Animal husbandry – Bed or rest
Patent
1982-05-25
1984-01-31
Chamblee, Hugh R.
Animal husbandry
Bed or rest
A01K 102
Patent
active
044283245
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for preventing piglets from suffocating under the dam in a brooding pen provided with a particular bay or equivalent space reserved for the dam, the method using a suitable sensor, for example a photocell, for detecting when the dam stands up and lies down. The invention also relates to an apparatus for the application of the aforementioned method.
It is generally known that when the dam stands up to eat or drink either during or after farrowing, the piglets tend to creep under the dam. This is evidently due to the fact that the place where the dam has lain is warm, as well as to the piglets' natural instinct to be in immediate contact with the dam. When the dam lies down again, there is great danger that all piglets do not move away from under the dam quickly enough. Piglets are often killed, particularly under old and fat brooding sows.
In prior practice it has been tried to eliminate this drawback for instance by constructing various bay structures for brooding pens. The purpose of such bays is to limit the movements of the dam, whereas the piglets can move freely in the pen irrespective of the bay. In the prior art it is also known to employ heat lamps or heat planes in the brooding pen. The use thereof is based on the fact that piglets like warm and light conditions and consequently tend to draw close to the lamp or equivalent.
British Patent No. 932 189 discloses a bay construction for a brooding sow, the bay comprising separate side partitions with respect to the piglets, which partitions can be lifted and lowered. While the dam is lying down, the partitions at the sides of the bay are lifted, so that the piglets can suck the dam in a normal way. When the dam stands up, the photocell detects the action and immediately lowers the partitions. Now the piglets cannot enter the dangerous area. Similarly, after the dam has lain down, the photocell causes the partitions to be raised. The drawback of the described arrangement is its complex structure. This naturally leads to a high price.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is, among other things, to avoid the above drawbacks. The invention is based on the idea that in the brooding pen a situation exists with strongly opposed conditions with respect to the piglets. It is generally known that piglets do not like drafts or the cold, whereas they are drawn to warm, light and draftless places. Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a method of preventing piglets from suffocating under a dam in a brooding pen comprising detecting when the dam stands up and blowing air under the dam to discourage piglets from moving under the dam.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for effecting such a method comprising a detector positioned to sense when a dam stands up, a blower connected to the detector to be activated by activation of the detector and conduit means connected to the blower for directing air blown by the blower under the dam when the detector is activated.
The most remarkable advantages of a method and apparatus according to the invention is its "naturality". Experience has shown that already after one day the piglets learn to behave safely, so that they no longer try to creep under the dam. Another advantage of the apparatus is its simple construction and low price. It can for example be a part of the brooding pen. Moreover, it is sufficient that the apparatus is employed for instance 24 hours after the farrowing, after which it can be switched off. A separate, independent apparatus can be shifted to another brooding pen when necessary.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following the invention is explained in detail with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of one preferred embodiment of the invention in perspective view, and
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The arrangement according to the invention comprises a narrow bay 1 or similar space reserved fo
REFERENCES:
patent: 436902 (1890-09-01), Osborn
patent: 3042000 (1962-07-01), McMurray et al.
patent: 3181503 (1965-05-01), Tripp
patent: 4145993 (1979-03-01), Notarianni et al.
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