STABLE The invention relates to a stable (or barn) for keeping farm animals (or livestock), in particular pigs, wherein the stable has at least three areas, wherein - a first area is arranged as a lying and/or sleeping area for farm animals, and -asecond area is arranged as an activity area for farm animals, and - a third area is arranged as an excretion area for farm animals, wherein the second area is arranged between the first and the third area, wherein the first, second and third areas are arranged along a barn axis, wherein a feeding area for farm animals is formed between the first and second areas, wherein the feeding area comprises at least one feed trough which can be filled with feed, wherein feed removal areas are arranged along a length of the feed trough, from which feed can be removed by farm animals, wherein the feed trough is arranged between the first and the second area such that the length of the feed trough is oriented substantially orthogonal to the barn — axis.
In the prior art, generic barns for livestock (or farm animals) are known, wherein barns for livestock typically include a resting area, an activity area, a feeding area oriented parallel to a barn axis of the barn, and an elimination area.
The stables known in the prior art offer, due to their construction, only very limited or costly maintenance or cleaning possibilities for the activity area, as this usually has a feeding area.
Document US 2006/260561 A1 shows a method for managing pigs in a pig facility as they grow from an initial weight to a final weight.
Document BE 1 017 509 A3 shows a method for feeding animals in a barn.
Document US 5579 719 A shows a method for feeding pregnant pigs based on calculating the historical average daily gain of a pig.
The object of the present invention is to alleviate or eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art.
In particular, therefore, the invention aims to provide a barn for livestock in which the maintainability of the activity area is improved.
This task is solved by a stable having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.
According to the invention, the stable comprises at least two partition walls which are each transferable from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least two partition walls in their respective first position are oriented substantially parallel to the stable axis and delimit the second area in such a way that farm animals can switch back and forth between first and second and between second and third areas, wherein the at least two partition walls in their respective second position are oriented substantially orthogonal to the stable axis and delimit the second area in such a way that farm animals are kept in the first and/or third area.
This results in the advantage that, when the partition walls are in the second position, the activity area can be cleaned quickly and easily.
In the second position of the partition walls, the second area can be free of service animals.
This results in the advantage that the activity area (which may also be referred to as the feed receiving area) is particularly easy to clean, since when the at least two partition walls are in the second position, the second area is preferably free of farm animals.
In particular, the second area does not have feed receiving points or feed troughs, as these are preferably arranged substantially at the boundary area between the first and second areas and orthogonally to the barn axis.
Thus, a barrier-free and efficient, in particular mechanical or automated, cleaning of the activity area can take place.
Preferably, the activity area can be provided with litter, wherein the introduction of litter can take place when the at least two partition walls are arranged in the second position.
A further feeding trough, which is arranged between the second and third areas, in particular at the boundary between the second and third areas, may be provided.
The further feeding trough is preferably oriented parallel to the boundary between the second and third areas or orthogonal to the barn axis.
The resting and/or sleeping area is preferably adapted to provide a place for useful animals to rest and/or lie down.
The lying and/or sleeping area may have bedding.
The activity area is preferably arranged to provide the service animals with a movement area or a staging area, in particular for feeding.
The activity area may have bedding.
The excretory area is preferably adapted to receive excreta from livestock or, in particular, the excretory area has means for disposing of excreta.
The excretion area is in particular free of litter.
The length of the feed trough, which can in particular be regarded as a straight line, is oriented substantially orthogonally to the barn axis and preferably the length of the barn lies in a plane which is oriented parallel to the barn axis.
Preferably, the length of the feed trough is oriented parallel to a base surface of the stall, which may be formed by the first, second and third regions.
The first and/or the second and/or the third area may have rectangular, preferably square, base areas.
The second area, or the base surface of the second area, may be square, and preferably the partition walls may each have a length corresponding to a side length of the square second area.
It may be provided that the second area is vertically lowered relative to the first and third areas.
This results in the advantage that, when the at least two partition walls are arranged in the second position, a cleaning line which is lower than the first and second areas can be formed in the second area and can be driven over,
for example, by a tractor with a cleaning device.
Advantageously, this allows litter to be quickly and easily removed from or introduced into the second area.
The vertical drop may be, for example, 1-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, 15-30 cm or more than 30 cm.
It may be provided that the first, second and third regions have rectangular bases which together form a base of the barn.
It is provided that the first area is bounded by sides, a first side of the first area being adjacent to the second area, the remaining sides of the first area each being bounded by a first bounding element, the first bounding element being configured to be impassable to livestock.
The first boundary element may be, for example, a wall.
It may be provided that the first boundary element is designed to be opaque to farm animals.
The term "opaque" is to be understood throughout the disclosure as equivalent to "opaque". This results in the advantage that, if a plurality of stalls according to the invention are arranged next to each other, first farm animals which are in the first area of a first stall cannot see second farm animals which are in the first area of an adjacent stall and thus cannot imitate their actions and, in particular, are not animated to excrete feces/urine.
—Itis provided that the feeding trough is arranged substantially along the boundary between the first and second areas.
This has the advantage that the farm animals are oriented substantially parallel to the barn axis when feeding via the feeding trough, and any excreta or contamination can be discharged into the activity area which can be easily cleaned.
— It is provided that the feeding trough is formed shorter than the first side.
This results in the advantage that the farm animals can change from the first to the second area barrier-free and independently.
It may be provided that the first area is at least partially, preferably completely, roofed.
In particular, the roof may completely cover the first area, wherein the roof preferably comprises a ventilation opening through which an air exchange with the stable environment can take place.
The roof may be configured to partially, preferably completely, roof all areas of the barn.
Preferably, the roof can be opened or closed by a device, depending on weather conditions.
It may be provided that the third area comprises a slatted floor.
Alternatively, the third area may have a floor which is formed without crevices.
The third area may include a manure removal device for removing manure from the third area.
It may be provided that the third area is bounded by sides, a first side of the third area being adjacent to the second area, the remaining sides of the third area each being bounded by a second bounding element, the second bounding element being configured to be impassable to livestock.
The second boundary element may be, for example, a fence.
It may be provided that the second boundary element is designed to be transparent for farm animals.
This has the advantage that, if a plurality of stalls according to the invention are arranged next to one another, the first farm animals which are in the third area of a first stall can see the second farm animals which are in the third area of an adjacent stall and can thus imitate their actions and, in particular, are animated to defecate/urinate.
It may be provided that a further feeding trough is arranged substantially along the first side of the third area, preferably along the boundary between the second and third areas.
This provides the advantage that farm animals have a feeding trough available for taking food at the boundary between the first and second areas, and at the boundary between the second and third areas.
It may be provided that a control aisle area is arranged at a side of the first area facing away from the second area and/or at a side of the third area facing away from the second area, the control aisle area having a length which is oriented substantially orthogonal to the barn axis.
The inspection aisle is preferably vertically elevated relative to the first, second and third regions to facilitate visual inspection of the livestock.
It may be provided that the at least two partition walls comprise plastic and/or wood.
This provides the advantage that the partition walls have a low weight and are easy to clean.
It may be provided that the at least two partition walls are pivotally configured, wherein a first partition wall is pivotable about a first pivot axis which is oriented vertically, preferably orthogonally to the base of the barn, and passes through a corner point of the first and second regions. It may be provided that a second partition is pivotable about a second pivot axis which is oriented vertically, preferably orthogonally to the base area of the stall, 5 and passes through a corner point of the second and third regions. It may be provided that the first and second pivot axes are disposed at diagonally opposite corner points of the second region. It may be provided that, in the second position of the partitions, the second region can be cleared of dung or dung can be removed. It may be provided that the first, second and third regions are arranged in a common, contiguous air volume. This has the advantage that an air exchange can occur between all areas. Preferably, the stall comprises a ventilation device, wherein the contiguous air volume allows all areas to be ventilated with the same ventilation device. Advantageously, this reduces the cost of ventilation. It may be provided that the first area comprises a ventilation device, which is arranged to enable an air exchange between an outdoor area and the first area of the stable. Preferably, the ventilation device is adapted to allow air exchange between the outer area of the barn and all areas of the barn. It may be provided that the at least two partition walls are formed to be opaque to farm animals. The invention will be further explained below with reference to a preferred example embodiment, to which, however, it is not intended to be limited. In the drawings shows:
Fig. 1 a top view of a barn according to the invention.
Fig. 1 shows a sketched top view of a stable 1 for keeping farm animals, in particular pigs. The stable 1 has a, preferably rectangular, base area which is divided into at least three areas 2, 3, 4, wherein in the embodiment example shown each area has a rectangular base area. A first area 2 of the base surface is arranged as a lying and/or sleeping area for farm animals. A second area 3 of the base area is arranged as an activity area for farm animals. A third area 4 of the base area is arranged as a excretory area for farm animals.
The first 2, second 3 and third area 4 form a common, continuous air volume.
The second area 3 is disposed between the first 2 and the third area 4, the first 2, second 3 and third area 4 being disposed along a barn axis x.
The second area
3is vertically lowered relative to the first 2 and third 4 areas.
A feeding area 5 for farm animals is formed between the first area 2 and second area 3, the feeding area 5 having at least one feed trough 5a which can be filled with feed.
The feeding trough 5a has a length 6 along which feed removal areas are arranged, from which feed can be removed by farm animals.
In the embodiment shown, an (optional) further feed trough 5b is arranged substantially along the boundary between the second 3 and third areas 4. The feed trough 5a or the further feed trough 5b are arranged between the first 2 and the second area 3 or between the second 3 and the third area 4 such that the length 6 of the feed trough 5a or 5b is oriented substantially orthogonal to the barn axis x.
The first area 2, second area 3 and third area 4 have rectangular bases which together form the base of the stall.
The first area 2 is substantially rectangular in shape, a first rectangular side 2a of the first area 2 being adjacent to the second area 3, a second, third and fourth rectangular sides of the first area 2 each being bounded by a first boundary element 8, the first boundary element 8 being impassable by livestock.
The first boundary element 8 is formed to be opaque to farm animals.
The feeding trough 5a is arranged substantially along the first rectangular side 2a of the first area.
The third area 4 is substantially rectangular in shape, a first rectangular side 4a of the third area 4 being adjacent to the second area 3, a second, third and fourth rectangular sides of the third area 4 each being bounded by a second boundary element 9, the second boundary element 9 being impassable by farm animals.
The second boundary element 9 is formed so as to be visible to farm animals.
The feeding trough 5b is arranged substantially along the first rectangular side 4a of the first area.
The feeding trough (or tray) 5a and the further feeding trough 5b are formed shorter than the first rectangular side 2a and 4a, respectively, thereby forming first passages 13 and second passages 14. This allows the farm animals to move between the first 2, second 3 and third areas 4 without barriers.
Doors, in particular self-closing doors, can be attached to the first 13 and second passages
14, which can be opened by farm animals.
The stable 1 comprises at least two partition walls 7, each of which is transferable from a first position to a second position.
The at least two partition walls 7 may be formed of plastic, wood, a metal or a combination thereof and are formed to be opaque, in particular for farm animals.
In their respective first position, the at least two partition walls 7 are oriented substantially parallel to the barn axis x and delimit the second area 3 in such a way that farm animals can move back and forth from the first 2 into the second 3 or from the second 3 into the first 2 and from the second 3 into the third 4 or from the third 4 into the second area 3. In their respective second position, the at least two partition walls 7 are oriented substantially orthogonally to the barn axis x and delimit the second area 3 in such a way that farm animals are kept in the first 2 and/or third area 4. In the second position of the partition walls 7 the second area 3 is free of farm animals, thus in the second position of the partition walls 7 the second area 3 can be cleaned or mucked out.
The first area 2 may be at least partially covered.
The third area 4 may have a slatted floor.
On a side of the first area 2 facing away from the second area 3 and/or on a side of the third area 4 facing away from the second area 3, an inspection aisle area 10 is arranged, wherein the inspection aisle area 10 has a length which is oriented substantially orthogonally to the barn axis x.
The at least two partition walls 7 are designed to be pivotable, wherein a first partition wall is pivotable about a first pivot axis 11, which is oriented vertically, preferably orthogonally to the base area of the stall, and extends through a corner point of the first 2 and second area 3. A second partition is pivotable about a second pivot axis 12 which is oriented vertically, preferably orthogonally to the base area of the barn, and passes through a corner point of the second 3 and third areas 4. The first 11 and second pivot axes 12 are located at diagonally opposite corner points of the second area 3. In the second position of the partition walls 7, the second area is demistable.
The first area 2 has a ventilation device (not shown), which is arranged to allow an air exchange between an outside area and the first area of the stable 1.