Animal husbandry – Milkers – With signals – indicators – registers – and timers
Patent
1984-08-01
1986-03-11
Eskovitz, Jay N.
Animal husbandry
Milkers
With signals, indicators, registers, and timers
119 21, A01K 100
Patent
active
045747377
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an improved structure for housing animals, such as poultry, the structure being designed such that its interior is maintainable within an acceptable temperature range and with sufficient light with minimum energy required.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known that animals such as poultry are very susceptible to extremes in temperature. A substantial proportion of a poultry farmer's flock may die if the temperature inside the poultry shed becomes too hot or too cold. Even with minor variations in temperature, egg production may fall significantly. The preferred temperature is from 19.degree. to 30.degree. celsius. Variations above or below 19.degree. to 30.degree. can reduce egg production effeciency from 80% to 50% for example. Even minor variations above 26.degree. or below 20.degree. can reduce efficiency by 5%. (100% egg production efficiency is taken to be production of one egg per hen per day). It has also been found that average egg production is higher during spring and autumn when the temperature does not vary as much as during summer and winter.
As most poultry sheds are of sheet iron construction, the inside of the shed is not effectively insulated from the outside environment and the inside temperature will vary significantly. In fact, the temperature inside the sheet iron poultry shed during summer days can be a great deal higher than the outside air temperature. A further factor which affects the temperature inside the poultry shed is the body heat produced by the chickens. In a typical chicken shed, the cages may be stacked three high across the width of the shed, and there may be up to 300 chickens per meter along the length of the shed. As each chicken produces approximately 31 BTU per hour, the body heat produced by the chickens is of the order of 10,000 BTU per hour per meter of length of chicken shed. If adequate cooling is not provided, the effect of body heat can result in the death of a high proportion of the chickens.
It has been known to provide air conditioning and cooling systems during summer and hot days, as well as heating systems during winter and cold nights. Such cooling and heating systems are very expensive however, due to the large space to be cooled or heated, as the case may be.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or substantially ameliorate and above described disadvantage by providing a structure for housing animals in which the inside temperature may be maintained substantially constant with a minimum of energy. Preferably, the design allows natural light to be sufficient for daytime lighting. The structure can also be used for housing plants.
According to the present invention there is provided a structure for housing animals such as poultry, or plants, said structure having a base, and opposite sides inclined towards an apex at which there is provided an opening; a ceiling situated a predetermined distance above the base, said ceiling being adapted to be opened to allow the flow of air from below the ceiling to the opening at the apex of said shed, and closed to generally retain air within said structure.
Preferably, lateral extensions are provided at the sides of the structure, the lateral extensions having passageways for the flow of air from the outside to the interior of the structure. The ceiling is divided into two lengthwise, and each half is horizontally retractable from within the structure into a respective passageway in the lateral extensions on the sides of the structure.
In another form of the invention, the ceiling is divided into two and each half is pivotally hinged at a respective side of the structure so that it can be pivoted upwardly to lie against the side of the structure.
Preferably, transparent or translucent sections are provided in the sides of the structure and in the ceiling. The transparent or translucent sections in the ceiling alternate with those in the sides.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Notwithstanding any other forms of the present invention, preferr
REFERENCES:
patent: 3694222 (1972-09-01), Pardoel et al.
patent: 3919976 (1975-11-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 4442792 (1984-04-01), Nehring
patent: 4462334 (1984-07-01), Kim
LandOfFree
Structure for housing animals does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Structure for housing animals, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Structure for housing animals will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2185947