Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02333785 2001-O1-31
Hog Farming Process and Barn
Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to livestock farming processes and barns and
in
particular to processes and barns for raising hogs.
Background of the Invention
In previous hog farming processes, the hogs are raised in barns with slotted
floors. The
animal waste drops through the slots in the floor and into a pit, which is
normally water
filled. The pit is emptied into a holding lagoon outside the barn until it is
used for
spraying on fields. This process has met with public resistance because of the
associated odour and appearance of the outside holding lagoon and health
concerns
over risk of water contamination.
In addition, the hogs were sometimes under stress because of the cold and
cramped
barn and slotted floors. The slotted floors tend to be damaging to the hogs
hoofed feet.
In addition, drafts and moisture rise from the manure mixture below. These
conditions
can require that the hogs be administered antibiotics to maintain them in a
healthy,
docile state.
Summary of the Invention
A hog farming process and barn have been invented that reduce animal stress
and
effectively handle manure waste without open lagoons.
3O
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(n one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a barn for raising
hogs, the
barn comprising: a structure including walls and a roof, a floor within the
structure for
supporting the hogs, the floor being solid such that materials can settle on
the floor
without passing therethrough and capable of supporting an animal and the floor
including at least one sloped surface and a waste collection area at a lower
end of the
sloped surface and an animal feeding station providing access to food and
water and
positioned adjacent an upper end of the sloped surface.
In one embodiment, the barn includes means for creating a temperature
differential
between an area adjacent the upper end of the sloped surface and an area
adjacent the
lower end of the sloped surface. The means for creating a temperature
differential can
be a heater provided to heat an area of the barn adjacent the upper end of the
sloped
surface. Alternately or in addition, the means for creating a temperature
differential is
an air circulation system for creating an air draft above the waste collection
area.
The animal feeding station is preferably a feeder that contains water in a
liquid
collection dish. In addition, on-demand means can be provided in the feeder
such that
food and/or water is released only upon demand of an animal.
In one embodiment, the barn includes at least two sloped surfaces inclining
downwardly
towards each other and toward the waste collection area. The waste collection
area is
preferably substantially flat to facilitate waste pick up. Walls can be
arranged over the
sloping surfaces and the waste collection area to create pens for containment
of
animals. In one embodiment, the walls have open areas permitting visual
communication between the pens. Preferably, these open areas are adjacent the
waste
collection area.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for
raising hogs,
the process comprising: confining hogs on a solid floor, applying compostable,
fibrous
material to the solid floor, collecting the manure-soiled fibrous material
from the floor
and composting the manure-soiled fibrous material to form a nutrient rich
material.
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The fibrous material can be, for example, finely chopped straw, finely chopped
newsprint or sawdust. Sawdust is preferred as it also has a pleasant, wood
scent that
reduces the manure odor within the barn.
In a preferred process, the hogs are confined on a floor that is sloped toward
a waste
collection area to promote movement of the manure-soiled fibrous material by
gravity
toward the waste collection area. The floor can additionally include an area
conducive
to animal sleeping. The process can further include controlling the
environment to
enhance defecation in the waste collection area.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A further, detailed, description of the invention, briefly described above,
will follow by
reference to the following drawings of specific embodiments of the invention.
These
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore
not to be
considered limiting of its scope. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a flow chart showing a process for raising hogs according to one
aspect of
the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hog barn according to another aspect of
the present
invention.
Figure 3 is sectional view of another embodiment of a hog barn according to
the present
invention.
Figure 4 is a sectional view through another hog barn according to the present
invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a composting facility useful in the present
invention.
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Figure 6 is a sectional view along line V-V of Figure 4 with a different kind
of turning
device.
Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 4.
Figure 8 is a plan view of a composting structure useful in the present
invention.
Figure 9 is a sectional view through another composting structure useful in
the present
IO invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The invention relates to a process for raising hogs. In addition, in another
aspect of the
present invention, a hog barn is provided. The barn is particularly suited to
carrying out
the present process.
Referring to Figure 1, the flow chart shows a process for raising hogs
according to one
aspect of the present invention. In the present process, hogs are raised in a
barn with a
solid floor, shown in block 10. A solid floor creates a low stress,
comfortable
environment for the animals and has little or no effect on their feet. As will
be
appreciated, solid and liquid wastes, herein termed manure, that are dropped
by the
animals will accumulate on the solid floor. Fibrous, compostable material such
as, for
example, sawdust is applied 12 to the barn floor, as by blowing. The sawdust
acts as
an adsorbent for the animal waste and reduces odor in the barn, replacing the
manure
odor with a wood scent. Over time, when animals drop waste on the sawdust, a
manure-soiled sawdust mixture is formed. The mixture is sticky and more easily
removed from the floor, handled and moved than wet, untreated manure.
Sufficient
fibrous materials should be added such that the resultant manure-soiled
mixture is
sticky but not saturated with liquid. Applying pressure by hand squeezing
should result
in a formed mass but should not result in a release of liquid from the
mixture.
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Occasionally, the manure-soiled sawdust is collected, as indicated in block
14, from the
barn floor. The frequency of removal will of course depend on a number of
factors
including the number of animals, the desired cleanliness of the barn and the
amount of
sawdust applied to the floor. For best results, the manure-soiled sawdust is
removed
from the floor at least once per day.
In a preferred embodiment, the barn environment is controlled such that the
hogs tend
to defecate in a selected area. This facilitates collection of the manure
mixture.
Environmental controls such as heat and drafts are particularly useful for
controlling the
area of the barn in which the hogs defecate. In addition, placement of feeders
can also
be used to control the areas in which the hogs tend to defecate. As will be
more
apparent with respect to Figures 2 and 3 hereinbelow, controlled defication
can be
established by setting up a temperature gradient in the barn. Hogs will tend
to defecate
in cool, drafty conditions and away from feeding areas and bedding areas,
which can be
defined by heating an area of the barn.
As indicated in block 16, after collection the manure-soiled fibrous materials
are
composted to produce a nutrient-rich product substantially free of the harmful
bacteria
normally associated with manure. In a preferred embodiment, the composting
process
is conducted in an enclosed area such as another area of the barn or another
building.
An enclosed area is preferred as the composting process can be controlled and
protected from the elements to increase efficiency of the process, and
confined,
reducing objectionable appearances and odours, over open systems. Saleable and
substantially odourless compost is produced from the soiled sawdust. The
compost is
suitable for use as a potting soil or a soil supplement.
Preferably the composting step is carried out using a continuous throughput
process. A
composting structure that is particularly useful in a continuous process is
described with
respect to Figures 5 through 9, hereinafter.
Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a barn according to another aspect of the
present
invention is shown. While the barn is particularly useful for housing at least
a portion of
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the process described in Figure 1, it also provides a low stress environment
for raising
hogs.
The barn includes a roof 20, walls 22 and a floor 24. Various roof and wall
structures
can be used and are not particularly relevant to the present invention. In hog
farming, it
is generally accepted that the hogs be housed in a structure that protects the
animals
from the elements and provides a controlled environment.
Floor 24 is solid; being without the slots or openings normally associated
with hog barn
floors. In particular, floor 24 is solid such that materials, such as manure
25, which
settle on the floor are supported thereon and will not pass therethrough. The
floor is
also capable of supporting a plurality of hogs. The floor can be, for example,
formed of
concrete.
The floor includes two sloping planar surfaces 26 that are inclined downwardly
toward
each other. While the barns illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 each have two
sloping
surfaces 26, it is to be understood that a barn could contain any number of
sloping
surfaces such as for example, one or four. A schematic view of a floor 24a
having four
sloping surfaces is shown in Figure 4. In one preferred embodiment, the
sloping
surfaces have a 3.0 to 3.5% slope.
Between sloping surfaces 26 is a waste collection area 28. The waste
collection area of
floor 24 is solid and can support hogs, although in some embodiments it may be
fenced
to prevent access thereto by the hogs. To facilitate pick-up of the waste,
area 28 is flat,
open and accessible. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 2, the waste
collection
area is formed as a flat-bottomed gutter. Sides 29 of the gutter facilitate
containment of
the waste and pick-up. However, it is to be understood that the area can take
other
forms, as shown in Figure 3, and need not be level. The waste can be picked up
in
various ways. However, preferably a small tractor, such as a BobcatT"",
carrying a
bucket is used. Thus, preferably the waste collection area is sized and
positioned in an
elongate configuration, along the length of the barn, to facilitate travel
therealong by the
tractor.
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Animal feeding stations 30 are disposed about floor 24. The feeding stations
are
spaced from waste collection area 28 a sufficient distance to accommodate the
animals
on sloping surfaces 26 between area 28 and feeding stations 30. In a preferred
embodiment, feeding stations are positioned adjacent the upper end of the
sloping
surfaces a maximum distance away from the waste collection area. To increase
cleanliness of the barn floor adjacent the feeders, the feeders are preferably
selected to
contain water rather than allowing it to spill onto the floor. Not only does
this enhance
cleanliness, it limits the floor from getting wet and is beneficial since pigs
tend to drop
waste in wet areas. A particularly useful feeder includes a liquid collection
dish and,
preferably also, an on-demand switch such that food and water are released
only upon
demand of an animal. GrobaT"" wet/dry feeders available from the Netherlands
are
particularly useful.
A heater such as for example an in-floor hot water system 32 (Figure 2) or a
radiant
overhead heater 34 (Figure 3) is installed to heat the upper end of sloping
surfaces 26
to tend to cause the animals to congregate and sleep around the upper ends of
the
sloping surfaces, rather than near or in waste collection area 28. By heating
the area at
the upper end of the sloping surfaces, the area around the waste collection
area to be
relatively cooler. An in-floor hot water system with heated water flowing
through pipes
36 embedded in or under floor 24 is preferred for control, safety and
efficiency. This
heating may not be required in times of the year when outside temperatures are
quite
warm.
An air circulation system is mounted to direct a draft, indicated by arrows
37, towards
the waste collection area. The draft should be directed toward waste
collection area 28
such that it impinges that area and possibly the lower end of the sloped
surfaces first.
This provides that the draft in these areas is cooler and stronger than in
other areas of
the barn floor. In particular, although air after it impinges the floor in
these areas will be
redirected to other parts of the barn, that air will be increasingly warmed
and diffused.
The air circulation system can include one or more air ducts 38a, 38b with
apertures 40,
baffles 41 or other means arranged so that air passing therethrough is
directed
CA 02333785 2001-O1-31
generally toward waste collection area 28. Air is blown through the air ducts
and out
through the apertures to cool the area around the waste collection area.
Misters 39 can
be provided to enhance cooling within the barn. Misters 39 release atomised
water
particles into the air. If the temperature in the barn rises to values of, for
example,
greater than 28°C, the misters 39 will be activated to release moisture
into the air that
will bring the temperature down inside the barn. Preferably, the misters are
located
adjacent apertures in the ducts so that the mist can be circulated with the
air and
directed first to area 28.
Walls 42, 43 define pen areas and can be arranged in various ways, as desired.
For
the healthiest, lowest stress environment, a pen should provide at least 11
square feet
of space per 2501b animal. This also promotes a proper dunging pattern.
Generally it is
not desirable for a pen wall to extend sideways across a sloping surface, but
rather with
the incline on the sloping surface so that each pen extends from the upper end
of the
sloping surface to the lower end thereof. Walls 43 can extend to restrict
access of the
hogs into waste collection area 28, if desired. However, if such walls 43 are
present,
they must be raised off the floor or include openings to permit waste to pass
thereunder
into area 28. Closable gates 44 can be provided through the walls for ease of
access.
Where walls extend through area 28, gates 44 should be positioned to allow
clear
access along the waste collection area for ease of manure pick-up.
Walls 42, 43 can be solid. Alternately, walls can be open (i.e. constructed of
fencing) to
permit visual contact by hogs between pens. In a preferred embodiment, walls
42' are
solid adjacent feeding stations 30 and heated areas while open walls 42" are
positioned
adjacent waste collection area 28.
While the barn creates a low stress environment and promotes Bunging in a
selected
area indicated as 45 in or near the waste collection area, to facilitate pick
up of manure,
to absorb odor and to increase comfort and cleanliness for the animals,
fibrous material
46 is applied to the floor, as discussed with respect to Figure 1. The fibrous
material is
preferably applied at the upper ends of the sloping surfaces. Over time it
will become
CA 02333785 2001-O1-31
_g_
soiled with manure and be moved towards waste collection area 28. The manure-
soiled
fibrous material collected from the barn is particularly suited to composting.
A number of factors function to create the favourable conditions in the barn.
First by
sloping the floors of the barn, waste tends to flow by gravity and by
displacement by foot
traffic and movement of the hogs about the floor. The amount of fibrous
materials
applied to the upper end of the sloped surfaces is a significant factor in how
fast the
manure flows toward area 28. The greater the amount of sawdust used, the
faster the
manure will be moved off the sloped surfaces. The appropriate amount of
sawdust to
be used can be determined as discussed in Figure 1 and care should be taken to
ensure that the sawdust is not to wet or too dry when it gets to the waste
collection
area. In addition, hogs are relatively intelligent and will not defecate near
their feeding
and sleeping areas. Thus, placement of heated areas and feeding areas away
from the
waste collection area will increase the tendency of the hogs to defecate in
area 28.
Cool drafts will also increase the tendency for pigs to defecate. Thus, by
directing a
flow of air toward area 28, defecation in that area will be increased.
Finally, as is known
visual contact between hogs in separate pens may cause defecation. Thus,
provision of
open fencing 42" adjacent the waste collection area further enhances waste
accumulation in that area.
Thus, the barn creates an environment where manure tends to be dropped in a
selected
area, rather than over the entire barn floor and the hogs tend not to sleep or
feed in
manure-soiled areas. As noted previously, to increase floor cleanliness
feeding stations
can be selected that control liquid spills and the release of food and water.
A composting structure has been invented to efficiently handle the manure
generated
from a livestock operation. The structure is shown in Figures 5 to 9. This
structure is
25 preferably contained in an enclosure to avoid interference by precipitation
and wind and
to keep the livestock operation clean and substantially odor-free. While the
term
manure is used herein to describe the material handled by the compost
structure, it is to
be understood that the material handled by the composter can be dry or sticky
manure,
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manure-soiled fibrous materials or animal carcasses. These materials, after
passing
through the structure will become nutrient-rich compost.
The composting structure contains the manure and moves it through a 25 to 30-
day
composting process. Air or oxygen is injected into the manure at regular
periods to
enhance composting. In particular, the structure has a pair of substantially
parallel
containment walls 50 extending between two open ends 52, 54. One end 52 is the
manure input end and the other 54 is the compost output end. The manure pile
55 rests
on floor 56 between the walls and is moved from the input end to the output
end over a
25 to 30-day period with aeration and mixing. The walls must be long enough to
accommodate 25 to 30 days worth of manure, while allowing for addition of
manure to
the input end each day. In one exemplary livestock operation, an amount of
manure is
added to the pile each day that adds 10 linear feet to the pile and the
process takes 25
days. Thus the walls are about 250 feet long (10 feet per day x 25 days).
Mixing can be done by any suitable means, but preferably a machine 57a, 57b
rides
along walls 50 and digs into the pile to move the manure along, while causing
mixing
thereof. The machine includes for example wheels 58 to move it along the walls
and a
turning device 60 that is moved with the wheels. Turning device 60 is
preferably sized
to extend down between the walls and nearly to the floor surface so that all
manure
between the walls is acted on by the turning device in one pass. The turning
device can
be, for example, a paddle wheel structure (Figure 6) or a conveyor belt
(Figure 5) or
chain drive structure that starts at the output end and digs into the manure
pile between
the walls, pushing it toward output end 54, as indicated by the arrows 61, and
mixing
the manure at the same time. This can be done, for example, once each day
during the
composting process.
Aeration is provided from beneath the manure pile. Air supply pipes 62 are
mounted on
or in floor 56 between the walls. Preferably the air supply pipes are arranged
in a
plurality of zones 64 so that relatively more air can be injected into the
pile adjacent the
input end than the output end. In one embodiment, air is introduced to the
pile through
pipes 62 for two to four minutes every two hours. Aeration ensures that the
composting
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bacteria continue to work in the pile. Composting occurs optimally when manure
temperature stays above 55°C. Thus, when the temperature drops it is
indicative that
the bacteria are not working effectively. Therefore, preferably, a temperature
probe 66
is installed in the structure to determine pile temperature. A thermostat 68
is in
communication with the probe to initiate operation of the aeration system, as
by opening
valves 69 or activating a fan 70, when the temperature of the pile falls below
a selected
temperature.
The air supply pipes are elongate with regularly spaced nozzles 72. Nozzles 72
can
inject air upwardly or downwardly depending on the floor surface construction.
I0 Air supply pipes 62 are positioned out of the way of the turning device,
below the
effective surface of floor 56. In one embodiment, pipes 62 are positioned in a
gravel-
filled pit 74 or gravel-filled channels below the effective floor surface
between the walls.
To avoid getting gravel 78 in the manure, and therefore in the final compost,
a layer of
cedar bark mulch 80 can be laid above gravel 78. This cedar bark or gravel
would be
IS scraped down to a level below the turning device and effectively become an
undisturbed
floor surface over time.
The pipes 62, gravel 78 and mulch 80 can be replaced by pipes 82 mounted in
cement
channels 84 in floor 56. Pipes 82 include upwardly directed nozzles 72. This
provides
a more supportive surface than the gravel and allows equipment to be moved
thereover
20 for cleaning, etc. Channels 84 can be filled with pea gravel 86 or other
coarse granular
material to prevent manure from being caught therein.
The ends 52, 54 are open and at floor level so that the manure can be loaded
into the
input area and removed from the output area by riding in with a tractor.
It will be apparent that many other changes may be made to the illustrative
25 embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention and it is
intended that all
such changes be covered by the claims appended hereto.
