Field of disclosure

The disclosure relates to a feeding system for poultry production comprising one or more feeding pans for holding a quantity of feed. The feeding pans may be connected to an overlaying feed transport channel provided above the one or more feeding pans for providing feed into the one or more feeding pans. The feeding pan(s) may comprise at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member comprising fluorescent plastic.

Further disclosed herein is the use of fluorescent plastic and the use of feeding pans comprising fluorescent plastic in feeding systems for poultry production.

Also disclosed herein is the use of fluorescent plastic and the use of drinking pans comprising fluorescent plastic in drinking systems for poultry production.

Background

Today, production of poultry includes feeding of freely moving poultry. An essential part of a successful production includes, that the broilers must eat a substantial amount of feed within twenty-four hours after hatching for reducing any health risks.

Furthermore, an early increase in the weight of the broilers typically also results in a more rapid growth of the broilers and hence a shorter production time for the broilers to reach a predetermined slaughter weight i.e. production time being the time from hatching to the time of reaching the predetermined slaughter weight.

Stimulating the feeding instinct of broilers is therefore of great importance in the first twenty-four hours.

US patent 2630096 discloses a poult feeder applying a green light source as a stimuli signal for stimulation of the feeding instinct immediately upon hatching and the development of healthy feeding habits during the early stages of growth. US2630096 applies a green light source as a stimuli signal. A common and well-known appliance for attracting the chickens to the feeding area is Chick paper. Chick paper is configured for making a rustling noise when the broilers step on it. The rustling noise attracts the broilers and hence attracts the broilers to approach the feed.

Another critical point in is time when the poult no longer feeds off the yolk.

Especially for chickens, this is around day three from hatch, where the chicken no longer feeds off the yolk. At this point, the poult may again need additional stimuli for continuing eating and preferably to further increase in weight.

Solutions for stimulation the feeding instinct in broilers within the first twenty-four hours and again, when the broilers no longer feeds off the yolk, is of great interest for a healthy and rapid growth. Furthermore, increasing the weight of the poult with a few percentage in the first seven days can result in the broilers reaching the appropriate slaughter weight faster and hence a shorter production time from hatching to slaughtering.

Furthermore, solutions for stimulation the feeding instinct in broilers from approximately the 18. day and after is also of importance to maintain a weight gain in the broils. At this point the broilers interest in food is seen to drop resulting in a lower weight gain or even a reduction in weight.

Objective of the disclosure One objective of the disclosure is to achieve a solution for one or more of the above- mentioned challenges.

Another objective of the disclosure is to achieve a feeding system for production of poultry for attracting the broilers to the feeding pans for extended periods. There is also a desire for a system, which consists of few parts, is easy to operate, and do not pose additional risks for the broilers.

Description of the disclosure Disclosed herein is a feeding system for poultry production, comprising one or more feeding pans for holding a quantity of feed. The feeding pan(s) may be connected to an overlaying feed transport channel provided above the one or more feeding pans via a passage. The passage may be configured for guiding feed passing out of the transport channel and into the one or more feeding pans. The feeding pan(s) may comprise at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member comprising fluorescent plastic.

The poultry in the poultry production may be referred to as pullets, poults, broilers or similar expressions used for a young domestic chicken, turkey, pheasant, or other fowl being raised for food.

Plastic may be defined as a material comprising any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and so can be moulded into solid objects. Plasticity is the general property of all materials, which can deform irreversibly without breaking but, in the class of mouldable polymers, this occurs to such a degree that their actual name derives from this specific ability.

Passive light emitting member is a complete item or a part of an item, which emits light after having been exposed to light. By passive is meant, that no other energy sources are connected to the member for supplying energy to the member i.e. no power sources are connected to the member.

In one aspect, the fluorescent plastic may comprise plastic with a fluorescent additive.

In one aspect, the fluorescent plastic may comprise a solid plastic with a fluorescent coating applied thereto either fully or partly covering a surface of the solid plastic.

In this disclosure, fluorescent material refers to luminescent material which can be excited by incident light to emit light at higher wavelengths. Such materials may also be referred to as glowing-in-the-dark or self-glowing. The glowing effect can be obtained by luminophores or in some technical fields referred to as pigments, where the glowing effect as described above is based on a reverse reaction, where light charges the luminophores to an increased energy level and subsequent to the exposure, when the luminophores is no longer charged, the luminophores gradually returns to the original energy level by emitting light. Luminophores or pigments glowing with a yellow/greenish colour in the dark are well known.

The luminophores to be used, may be specially developed for achieve a long lasting self-glowing effect for the passive light emitting member.

Feed, is used as a general term in this disclosure and may include other sources of nutrition, medical substances, drugs or other compositions beneficial in poultry production.

One effect of the embodiment may be to evoke the broilers attention to the feeding pans for initial attraction of the broilers to the feed and subsequent continued attraction to the feed. This may be beneficial for initiating the broilers feeding instinct and subsequently to maintain the feeding instinct for a continuously consumption of feed. A continuously and preferably an increased consumption may result in a faster weight gain of the broilers. An increase in weight of the poult with a few percentage within the first seven days and especially within the first 24-hours can result in the broilers reaching the appropriate slaughter weight faster and hence achieving a shorter production time from hatching to slaughtering.

Another effect may be to stimulate the pecking instinct of the broilers specifically by use of wavelength ranges for which, the broilers may be extra sensitive or may influence on certain instincts in the broilers. This may be advantageous for exposing the broilers to the feed. Especially in the initial feeding phases of the broilers, the broilers may need additional incentives or stimuli to approach the feeding pans. Once the broilers are lead to the feeding pan, there may be an increases chance of the broilers eating. This may lead to healthier and faster weight gaining broilers. Another effect may be to prolong the periods where the broilers addresses the feeding pans, and thus achieve additional eating time. This may include that the broilers consumes a larger amount of nourishment compared to similar feeding systems using ordinary feeding pans without light emitting members.

The fluorescent parts of the feeding pans may attract the broilers and thus guide the broilers to the feed, especially once the broilers combines the fluorescent light with feed. The feeding pans may be used for other nutrition sources beneficial for poultry production.

In addition, the fluorescent feeding pans may be beneficial in cases where the power supply fails or other power-out situations.

Depending on the properties of the florescent plastic, additional benefits may occur especially in cases where the fluorescent effect is evident in normal daylight periods or under artificial lightning e.g. in case where light with certain wavelengths are intensified by the fluorescent plastic.

The use of passive light emitting members may have the further effect of optimizing the energy consumption for the poultry facilities. This may be achieved by using artificial light for a shorter time but still achieve that the feeding pans are visible for the broilers, or prolonging the time where the feeding pans are visible without activating any artificial light for an extended period.

Another effect of embodiment may be that even in dim light the feeding pans may be perceived as being equally intensive to or more intensive than in full light and hence may cause the broilers to continue eating for a longer time. A prolonged eating time may result in a faster weight gain of the broilers. An increase in weight of the poult with a few percentage within the first seven days and especially within the first 24- hours can result in the broilers reaching the appropriate slaughter weight faster and hence achieving a shorter production time from hatching to slaughtering.

Light and broilers perception hereof is a widely discussed subject. The perceptions of which type of light, for how long and the intensity hereof is best suited for production of broilers varies between breeders. However, a general perception in poultry production is that the broilers should preferably be exposed to dark periods with a minimum duration of six hours, that bright light can be used in cases where pecking damage and cannibalism do not pose a problem and that very dim lighting may adversely affect ocular development.

Yet a further effect of the embodiment may arise in cases where pecking damage and cannibalism pose a problem. In this case, a dimmed lighting may be preferred. In this case, the feeding pan may continue to be visible or may even be perceived as being equally intensive to, or more intensive than in full light and hence may help to draw the broilers attention to the feeding pans and in this way achieve that the broilers continue to eat even in surrounding with dimmed lighting.

Furthermore, if the concern that very dim lighting may adversely affect ocular development by the broilers, the passive light emitting member may help to reduce that risk, as the variation in intensity between the emitted light and the dimmed surroundings may help in the ocular development by the broilers. This may lead to upholding the feeding activity by the broilers, even in cases where the facilities may only be exposed to dimmed lighting.

Further effects of the embodiment may include, that the light emitting feeding pan is achieved without adding any additional electrical wiring and/or power supply to the feeing system. This may be beneficial for keeping the installation costs and complexity of the feeding system at a minimum. This may furthermore more be an advantage in regard to maintenance of the feeding system. A further advantage is that the light emitting feeding pan do not pose any increased risk for the broilers being exposed to electric shock when pecking at or near the feeding pans.

In one embodiment, the feeding system may comprise a bowl and a distribution top with a central raised part and a skirt, which fits into or around an upper edge of a raised rim associated with the bowl. The feeding system may be configured to provide feed via the passage from the transport channel and the distribution top to the feeding pan. In an alternative embodiment, the feeding system may comprise a bowl and a distribution top with a central raised part and a skirt, which fits into the bowl within and below an upper edge of a raised rim associated with the bowl. The feeding system may be configured to provide feed via the passage from the transport channel and the distribution top to the feeding pan.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the distribution top may be configured as a distribution cone with an opening in the central raised part. The feeding system may be configured to provide feed via the passage from the transport channel to the feeding pan through the opening and interior of the distribution cone.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the distribution top may be configured with an external face with separate chute faces and may comprise an opening in the raised part. The transport channel may comprise a regular feeding passage for regular feeing, such that the feed, when passing there through, passes through the opening in the distribution top. The transport channel may further comprise an initial feeding passage for initial feeding arranged prior to the regular feeding passage in the direction of movement of the feed. The initial feeding passage may be arranged such that, the feed passes out of the initial feeding passage and impinges on the separate chute faces, such that the feed is distributed outside of the feeding pan.

The effect and advantages of the three above-mentioned embodiments may be comparable to those of the previously described i.e. :

• evoke the broilers attention to the feeding pans,

• stimulate the pecking instinct of the broilers by use of light with selected wavelengths,

• utilize the fluorescent light under dimmed light conditions,

• prolong the eating time for the broilers for faster weight gain of the broilers, including different cases of lighting conditions, e.g. dimmed lighting and darkness,

• expose the broilers to varying intensity between the fluorescent light and the surroundings,

• omit additional cables or power supply to the feeing system, • omit increased risk of electric shock for the broilers when pecking at or near the feeding pans.

These effects may in combination with any further effects of each of the embodiments of the feeding system provide for adjusting the feeding system to push the broilers for initial and continued eating and/or adapting the feeding system to different races or kinds of broilers to be breed.

In one aspect of the feeding system, the emitted light may be perceptive to poultry.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the emitted light may comprise light with wavelengths in the range of 315-750 nm.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the emitted light may comprise light with wavelengths in the range of 450-510 nm, preferably in the range of 460-500 and even more preferably in the range of 475-485 nm, in the range of 600-660 nm, preferably in the range of 610-650 and even more preferably in the range of 625-635 nm, or a combination hereof.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the emitted light may comprise green light having wavelengths in the range of 495-570 nm.

The optimal composition of light for optimal production of poultry may depend on the exact race being produced and the purpose of the production e.g. whether it is for faster weight increase, stimulation of egg production or another purpose.

The general perception in regard to chickens are, that they can see light with wavelengths in the range of 315-750 nm, and that chickens may see higher peaks at spectrums around 480 and 630 nm. Furthermore, it is by some perceived, that green light is beneficial for attracting and stimulating chickens.

One further effect of the embodiments, wherein the reflected light comprises one or more of the visible wavelengths for chickens or other broilers may be to target the effects of the feeding systems with passive light emitting feeding pans to the specific race being breed. This may, as previously described, evoke the broilers attention to the feeding pan(s). In addition, the targeted wavelengths may stimulate the pecking instinct of the broilers.

Another effect of the embodiments with targeted wavelengths may be to reduce the amount of fluorescent plastic, if the reflected wavelengths are within a range for which the broilers has particular sensitive receptors.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the at least one passive light emitting member is transparent or semi-transparent when in solid state.

One effect of this embodiment may be that the fluorescent light spreads in all directions from the passive light emitting member. A further effect may be that the broilers may be able to see the feed through the passive light emitting member.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member is an injection moulded plastic part or a thermoformed plastic part.

Nowadays, thermoforming is a generic term and usually includes vacuum forming, pressure forming and twin sheet forming. In general, thermoforming may refer to any process, wherein plastic in a sheet form is heated to a temperature at which it softens and wherein the softened plastic sheet is arranged in a mould and moulded herein such that the plastic sheets when cooled maintains the shape of the mould.

One effect of this embodiment may be to use commonly known fabrication process already used for the feeding pans. Furthermore, existing moulds whether for injection moulding or thermoforming may be used to achieve the disclosed embodiments of the feeding systems.

In one embodiment of the feeding system, the at least one passive light emitting member may comprise polypropylene. Polypropylene may be suitable for injection moulding. Furthermore, the luminophores used in may be specially developed for polypropylene and to achieve a long lasting self-glowing effect for the passive light emitting member. Further disclosed herein is use of fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member in a feeding pan for a feeding system for poultry production.

The feeding system for poultry production may be according to any of the previously described embodiments

The effects and advantages of this use may include those already described either individually or in combination i.e. :

• evoke the broilers attention to the feeding pans,

• stimulate the pecking instinct of the broilers by use of light with selected wavelengths,

• utilize the fluorescent light under dimmed light conditions,

• prolong the eating time for the broilers for faster weight gain of the broilers, including different cases of lighting conditions, e.g. dimmed lighting and darkness

• expose the broilers to varying intensity between the fluorescent light and the surroundings,

• omit additional cables or power supply to the feeing system,

• omit increased risk of electric shock for the broilers when pecking at or near the feeding pans.

These effects may in combination with any further effects of each of the feeding system embodiments, provide for adjusting the feeding system to push the broilers for initial and continued eating and/or adapting the feeding system to different races or kinds of broilers to be breed.

An additional effect may be that feeding pans of existing feeding systems may be replaced by feeding pans comprising fluorescent plastic. Furthermore, the fluorescent plastic may be used and manufactured in the same way as other plastics used for feeding pans and hence, existing moulds whether for injection moulding or thermoforming may be used to achieve the disclosed use.

In one exemplary embodiment of the use of fluorescent plastic, the feeding system may comprising one or more feeding pans for holding a quantity of feed. The feeding pan(s) may be connected to an overlaying feed transport channel via a passage. The passage may be configured for guiding feed passing out of the transport channel and into the one or more feeding pans. Further disclosed herein is a use of a feeding pan comprising, at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member. The passive light emitting member may comprise fluorescent plastic. The use may be for a feeding system for poultry production. The feeding system for poultry production may be according to any of the previously described embodiments

The effects and advantages of this use may include those already described either individually or in combination i.e. :

• evoke the broilers attention to the feeding pans,

• stimulate the pecking instinct of the broilers by use of light with selected wavelengths,

• utilize the fluorescent light under dimmed light conditions,

• prolong the eating time for the broilers for faster weight gain of the broilers, including different cases of lighting conditions, e.g. dimmed lighting and darkness

• expose the broilers to varying intensity between the fluorescent light and the surroundings,

• omit additional cables or power supply to the feeing system,

• omit increased risk of electric shock for the broilers when pecking at or near the feeding pans. These effects may in combination with any further effects of each of the feeding system embodiments, provide for adjusting the feeding system to push the broilers for initial and continued eating and/or adapting the feeding system to different races or kinds of broilers to be breed.

An additional effect may be that feeding pans in existing feeding systems may be replaced by feeding pans comprising fluorescent plastic. Alternatively, existing concepts of feeding systems may be manufactured or retrofitted with feeding pans comprising fluorescent plastic without further modifications.

In one exemplary embodiment of the use of a feeding pan comprising at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member. The use may be for a feeding system comprising one or more feeding pans for holding a quantity of feed. The feeding pan(s) may be connected to an overlaying feed transport channel via a passage. The passage may be configured for guiding feed passing out of the transport channel and into the one or more feeding pans.

Further disclosed herein is use of fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member in a drinking pan for a drinking system for poultry production.

Furthermore, disclosed herein is use of fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member in a distribution pipe for a drinking system for poultry production. The distribution pipe may be for distributing water to one or more drinking pans comprised in the drinking system.

The effects and advantages of this use may be similar to those already described for the use of fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member in a feeding pan for a feeding system for poultry production either individually or in combination i.e. :

• evoke the broilers attention to the drinking pans,

• stimulate the drinking instinct of the broilers by use of fluorescent light,

• utilize the fluorescent light under dimmed light conditions,

• prolong the drinking time for the broilers for healthier broilers, including different cases of lighting conditions, e.g. dimmed lighting and darkness • expose the broilers to varying intensity between the fluorescent light and the surroundings,

• omit additional cables or power supply to the drinking system,

• omit increased risk of electric shock for the broilers when drinking off the drinking pans.

An additional effect may be that drinking pans of existing drinking systems may be replaced by drinking pans comprising fluorescent plastic. Furthermore, the fluorescent plastic may be used and manufactured in the same way as other plastics used for drinking pans and hence, existing moulds whether for injection moulding or thermoforming may be used to achieve the disclosed use.

Further disclosed herein is use of a drinking pan comprising at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member. The passive light emitting member may comprising fluorescent plastic. The use may be for a drinking system for poultry production.

The effects and advantages of this use may be similar to those already described for the use of fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member in a drinking pan for a drinking system for poultry production either individually or in combination.

An additional effect may be that drinking pans in existing drinking systems may be replaced by drinking pans comprising fluorescent plastic. Alternatively, existing concepts of drinking systems may be manufactured or retrofitted with drinking pans comprising fluorescent plastic without further modifications.

Brief description of the drawings

Various examples are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure. It should be noted, that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the examples. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the claimed invention or as a limitation on the scope of the claimed invention. In addition, an illustrated example needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect or an advantage described in conjunction with a particular example is not necessarily limited to that example and can be practiced in any other examples even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitly described.

Figure 1 illustrates two embodiments of a feeding system for poultry production. Figure 2 illustrates three embodiments of the use of fluorescent plastic in feeding or drinking systems for poultry production.

Figure 3 illustrates different embodiments of prior art of feeding and drinking systems for poultry production.

Detailed description of the disclosure No Item

10 feeding system

12 feeding pans

14 feed transport channel

16 passage

20 bowl

22 distribution top

24 raised part

26 skirt

28 edge of a raised rim

30 opening

32 distribution cone

34 external face

40 feed

50 regular feeding passage

52 initial feeding passage

60 passive light emitting member

70 drinking system

72 drinking pan

100 use

Exemplary examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the present examples may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the examples are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects.

The drawings are not made to scale. The thicknesses of layers and areas may be illustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of description thereof. When an item is referred to as being “arranged on” another item, it may be arranged directly on the other item or intervening items may be present there between. Conversely, when a layer, area, element, or plate is referred to as being “directly on” another item, there are no intervening items there between. Further, when an item is referred to as being “below” another item, it may be directly below the other layer, or intervening items may be present there between. Conversely, when an item is referred to as being “directly below” another item, there are no intervening items there between. The previous also applies to similar spatial relative terms, this also includes ‘connect to’ and ‘directly connected to’.

The spatially relative terms “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top”, "below", "beneath", "less", "above", and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation

Figure 1 illustrates two embodiments of a feeding system 10 for poultry production.

In each embodiment the feeding system 10 is illustrated with three feeding pans 12. This is merely for illustration purpose, and hence the feeding systems may comprises less or more feeding pans 12.

The feeding pans 12 are configured for holding a quantity of feed 40. In both embodiments the feeding pans 12 are connected to an overlaying feed transport channel 14 provided above the feeding pans. Each feeding pan 12 is connected to the feed transport channel 14 via a passage 16 configured for guiding feed 40 from the transport channel 14 and into the connected feeding pan 12. The illustrated feeding pans 12 comprises at least one part configured as a passive light emitting member 60.

The feeding pans may be of any suitable design. In the illustrated embodiments, the here feeding pans 12 comprises a bowl 20 and a distribution top 22. The distribution top 22 has a central raised part 24 and a skirt 26. The skirt 26 fits into the bowl 20 within an upper edge 28 of a raised rim associated with the feeding pan 12, the bowl 20 and distribution top 22 are illustrated as having circular cross sections. However, the feeding pans are not limited hereto and may be designed having other cross sectional shapes. The distribution top 22 may comprise an opening 30 in the raised part 24 as illustrated in figure 1. However, a closed raised part may also be used whereby the feed 40 may be distributed via the external face 34 of the distribution top 22.

The feeding system illustrated in figure 1A only comprises a single passage 16 in the transport channel 14 for each feeding pan 12. The feeding system in figure 1B instead comprises two passages in the transport channel 14 for each feeding pan 12; a regular feeding passage 50 and an initial feeding passage 52. The regular feeding passage 50 may be configured for regular feeing where feed, when passing there through passes through the opening 30 in the distribution top 22. The initial feeding passage 52 may be configured for initial feeding where feed, when passing there through impinges on the external face 34 of the distribution cone 32, such that the feed is distributed outside of the feeding pan 12.

Figure 2 illustrates three embodiments of the use 100 of fluorescent plastic in feeding systems 10 or drinking systems 70 for poultry production.

Figure 2A and figure 2B each illustrates one embodiment of a feeding pan 12 and how florescent plastic may be used in at least one part hereof for a passive light emitting member 60. The illustrated feeding pans 12 comprises a bowl 20 and a distribution top 22.

As illustrated in figure 2A the bowl, the distribution top or both may be configured as a passive light emitting member 60 comprising fluorescent plastic. As illustrated in figure 2B the passive light emitting member 60 comprising fluorescent plastic may be comprised as a sub-part in a larger part of the feeding pan e.g. in the distribution top 22.

Figure 2C illustrates one embodiment of a drinking system 70 comprising drinking pans 72 and how florescent plastic may be used in at least one part hereof for a passive light emitting member 60, here the illustrated drinking pan 72. The drinking system 70 is illustrated with a single drinking pan 72. This is merely for illustration purpose and hence, the drinking system may comprises multiple drinking pans 72.

Figure 3 illustrates different embodiments of prior art of feeding system 10 and drinking systems 70 for poultry production. Figure 3A illustrates one example of a feeding system 10 into which a feeding pan according to the disclosure could be implemented or in which a fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member could be used.

Figure 3B illustrates one example of a drinking system 70 into which a drinking pan according to the disclosure could be implemented or in which a fluorescent plastic for a passive light emitting member could be used.

Figure 3C illustrates five examples of prior art feeding pans 12 into which, a passive light emitting member could be implemented according to the disclosure or wherein, fluorescent plastic may be used for one or more parts according to the disclosure.