GB2489994A

GB2489994A - Poultry feeding surface

Info

Publication number: GB2489994A
Application number: GB1106484.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John A Lowe
Original assignee: Dodson & Horrell Ltd
Current assignee: Dodson & Horrell Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-15
Filing date: 2011-04-15
Publication date: 2012-10-17
Also published as: GB201106484D0

Abstract

A surface comprises components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive. The poultry may be domestic chickens. The components may be adhered on or within the surface. The edible adhesive may comprise wheat flour, potato starch, gelatine, Xanthan gum and/ or water. The components for consumption by poultry may be grains, seeds, pulses, insects, legumes, grasses, grit, sand, and/or a non-starch polysaccharide source. A tray comprising the surface, a kit and method for preparing the surface, and the use of the surface for feeding an animal are also described. The use of the surface may require the animal to peck or scratch at the surface thus mimicking its natural behaviour.

Description

Environmental enrichment product forj,oultry The present invention relates to the field of man-made products for feeding poultry, in particular the domestic chicken. Domestic chickens are commonly kept for egg production, or for their meat. The natural behaviour of the domestic chicken is to scratch and peck at the ground for their food. In many cases where domestic chickens are kept, the birds are deprived of being able to carry out their natural behaviour patterns, because of restricted space and removal of ground. This is a particular problem when the birds are kept in housing with a concrete or wire floor.

This lack of being able to carry out their natural behaviour patterns can lead to the birds displaying aberrant behaviour patterns such as hen feather pecking, and can lead to loss of quality of life and boredom. In addition to these negative effects on life quality for the birds, this can also negatively affect the bird's produce such as reduced egg production.

Accordingly, there is a problem in the field of keeping domestic poultry that is the inability of the kept birds to be able to ftilly mimic their natural behaviour in the wild. This problem still exists when the bird is provided with all of its nutritional needs by man-made means, such as feed troughs or mechanical feeding systems, because the chickens still cannot carry out the scratching and pecking that is their natural behaviour. Various attempts made to "entertain" domestic chickens include various hanging "toys" and feeders, although these attempts are considered to fall short of providing a means for the bird to mimic its natural behaviour by scratching and pecking the ground for feed.

short of providing a means for the bird to mimic its natural behaviour by scratching and pecking the ground for feed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a product that enriches the environment of poultry, by providing a "farm-yard" surface for the bird irrespective of housing. This surface provides the bird with the opportunity of mimicking its natural behaviour, by scratching and pecking at the surface to obtain food. By allowing the bird to mimic its natural behaviour, the present invention provides a means to entertain and increase the quality of life of the poultry.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a surface, comprising components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a tray comprising a surface according to the present inevntion.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing a surface or tray according to the present invention comprising the steps of: preparing the edible adhesive; mixing the components suitable for consumption by poultry into the edible adhesive; pouring the resultant mixture into the tray, or onto the surface; and allowing the mixture to set.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the use of a surface or a tray according to the present invention for feeding animals.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for preparing a surface or tray according to the present invention, comprising either a container comprising components suitable for consumption by poultry andlor a container comprising an edible adhesive in a dry form, and optionally a surface or tray suitable for preparing the surface of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a surface comprising components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive. The components suitable for consumption by poultry can be suitable for the consumption by any type of poultry such as, but not limited to, chickens, domestic chickens, turkeys, domestic geese, guinea foul, quails, game birds or any bird that is kept for domestic purposes, for slaughter and preparation into food products, breeding, or for egg production. Preferably, the components suitable for consumption by poultry are suitable for consumption by the domestic chicken.

The term "surface" as used when defining the present invention is to be interpreted in its broadest sense as any surface or face or part thereof which is suitable for achieving the main purpose of the invention -that of presenting edible matter to poultry. For example, a surface may be thought of as the extended two dimensional shape of any three dimensional object. The surface of the present invention may be any shape, for example a flat surface, or a curved surface, or a surface which is essentially non-flat with undulations across it. The surface of the present invention may also include surfaces that are essentially flat or undulating, but that also comprise indentations within the surface. The surface comprises components suitable for

S

consumption adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive. The components suitable for consumption by poultry can be comprised on the surface, for example, they can be directly touching the surface. Alternatively, the components suitable for consumption by poultry do not have to be directly touching the surface. For example, the components suitable for consumption by poultry can be "on" the surface, but separated by a layer of the edible adhesive. Alternatively, the components suitable for consumption by poultry can be comprised partially or completely within the surface of the present invention, in the sense that the components are embedded to a greater or lesser extent below the level of the main outer face of the surface. Thus, for example, the surface of the present invention may comprise undulations or indentations, and the components suitable for consumption by poultry may fill the indentations, but may also protrude out of the indentations. The shape of the indentation may be designed to match the chosen shape of component. In this way, the components suitable for consumption by poultry can either be present directly on the surface of the present invention, on the surface but separated by a layer of the edible adhesive, within the surface such as within an undulation or indentation of the surface, or partially within the surface wherein a part of the components suitable for consumption by poultry are within the undulations/indentations of the surface, and part of the components suitable for consumption by poultry protrude from the undulations/indentations of the surface so that they are essentially on it.

In the context of this invention, the wording "adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive" is to be interpreted as there being present a surface, components suitable for consumption by poultry in/on the surface in any manner as described above, and also an edible adhesive which serves to adhere the component to the surface. The tenn "adhered" when used to describe the present invention is to be interpreted as meaning that the components are not completely loose, but are to a greater or lesser degree attached or stuck to the surface. Thus, the degree or strength of actual adhesion may vary widely. As such, surfaces of the present invention will include surfaces where the components suitable for consumption by poultry are strongly adhered to the surface so that the chicken has to peck and scratch considerably to remove the components suitable for consumption by poultry. For example, the nature of the adhesion can be that such that a number of scratches from the bird's feet are required to remove the components suitable for consumption by poultry from the surface. However, surfaces of the present invention may also include surfaces where the components suitable for consumption by poultry are less strongly adhered to the surface, and the chicken can more easily remove the edible components from the surface. For example, the nature of the adhesion can be such that components suitable for consumption by poultry are removed from the surface with a single peck from the beak of the bird.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the present invention comprises the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive mixed together on top of a surface. For example, the edible adhesive and components suitable for consumption by poultry can be mixed together to form a layer on top of a surface to form the surface of the invention. The layer may, for example, cover the entire surface or a part thereof For example, the layer may comprise the components uniformly or non uniformly dispersed within the adhesive.

In this way, the components suitable for consumption by poultry are interspersed within the layer of edible adhesive which is on top of a surface to give the surface of the present invention. In some embodiments, the surface of the present invention can comprise several layers of the type described above. For example, successive layers may be stacked on top of each other. In some embodiments, the surface of the present invention can comprise successive surfaces stacked on top of each other, wherein layers of edible adhesive and components suitable for consumption by poultry are mixed on top of each surface.

Preferably, the components suitable for consumption by poultry are present in a non-uniform particle size. Preferably, the components comprise a variety of particle sizes. It is also preferable that the components suitable for consumption by poultry comprise particles that have a variety of different particle sizes, andlor textures and/or structures. Preferably, the components comprise a variety or range of particle sizes and textures and structures. This is because an overtly uniform particle size, texture and structure will maximise the feeding efficiency of the bird. This is not desirable. It is an object of the present invention to provide entertainment for the bird, by providing a surface that mimics the bird's natural environment. This means that it is preferable to provide a surface where the bird has to scratch and peck considerably to remove the components suitable for consumption by poultry from the surface. When this is achieved, feeding efficiency can be reduced to a level that the bird would experience in its natural environment, so that the bird does not consume too much food in too quickly a time period. This object is achieved best when the components suitable for consumption by poultry have a varied distribution of particle size, texture, and structure when present on the surface.

It is also preferable that the particles of the components suitable for consumption by poultry are adhered to the surface with differing amounts of adhesion. For example, in a single surface of the present invention, it is preferable that some particles of the components suitable for consumption by poultry are adhered strongly to the surface, whilst others are less strongly adhered. Preferably, the particles adhered to the surface have a wide distribution in how strongly they are adhered to the surface. The level of adhesion to the surface, and distribution of the different levels of adhesion between different particles should be such that the natural environment of the bird is mimicked, and results in the bird spending more time foraging for the edible components, rather than actually eating them. In this way, feeding efficiency can be reduced to stop over feeding of the bird whilst providing sufficient entertainment for it with the need to scratch, peck and forage for food.

The edible adhesive used in the product of the present invention can be any suitable edible material which can bind the components suitable for consumption by poultry to the surface. Preferably, the edible adhesive is settable. Thus, in a preferred aspect the edible adhesive may be in a liquid, flowable form which is capable of setting so as to stably anchor the edible components to the surface. Preferably, the edible adhesive comprises one or more of the following components: a gum such as but not limited to Arabic gum or Xanthan gum, gelatine, alginate gels, wheat gluten, starch, maize starch, wheat starch, glucose, methyl cellulose, water or any mixture thereof. The edible adhesive may also comprise chemically purified or processed materials such as chemically purified arid processed derivatives of the components listed above. The edible adhesive may also comprise any permitted feed ingredient or extract thereof or additive as defined in animal feed legislation. The edible adhesive can additionally comprise minor components such as preservatives andlor emulsifiers.

In preferable embodiments the edible adhesive comprises water. Where water is a component of the edible adhesive, it is for example mixed with the other ingredients to form an adhesive paste. The water may then gradually evaporate from the edible adhesive as it sets.

The components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surfaces of the present invention can be any edible components that poultry can consume.

Preferably the components suitable for consumption comprise at least one of: a variety of nutritious ingredients, physiologically useful ingredients, or non-starch polysaccharides. The components suitable for consumption can comprise both a variety of nutritious ingredients and physiologically useful ingredients, or both a variety of nutritious ingredients and non-starch polysaccharides, or both physiologically useful ingredients and non-starch polysaccharides. Preferably, the components suitable for consumption by poultry comprise all of a variety of nutritious ingredients, physiologically useful ingredients, and non starch polysaccharides.

The variety of nutritious ingredients adhered to the surfaces of the present invention can comprise any ingredient that is of nutritional value to poultry, preferably to the domestic chicken. Without limiting, the variety of nutritious ingredients preferably comprise one or more of cereal grains, seeds, pulses, insects, legumes, grasses, fruits, herbs or non leguminous vegetables. Examples of the variety of nutritious ingredients that can be used in accordance with the product of the present invention are broken/kibbled (broken or cracked) maize, wheat, kibblcd (broken) peas, kibbled soya bean, soya bean meal, millet, seaweed, milo, dan mixed colour, and canary seed. Preferably, the variety of nutritious ingredients are present in the components suitable for consumption by poultry in an amount of from 10% to 100%, more preferably 20% to 80% by weight, even more preferably 35% to 65% by weight, and most preferably at around 50% by weight of the total weight of the components suitable for consumption by poultry present in/on the surface.

Preferably, the components suitable for consumption by poultry comprising the variety of nutritious ingredients further comprise edible material that effectively dilutes the diet of the poultry/chicken by diluting the nutritional content of the components suitable for consumption. This is another advantage of the present invention. This feature enables surfaces according to the present invention to occupy the bird by allowing it to continually peck, scratch and forage from the surface of the present invention, but without oversupply of energy. This would happen if the components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surface of the present invention comprised entirely nutritious ingredients, as is the case with prior art grain based blocks or treats. Preferably, the edible material that effectively dilutes the diet of the poultry/chicken as described above, comprises either one or both of the physiologically useful ingredients and the non-starch polysaccharide source as described in the preceding paragraphs.

The physiologically useful ingredients for use in the product of the present invention comprise edible material that do not directly provide the birds with nutritional energy, but provide them with other components useful in physiological processes of the bird, for example but without limiting to compounds useful for egg yolk pigmentation, or egg shell hardening. Preferably, the physiologically useful ingredients for use in the product of the present invention comprise one or more of flint grit, sand, limestone, eggshell, oyster shell, or carotenoids for yolk pigmentation.

Examples of physiologically useful ingredients for use in accordance with the product of the present invention are calcium carbonate granules, oystershell grit, vitamin trace element premix, natural antioxidants of plant origin, chopped nettle leaf, marigold petals, broken broccoli, carrot flakes, tomato flakes, butternut squash, and hen size flint grit. The physiologically useful ingredients if present are present in the components suitable for consumption by poultry in an amouM of from 1% to 30% by weight, more preferably in an amount of from 5% to 25% by weight, even more preferably in an amount of from 10% to 20% by weight, and most preferably in a amount of about 15% by weight of the total weight of the components suitable for consumption by poultry present in/on the surface.

Surfaces according to the present invention preferably comprise a non-starch polysaccharide source. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) are particularly desirable to have as a component of the components suitable for consumption by poultry because they are particularly advantageous to have in the diet of poultry such as chickens. Prior research has shown that providing a chicken with 14 grams of NSPs per day reduces the incidence of feather pecking in chickens. NSPs for use in the product of the present invention preferably comprise one or more of oat hulls, soya hulls, wheatfeed, barley, alfalfa, or corn gluten feed. Examples of NSPs that can be used are chopped grass chaff, soya hulls, Lucerne chaff, oat hulls, malt culms, and corn gluten feed. The NSP source if present is present in the components suitable for consumption by poultry in an amount of from S % to 75% by weight, more preferably in an amount of from 15% to 50% by weight, even more preferably in an amount of from 25% to 45% by weight, and most preferably in an amount of about 35% by weight of the total weight of the components suitable for consumption by poultry present inlon the surface.

The surface of the present invention can be made from any suitable material, provided that it can support the components suitable for consumption by poultry, and allow such components to be adhered to it with and edible adhesive. Preferably, the surface of the present invention is one which is washable and thus reusable.

Preferably, the surface is made from corrugated cardboard or plastic. When plastic, the surface of the present invention is preferably washable after use, before being refilled with the components suitable for consumption by poultry and edible adhesive, and then reused. This is a particularly useful advantage of this embodiment of the present invention. If made from corrugated cardboard, the surface of the invention is preferably biodegradable, and preferably suitable for disposal in compost such as garden compost. In a preferable embodiment the surface of the present invention will form a positive contribution to compost.

The components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive are adhered to the surface of the present invention preferably in an amount of from 0.1 Kg to 2.5 Kg, more preferably in an amount of from 0.5 Kg to 2 Kg, and most preferably in an amount of from 1 Kg to 1.5 Kg. Alternatively, the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive are adhered to the surface of the present invention in an amount sufficient to supply a single hen with enough nutrition for a time period of from 10 to 50 days, more preferably for a time period of from 20 to 40 days, even more preferably for a time period of from 25 to 35 days, and most preferably for a time period of about 30 days. Alternatively, the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive are adhered to the surface of the present invention in amount sufficient to provide one hen with from 15 g to 45 g of feed a day, preferably from 25g to 35g of feed a day, and most preferably from to 35 g of feed per day.

The surface according to the present invention can be a surface on its own, or it can be comprised as part of a box, a container, a tray, a platform, or as part of any suitable means for providing the surface of the present invention on or near to the ground, such that the poultry can mimic its natural behaviour of pecking and scratching the ground/near the ground in foraging for food. Preferably, the surface of the present invention is comprised as part of a tray. Preferably the tray is suitable for placement on the ground.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a tray comprising a surface according to the present invention. Preferably, the tray according to the present invention comprises a surface according to the present invention and a lip. The lip is preferably attached to the surface of the present invention at the edge of the surface, and extends around the total perimeter of the surface. Preferably, the lip protrudes perpendicular to the surface of the present invention. There may be a clear distinction between the lip of the tray and the surface of the tray such as a visual distinction or they be comprised of different materials. Alternatively, there may be no visual distinction between the lip and the surface, or they may be made of the same material such that the only difference between the surface of the tray and the lip of the tray is where the lip bends round in a different direction approaching perpendicular to the surface.

The surface of the present invention described in preceding paragraphs, or the surface of the tray of the present invention may be any suitable size or shape for providing the poultry with adequate feed such as rectangular, square, triangular or polygonal. Preferably, the surface/surface of the tray is rectangular or square, and most preferably it is square. Preferably the sides of the square or rectangular surface are between 100 mm and 1000 mm in length, more preferably between 250 mm and 750 mm in length, even more preferably between 300 mm and 500 mm in length, and most preferably at a length of about 450 mm.

Where the tray according to the present invention comprises a lip, the lip has a length extending from the surface of the tray perpendicularly to the top of the lip.

Preferably this length is in the range of form 10 mm to 100 mm, more preferably from mm to 50 mm, even more preferably from 20 mm to 30 mm, and most preferably about 25 mm.

Trays according to the present invention can be packed in an outer. The outer can be any suitable material, although preferably the outer is made of paper. This is an advantage of the trays according to the present invention. Trays can be packed individually in each outer, or more than one tray can be packed in each outer.

Preferably, trays are packed in each outer in an amount of from 1 to 25 packs per outer, more preferably 5 to 15 packs per outer, and most preferably 5 to 10 trays per outer.

S

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of making a surface or tray according to the present invention, comprising the steps of: preparing the edible adhesive; mixing the components suitable for consumption by poultry with the edible adhesive; placing the resultant mixture into the tray, or onto the surface; and allowing the mixture to set.

The step of preparing the edible adhesive for use in the method of the present invention comprises, if necessary, mixing the ingredients of the edible adhesive together. Mixing can be performed by any method known to the skilled person. If the edible adhesive comprises water, the water can be mixed into the other ingredients of the edible adhesive before the edible adhesive is mixed with the components suitable for consumption by poultry, or the water can be mixed into the edible adhesive after the edible adhesive has been mixed with the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the resultant mixture placed on the surface/in the tray according to the present invention.

The embodiment of mixing the water into the other components of the edible adhesive after the other components have been mixed with the components suitable for consumption by poultry and poured into the tray/onto the surface is particularly advantageous because it enables the tray to be refillable. Once a tray or surface according to the present invention is empty, it can be washed out and refilled with a dry mixture of the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the dry components of the edible adhesive. Water can then be poured onto the surface/into the tray and the resultant mixture allowed to set. This then forms the tray/surface of the present invention. In this way the tray/surface of the present invention is easily refillable. In such embodiments, the dry components of the edible adhesive and the components suitable for consumption by poultry can be stored in a pre-pack powder format of the necessary materials. This pre-pack powder can then be weighed out into the original trays once empty.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for preparing a surface or tray according to the present invention, wherein the kit comprises an edible adhesive andlor components suitable for consumption by poultry, and optionally a surface suitable for forming a surface of the present invention or a tray suitable for forming a tray according to the present invention. Preferably, the kit comprises both edible adhesive arid components suitable for consumption by poultry.

Preferably, the edible adhesive in the kits of the present invention is in a dry form. In embodiments, the kit can comprise a container for said adhesive and/or for said components; or separate containers for each of said adhesive and said components.

According to the present invention, there is provided the use of a surface or tray according to the present invention for the feeding of animals. Preferably, the use is in feeding poultry. The poultry can be any form of poultry such as chickens, domestic chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, quails, domestic guinea foul etc. Preferably, the use is in the feeding of chickens, domestic chickens or turkeys, and most preferably in feeding the domestic chicken.

Use according to the present invention comprises placing the surface/tray according to the present invention into a place that the poultry can reach and then peck and scratch at. Preferably, the use comprises the placement of the tray/surface of the invention onto the ground. Preferably placement of the tray/surface is done within the vicinity that the poultry is housed within. This vicinity can be a cage, an enclosure, a fenced area or any suitable housing with any suitable floor such as a wire floor, concrete floor, or any suitable environment that poultry such as chickens can be kept in.

Use according to the present invention preferably comprises placing the tray/surface of the present invention in a location such that the bird/chicken has to mimic its natural behaviour to of scratching, pecking and foraging the ground to dislodge the components suitable for consumption by poultry from the tray/surface of the present invention. This is because of the edible adhesive.

The following examples are not intended in any way to restrict the scope of the claims, and are merely included to demonstrate examples of the edible adhesive, and components suitable for consumption by poultry used in the tray/on the surface of the present invention.

S

Example 1

An example of a glue that can be used in accordance with the present invention comprises 95.8% low density maltodextrin, 0.15% potassium sorbate, 0.7% lecithin, and 3.35% glycerol monostearate. 71 g of the above mixture was prepared and mixed with 29 g of water.

Example 2

Another example of an edible adhesive that can be used in accordance with the present invention comprises 55% of wheat flour or potato starch, 44% gelatine, and 0.3% Xanthan gum. This was the mixed and an equivalent volume of hot water at a temperature of 80 to 90 °C added.

The ingredients in the above example can be used to form other examples of the edible adhesive according to the present invention using 0 to 95% wheat flour or potato starch, 5 to 95% gelatine, and 0 to 5% Xanthan gum. The mixture is mixed and added to an equivalent volume of hot water at a temperature of 80 to 90°C added.

Example 3

The example below is an example of the components suitable for consumption by poultry that can be used in accordance with the present invention. For each material, the first percentage amount is the amount used in this particular example. The second percentage amount in parentheses is the range of this material that can be used as a component of other examples of the components suitable for consumption by poultry for use in accordance with the present invention.

The variety of nutritious ingredients: I3roken/kibbled (broken or cracked) maize 10% (up to 30%) Wheat 20% (up to 80%) Kibbled (broken peas) 2% (up to 5%) Kibbled soya beanlsoya bean meal 7.5% (up to 20%) Millet 1% (up to 10%) Seaweed 0.5%(up to 1.5%) Milo/dari mixed colour 5% (up to 10%) Canary seed 2% (up to 10%) The non-starch polysaccharide ingredients: Chopped grass chaff 10% (up to 20%) Soya hulls 7.5% (up to 20%) Lucerne chaff 10% (up to 20%) Oat hulls 2.5% (up to 5%) Malt culms 2.5% (up to 5%) Corn gluten feed 2.5% (up to 7.5%) Physiologically useful ingredients: Calcium carbonate granules/oystershell grit 7.5% (up to 10%) Vitamin trace element premix 0.5% (up to 0.75%) Natural antioxidants of plant origin 0.25% (up to 0.5%) Chopped nettle leaf 0.5% (up to 5%) Marigold petals 1% (up to 2.5%) Broccoli broken 0.5% (up to 2%) Carrot flakes 1% (up to 2%) Tomato flakes 0.5% (up to 1%) Butternut squash 0.1% (up to 1%) Hen size flint grit 4.5% (up to 5%) The ingredients in the above examples can be added to the glue mixture whilst still wet or tacky and stirred until a uniform mass, poured into the tray/onto the surface and allowed to set in a cool dry place or dried using a hot air forced drying system.

Claims

Claims 1. A surface comprising components suitable for consumption by poultry adhered to the surface by an edible adhesive.
2. A surface according to claim 1, wherein the components suitable for consumption by poultry are adhered on the surface, or within the surface, or both partially on the surface and partially within the surface.
3. A surface according to claim 2, wherein the components suitable for consumption by poultry are adhered on the surface, arid wherein the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive are mixed so as to form a layer of edible adhesive with the components suitable for consumption by poultry interspersed within the layer.
4. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the poultry are chickens, preferably domestic chickens.
5. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the edible adhesive comprises Arabic gum, Xanthan gum, gelatine, alginate gels, wheat gluten, starch, maize starch, wheat starch, glucose, methyl cellulose, water or any mixture thereof
6. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the components suitable for consumption by poultry comprise one or more of a variety of nutritious ingredients, physiologically useful ingredients or non-starch polysaccharides.
7. A surface according to claim 6, wherein the edible components comprise all of a variety of nutritious ingredients, physiologically useful ingredients and a non-starch polysaccharide source.
8. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the components suitable for consumption by poultry further comprise edible material that dilutes the nutritious content of the components suitable for consumption.
9. A surface according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the variety of nutritious ingredients comprise one or more of cereal grains, seeds, pulses, insects, legumes, or grasses.
10. A surface according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the physiologically useful ingredients comprise one or more of flint grit, sand, limestone, eggshell, oyster shell, or carotenoids for yolk pigmentation ingredients.
11. A surface according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the non-starch polysaccharide source comprises at least one of oat hulls, soya hulls, wheatfeed, barley, alfalfa or corn gluten feed.
12. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is made of corrugated cardboard, or plastic.
13. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface is comprised as part of a platform, box, container, or preferably as part of a tray.
14. A surface according to claim 13, wherein the platform, box, container or tray is made of corrugated cardboard or plastic.
15. A surface according to any preceding claim, wherein the total mix of the components suitable for consumption by poultry and the edible adhesive are present in an amount of from 1 kg to 1.5 Kg, or in an amount such that the poultry is supplied with enough nutrition for a time period of from 25 days to 50 days, preferably from 28 to 35 days.
16. A tray comprising a surface according to any preceding claim.
17. A tray according to claim 16, wherein the tray comprises a lip, attached to the surface at the edge of the surface, and extending around the perimeter of the surface.
18. A tray according to claims 16 or 17, wherein the fray is made of corrugated cardboard, and is suitable for disposal in garden compost.
19. A tray according to claims 16, 17 or 18 wherein the fray is a positive contribution to garden compost.
20. A tray according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the tray is made from plastic, and is refillable.
21. A pack comprising an outer comprising a tray according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the pack comprises from 1 or more trays.
22. A pack according to claim 21, wherein the pack comprises from 1 to 15 trays.
23. A kit for preparing a surface according to any of claims ito 15 or a tray according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the kit comprises an edible adhesive andlor components suitable for consumption by poultry, and optionally a surface suitable for forming a surface according to any of claims 1 to 15 or a tray suitable for forming a tray according to any of claims 16 to 20.
24. A kit according to claim 23, which kit comprises both edible adhesive and components suitable for consumption by poultry.
25. A kit according to claim 23 or 24 wherein the edible adhesive is in a dry form.
26. A kit according to claim 23, 24 or 25 comprising a container for said adhesive and/or for said components; or separate containers for each of said adhesive and said components.
27. A method of making a surface according to any of claims 1 to 15, or a tray according to any of claims 16 to 20, comprising thç steps of: preparing the edible adhesive; mixing the components suitable for consumption by poultry with the edible adhesive; placing the resultant mixture into the tray, or onto the surface; and allowing the mixture to set.
28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of adding water to the edible adhesive while it is being prepared, or adding water to the mixture of the edible adhesive and components suitable for consumption by poultry once they have been placed into the tray or onto the surface.
29. A method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the step of mixing the components suitable for consumption by poultry into the edible adhesive comprises mixing the components until they comprise a uniform mass.
30. Use of a surface according to any of claims 1 to 15, or a tray according to any of claims 16 to 20, for feeding animals.
31. Use according to claim 30, wherein the animals are poultry.
32. Use according to claims 30 or 31 wherein the animals are chicken, preferably domestic chickens.
33. Use according to any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the use comprises placing the surface/tray on the ground, preferably within the vicinity that the animal is housed within.
34. Use according to any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the surface or tray is placed so that the animal must scratch or peck at the surface to remove the components suitable for consumption by poultry.
35. Use according to any of claims 30 to 34, wherein the surface or tray is placed so that the animal can only remove the components suitable for consumption by poultry by mimicking its natural behaviour.