NL2023205B1 - Pigpen for housing a group of pigs - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pigpen for housing a group of pigs comprising an enclosed living space accessible via at least one closable exit. The living space comprises a first compartment, a plurality of second compartments and a plurality of third compartments being located between the first compartment and the second compartments and each neighbouring at least one of the other third compartments. Each of the third compartments comprises a first closable passage connecting the third compartment with the first compartment, a second closable passage opposing the first passage, which second closable passage connects the third compartment with the second compartment, and two mutually opposing third closable passages, each connecting the third compartment with a neighbouring third compartment or one of the at least one exit. At least one third compartment adjoins one of the at least one exit and is via a third closable passage connected to said exit.

Description

Pigpen for housing a group of pigs The invention relates to a pigpen for housing a group of pigs an enclosed living space accessible via at least one closable exit, wherein the living space comprises multiple separate compartments.

In modern pig husbandry, it is known to house large numbers of pigs within a single large pigpen. As group pens allow the pigs to socially interact, and to display natural behaviour, such a single large pen improves upon pig living conditions. In order to facilitate the pigs in all their needs throughout their life cycle, group pens are typically provided with multiple separate compartments each tailored for fulfilling a different function. Said compartments may hereby e.g. function as transport area, social area, feeding area, defecating area, farrowing area, piglet area or cover area. Due to the plurality of different functions a group pigpen needs to provide for, a group pigpen typically features a large number of different compartments that each take up a considerable amount of space. The total footprint of a group pigpen therefore commonly well surpasses the footprint necessary to accommodate a conventional pigpen.

With an increase in the amount of space necessary to house a given amount of pigs, the costs involved with keeping said given amount of pigs increases. Consequently financial aspects stand in the way of increasing quality of life for the pigs as often profitability outweighs pig living conditions.

lt is therefore an object of the invention to provide an pigpen for housing a group of pigs that improves upon pig living conditions, preferably in a more cost-effective manner than the known group pens.

The invention hereto provides a pigpen for housing a group of pigs comprising an enclosed living space accessible via at least one closable exit, wherein the living space comprises a first compartment, a plurality of second compartments and a plurality of third compartments being located between the first compartment and the second compartments and each neighbouring at least one of the other third compartments, wherein each of the third compartments comprises: a first closable passage connecting the third compartment with the first compartment; a second closable passage opposing the first closable passage, which second closable passage connects the third compartment with the second compartment; and two mutually opposing third closable passages, each connecting the third compartment with a neighbouring third compartment or one of the at least one closable exit, wherein at least one third compartment adjoins one of the at least one closable exit and is via a third closable passage connected to said closable exit.

One key aspect of the pigpen according to the invention is the use of multiple second compartments and multiple third compartments in combination with a first compartment, the latter one commonly fulfilling the function of shared socializing space for multiple pigs, and in particular adult sows.

Often, the pigpen comprises a single first compartment that, dependent on the closable passages being in open or closed position, stands in contact with the second compartments and third compartments.

It is however also conceivable that the pigpen comprises multiple first compartments.

Said multiple first compartments may hereby adjoin each other, wherein a separation wall separates the first compartments from each other, which separation wall may be provided with an additional closable passage for connecting the first compartments with each other.

Alternatively, the multiple first compartments may lie at a distance from each other, being interposed by one or more second and/or third compartments that may or may not allow for a passage between the first compartments.

The second compartments are configured for each housing one or more farrowing sows and/or their suckling piglets.

Taken in combination with the third compartment, in which case the second closable passage is in an open position, the second compartment could moreover function as an enlarged space for the (pregnant) sows or for the weaned piglets that were previously held in the second compartment as suckling piglets.

The third compartments by themselves could function as a space in which farrowing sows could retreat from their suckling piglets being housed in the second compartment.

The third compartments could moreover function as a covering space housing one or more rearing sows and/or a boar.

Finally, the third compartments could in a concatenated set-up wherein the third closable passages are in an open position function as a passageway through which pigs could be led towards the various compartments or to the closable exit of the pigpen.

By selectively keeping the third closable passages open or closed, the pigs could automatically be led in the desired direction.

The flexible compartmentation of the pigpen thus creates a multifunctional living space tailored to the specific point in the life cycle of a pig community. In other words: the flexible layout of the pigpen is able to offer the pigs a living space that is adaptable to their needs at any given time during their life cycle. Due to this adaptability to the pigs needs, the pigpen moreover promotes the pigs to display more natural behaviour. In addition, the flexibility in the division of the space inside the pigpen allows for an optimal utilisation of the available ground surface, as all available ground surface forms living space for the pigs. No ground space is hereby lost on dedicated areas that are utilized only for certain during the pig community life cycle or on passageways and other areas that are only used for personnel or for the transfer of animals. As a result, the pigpen according to the present invention increases the living space per pig without increasing the pigpen’s footprint. With the adaptability to the life cycle of the pigs and facilitation of the natural behaviour of the pigs, as well as the increased living space, the pigpen according to the present invention is able to improve upon pig living conditions. Due to the optimal utilisation of the available ground surface, the pigpen moreover allows for a more cost effective pig husbandry than the known group pens, consequently making the choice for improving upon pig living conditions easier.

In a particular embodiment of the pigpen according to the invention the second compartments each neighbour at least one other second compartment, wherein each couple of neighbouring second compartments are separated by a separation wall. By positioning the second compartments against each other side by side, the pigpen is able to remain as compact as possible, taking up the least amount of ground surface. At least one area covered by two neighbouring second compartments and third compartments may hereby take a substantially circular form. In a prevalent embodiment, every other consecutive area formed by two neighbouring second compartments and third compartments will be substantially circular. As will become apparent later on, the substantially circular area of the two neighbouring second compartments and two neighbouring third compartments especially lends itself for coverage by a feed dispensing system comprising a rotating feed dispensing arm.

Alternatively or additionally, each group of two neighbouring second compartments and two neighbouring third compartments may share a common intersection point adjoining each of said second and third compartments. In other words: the two neighbouring second compartments and two neighbouring third compartments may come together at a single location. Said location or common intersection point is particularly suited for sharing a single utility among the compartments. An example of such a utility is later on discussed in the form of a device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements.

The second compartments and the third compartments may be placed concentrically around the first compartment, wherein the second compartments respectively the third compartments together form concentric circles around the first compartment. The layout wherein the second compartments and third compartments are centred around the first compartment leads to a compact design of the pigpen, wherein the distances between the different compartments remain limited. Moreover, the total length of the walls of the pigpen is herewith reduced for a given ground surface area covered by the pigpen. These advantages become even more apparent in case that the first compartment has a substantially circular ground surface. An additional benefit of a first compartment with a substantially circular ground surface is that it lends itself for coverage by a feed dispensing system comprising a rotating feed dispensing arm.

The pigpen may comprise two closable exits. At least one of said exits may be used for animals exiting and/or entering the pigpen. It is also possible that one exit is solely used for entry of animals into the pigpen while the other exit is solely used for animals exiting the pigpen. One of the exits may on the other hand be used for personnel entering and exiting the pigpen. Additionally the two closable exits may be located on mutually opposing sides of the pigpen such that a substantially symmetrical pen layout can be obtained for maximum compatibility with and easy connection to adjacent identical pigpens.

The first compartment may be directly connected to the at least one closable exit via a fourth closable passage to allow animals to leave the pigpen via the first compartment without passing through any third compartments.

In a possible embodiment of the pigpen, at least one of the second compartments comprises a common area and a plurality of portioned-off areas connected to the common area via a fifth closable passage which may be formed by a height adjustable gate configured for the selective passage of adult pigs, and in particular 5 sows. The portioned-off areas, which are typically separated from the rest of the second compartment by means of a separation wall, can serve as farrowing areas for individual sows. Each second compartment may typically provide room for 2-6, and in particular 4 of said portioned-off areas. With the use of a height adjustable gate configured for the selective passage of adult pigs it becomes possible for the sow to leave the portioned-off area and thus the farrowing area without the piglets present in said portioned-off being able to follow the sow. The sow can herewith choose to separate itself temporarily from its piglets by retreating in the common area of the second compartment.

The second closable passages may comprise a height adjustable gate configured for the selective passage of adult pigs, and in particular sows. This height adjustable gate enables sows to move between a second compartment and an adjacent third compartment without smaller piglets being able to do the same. In an advanced weaning stage, wherein the suckling piglets have considerably increased in weight and need more space, the suckling piglets may be allowed to roam the entire second compartment. The height adjustable gate between the second and third compartment hereby allows the sow to separate itself temporarily from its piglets by retreating in the third compartment. Once the sow is no longer needed for breastfeeding, the sow may finally retreat to the first compartment. The height adjustable gate may consecutively be lowered to the point where the weaned piglets can move into the third compartment to effectively increase the living space of the weaned piglets to the combined area of a second and a third compartment. The height adjustable gate may finally be fully raised to block the passage for both piglets and mature pigs.

In yet another embodiment of the pigpen according to the invention the pigpen comprises at least one device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements, otherwise describable as a pig toilet. As pigs can be trained to defecate on a certain spot, such a device can be used for the efficient removal of excrements, thus benefitting hygiene conditions within the pigpen and making it possible to extend cleaning intervals. At least one of the at least one device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements may positioned centrally in the first compartment, thereby making the device easily accessible for all pigs present in the first compartment. Alternatively or additionally, at least one of the at least one device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements may be positioned at the intersection point of two neighbouring second compartments and two neighbouring third compartments, wherein the device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements is accessible from said two neighbouring second compartments and said two neighbouring third compartments. By making the device for the collection and disposal of pig excrements available from as many compartments as possible, a minimum amount of said devices need to be installed in the pigpen. This could lead to significant cost reductions. In still another embodiment of the pigpen according to the invention the pigpen comprises a feed dispensing system comprising at least one dispensing arm moveable overhead at least a part of the pigpen in a substantially horizontal plane for distributing feed across said pigpen. The application of such a feed dispensing system forgoes the need to free up ground surface for a feeding troughs. Moreover, the dispensing arm could apply a homogeneous and spread out layer of feed onto the pen ground surface. For this purpose, the at least one dispensing arm may be rotatably mounted onto a support structure. It is known that pigs are very meticulous in separating their feeding area from their defecation area. Hence, applying an even layer of feed onto the pigpen living space will encourage the pigs to defecate in certain designated areas that are for this purpose kept clear of feed.

In particular, with the aid of said feed dispensing system pigs could be motivated to solely defecate on a device specifically designed for the collection and disposal of pig excrements by only leaving this device clear of feed. At least one support structure of the at least one dispensing arm may be positioned centrally in the first compartment. The central position of the support structure allows the dispensing arm to reach most of the first compartment, thereby being able to apply a layer of feed on substantially the entire ground surface of the first compartment. In a particularly advantageous layout, the first compartment has a substantially circular ground surface while the at least one dispensing arm is configured for rotation around the support structure such that the reach of the dispensing arm matches the shape of the ground surface of the first compartment. In order to cover the ground surface of the second compartments and third compartments in an efficient manner at least one support structure of the at least one dispensing arm may be positioned at the intersection point of two neighbouring second compartments and two neighbouring third compartments. The dispensing arm may hereby cover a substantial part of the ground surface of the two neighbouring second compartments and the two neighbouring third compartments.

In a particularly advantageous layout, the area covered by two neighbouring second compartments and third compartments is substantially circular while the at least one dispensing arm is configured for rotation around the support structure such that the reach of the dispensing arm matches the shape of the ground surface of the two neighbouring second compartments and the two neighbouring third compartments. The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of a non-limitative exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in figure 1, showing a floor plan of a pigpen according to the invention.

In the floor plan of a pigpen (1) according to the invention as shown in figure 1, multiple compartments (2, 3, 4) are visible. Specifically, the shown pigpen (1) comprises a centrally positioned first compartment (2), a dozen of neighbouring third compartments (4) positioned around the first compartment (2) and being directly adjacent to the first compartment (2), and a dozen of neighbouring second compartments (3) positioned around the first compartment (2) and third compartments (4) and being directly adjacent to the third compartments (4). The third compartments (4) hereby lie between the first compartment (2) and the second compartments (3). In the depicted embodiment of the pigpen (1) according to the invention the first compartment (2) has a substantially circular ground surface. Moreover, every other group of two neighbouring second compartments (3) and two neighbouring third compartments (4) is substantially circular. In particular the ground surface of said groups of two neighbouring second compartments (3) and two neighbouring third compartments (4) takes the shape of a regular hexagon with rounded corners.

The third compartments (4) are each provided with four closable passages (5, 6, 7). A first closable passage (5) connects each third compartment (4) with the first compartment (2). A second closable passage (6), which is provided in an wall of the third compartment (4) opposing the wall of the third compartment (4) provided with the first closable passage (5), connects the third compartment (4) with the second compartment (3). Finally, two mutually opposing third closable passages (7) each connecting the third compartment (4) with a neighbouring third compartment (4) or an exit (8) of the pigpen (1).

The shown pigpen (1) comprises two closable exits (8) provided on mutually opposing sides of the pigpen (1). The closable exits (8) of the pigpen (1) could be used for the entry and exit of pigs into and from the pigpen (1). Alternatively one of the exits (8) could be used for personnel accessing the pigpen (1). The exits (8) are connected to the adjacent third compartments (4) as well as directly to the first compartment (2). The exits (8) are closable by means of the third closable passages (7) of the third compartments (4) adjacent to the exits (8) and by means of two fourth closable passages (9) provided in the wall of the first compartment (2). The third closable passages (7) of the third compartments (4) could be opened to create a continuous passageway through which animals could be driven from the third compartments (4) as well as the first compartment (2) and second compartments (3) towards the exits (8) and vice versa. The second compartments (3) each comprise a common area (10) and a plurality of portioned-off areas (11) connected to the common area (10) by means of closable passages (12). Said closable passages (12) may hereby be formed by height adjustable gates configured to allow for a selective passage of adult pigs, and in particular sows. It is moreover possible that more or even all of the closable passages (5, 6, 7) provided in the first, second and third compartments (2, 3, 4) are embodied as height adjustable gates. In the shown pigpen (1) each second compartment comprises four portioned-off areas (11). It is however also possible that, dependent on the intended use of the pigpen (1), the second compartments (3) comprise a different number of portioned-off areas (11).

The shown pigpen (1) further comprises seven devices (13) for the collection and disposal of pig excrements. One of said devices (13) is positioned centrally in the first compartment (2). The other six of said devices (13) are positioned at the intersection points (14) of two neighbouring second compartments (3) and two neighbouring third compartments (4). Each of these six devices (13) for the collection and disposal of pig excrements are hereby accessible from the two neighbouring second compartments (3) and the two neighbouring third compartments (4).

The shown pigpen (1) finally comprises a feed dispensing system (15) comprising a number of dispensing arms (16) moveable overhead the pigpen (1) in a substantially horizontal plane for distributing feed across the pigpen (1). Each dispensing arm (16) is suspended from or supported by a support structure (17), wherein the dispensing arm (16) is able to rotate around said support structure (17). Two support structures (17) are positioned centrally in the first compartment (2) to allow the therewith supported dispensing arms (16) to cover substantially the entire ground surface of the first compartment (2). The support structures (17) of the remaining dispensing arms (16) are positioned at the intersection points (14) of two neighbouring second compartments (3) and two neighbouring third compartments (4) such that these dispensing arms (16) are able to cover substantially the entire ground surface of said two neighbouring second compartments (3) and two neighbouring third compartments (4).

Claims (18)

Conclusions Pigpen for housing a group of pigs, comprising an enclosed living space accessible via at least one closable exit, the living space comprising a first compartment, a plurality of second compartments and a plurality of third compartments present between the first compartment. and the second compartments, each of which is adjacent to at least one of the other third compartments, each of the third compartments comprising: - a first closable passageway connecting the third compartment to the first compartment, - a second closable passageway opposite the first closable passage, which second closable passage connects the third compartment to the second compartment, - two opposite third closable passageways, each of which connects the third compartment to an adjacent third compartment or one of the at least one closable exit, whereby at least one third compartment is adjacent to one of the at least one closable output and is connected to said closable output via a third closable passage. The pigpen of claim 1, wherein the second compartments are each adjacent to at least one other second compartment, and wherein each pair of adjacent second compartments are separated from each other by a partition. Pig pen according to claim 2, wherein at least one terrain covered by two adjacent second compartments and third compartments is substantially circular. Pig pen according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each group of two adjacent second compartments and two adjacent third compartments shares a common intersection point adjacent to each of said second and third compartments. Pig pen according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second compartments and the third compartments are arranged concentrically around the first compartment, wherein the second compartments and third compartments, respectively, together form concentric circles around the first compartment. Pig pen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first compartment has a substantially circular ground surface. Pig pen according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pig pen comprises two closable exits. Pig pen according to claim 7, wherein the two closable exits are provided on two opposite sides of the pig pen. Pig pen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first compartment is directly connected to the at least one closable exit via a fourth closable passage. Pig pen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the second compartments comprises a common area and a plurality of screened areas connected to the common area via a height-adjustable fence adapted to allow adult pigs to pass selectively, especially sows. Pig pen according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second closable passages comprise a height-adjustable gate, which gate is designed for the selective passage of adult pigs, in particular sows. Pig pen according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pig pen comprises at least one device for collecting and disposing of pig excrement. Pig pen according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the at least one device for collecting and disposing of pig excrement is arranged centrally in the first compartment. Pig pen according to claim 4 and claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the at least one device for collecting and disposing of pig excrement is arranged at the intersection of the two adjacent second compartments and the two adjacent third compartments, the device for the collection and disposal of pig excrement is accessible from said two adjacent second compartments and said two adjacent third compartments. Pig pen according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pig pen comprises a feed delivery system comprising at least one delivery arm which is movable above at least a part of the pig pen in a substantially horizontal plane for distributing feed over said pig pen. Pig pen according to claim 15, wherein at least one release arm is rotatably mounted on a support structure. Pig pen according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least one support structure of the at least one dispensing arm is arranged centrally in the first compartment. Pig pen according to claim 4 and claim 15 or 16, wherein at least one support structure of the at least one dispensing arm is arranged at the intersection of two adjacent second compartments and two adjacent third compartments.