Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method and an animal housing design for separating manure.

Background of the invention

It is known, e.g. from NL 1 003 271, that the emission of ammonia from a manure pit located below the floor of an animal housing can be reduced by the use of solid floors with perforations and slots and a dung scraper on the floor.

It is also known, e.g. from EP 1 159 871, that a manure collection channel can be arranged along the side edge of the floor element to receive manure scraped off the floor element by the scraper, which manure collection channel is separate from the pit. As a result of the use of the perforated slotted floor, the solid manure fraction can be efficiently separated close to the source, by means of the scraper, from the liquid manure fraction that is collected in the pit and optionally discharged therefrom via a liquid manure collection channel. As a result of the relatively solid nature of the floor element, the emission of ammonia remains limited.

Nevertheless, in the previous solutions it cannot be avoided that on top of the floor element the liquid manure fraction comes in contact with the solid manure fraction. It is possible that the animal defecates in an area wet with urine. It is also possible that the animal urinates in an area containing faeces. Any such contact between the liquid manure fraction and the solid manure fraction will cause emission of ammonia by faecal bacterial degradation of nitrogen components of the urine fraction. Summary of the invention

It is an object of the invention to overcome, or at least to diminish the above problem.

According to the invention this is accomplished by providing a method for reducing ammonia emission from an animal housing, including at least one mammalian farm animal, the method including providing a first area for defecating, and providing a second area, separate from the first area, for urinating, and encouraging the animal to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area.

The invention also relates to a method for reducing ammonia emission from a pig pen, including providing a first area for defecating, and providing a second area, separate from the first area, for urinating, and encouraging the pig to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. Herein the encouraging of the pig may be part of training the pig to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. Hence, the invention also relates to a method for training a pig to defecate only in a first area and to urinate only in a second area separate from the first area, the method including, including providing a first area for defecating, and providing a second area, separate from the first area, for urinating, and encouraging the pig to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. Such training yields a pig that produces a reduced ammonia discharge.

It is noted that herein pig pen also refers to a pig house or other dwelling area for a pig or pigs.

The inventor realized that pigs are highly intelligent mammals.

Therefore, rather than trying to improve the existing pig pen with complex devices for even more accurately separating the solid manure fraction from the liquid manure fraction, the inventor gained the insight that is must be possible to /use operant conditioning techniques to train the pigs so that the pigs themselves accurately separate the solid manure fraction (faeces) from the liquid manure fraction (urine). According to an aspect of the invention, the method includes training the pig and thereby modifying the brain of the pig, e.g. by the use of positive reinforcement, by encouraging the pig to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area such that the pig is conditioned to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. It is known that training permanently changes structures in the brain. Therefore, providing the specific training to the pig induces specific changes in the structures of the brain of the pig, fixing a behavioural pattern, enabling the pig - after the training - to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area.

The inventor realized that pigs are highly intelligent mammals. Nevertheless, other mammalian farm animals also display certain levels of intelligence. Therefore, the method as described above, but also the arrangements and methods as described hereinbelow can also be practiced in conjunction with other mammalian farm animals. The mammalian farm animal can for instance be a pig, cow, goat, sheep, horse, llama, alpaca, guinea pig, kangaroo, wallaby, deer, or rabbit.

Optionally, the encouraging includes providing a reward to the pig if the pig defecates in the first area or urinates in the second area. This is sometimes referred to as positive reinforcement techniques. The reward may include a treat, such as a lemon candy. Alternatively, or additionally, the reward may include a toy, such as a game. It is known that pigs like to play, so that providing the toy or the game also can be used for positive reinforcement.

Optionally, the encouraging includes providing an olfactory stimulus, such as a smell of faeces at the first area. It has been found that this aids the pig in learning to defecate in the first area, but not in the second area.

Optionally, the encouraging includes providing an auditory stimulus, such as the sound of running water at the second location. It has been found that this aids the pig in learning to urinate in the second area, but not in the first area.

Optionally, the encouraging includes providing a visual stimulus, such as a bright light at the first area, but not in the second area.

Optionally, the method further includes providing a, e.g. visible, demarcation of the first area and/or second area. It has been found that this aids the pig in learning to distinguish the first area from the second area. The visible demarcation can for instance be a line on the floor, or a different colour of the floor in the first and second areas, respectively.

Optionally, the method further includes providing a physical boundary partially enclosing the first and/or second area.

Optionally, the method further includes providing a urination detector for detecting that a pig urinates or has urinated and a device for providing the reward to the pig if the urination detector detected that the pig urinated in the second area. It is possible that the urination detector is arranged for detecting that a specific pig of a plurality of pigs urinates or has urinated and that the device for providing the reward is arranged for providing the reward to the specific pig if the urination detector detected that the specific pig urinated in the second area. This provides the advantage that the rewarding of the pig can be automated.

Optionally, the method further includes providing a defecating detector for detecting that a pig defecates or has defecated and a device for providing the reward to the pig if the defecating detector detected that the pig defecated in the first area. It is also possible that the defecating detector is arranged for detecting that a specific pig of a plurality of pigs defecates or has defecated and the device for providing the reward is arranged for providing the reward to the specific pig if the defecating detector detected that the specific pig defecated in the first area. This provides the advantage that the rewarding of the pig can be automated. The invention relates to a, e.g. at least partly automated, training technique using operant conditioning techniques, i.e. positive reinforcement techniques, to learn mammalian farm animals, such as pigs, to improve on their intelligent elimination behaviour so as to defecate only in a first area and to urinate only in a second area, different from the first area.

The invention also relates to a method for training a mammalian farm animal, such as a pig, to defecate only in a first area and to urinate only in a second area separate from the first area including providing a reward to the pig if the pig defecates in the first area or urinates in the second area.

The invention also relates to a mammalian farm animal, such as a pig, trained using the above techniques and methods.

Optionally, the reward includes a treat, such as a lemon candy and/or a toy, such as a game, and or a auditory or visual stimulus.

Optionally the method includes automatically, using a urination detector, detecting that a pig urinates or has urinated and automatically providing the reward to the pig if the urination detector detected that the pig urinated in the second area.

Optionally, the method includes automatically, using a defecating detector, detecting that a pig defecates or has defecated and automatically providing the reward to the pig if the defecating detector detected that the pig defecated in the first area.

Optionally, the method further includes housing the pig to be trained in a pig pen including at least one pig that already has been trained to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. It has been found that pigs trained using the method according to the invention, themselves are capable of training other pigs to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area, different from the first area. If the pig pen according to the invention houses at least one pig trained according to the invention, other pigs in the pig pen will be trained more efficiently and more quickly. The invention also relates to a pig trained using the above techniques and methods, able to transfer learned

elimination behaviour skills to non-trained pigs such as their offspring. Such offspring then, might not need to be positively enforced at every time of correct faeces and/or urine disposal. The invention also relates to a pig trained with the aid of a further pig that had already been trained. This also applies to other mammalian farm animals.

The invention also relates to an animal housing, such as a pig pen, including a first area for defecating, and a second area, separate from the first area, for urinating. The first area comprises a first disposal unit for disposing faeces from the first area to a first disposal container. The second area comprises a second disposal unit for disposing urine from the second area to a second disposal container. Thus, this animal housing (e.g. the pig pen can) be used by a mammalian farm animal (e.g. a pig) to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. This animal housing (e.g. pig pen) can also be used to train a mammalian farm animal (e.g. a pig) to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area.

Although optional features are described below in relation to the pig pen, these features can also be used more in general in conjunction with the animal housing for pigs or other mammalian farm animals.

Optionally, the pig pen further includes at least one of a urinating detector arranged for detecting that a pig urinates or has urinated, a defecating detector arranged for detecting that a pig defecates or has defecated, and an encouraging unit for providing an encouragement to a pig to defecate only in the first area or to urinate only in the second area. This provides the advantage that the urinating and or defecating behaviour can be detected automatically. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that the pig pen includes a combined urinating and defecating detector. Optionally, the encouraging unit includes a rewarding device arranged for, e.g. automatically, providing a reward to the pig if the pig defecated in the first area or if the pig urinated in the second area. Hence, also the rewarding can be effected automatically. Optionally the rewarding device is arranged for providing a treat, such as a lemon candy, and/or a toy, such as a game, to the pig.

Optionally, the encouraging unit includes a scent dispensing unit arranged for providing an olfactory stimulus, such as a smell of faeces at the first area. Optionally, the encouraging unit includes a sound producing unit arranged for providing an auditory stimulus, such as the sound of running water at the second location.

Optionally, the encouraging unit includes a light producing unit arranged for providing a visual stimulus, such as the use of a moving laser light.

Optionally, the encouraging unit includes a sound producing unit arranged for providing an auditory stimulus. The auditory stimulus may e.g. be a clicking sound.

Optionally, the defecating detector is arranged for detecting that the pig defecates in the first area. The defecating detector may e.g. be arranged for detecting whether the pig defecates in the first area or in the second area. Optionally, the urinating detector is arranged for detecting that the pig urinates in the second area. The urinating detector may e.g. be arranged for detecting whether the pig urinates in the first area or in the second area.

Optionally, the defecating detector includes a camera and a processing unit arranged for determining that the pig defecates on the basis of at least one image obtained by the camera. The processing unit may be arranged for recognizing typical behaviour of the pig associated with defecating, such as a 'frozen' position in a corner with an arched back.

Optionally, the urinating detector includes a camera and a processing unit arranged for determining that the pig urinates on the basis of at least one image obtained by the camera. The processing unit may be arranged for recognizing typical behaviour of the pig associated with urinating, such as an arched back and/or the flow of urine. The urinating detector may also include a microphone and the processing unit may be arranged to determine that the pig urinates on the basis of the associated sound of urine spattering and/or flowing. It will be appreciated that it is also possible that a camera and processing unit form a combined urinating and defecating detector.

Optionally, the urinating detector includes a moisture detector. Optionally, the pig pen further includes a control unit arranged for instructing the rewarding device to provide the reward to the pig if the defecating detector detects that the pig defecates in the first area and/or arranged for provide the reward to the pig if the urination detector detects that the pig urinates in the second area.

Optionally, the pig pen further including pig identification means arranged for identifying an individual pig of a plurality of pigs. Thus it is possible to make sure that the correct pig is rewarded. The pig identification means may e.g. include an RFID system, employing a plurality of RFID tags, each having an individual identification code and each affixed to an individual pig, and an RFID reader arranged for determining the

identification code of a pig that is urinating or has urinated or is defecating or has defecated and a pig that presents itself to the encouraging unit.

Optionally, the pig pen further includes a visible demarcation of the first area and/or second area.

Optionally, the pig pen further includes a physical boundary partially enclosing the first and/or second area.

Optionally, the pig pen further includes at least one gate arranged for selectively opening and closing the first or second area for/by an individual pig, e.g. using the RFID-tags. Optionally, the pig pen further includes a gate actuator positioned inside the pig pen at a position such that the pig is able to actuate the gate actuator for opening at least one gate.

Optionally, the pig pen further includes a feed providing unit positioned in or adjacent to the first area. Optionally, the pig pen further includes a drinker positioned in or adjacent to the second area.

The invention also relates to a defecation detector of the pig pen according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a urination detector of the pig pen according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a mammalian farm animal, such as a pig, wherein the brain of the animal is modified by training to contain structures such that the animal is conditioned to defecate only in a first area and to urinate only in a second area, separate from the first area. The training may include encouraging, such as rewarding, the animal to defecate only in a first area and to urinate only in a second area.

The invention also relates to automatic transfer of this conditioned behaviour to the offspring of the trained animals.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be further elucidated by means of, non- limiting, examples referring to the drawing, in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a pig pen according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a pig pen according to the invention; and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a pig pen according to the invention.

It is noted that identical or corresponding elements in the different drawings are indicated with identical or corresponding reference numerals. Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a pig pen 1 according to the invention. In the pig pen 1 a plurality of pigs 2 dwell. It is intended to reduce ammonia emission from the pig pen 1. It is known that ammonia is formed once liquid manure (urine) and solid manure (faeces) come into contact. The pig pen 1 includes a first area 4 and a second area 6. In order to avoid contact between the urine and faeces, it is intended that the pigs only defecate in the first area, and not in the second area, and that the pigs only urinate in the second area, and not in the first area. In the example a wall 8 is placed between the first area 4 and the second area 6. The wall 8 helps in preventing urine from flowing into the first area 4. It will be appreciated that instead of the wall 8 also other physical separations can be made between the first and second areas, such as a dyke. Preferably the dyke has a height such that it can easily be stepped over by the pig 2, e.g. less than 10 cm. It is also possible that the first and second areas are separated by a distance. The second area may e.g. be positioned at a vertical position that is lower than the vertical position of the first area.

In the example of Fig. 1 the first area comprises a first disposal unit 10 for disposing faeces from the first area 4 to a first disposal container 12. Here the first disposal unit includes a grid 14 including a plurality of openings 16 allowing the solid manure to fall into a gutter which is in communication with the first disposal container 12. The first disposal unit 10 may e.g. include a scraper unit 18 arranged for scraping solid manure from the floor of the first area 4 to the grid 14.

In the example of Fig. 1 the second area 6 comprises a second disposal unit 20 for disposing urine from the second area 6 to a second disposal container 22. In this example, the floor of the second area 6 is positioned at a downward inclination towards a gutter 24. The liquid manure fraction the runs down towards the gutter due to gravity, and further into the second disposal container 22. In this example, the pigs 2 are trained to defecate only in the first area 4 and to urinate only in the second area 6. The pigs may be trained to only defecate in the first area 4 and to only urinate in the second area 6 by continuously observing the pigs 2, e.g. by an observer. The observer can encourage the pigs to defecate only in the first area and to urinate only in the second area. Thereto, the observer can reward the pig each time the pig defecates in the first area or urinates in the second area, and refrain from rewarding the pig (or even punish the pig) each time the pig defecates in the second area or urinates in the first area. The reward can include providing a treat, such as a lemon candy to the pig or providing a sound such as a click. It has been found that pigs are fond of lemon candy.

In the example of Fig. 1 the pig pen is arranged for automating the training of the pigs 2. Thereto in this example the pig pen 1 further includes a urinating detector 26 arranged for detecting that a pig urinates or has urinated, a defecating detector 28 arranged for detecting that a pig defecates or has defecated, and an encouraging unit 30 for providing an encouragement to a pig.

In this example the defecating detector 28 includes a camera 34 and a processing unit 36 arranged for determining that the pig defecates on the basis of at least one image obtained by the camera. In this example, the processing unit 36 is arranged for determining the dropping of feaces by a pig on the basis of at least one image, e.g. on the basis of a sequence of images. It is also possible that the processing unit 36 is arranged for recognizing typical behaviour of the pig 2 associated with defecating, such as a 'frozen' position in a corner with an arched back.

In this example, the urinating detector 26 includes a camera 38 and a processing unit 40 arranged for determining that the pig urinates on the basis of at least one image obtained by the camera. In this example, the processing unit 40 is arranged for determining the disposal of urine by a pig on the basis of at least one image, e.g. on the basis of a sequence of images. It is also possible that the processing unit 40 is arranged for recognizing typical behaviour of the pig associated with urinating, such as an arched back and/or the flow of urine. In this example the urinating detector 26 further includes a microphone 39, such as a directional microphone. The processing unit 40 is arranged for recognizing the sound of a pig urinating, such as spattering of urine.

Once the processing unit 36 or 40 has determined that a pig 2 defecated in the first area 4 or urinated in the second area 6, the pig can be rewarded. In this example, the encouraging unit 30 includes a rewarding device 32. The rewarding device 32 is arranged for providing a reward to the pig. In this example, the rewarding device 32 is arranged for providing a treat, such as a lemon candy, and/or a toy, such as a game, to the pig. It will be appreciated that the pig can also be trained to experience a certain sound, such as a click, as a reward.

In Fig. 1 the pig pen 1 further includes a control unit 42. The control unit is communicatively connected to the processing units 36, 40 and the encouraging unit 30. The control unit 42 is arranged for instructing the encouraging unit 30 to encourage the pig. In this example, the control unit 42 is arranged for instructing the rewarding unit 32 to provide the reward to the pig if the control unit 42 received a signal from defecating detector 28 indicating that the pig defecates or defecated in the first area and/or if the control unit 42 received a signal from urinating detector 26 indicating that the pig urinates or urinated in the second area.

In Fig. 1 the encouraging unit 30 further includes a scent dispensing unit 44 arranged for providing an olfactory stimulus, such as a smell of faeces at the first area 4. In Fig. 1 the encouraging unit 30 further includes a sound producing unit 46 arranged for providing an auditory stimulus, such as the sound of running water and/or a click at the second location 6. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to provide the scent dispensing unit 44, the sound producing unit 46 and the rewarding unit 32 simultaneously.

Fig. 2 shows a second example of a schematic representation of a pig pen 1 according to the invention. In this example, the pig pen 1 is provided with a combined defecating and urinating detector 48. The combined detector 48 in this example includes a camera 50, e.g. provided with a microphone 51, and a processing unit 52. The combined detector 48 is arranged for detecting whether the pig defecates in the first area 4 or in the second area 6. The combined detector 48 is also arranged for detecting whether the pig urinates in the first area 4 or in the second area 6.

The pig pen 1 shown in Fig. 2 operates as described with respect to Fig. 1. A difference is that the encouraging unit 30 in Fig. 2 is controlled on the basis of a signal provided by the combined detector 48.

In the example of Fig. 2 the pig pen further includes pig identification means arranged for identifying an individual pig of a plurality of pigs. In this example, the pig identification means include an RFID system. The RFID system includes a plurality of RFID tags 54.i (i= 1,2,3), each having an individual identification code and each affixed to an individual pig 2.i. The RFID system further includes at least one, in this example a plurality of RFID readers arranged for determining the identification code of a pig within the sensing area of the RFID reader. In this example a first RFID reader 56.1 is positioned in or close to the first area 4 for determining the presence of one or more tag 54.i in the first area. In this example a second RFID reader 56.2 is positioned in or close to the second area 6 for determining the presence of one or more tag 54.i in the second area. In this example a third RFID reader 56.3 is positioned in or close to the encouraging unit 30 for determining the presence of one or more tag 54.i near the encouraging unit. The RFID readers are in communicative connection with the control unit 42. Using the pig identification means, the control unit may determine which specific pig of the plurality of pigs defecates in the first area or urinates in the second area. From this the control unit determines which pig is entitled to a reward. Using this information, the control unit can instruct the rewarding unit 32 to reward the respective pig if this pig presents itself at the rewarding unit 32.

Fig. 3 shows a third example of a schematic representation of a pig pen 1 according to the invention. In this example, the pig pen furter includes a first gate 58 and a second gate 60. The first gate 58 is arranged for selectively opening and closing the first area for an individual pig. The second gate 60 is arranged for selectively opening and closing the second area for an individual pig. In this example the gates are communicatively connected to the control unit 42. In this example the first gate 58 may open if the presence of a pig is detected near the gate, e.g. by the first RFID reader 56.1. In this example the second gate 60 may open if the presence of a pig is detected near the gate, e.g. by the second RFID reader 56.2. It is also possible that the pig pen further includes a gate actuator 62 positioned inside the pig pen at a position such that the pig is able to actuate the gate actuator for opening the at least one gate. It will be appreciated that it is possible to train the pig to actuate the gate actuator 62, e.g. a button, for opening of the gate 58,60.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the examples is referred to pigs. It will be appreciated that the invention can also be practiced in relation to other mammalian farm animals such as cows, goats, sheep, horses, llamas, alpacas, guinea pigs, kangaroos, wallabies, deer, or rabbits. In the examples is referred to a pig pen. It will be appreciated that the invention can also be practiced in relation to animal housings for such other mammalian farm animals. In the example of Fig. 1 the pig pen includes a physical boundary partially enclosing the first and/or second area. It is also possible that the pig pen includes a visible demarcation of the first area and/or second area. The visible demarcation may e.g. be a line between the two areas, or a differently coloured floor and/or wall in the two areas. The visual

demarcation may also be a different colour and/or intensity of light in the two areas.

It is possible that the pig pen further includes a feed providing unit positioned in or adjacent to the first area. It is also possible that the pig pen further includes a drinker positioned in or adjacent to the second area.

However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as hmiting the claim. The word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other features or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.