. DEFINITIONS A cage is a structure for confining birds. A typical example of a cage is a box having a bottom and typically four sidewalls perpendicular to the base, optionally closeable by a lid.

Hatchling chickens are newly hatched chicks (newborn domesticated fowls), also referred to in the art as day-old chicks (although the term is typically used for chicks during the first three days of life).

Animal feed that is evenly distributed over a surface means that on a scale that corresponds to the size of the animal, the feed is present at each site of the surface in an adequate amount for feeding animals present at each of these sites. Preferably, at each site the amount of feed is sufficient to allow continuous feeding as long as the animals are present adjacent the surface.

Feed is a compound or mixture of different compounds that is a source of nutrients (proteins and/or carbohydrates and/or fats) for an animal. In the sense of the present invention, feed is a solid constitution as opposed to liquid nutrients such as liquid feed supplements, electrolyte solution and water enriched with pre-mixes.

A lid is a removable, hinged or otherwise movably positioned cover for a hollow receptacle. The lid may be continuous, such that the receptacle can be (partly) closed by the lid, but the lid may also be provided with holes or other types of openings allowing passage of gas, liquid or solid substances through the lid to pass into the receptacle.

EMBODIMENTS

In a first embodiment of the method according to the invention the cage is being transported for a period between 0 and 72 hours without intermediate dosing of additional feed in the cage. In particular, the time of transport is 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64 up to 72 hours. Even the longer transporting times (over 24 hours) do not give rise to significant weight loss or dehydration in the group of hatchling chickens. In another embodiment the surface is a lower surface of a lid that covers a top opening of the cage, the lower surface being faced towards the bottom of the cage. In this embodiment the feed is provided in conjunction with a separate lid (that can be opened, or even taken away). This makes it easier to (re-) fill the surface with feed. In yet another embodiment the feed is distributed over the surface in a layer of gel. A nutrient gel as such is known in the art. It was found however that it is particularly suitable for use in the present method since feed can be easily kept above the heads of the chickens without falling down (gel can be provided with a good mechanical consistency, even when being pecked in), and is suitable to provide for the required water at the same time.

In still another embodiment the feed is distributed by having multiple separate units of feed distributed over the surface. By using multiple separate feed units there is more freedom in the type of gel. The mechanical constraints are less when small plaques of gel are used (for example having a size of 3 cm in diameter) in a checkerboard pattern instead of one continuous layer of gel.

In again another embodiment wherein the surface is a lower surface of a lid that covers a top opening of the cage, the lid is made from a biodegradable material and the feed is attached to the lid. This embodiment has the advantage that the lid can be thrown away after transport of the chickens without being too much of a burden to recycle. Would the lid be for example of a normal plastic, the lids would have to be refilled in order to be used again, or collected and recycled as is the case with regular plastic. Being made of biodegradable material, the lid with remains of the feed can be thrown into a dung pit of the farm at which the chickens arrive after transport in the trays.

In yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention the surface is part of the bottom of a second cage, positioned on top of the first cage. This way, when compared to prior art methods using standardized transport trays, there is no additional mechanical component needed for the trays. Current tray handling practices can continue as in place at this moment, since the feed is simply present at the bottom side of each tray, to serve as a top feed supply when such a tray is stacked on top of another tray.

The above described embodiments of the method according to the invention lead to corresponding embodiments of the (transport) cage of the invention, as reflected in the appended claims.

The invention will now be further explained using the following examples of specific embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLES Figure 1 schematically shows various options for feeding chickens above their heads. Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a gel feed supplement distributed over a plate.

Study 1 describes an experiment for feeding a group of hatchling chickens present on a bottom of a cage.

Figure 1

Figure 1 schematically shows various options for feeding chickens above their heads. Figure 1 A shows a transport box 1 (also called a cage or tray), which comprises a bottom 2 and sidewalls 3. The box is provided with a hinged lid 4 to close the box. To the lower side of the lid 4 a layer of feed 5 is attached, in this case a layer of nutrient gel. This layer has a lower surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom 2 of the box. This way, when the lid is closed, the layer 5 provides for an even distribution of the feed for the chickens 6 (two of which are schematically depicted) above their heads.

Figure 1 B shows another embodiment of a box according to the invention. In this case the box V, having a bottom 2 and sidewalls 3 is provided with a separate lid 40. This lid is supported by longitudinal protrusions 30 of the sidewalls 3. Lid 40 has attached to its lower side, the side that faces the interior of the box 1 ', a layer of feed 5. Again, corresponding to Figure 1A, this layer is presented to the interior of the box as a surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom 2 of the box. In an embodiment, the complete lid 40 is made of biodegradable material, such that the lid can be removed and discarded to be recycled as organic waste after the transportation of the chickens.

Figure 1 C shows yet another embodiment of a box according to the invention. In this case each box 1 " (three of which are depicted, viz. box 10, 100 and 1000), having a bottom 2 and sidewalls 3, is not provided with a separate lid connected thereto. Rather, on top of each box for keeping the chickens (which are not shown in Figure 1 C), another box is positioned, wherein the bottom of the box positioned on top of a first box, which bottom thus actually acts as a lid, is provided with a layer of food on its exterior bottom surface. This way, the layer of feed on the exterior of a top box, faces the interior of a box beneath. As shown in Figure 1 C, the bottom 2 of box 100 is provided with a layer of feed 5. This layer faces the interior of box 10 which is situated beneath top box 100, such that the layer has a lower surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom 2 of the box 10.

Figure 2

Figure 2 schematically shows an embodiment of a gel feed supplement distributed over a plate. In this embodiment, a separate plate corresponding to lid 40 of Figure 1 B is depicted, of which the bottom surface with the layer of feed 5 is shown in Figure 2. In this case the layer of feed consists of multiple discs 50 of nutrient gel, evenly distributed in rows and columns. Figure 2B shows a side view of layer 5. As depicted, the discs are mechanically stabilised by having intermediate non-nutrient gel material 51 situated between the discs 50.

Study 1

The aim of this study was to test whether the new method could be used to successfully feed groups of newly hatched chickens present on a bottom of a cage. In particular, whether the new method was able to prevent weight loss, preferably to even stimulate early growth of the chickens. If successful, this would be a clear indication of the chickens retaining a good hydration level and of improved welfare.

For this a hatch gel supplement to feed chickens above their heads in line with figures 1 b and 2 was used. The goal is to provide uniform access to all chickens regardless of their position within the transportation tray. In the study, the device supporting the gel supplement was placed inside transportation boxes (I x w x h = 60cm x 40cm x 15cm) above the heads of the chickens. A total of 500 newly hatched chickens (5

transportation boxes with about 100 chickens each) received different feeding strategies:

Box 1 : Control (no gel supplement)

Box 2: Dark red gel

Box 3: Dark red gel + menthol

Box 4: Intense red gel + menthol

Box 5: Green gel + menthol.

The gels were made as follows. Per tray, an amount of gel was used based on two litres of water. In these two litres of water 1 .4 grams of osmoprotectant, 17,5 grams of glucose anhydrase and 14 grams of gelificant agent (alginate) were dissolved. The gel was distributed in a checkerboard pattern of discs having an approximate width of 2 cm, on a plate having a length of about 60 cm and a width of about 40 cm (matching the bottom size of the trays). This resulted in plates having separate units of discs of gels, distributed in a regular pattern of 24 x 15 discs. The empty space between the discs was filled with nutrient free and colourless gel in order to stabilise the pattern of discs. In order to colour the gel, per 2 litres either 5 (dark red) or 10 grams (intense red and green) of Dr Oetker red or green Gel Food Colour was added. Menthol (Mentol Cristal of Acofarma) was added in the amount of 2 grams. The different colours and flavours (menthol or no menthol) were provided to test whether the colour or flavour had any effect on the feeding behaviour of the newly hatched chickens.

The study was performed at a hatchery. Newly hatched chickens were processed normally (sexed, vaccination). After placement in the transportation trays chickens were weighed individually. Then the gel was placed (or not for the control) and the chickens were left in their trays for 20 hours. After this the chickens were weighed individually again. During this 20h experiment, all 5 boxes were placed inside a room in which there was a source of light (normal LED light) and normal environmental temperature. The results are indicated below in table 1 . Table 1 Average body weight (grams) of 100 chickens present in a transport tray for 20 hours

After the test, the trays were relatively clean and there was hardly any mixing of gel feed with faeces and feathers. It appeared that the chickens consumed all types of gel and after 20 hours receiving gel supplement, body weight was superior relative to control chickens. No significant difference could be seen between the various colours and flavours of gel supplement, although the dark red gel without the menthol flavour gave the best result. In this test it appeared that average body weight was consistently increased during the test. This shows that the present feeding method promotes uniform feed access to all birds regardless of their location in the transportation tray. This way dehydration is inherently prevented and body weight gain is promoted.

Claims

1 . A method for feeding a group of hatchling chickens (6) present on a bottom of a cage (1 ), the method comprising presenting feed (5) to the chickens in the cage,

characterised in that the feed is presented at a level above the heads of the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over a surface that corresponds to a vertical projection of the bottom (2) of the cage.

2. A method according to claim 1 , characterised in that the cage is being transported for a period between 0 and 72 hours without intermediate dosing of additional feed in the cage.

3. A method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface is a lower surface of a lid (4, 40) that covers a top opening of the cage, the lower surface being faced towards the bottom of the cage.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the feed is distributed over the surface as a layer of gel.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the feed is distributed by having multiple separate units (50) of feed distributed over the surface.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surface is a lower surface of a lid that covers a top opening of the cage, characterised in that the lid is made from a biodegradable material and the feed is attached to the lid.

7. A method according to any of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the surface is part of the bottom of a second cage, positioned on top of the first cage.

8. A cage for keeping a group of hatchling chickens while being transported, the cage comprising a bottom and one or more sidewalls that define a space to confine the hatchling chickens, and a lid to cover a top opening of the cage, which lid has a lower surface faced towards the bottom of the cage, the lower surface being provided with feed for the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the said lower surface.

9. A cage according to claim 8, characterised in that the feed is distributed over the surface as a layer of gel.

10. A cage according to any of the claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the feed is distributed by having multiple separate units of feed distributed over the surface.

1 1 . A cage according to any of the claims 8 to 10, wherein the surface is a lower surface of the lid that covers the top opening of the cage, characterised in that the lid is made from a biodegradable material and the feed is attached to the lid.

12. A cage according to any of the claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the lower surface is part of a second cage stacked on top of the first cage.

13. A cage having a bottom and one or more sidewalls that define a space to confine a group of hatchling chickens, the bottom having an inner surface faced towards the interior of the cage, and an opposing outer surface face towards the exterior of the cage, characterised in that the outer surface of the bottom of the cage is provided with feed for hatchling chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the outer surface.

14. A lid for closing a top opening of a cage for transporting hatchling chickens, characterised in that the lid, on its surface that faces the interior of the cage, is provided with feed for the chickens, the feed being evenly distributed over the surface.