Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1- 2~65122
EIOG PEN FLOORING
This invention relates to animal husbandry and ~Li~,ul~uly~ to a novel hog pen;
flooring for the same, whereby a novel method of hog husbandry can be achieved.
l~A~'K(~ROUNl) TO T~F INVEN~ION
In the animal husbandry of hogs, in North America, several hogs, six~en~or even
more, are maintained in a confined pen and several pens are housed irl a barn. Generally
the pens have a flat flooring or floor.
Many of the hog pen flooring designs and structures presently employed were
formally novel ones used in the husbandry of cattle and were then transferred to the
husbandry of hogs. Some were just flat floors with a pit region at a corner, or along one
or both sides, which would allow the disposal of defecation by the animal to a region
below the slat elevation. Others consisted of long smooth slats or rectangular l~ s
juxtaposed one against the other to provide a flooring upon which the cattle could walk.
At prerlPt~rmin~d intervals, large spaces were provided between these slats so that the
bowel movement of tne animal could fall into a reservoir beneath the slats, for later
removal in a manner known in the art either by truck, manure pump or the like.
These cattle slats were used initially in hog husbandry; the space between adjacent
slats was reduced because the size of a hog's foot or hoof is smaller than that of cattle.
Sub~ Lly, space was also provided at the edge of each slat near the rails or sides of
the pen to allow collection of defecation there; such structures were still found to be
""~ r~ y
It is an object of the present invention to provide various species of slats,
particularly suitable as hog pen flooring slats each of which, or as a family of slats,
'5 provide a greater smooth area upon which the hog can walk, and ~Li~ul~ly for the baby
pig, whose body is relatively smaller and whose hooves otherwise tend to fall in or
through by the very wide channel between adjacent slats or at the slat edges, near the wall
or rails of the pen.
It is an object of the invention therefore, to get a more solid area within the hog
pen, and particularly for a more solid center area whereby the gilts, and hogs have greater
solid space on which to lay, and upon which to walk.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a plurality of I~L~ ular,hexagonal concrete slabs are employed and adjacently disposed to form a flooring for a
hog pen having elevated sides or margins. Each slat has a plurality of apertureS so that
the porosity of the slat, in closer proximity to the walls of the pen, is greater than through
the central region of the pen. This provides, because of the observed behavior of the hog,
a greater porous region adjacent the walls of the pen where the animal tends to defecate,
the defecation running through the slots into a collection region below the elevation of tl~
2 2~65122
slats. The central region which has a less porosity, is more suitable for the animal to walk
or lay upon. When the animal walks near the sides of the pen, the hoof actdon of the hog
on the slat tends to push any feces collected on the top of the slat through the apertures
into a collection region below the elevation of the slats and hence, the pen is maintained
5 clear of defecation by the actual movement of the hogs. Pen cleaning by tbe farmer is
reduced or avoided.
TEIE INVFI~TIQN
The invention f . ~ , as an article of , a
hexahedron having an upper flat rectangular plane top surface with families of apertures
each with a ll neitllrlin~l axis, preferably relatively parallel to each other or, with families,
some parallel to each other and some ortogonal to the other.
In these ~ bodil~llL~, the apertures are preferably rectangular (because of the
simplicity of concrete casting of the same) but, the apertures may be obround or even
elliptical or of other eenmPtri~l lnnvi~ irl-~l shape. Within each of these several slat
(h~ edlu~ nnhn~iim~nt~, the apertures may be parallel to the 1~",r;~ axis of theed~ , or orthogonal to the Inneitll~lin:~l axis of the hexahedron or a mixture of both.
Within each of those ~Illbodilll~,lL~, the recesses may be organized in families of adjacently
disposed rows, the rows organized either orthogonal or parallel to the Inneitlltlin~l axis of
the slat.
Referringnowtoapreferrede,~ o~ll",~ of penlayout,usingtheaforesaidslats,
the pen preferably has near its marginal walls and ends, greater porosity or aperture area
than in the central region of the pen. This allows easier defecation removal to occur by
the action of the hog walking near the sides or ends of the slat where the hog finds itself
more secure than in the center.
In a preferred pen environment, the orientation of the ltneihlrlir ~1 apertures are
such that, near the ends and side walls, the Inr~gitl.r~ir ~l apertures preferably run parallel
to the adjacent side or end wall while in the center region of the pen, the porosity is less
dense than around the edges. This has advantage since it has been observed that for
walking or resting, the hog prefers the central region of the pen, but while defecating,
prefers to be close to an adjacent wall or end. The hog preferably walks parallel or
obliquely to the wall or end and hence, it is preferred that the hooves of the animal hread
upon a Inneitll~lin~l aperture in a line ~ d~ Lil~g the direction of travel of the hog as
it walks rather than lateral to the direction of the havel of the hog as it walks. It has been
observed that greater cleansing of the defecation near the wal~s occurs thereby since the
feces are squashed in the direction of hog travel by the hoof and the boundary walls of the
slot act as marginal barriers to the lateral L~ of the feces. Hence, the cenhq~
region of the pen stays more cle~n. This is particularly useful in humid and hot weather
20~122
occurring during the ~u~ Lil--C where, if the central region of the pen is not maintained
free of bowel movement, the hogs get dirty and they tend to suffer.
The invention additionally, , ' a method of animal husbandry, preferably
hog husbandry, where a plurality of hogs are maintained within a confined pen region
having surrounding walls and a flat floor with a porosity greater near the edges and ends
of the pen than in the center.
The invention therefore . 1' as am article of ~ r~ , suitable for
assembly into a flooring structure for hog pens, a 1I~A~L~J1UII having an upper planar top
surface with a family of apertu}es extending through the 1-- -' ' Ull each providing
channel passage means for conveying animal defecation dropped on the top of the
hexahedron through the same. Preferably, the hexahedron is rectangular, and composed
of concrete, and the apertures are selected from a group of gPnmP~ri~ l shapes consisting
of rectangular, obround, and elliptical; preferably IC:Ui~UI~:,UI~U since they are easier to cast
in concrete.
I S The invention also . . ,, . , ,1,l ' - a method of hog husbandry where a plurality of
hogs are maintained within confines of a pen having ~UllUUlldillg walls standing to an
elevation above that of a flat floor which extends between the walls, the floor having
greater porosity nearer the walls than throughout its center.
The invention further .,u ' a pen for rearing a plurality of hogs, the pen
comprising a relatively flat floor upon which the hogs can walk, rest, or defecate, side
wall bounding the said floor and elevated relative thereto so that hogs are bounded by the
walls, feeder means located at an elevation above the floor, adapted for supplying feed and
water to the hogs; wherein, the floor has a greater porosity near its perimeter than through
its cent~Pr.
~5 It has been observed, that baby pigs, æ more agile than older pigs or hogs and
hence the sizing of the apertures, which are preferably In.~ according to the
invention, provide a width of sloth which is generally slightly larger than the hoof of a
baby pig, smaller than the hoof of a mid-sized grown-up pig. The mid-size pig and
grown-up pig therefore can walk on the sloth without falling through. The baby pig if it
walks on the sloth its foot goes into the sloth, when sized according to the preferred
rll.l~o~ of the invention, but he is agile, and small enough in weight to withdraw his
foot from the sloth without harm. In short order, 8 to 10 days, the baby pig learns not
to put its foot in the sloth. As he grows up he then learns that he can walk on the sloth
without falling through.
The invention therefore additionally ~ , ' that the width of a sloth, be
u~t,ulcu or simplistic of concrete casting, the width of the sloth dimension
UAil~lGL~Iy 1-75 cm-- The length of the sloth is not material but for simplicity conc~
casting is about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 times the width.
~65122
BRIFF DF~ RTPTION OF T~TF, 3RAW[NGS
The invention will now be described by way of example and reference to the
~,Co~ drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective, partially broken away, of a barn employing the
5 invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of a hog pen having a flooring, according to one
t~mho~imPnt of the invention;
Figure 3 is an alternative plan view ,~ ,i of hog pen flooring layout,
according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a barn flooring layout having a plurality of adjacenthog pens employing the hog pen layout of figure 2;
Figures 5 through 8 are plan views of respective slats, having laterally oriented
rectangular slots in different spacial Al IAI~ , according to other e..l~ L~ of the
invention;
Figure g is a perspective view o~ the slat of figure 5;
Figures 10 and ll It~e~,Li~ly are side and end elevational views of slats,
according to the invention;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of an alternative C;lllbUdilll~,... of slot, obround in
shape, according to the invention;
~ F1gure 13 is a partial plan view of the slat of figure 12;
Figure 14 is a plan view of a pen employing an alternative pen layouts (feeder
not shown) orientation for the rectangular slot;
Figures 15 and 16 are l~ Li~.,.y plan views of alternative rectangular slot
Arr~r~PmPnr~
Figure 17 is a partial plan view of yet a further alternative .~ I,o.l;, : of slot
profile, elliptical in shape; located on that sheet of drawings with figures 9 through 13.
Figures 18 and 20 are a .i,~,, ,."~ plan view of alternative pen layouts
(feeders not shown) wherein the aperture, adjacent the side walls and end waTls run
generally parallel thereto and the apertures in the central region of the pen run parallel to
the Ifm~ lrlinAI axis of the pen.
Figure 19 is a ~ AI j~ plan view of an alternative rl l .l)O. ~ (feeder not
shown) where the central region has no apertures ~ L~ ,v~- but there are l~
channels between adjacent slats and those ll-n~ihl~linAI apertures or slots located in closer
proximity to the sides and end walls, are relatively parallel thereto.
THF. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to figure 1, a barn (20) consists of a plurality of hog pens (21) hav~side rails or side walls (22) which separate one hog pen (21) from another, see figure~
5 20~5122
and ead walls or rails (23). The hog rails (22) and (23) stand a~ / three feet high
on either side and at the end (23) of tlle pen (21). Where the pen (21) is juxtaposed an
adjacent outside barn wall (25), the barn wall (25) can be substituted for one or more of
the rails (22) and (23).
A plurality of slats (30) are suspended from one side rail (22) or a barn wall (25)
to the opposite side rail (22) since each side rail (22) has a lip or seat (24) running along
the bottom thereof upon which the ends of each slat (30) rest. One layout or cnnfiellr~tinn
is illustrated in figure 14, where the slats are oriented so that the Innei~ axis of the
slat is lateral to the pen in the same fashion as shown in figure 1. AlternatiYely, the slats
0 may l~ave their Inn,. ' ' axis oriented parallel to the In~eitl~ n~l direction of the pen
(21) in a fashion shown in figures 2, 3 or 4; or even a mixture thereof - see figures 18 and
19 as wcll as the description of those figures. In figure 3, slats (304H) are slats that are half
as long as tlle plan view slat (304) of figure 8. Whatever the orientation of the Inngi~ in~l
axis of the slat (30), relative to the Innei~ in~l axis of the pen (21), the slats (30) are
disposed in the pen (21) so that a Inneif~ir ~I channel (D) is defined by the Innei~
margins of adjacent slats, i~ p~Liv~ of the relative orientation of the 1~ ~vi~ ' ' axis of
the slats. The width of this Innei~ ' ' channel, see figures 2, 3, 4 i~nd 14 is preferably
about 2cm (3/4 of an inch) and provides a ,: 1,. space from the top of the slat
or floor to tlle plenum.
Returning now to figure I as a result of the suspension of the slats (30) from lip
(24) to lip (24), they over-cover a plenum (26) which is a collection region for hog urine
and feces beneath the elevation of the slats (30) and which may have an inclined bottom
floor, not clearly shown in figure 1, froln one end of the pen to t~e other, so that feces and
urine collected within the plenum are allowed to decay and become fertilizer. The means
by which the collection is removed is determined by the precise design of the barn, and is
known in thc prior art and is not part of this invention.
The slats (30) each define families of 1.~. ~;;1. .1 ,-~ slots (40). In that respect and
referring to figures 2 and ~ub~e4 t, the generic I 1, ' ' slat is referenced (30) while
each different type of slat is ~1. - i -' l by reference (30') through (306). Each slat (30),
defines therefore, a family of apertures, channels or slots (40) which ~ the
upper side of the slat (30) to the underside of the slat (30) and hence, the top of the floor
to the collection plenum (26). These longitudinal apertures or channels (40) may be
rectangular, as shown in figures 2 through 11 and figures 14 through 16; obround, as in
figures 12 and 13, or elliptical (E) as shown in figure 17. Other geometric shapes are
possible but it is preferred, particularly because of the simplicity of .,- ~ ~ r- I.l, ;,.~ when
the slats are made manufactured by concrete casting methods, that the slots be rectangular,
sized 3/4 inch by 4 and 2/3 inch (2cm by 9cm).
... . . . .. . . . . .. ...
6 206~122
By way of example and referring to figures 2, 4, S and 6, the slats of figures 5and 6, organized in the pen (21) of figure 2 and a plurality of those pens when laid out
adjacent to each other in a quadrant of a barn, as illustrated in figure 4.
Referring now to figure 2, as an example, the same illustrates the pen as (21), the
5 long ' ' side rails or walls as (22) and the end raiis, not really shown but referenced
in the figure as (23). In one corner of the pen (21), is a feeder bin F, known in the prior
art and by way of example only, one ' ~d under the trading style "Crystal Spring"
by a company known as Crystal Springs Ltd. of Crystal Spring Manitoba Canada.
Referring t~ u~ ily to figure 4, two adjacent feeders (F) are disposed in back to back
10 juxtaposed position along the boundary margin or boundary rail (22~) to form a feeder
station (S). If every other pen (21) is the mirror of its adjacent pens, then the feeder layout
in the barn (20), as shown, in part, in figure 4 or, can be achieved. The p~n layout allows
two adjacent feed bins (F) to constitute a single feed bin (F) within the barn which has a
plurality of feed stations (S), less in number than the number of feed bins (F). This
increases the efficiency of food handling by ~illl~Jlil;i.,g the ~1;~.,1,.,1;~. of feed to the
stations (S) each of which has back to back feed bins (F).
Returning now to figure 2, since it has been observed that hogs are ~ ,ul~ly
prone for frequent bowel movement, and when they are within pens (21) with side rails
(22), the emotional desire is to protect themselves from other swine so that they are not
jostled or knocked off their feet during the bowel movement process. As a result, they
tend to collect in a "secure" place and find the shorter or end rail (23) more secure, to
urinate and defecate there rather than tlle longer side rails (22). Hence, their preference
is, for bowel movement, to defecate in the proximity to or against that wall that has the
shortest dimension; hence, adjacent to or against end walls (23), rather than the side rails
(22). As a second alternative, defecation along the side walls (22) is the next alternative,
thcn tlle central pen region (C) which has more solid area and is most suited for walking
and exercising; or for laying down; or, for resting and sleeping.
It is therefore preferred, in order to allow the passage of the defecation into the
plenum (26) for the upper surface of the floor to have a greater number of more closely
disposed apertures (40) arranged at either end of the pen (12), which in figure 2, have been
designated as zone (60), or (W) on each slat (30). On those slats (30') and (303), which
run adjacent the ~on~ifl ' ' rails (22) of the pen (21), these are identical to those shown
in figures S and 7 to provide a zone (W) more porosity against adjacent side rails (22)
because of the aperture row (45) while the central panels (30~) are those shown in the plan
figure 6.
Observations are such that greater porosity is needed about the margins of the pen
and not in the interior or central region of it since the central region is the laying down and
~- 2~65122
resting area and is shown in figures 18 and l9 as region (C). In that respect and referring
to all figures, save figure 19, there is greater rigid area and less aperture area in the central
region (C) in the ~loor region than adjacent the walls of the pen. In figure 19, the central
region is solid, save except for the l--n~ ' ' channels (D), which run parallel to adjacent
S slats (30).
Referring to figure 20, it shows a pen layout similar to that of figure 18 and the
center area (C) has slots (40) while around the peripheral, of end slat (30') and (308), the
same have slots at their respective ends parallel to the longer side rails (22) than to the
ends (23). This confi~ ilm of slats could also be modified to utilize the slats (308),
~10 shown in figure 19 for the center walk and rest area (C).
The sizing, in the preferred ~ bvdi~ t, is for a ICCI.III~Ul~U pen (10), 10 feet by
16 feet (270cm X 430cm) ,~ . The preferred slat side is one being a . C~ UI~l
llc~dl.~hvn haYing sufrlcient length to extend from one wall to another and having a width
of a~ lu~dllld~cly 2 feet (54cm) and a ~ "~ ' slot dimension of 3/4 inches by 4 2/3
inches (1.70cm X 10.5cm). Around the perimeter of the pen, the spacing between the
If mgi~ lir ~I parallel axis of each ll ~ ' slot is "~,~.. 'y 3 inches (6.75cm) and
oriented parallel to the closest wall or end, and in the central region (C) wllere less
porosity is desired, and by way of example and referring to figure 2, and slat (302), the
central region (C) of that slat has central parallel apertures (40), (not part of region (60)),
spaced adjacent to each other ~JII 'y 9 inches apart (20.25cm). In another
preferred ~ o.l~ .l the pen has a slat layout as shown in Figures 18 or 20.
Referring to the various slat c--,.l ig".~ shown in figures 5 through 8, the
various zones of higher and lower porosity are l~liv~ly indicated, the highest being 49~,
492, and 491.
A
