Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS LIVESTOCK SUPPLY
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The disclosed technology relates generally to livestock supply systems
and methods and,
more particularly, to continuous livestock supply systems and methods.
BACKGROUND
[0002] For centuries, humans have been raising livestock for meat and other
animal products
such as eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. In more recent history, however,
raising and processing
livestock has become a more large-scale operation and often requires many
different entities to
produce a final animal product. For example, broilers (or chickens raised for
meat) are generally
raised in grow houses and freighted to a processing plant to produce chicken
meat. Broiler
production typically requires at least an integrator, a grower, and a
processor. The integrator
typically supplies the chicks, the feed, consulting during the growing
process, and transportation
of the broilers to the processing plant while growers rear the broilers and
the processor processes
the broiler to obtain usable meat and other byproducts.
[0003] Like much of livestock production, broiler production is currently done
in a batch-style
process where fully-grown broilers are brought to a processing plant in
batches. The broilers are
generally reared at a site remote from the processing plant and freighted to
the processing plant in
crates. The process of transporting the broilers from the grow houses to the
processing plant often
causes unnecessary distress, injury, and even premature death to the broilers
resulting in
maltreatment of the broilers and lost profits. Furthermore, transporting the
boilers to the processing
plant increases the risk of injury to workers assisting in the transportation
of the broilers to the
processing plant because the broilers must be manually placed in crates and
loaded on the truck
for transport.
[0004] Furthermore, one of the biggest challenges currently facing the
processing of livestock is
the variation in size of livestock of similar age. For example, although a
batch of broilers may be
of age to be processed, some of the broilers in the batch are likely not of
suitable size. This requires
workers to manually sort the broilers and remove undersized broilers from the
flock leading to
further inefficiency and potential injury to the broilers and/or the workers.
More commonly,
however, manual sorting of the broilers is impractical and therefore non-
premium cuts are
produced by the undersized broilers. Furthermore, the variation in broiler
size limits automation
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
of the evisceration process and often requires manual cutting of the broilers
which can be a tedious
and dangerous task for the workers.
[0005] Processing of livestock is further complicated by many processing
plants requiring the
livestock to stop feeding or drinking for a certain amount of time prior to
processing of the
livestock to ensure an effective evisceration process. This can be difficult
to manage when the
freighting time can vary greatly due to the inefficiencies associated with
sorting, collecting, and
transporting the livestock. Livestock processed too early results in a poor
evisceration process
while livestock processed too late experience greater stress and bring less
revenue due to
unnecessary weight loss.
[0006] What is needed, therefore, is a method and system of raising livestock
to continuously
supply the livestock to a processing plant without the inefficiencies
currently associated with
rearing, transporting, and processing livestock. These and other problems are
addressed by the
technology disclosed herein.
SUMMARY
[0007] The disclosed technology relates generally to livestock supply systems
and methods and,
more particularly, to continuous livestock supply systems and methods.
[0008] The disclosed technology can include a system for rearing livestock and
directing the
livestock toward a processing plant. The system can include an enclosure
configured to house a
plurality of livestock within the enclosure. The enclosure can include an
enclosure entrance, an
enclosure exit, and a first plurality of moveable walls configured to
partition the enclosure into
separate pens and automatically direct the plurality of livestock from the
enclosure entrance toward
the enclosure exit. The first plurality of moveable walls can be configured to
move at a
predetermined speed wherein the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as
offspring, are reared
in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the
passageway approximately
when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.
[0009] The system can include a passageway connected to the enclosure exit and
configured to
be connected to a processing plant entrance. The passageway can include a
second plurality of
moveable walls configured to automatically direct the plurality of livestock
from the enclosure
exit toward the processing plant entrance.
[0010] The enclosure can include a plurality of reception pens proximate the
enclosure entrance
and configured to receive the plurality of livestock from the enclosure
entrance.
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[0011] The first plurality of moveable walls and the second plurality of
moveable walls can each
be configured to be moved from an ending position to a starting position. The
first plurality of
moveable walls and the second plurality of moveable walls can each be
configured to be moved
from the ending position to the starting position without directing the
livestock from the ending
position to the starting position. The first plurality of moveable walls and
the second plurality of
moveable walls can be configured to be lifted above the livestock to be moved
from the ending
position to the starting position.
[0012] The first plurality of moveable walls can be attached to a drive
system. The drive system
can be configured to move the first plurality of moveable walls at the
predetermined speed.
[0013] The first plurality of moveable walls and the second plurality of
moveable walls can be
configured to transition between an extended position and a retracted
position. The first plurality
of moveable walls can be configured to extend to the extended position to
automatically direct the
plurality of livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit.
The first plurality of
moveable walls can be configured to retract to the retracted position to be
moved from an ending
position to a starting position.
[0014] The system can include a sizing wall configured to permit livestock of
a first size to pass
through an opening of the sizing wall and prevent livestock of a second size
to pass through the
opening of the sizing wall. The sizing wall can be configured to be adjusted
between a first position
and a second position to adjust the opening of the sizing wall.
[0015] The enclosure can include a sizing passageway and the sizing wall can
be configured to
permit the livestock of the first size to pass through the opening of the
sizing wall from the separate
pens into the sizing passageway and prevent the livestock of the second size
to pass through the
opening of the sizing wall from the separate pens into the sizing passageway.
The sizing wall can
be further configured to prevent the livestock of the first size from passing
from the sizing
passageway back to the separate pens.
[0016] The system can include at least a second enclosure and the passageway
can be configured
to be connected to the first enclosure and the second enclosure.
[0017] The disclosed technology can include a method of continuously supplying
livestock to a
processing plant. The method can include providing a first plurality of
livestock and a second
plurality of livestock. The method can include providing a first enclosure
configured to house the
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first plurality of livestock and a second enclosure configured to house the
second plurality of
livestock.
[0018] The method can include placing the first plurality of livestock in the
first enclosure and
placing the second plurality of livestock in the second enclosure. The first
enclosure can include a
first enclosure entrance and a first enclosure exit while the second enclosure
can include a second
enclosure entrance and a second enclosure exit.
[0019] The method can include directing the first plurality of livestock from
the first enclosure
entrance to the first enclosure exit and directing the second plurality of
livestock from the second
enclosure entrance to the second enclosure exit. The method can include
providing a passageway
connected to the first enclosure exit, the second enclosure exit, and a
processing plant entrance.
The passageway can be configured to receive the first plurality of livestock
from the first enclosure
exit and the second plurality of livestock from the second enclosure exit.
[0020] The method can include directing the first plurality of livestock from
the first enclosure
exit toward the processing plant entrance and directing the second plurality
of livestock from the
second enclosure exit toward the processing plant. The first plurality of
livestock can be placed in
the first enclosure as offspring, reared in the first enclosure, and directed
through the first enclosure
exit into the passageway approximately when the first plurality of livestock
has reached slaughter
weight. Similarly, the second plurality of livestock can be placed in the
second enclosure as
offspring, reared in the second enclosure, and directed through the second
enclosure exit into the
passageway approximately when the second plurality of livestock has reached
slaughter weight.
The second plurality of livestock can reach slaughter weight after the first
plurality of livestock.
[0021] The method can include a first moveable wall configured to
automatically direct the
plurality of livestock from the first enclosure entrance toward the first
enclosure exit, a second
moveable wall configured to automatically direct the second plurality of
livestock from the second
enclosure entrance toward the second enclosure exit, and a third moveable wall
configured to
automatically direct the first and second plurality of livestock from the
first and second enclosure
exit toward the processing plant.
[0022] The method can include providing a first drive system and a second
drive system and
connecting the first moveable wall to the first drive system and the second
moveable wall to the
second drive system. The first drive system can be configured to move the
first moveable wall at
a first predetermined speed such that the first plurality of livestock enter
the first enclosure as
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offspring, are reared in the first enclosure, and are directed through the
first enclosure exit into the
passageway approximately when the first plurality of livestock has reached
slaughter weight.
Similarly, the second drive system can be configured to move the second
moveable wall at a
second predetermined speed such that the second plurality of livestock enter
the second enclosure
as offspring, are reared in the second enclosure, and are directed through the
second enclosure exit
into the passageway approximately when the second plurality of livestock has
reached slaughter
weight.
[0023] The method can include providing a sizing wall. The sizing wall can be
configured to
permit livestock of a first size to pass through an opening of the sizing wall
and prevent livestock
of a second size to pass through the opening of the sizing wall. The sizing
wall can be configured
to be adjusted between a first position and a second position to adjust the
opening of the sizing
wall.
[0024] The method can include proving a sizing passageway. The sizing wall can
be configured
to permit the livestock of the first size to pass through the opening of the
sizing wall from the
separate pens into the sizing passageway and prevent the livestock of the
second size to pass
through the opening of the sizing wall from the separate pens into the sizing
passageway.
[0025] Additional features, functionalities, and applications of the disclosed
technology are
discussed herein in more detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a
part of this
specification, illustrate multiple examples of the presently disclosed subject
matter and serve to
explain the principles of the presently disclosed subject matter. The drawings
are not intended to
limit the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter in any manner.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a livestock supply system, in
accordance with the
disclosed technology.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a livestock enclosure and passageway
house, in
accordance with the disclosed technology.
[0029] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a moveable wall, in accordance with
the disclosed
technology.
[0030] FIG. 3B illustrates another side view of a moveable wall, in accordance
with the disclosed
technology.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
[0031] FIG. 4 is a top view of a sizing wall, in accordance with the disclosed
technology.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of continuously supplying livestock
to a processing
plant, in accordance with the disclosed technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present disclosure relates generally to livestock supply systems
and methods and,
more particularly, to continuous livestock supply systems and methods. The
disclosed technology,
for example, can include a system for rearing livestock and directing the
livestock toward a
processing plant. The system can include one or more enclosures that can house
the livestock while
the livestock are being reared. The enclosure can include moving walls that
can automatically
direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit and
eventually out the
enclosure exit. The moving walls can be configured to move at a slow speed
such that the livestock
are slowly directed from the entrance toward the exit while the livestock are
reared from offspring
to the age where the livestock would be about slaughter weight. As a specific
example, chicks
which have recently hatched can be directed by the moving walls from the
entrance toward the
exit during their lifetime such that the chicks reach the exit about the time
when they have grown
to broilers of slaughter weight. The disclosed technology can also include a
passageway connected
to the exits of the one or more enclosures and a processing plant. The
passageway can also include
moveable walls that can automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure
exit toward the
processing plant. By using the moving walls to direct the livestock toward the
processing plant,
the processing plant can be continuously supplied livestock for processing
while avoiding many
of the inefficiencies associated with freighting the livestock to the
processing plant previously
described. Furthermore, the disclosed technology can help reduce costs
associated with freighting
livestock offspring and feed to the grow houses. The disclosed technology can
include additional
functions and features which are herein described.
[0034] Although certain examples of the disclosed technology are explained in
detail, it is to be
understood that other examples, embodiments, and implementations of the
disclosed technology
are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the disclosed
technology is limited in its
scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth
in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed technology can be
implemented in a
variety of examples and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. In
particular, the presently
disclosed subject matter is described in the context of being a continuous
supply broiler house and
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
related methods and systems. The present disclosure, however, is not so
limited, and can be
applicable in other contexts. The present disclosure, for example and not
limitation, can be
applicable to the growing and processing of other livestock such as horses,
donkeys, cattle, bison,
camels, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, swine, chickens, turkeys, pheasants,
quail, Cornish game
hens, peafowl, ducks, geese, rabbits, mink, or any other type of animal raised
to produce animal
products. Such implementations and applications are contemplated within the
scope of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, when the present disclosure is described in the
context of being a
continuous supply broiler house, it will be understood that other
implementations can take the
place of those referred to.
[0035] It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the
appended claims, the
singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the
context clearly dictates
otherwise. References to a composition containing "a" constituent is intended
to include other
constituents in addition to the one named.
[0036] Also, in describing the examples, terminology will be resorted to for
the sake of clarity.
It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood
by those skilled in
the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar
manner to accomplish a
similar purpose.
[0037] Herein, the use of terms such as "having," "has," "including," or
"includes" are open-
ended and are intended to have the same meaning as terms such as "comprising"
or "comprises"
and not preclude the presence of other structure, material, or acts.
Similarly, though the use of
terms such as "can" or "may" are intended to be open-ended and to reflect that
structure, material,
or acts are not necessary, the failure to use such terms is not intended to
reflect that structure,
material, or acts are essential. To the extent that structure, material, or
acts are presently considered
to be essential, they are identified as such.
[0038] It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method
steps does not preclude
the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between
those steps expressly
identified. Moreover, although the term "step" can be used herein to connote
different aspects of
methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any
particular order among or
between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of
individual steps is
explicitly required. Further, the disclosed technology does not necessarily
require all steps
included in the example methods and processes described herein. That is, the
disclosed technology
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
includes methods that omit one or more steps expressly discussed with respect
to the examples
provided herein.
[0039] The components described hereinafter as making up various elements of
the disclosed
technology are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable
components that would
perform the same or similar functions as the components described herein are
intended to be
embraced within the scope of the disclosed technology. Such other components
not described
herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, similar components
that are developed after
development of the presently disclosed subject matter. Furthermore, unless
explicitly stated
otherwise, the various components of the described technology can be made from
any suitable
material including various metals, plastics, composite materials, wood, or any
combination
thereof. Similarly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the various components
of the described
technology can be made using any suitable manufacturing process.
[0040] As used herein, the term "livestock" refers to animals raised in an
agricultural setting to
produce commodities such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, wool, or other
animal products.
Furthermore, the term livestock is not limited to any particular type of
animal and can include
horses, donkeys, cattle, bison, camels, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, swine,
chickens, turkeys,
pheasants, quail, Cornish game hens, peafowl, ducks, geese, rabbits, mink, or
any other type of
animal raised to produce animal products. Accordingly, although the present
disclosure is
described in relation to supplying chickens (e.g., broilers) to a processing
plant, the disclosed
technology is not so limited and can include other livestock or animals
although not specifically
mentioned. In particular, the disclosed technology can relate or be applied to
all types of large-
scale livestock processing methods and systems.
[0041] Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like
elements, examples
of the present disclosure are herein described. FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view
of a livestock system
100 for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant 102. The
livestock system 100 can
include a passageway house 104, multiple livestock enclosures 106, and a feed
mill 108, in
accordance with the disclosed technology. Although depicted as having eight
livestock enclosures
106 and a single passageway house 104, the layout of the various buildings
and/or systems
described herein can be varied depending on the particular application. For
example, the disclosed
technology can include one, two, three, four, five, ten, twenty, thirty, fifty
or greater or fewer
livestock enclosures 106 as would be suitable for the particular application.
Similarly, the livestock
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
system 100 can include one, two, three, four, five or more passageway houses
104 as would be
suitable for the particular application. For example, the livestock system 100
can have thirty-six
livestock enclosures 106 configured to house broilers. The thirty-six
livestock enclosures 106 can
be split evenly with half connected to a passageway house 104 on one side of
the processing plant
102 and the other half connected to a passageway house 104 on the other side
of the processing
plant 102. Furthermore, the layout of the various buildings and/or systems
described herein can
facilitate a continuous supply of livestock delivered to the processing plant
102. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, by providing a system that is capable
of continuously
supplying the livestock to the processing plant 102, the disclosed technology
can, among other
benefits, result in a more efficient production process, a better product, and
a higher yield than
traditional systems for processing livestock.
[0042] The processing plant 102 can be any type of processing plant suitable
for the application.
For example, and not limitation, the processing plant 102 can be a meat
processing plant for
processing chicken, beef, pork, or other meats from various livestock. In
other examples, the
processing plant 102 can be a processing plant for processing fur, leather,
tallow, gelatin, or any
other suitable type of animal product. As will be appreciated by one of skill
in the art, the
processing plant 102 can be any type of processing plant capable of receiving
a continuous supply
of livestock. As described herein, the rate at which the livestock are
supplied to the processing
plant 102 can be varied depending on the application, including the type of
livestock and the
demand for the animal product. Thus, the processing plant 102 can be any size
and type of
processing plant for the particular application. Furthermore, although a
single processing plant 102
is depicted in FIG. 1, the livestock system 100 can include as many processing
plants 102 as would
be suitable for the particular application.
[0043] The passageway house 104 can be located between the processing plant
102 and the
livestock enclosures 106. The passageway house 104 can include a roof and
walls to shield the
livestock from adverse weather or other hazardous conditions or the passageway
house can simply
be a fence or walls intended to enclose the livestock. As will be described in
greater detail herein,
the passageway house 104 can be configured to help direct the livestock from
the livestock
enclosures 106 toward the processing plant. The passageway house 104 can be
sized to receive
livestock from each of the livestock enclosures 106. Furthermore, the
passageway house 104 can
be sized to facilitate a continuous supply of livestock being directed from
the livestock enclosures
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
106 toward the processing plant 102 to provide a continuous supply of
livestock to the processing
plant 102.
[0044] The livestock enclosures 106 can be any type of enclosure suitable for
the particular
application. As previously described, the number of livestock enclosures 106
can be varied
depending on the particular application. In particular, the number of
livestock enclosures 106 can
be varied depending on the requirements of the processing plant 102 and the
type of livestock
being processed. Furthermore, the configuration of the livestock enclosure 106
can be varied
depending on the type of livestock housed within the livestock enclosure 106.
For example, if the
livestock enclosure 106 is to house broilers, swine, turkeys, or other
livestock which are typically
housed inside of an enclosure, the livestock enclosure 106 can include a roof
and walls to shield
the livestock from adverse weather and other hazardous conditions. In other
examples, the
livestock enclosure 106 can be an outdoor fenced-in area for housing larger
animals such as cattle,
llamas, or horses. In some examples, the livestock enclosure 106 can be an
enclosure for housing
broilers and can be approximately 2,400 feet long and be 54 feet wide. In
other examples, the
livestock enclosure 106 can be larger or smaller depending on the number and
type of the particular
livestock.
[0045] Each livestock enclosure 106 can be configured to house a group of
livestock while the
livestock are reared from offspring to full slaughter weight. For example,
each livestock enclosure
106 can house a separate group of livestock with each group of livestock being
a different age. In
this way, livestock can be moved from each livestock enclosure 106 to the
processing plant 102
via the passageway 104 when the group of livestock in each livestock enclosure
106 have reached
slaughter weight. Slaughter weight can be a predetermined weight, size, or
other quality (e.g., fur,
wool, talon size, or other qualities of the livestock that are of desirable
quality for processing) or a
range of weights, sizes, or other qualities such that the livestock can be
deemed ready to be sent to
the processing plant. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, by
housing livestock of
different ages within each livestock enclosure 106, the processing plant 102
can be supplied with
a continuous supply of livestock because each group of livestock will reach
slaughter weight at
different times. The livestock system 100 can include a suitable amount of
livestock enclosures
106 to ensure the processing plant 102 is provided a continuous supply of
livestock. In this way
the disclosed technology can help to reduce the high costs and likelihood of
injury associated with
freighting livestock to the processing plant from growing houses that are
distant from the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
processing plant 102. The livestock can be moved from the livestock enclosures
106 through the
passageway 104 and to the processing plant 102 by being herded by workers or
by other systems
described more fully herein.
[0046] The livestock system 100 can include a feed mill 108. The feed mill 108
can be located
proximate the livestock enclosure 106 and be configured to store and provide
feed to the livestock.
As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, having a feed mill 108
located proximate the
livestock enclosure 106 can help to reduce the cost associated with shipping
feed to the livestock
enclosures 106.
[0047] To help increase the efficiency of the livestock system 100, the
livestock enclosures 106
can be configured to route the water used in the livestock enclosure 106
through the livestock
enclosure 106 to provide heating and cooling to the livestock enclosure 106.
For example, the
livestock enclosure 106 can include a heating/cooling coil 110 that can be
routed through the
livestock enclosure to providing heating to the livestock enclosure 106 during
cool days and
cooling to the livestock enclosure 106 during warm days. In this way, the
livestock system 100
can utilize the energy provided by the warmer water or cooler water to provide
heating and cooling
to the livestock enclosure 106. In some examples, the heating/cooling coil 110
can be installed in
a flooring of the enclosure 106, in the walls of the enclosure, proximate the
ceiling of the enclosure,
or otherwise configured to provide heating and cooling to the livestock. The
heating/cooling coil
110 can also be routed through the processing plant 102 and the passageway
house 104 to provide
heating and cooling to the processing plant 102 and the passageway house 104.
Although depicted
as only a single livestock enclosure 106 having the heating/cooling coil 110
for the sake of
simplicity, each livestock enclosure 106 can include a heating/cooling coil
110.
[0048] One of the under-utilized resources associated with processing
livestock is the waste that
is collected from the livestock's droppings or litter. The litter can be
collected and used to make
fertilizer or other products. To increase the effectiveness of the litter
collection, the livestock
system 100 can include an auger system 112 configured to collect and remove
the litter from the
livestock enclosure 106. For example, the flooring of the livestock enclosure
106 can be a mesh
or wire flooring that can allow the litter to fall through the flooring. The
litter can then be directed
toward the auger system 112 by water, a scraper system, a sliding flooring
system, a conveyor belt
system, or any other suitable means to direct the litter toward the auger
system 112. The auger
system 112 can then rotate and direct the litter out of the livestock
enclosure 106 to a collection
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
point 114. Depending on the particular application, the livestock enclosure
106 can include
multiple collection points 114, as depicted in FIG. 1, or the livestock
enclosure 106 can include a
single collection point 114. In this way, the litter can be efficiently
collected and performed in a
manner that reduces the disruption to the livestock within the livestock
enclosure 106. Although
depicted as only a single livestock enclosure 106 having the auger system 112
and the collection
points 114 for the sake of simplicity, each livestock enclosure 106 can
include the auger system
112 and the collection points 114.
[0049] Although described in relation to a livestock system 100 that is
connected to a processing
plant 102, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the
technology disclosed herein can
be applied to existing livestock enclosures 106. For example, the disclosed
technology described
herein (e.g., moveable walls 230, sizing walls 250, methods of directing the
animals toward the
enclosure exit 221, etc.) can be applied to existing broiler houses. In this
example, the disclosed
technology can be used to direct the broilers to cages located near the
enclosure exit 221 such that
the broilers do not need to be individually grabbed by a worker and placed in
a cage. By directing
the broilers to individual cages the disclosed technology, as applied to
existing broiler houses, can
make the process of rearing and gathering the broilers more efficient and
humane and can lead to
higher yield. Furthermore, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art,
the heating/cooling coils
110, auger system 112, and collection points 114 can each be applied to an
existing livestock
enclosure 106 to help increase the efficiency of the existing livestock
enclosure.
[0050] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of a livestock enclosure 106 and
passageway house 104, in
accordance with the disclosed technology. As depicted, and as will become
apparent herein, the
livestock enclosure 106 and the passageway house 104 can be configured to
automatically direct
the livestock from an entrance 220 of the livestock enclosure 106 toward a
processing plant 102
such that the livestock can be delivered to the livestock enclosure 106 as
offspring 290, reared
within the livestock enclosure 106, and be delivered to the processing plant
102 about the time the
livestock have reached the age where the livestock would be approximately at
slaughter weight
292.
[0051] The livestock enclosure 106 can include an enclosure entrance 220 and
an enclosure exit
221. The enclosure entrance 220 and the enclosure exit 221 can be any type of
entrance and exit
as would be suitable for the particular application. For example, the
enclosure entrance 220 and
the enclosure exit 221 can be a gate or door that can be opened and closed to
permit the livestock
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
to pass through the enclosure entrance 220 and the enclosure exit 221. In some
examples, the
enclosure entrance 220 and the enclosure exit 221 can be one-way doors
configured to allow the
livestock to pass through the door in one direction but prevent the livestock
from passing back
through the door in the other direction.
[0052] The livestock enclosure 106 can be partitioned into separate pens 222
by including
multiple moveable walls 230. The moveable walls 230, as will be described in
greater detail herein,
can be configured to create multiple separate pens 222 such that groupings of
livestock can be
grouped together during their lifetime. For example, the moveable walls 230
can partition the
livestock enclosure 106 into several separate pens 222 and each separate pen
222 can enclose a
group of livestock all being of similar age and size. The moveable walls 230,
for example, can
create separate pens 222 that can group broilers into similar age and size
depending on when the
broilers were delivered to the livestock enclosure 106. Furthermore, as will
be described in greater
detail herein, the moveable walls 230 can be configured to move at a
predetermined speed such
that the livestock within the individual pens 222 can be directed from the
enclosure entrance 220
to the enclosure exit 221 such that the livestock enter the enclosure entrance
220 as offspring 290
and exit the enclosure exit 221 at the age when the livestock are at
approximately slaughter weight
292 (or any other appropriate measure such as fur length, body size, horn
growth, etc.). Although
FIG. 2 depicts the livestock enclosure 106 having a certain number of separate
pens 222, the
livestock enclosure 106 can be configured to include as many separate pens 222
as required by the
particular application.
[0053] Similarly, the passageway house 104 can include moveable walls 230 to
help direct the
livestock from the livestock enclosure 106 toward the processing plant. The
moveable walls 230
in the passageway house 104, however, can be configured to move at a faster or
slower speed to
direct the livestock toward the processing plant 102 such that the livestock
reach the processing
plant 102 when the processing plant 102 is ready to receive the livestock. In
some examples, the
speed of the moveable wall 230 in the passageway house 104 can be varied
depending on the
demand of the processing plant 102.
[0054] To help facilitate receiving the livestock, the livestock enclosure 106
can include one or
more reception pens 223 that can receive the livestock and contain the
livestock until it is
determined that the livestock should be released into the separate pens 222.
For example, the
livestock enclosure 106 can include three separate reception pens 223
configured to receive broiler
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
chicks and the broiler chicks can remain in the reception pens 223 until
either the broiler chicks
have reached a certain age or until the moveable walls 230 are in a position
to receive the broiler
chicks. Furthermore, by including multiple reception pens 223 the time when
the livestock can be
released into the livestock enclosure 106 can be staggered as would be
appropriate for the given
application.
[0055] To further ensure that livestock of a suitable size are delivered to
the processing plant
102, the livestock enclosure 106 can include a sizing wall 250 configured to
allow livestock of a
first size to pass through the sizing wall 250 but prevent livestock of a
second size from passing
through the sizing wall 250. For example, and as will be described in greater
detail herein, the
sizing wall 250 can be sized to allow smaller livestock to pass through the
sizing wall 250 but
prevent larger livestock to pass through the sizing wall 250. In this way,
livestock which are
undersized and not ready to be sent to the processing plant 102 can be allowed
to self-sort such
that the undersized livestock are not sent to the processing plant 102 before
they are ready to be
processed. This can help to eliminate much of the inefficiencies associated
with sorting the
livestock prior to processing because the smaller livestock can sort
themselves out of the group of
larger livestock.
[0056] The sizing walls 250 can partition the separate pens 222 from a sizing
passageway 224.
The sizing passageway 224 can be configured to receive the smaller livestock
which have self-
sorted from the larger livestock. The sizing passageway 224 can be an area
where the smaller
livestock can be allowed additional time to grow to the appropriate age or
weight before being sent
to the processing plant 102. The sizing passageway 224 can include additional
moveable walls 230
that can divide the sizing passageway 224 into multiple pens such that
livestock of a similar size
can be kept together. The moveable walls 230 can continue to direct these self-
sorted livestock
toward the processing plant 102 so that the self-sorted livestock can be sent
to the processing plant
102 when they have reached suitable size. Although depicted as being near a
center of the livestock
enclosure 106, the sizing passageway 224 can be located near a side of the
livestock enclosure 106
depending on the particular application.
[0057] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a moveable wall 230, in accordance
with the disclosed
technology. As depicted in FIG. 3A, the moveable wall 230 can include a wall
portion 332, and an
extension portion 334. The wall portion 332 and the extension portion 334 can
be configured to be
a barrier between adjoining groupings of livestock such that the livestock can
be separated into
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
individual groups of similar age and size. In the example depicted in FIG. 3A,
the wall portion 332
can be attached to a drive system 336 such that the wall portion 332 can hang
from the drive system
336. The drive system 336 can be or include a system having a cable, a chain,
a rope, a cord, a
cable, a rail, a belt, a beam, or any other similar system configured to
support the wall portion 332
and facilitate movement of the wall portion 332. The extension portion 334 can
be connected to a
lower end of the wall portion 332 such that the extension portion 334 can
extend from the wall
portion 332 to contact a floor 306 of the livestock enclosure 106.
[0058] The moveable walls 230 can each be attached to their own drive systems
336 or the
moveable walls 230 can each be attached to a single drive system 336. The
example depicted in
FIG. 3A shows the moveable walls 230 each being attached to its own individual
drive system 336
such that each moveable wall 230 can move independently of the next adjacent
moveable wall
230. In this way, each moveable wall 230 can be independently controlled. In
examples where
each of the moveable walls 230 are attached to a single drive system 336, the
moveable walls 230
can be moved together at a single speed. To change a position or location of
the moveable walls
230, the moveable walls 230 can be detached from the drive system 336 such
that the moveable
walls 230 can be moved independently from the drive system 336.
[0059] To help facilitate moving the moveable walls 230, the drive system 336
can be in
mechanical communication with sprockets 338 which can be in mechanical
communication with
a drive motor 340. The drive motor 340 can be an electric motor that can be
controlled such that
the speed of the drive motor can be varied as desired. The drive motor 340,
for example, can be a
brushed motor, a brushless motor, a direct drive motor, a linear motor, a
servo motor, a stepper
motor, or any other electric motor that can be used to facilitate movement of
the moveable wall
230. Furthermore, depending on the particular application, the drive motor 340
can be powered by
alternating current or direct current. As previously described, the moveable
walls 230 can be
moved at a slow enough rate such that the livestock can enter the livestock
enclosure 106 as
offspring 290 and exit the livestock enclosure 106 at a suitable age and
weight (e.g., slaughter
weight 292).
[0060] Depending on the configuration, the sprockets 338 can be gears,
pulleys, wheels,
cylinders, or any other suitable connection point that can rotate the drive
system 336 to move the
moveable wall 230. Similarly, the drive system 336 can be a cable, a chain, a
rope, belt, cord, a
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
threaded rod, a gear system, or any other suitable type of system to
facilitate movement of the
moveable wall 230.
[0061] As depicted in FIG. 3A, the wall portion 332 and the extension portion
334 can extend
from the drive system 336 and can be configured to extend and abut an adjacent
wall portion 332
and extension portion 334. In this way, the wall portion 332 and the extension
portion 334 can be
configured to receive and direct the next group of livestock that was
previously directed by the
adjacent wall portion 332 and extension portion 334.
[0062] The extension portion 334 can be configured to extend from the wall
portion 332 when
the moveable wall 230 is in a starting position (as depicted in FIG. 3A) and
retract when the
moveable wall 230 is in an ending position (as depicted in FIG. 3B).
Furthermore, in the example
depicted in FIG. 3B, the wall portion 332 and the extension portion 334 can be
configured to rotate
upwards and be lifted above the livestock so that the moveable wall 230 can
return to the starting
position. In other examples, the extension portion 334 can be configured to
retract high enough
such that the wall portion 332 and the extension portion 334 are above the
livestock while the
moveable wall 230 is moved from the ending position to the starting position.
The moveable wall
230 can return to the starting position by the drive motor 340 being operated
in reverse to move
the drive system 336 backwards.
[0063] To help control the speed of the moveable walls 230, the drive motor
340 can be in
communication with a controller 370. For example, the controller 370 can be
configured to
determine when the moveable walls 230 should be moved or stopped and at what
speed the
moveable walls 230 should move. Furthermore, the controller 370 can be
configured to receive an
input from a user to cause the moveable walls 230 to change speed. For
example, a user can
determine that the moveable walls 230 should be sped up to increase the rate
at which the livestock
are supplied to the processing plant 102. As another example, a user can
determine that a particular
moveable wall 230 should be slowed down to allow a group of livestock a little
more time to grow
to reach suitable slaughter weight.
[0064] FIG. 3A includes a block diagram of the controller 370, in accordance
with the disclosed
technology. The controller 370 can have a memory 372, a processor 374, and a
communication
interface 376. The controller 370 can be a computing device configured to
receive data, determine
actions based on the received data, and output a control signal to the
electric motor 132. One of
skill in the art will appreciate that the controller 370 can be installed in
any location, provided the
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
controller 370 is in electrical communication with the electric motor 132.
Furthermore, the
controller 370 can be configured to send and receive wireless or wired signals
and the signals can
be analog or digital signals. The wireless signals can include BluetoothTM,
BLE, WiFiTM,
ZigBeeTM, infrared, microwave radio, or any other type of wireless
communication as may be
suitable for the particular application.
[0065] The controller 370 can include a memory 372 that can store a program
and/or instructions
associated with the functions and methods described herein and can include one
or more processors
374 configured to execute the program and/or instructions. The memory 372 can
include one or
more suitable types of memory (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory, random
access memory
(RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-
only
memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks,
removable cartridges,
flash memory, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID), and the like) for
storing files
including the operating system, application programs (including, for example,
a web browser
application, a widget or gadget engine, and or other applications, as
necessary), executable
instructions and data. One, some, or all of the processing techniques or
methods described herein
can be implemented as a combination of executable instructions and data within
the memory.
[0066] The controller 370 can also have a communication interface 376 for
sending and
receiving communication signals between the various components. Communication
interface 376
can include hardware, firmware, and/or software that allows the processor(s)
374 to communicate
with the other components via wired or wireless networks, whether local or
wide area, private or
public, as known in the art. Communication interface 376 can also provide
access to a cellular
network, the Internet, a local area network, or another wide-area network as
suitable for the
particular application. In this way, the livestock system 100, for example,
can communicate with
a server or other device to receive periodic updates to the controller 370.
For example, the livestock
system 100 can be configured to receive software updates from a server such
that the livestock
system 100 can be remotely updated.
[0067] Additionally, the controller 370 can have or be in communication with a
user interface
378 for displaying system information and receiving inputs from a user. The
user interface 378
can be installed locally on the livestock system 100 or be a remotely
controlled device such as a
mobile device. The user, for example, can view settings or other data of the
livestock system 100
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
on the user interface 378 and input data or commands to the controller 370 via
the user interface
378. For example, the user can view speed settings of the moveable walls 230
or size settings of
the sizing walls 250. For example, the user can input data to the controller
370 via the user interface
378 to change the speed of the moveable walls 230.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a top view of a sizing wall 250, in accordance with the
disclosed technology.
As previously described in relation to FIG. 2, one or more sizing walls 250
can be positioned near
the enclosure exit 221 to allow livestock that are undersized to pass into a
sizing passageway 224
to allow the undersized livestock additional time to grow. The sizing wall 250
can include retention
arms 452 that are supported by a support frame 454. The retention arms 452 can
be configured to
allow livestock to pass through the sizing wall 250 in one direction but
prevent the livestock from
passing back through the sizing wall 250 in the opposite direction. In some
examples where smaller
livestock (e.g., chickens, turkeys, rabbits, mink, etc.) are contained in the
livestock enclosure 106,
the retention arms 452 can be plastic or metal strips, bars, wire, or other
small pieces of material
that can be arranged to facilitate permitting the livestock to pass through
the sizing wall 250 one
direction but not another. In other examples where larger livestock are
contained in the livestock
enclosure 106 (e.g., cattle, swine, horses, etc.), the retention arms 252 can
be made from stronger
material such as larger metal or plastic rods, pipes, fences, or walls, or
other larger pieces of
material or assemblies of material that can be arranged to facilitate
permitting the livestock to pass
through the sizing wall 250 in one direction but not another. In some
examples, the retention arms
452 can be configured to pivot around a hinge and be spring-loaded to return
to a resting position
after livestock have passed through the sizing wall 250.
[0069] The sizing wall 250 can include adjustable support arms 456 that can
support the
retention arms 452 a help facilitate adjustment of a gap between the retention
arms 452. By
adjusting the gap between the retention arms 452, the sizing wall can be
configured such that a
user can adjust the position of the retention arms 452 to allow livestock of
varying size to pass
through the sizing wall 250. For example, a gap between the retention arms 452
can be adjusted
smaller if it is desirable for smaller livestock to pass through the sizing
wall 250 or adjusted larger
if it is desirable for larger livestock to pass through the sizing wall 250.
In this way, the sizing wall
250 can be adjusted for the particular application.
[0070] In some examples, the adjustable support arms 456 can include a sliding
attachment 458
that can slide along a portion of the support frame 454 and a threaded
attachment 460 that can be
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
attached to a threaded rod 462. The sliding attachment 458 and the threaded
attachment 460 can
be attached to the adjustable support arm 456 by attachment members 459. In
some examples, the
attachment members 459 can be an adjustable pin and bracket system that can
allow for easily
attaching the adjustable support arm 456 to the sliding attachment 458 and the
threaded attachment
460. In some examples, the attachment members can include a hitch pin and a
bracket with holes
sized to receive the hitch pin.
[0071] The threaded attachment 460 can be moved along the threaded rod 462 by
turning the
threaded rod 462. As depicted in FIG. 4, the sizing wall 250 can include more
than one set of
retention arms 452 and the several sets of retention arms 452 can all be
adjusted simultaneously
as the threaded attachments 460 slide along the threaded rod 462. In some
examples, the threaded
rod 462 can be turned by a handle 464 attached to the threaded rod 462 for
manual adjustment of
the gap between the retention arms 452. In other examples, the threaded rod
462 can be adjusted
by actuating an electric motor coupled to the threaded rod. As will be
appreciated by one of skill
in the art, the threaded attachment 460 and the threaded rod 462 are offered
for explanatory
purposes and other configurations can be used to adjust the gap between the
retention arms 452.
For example, and not limitation, the sizing wall 250 can include a gear
system, a pulley system, a
cable system, or other mechanical or electrical system configured to adjust a
gap between the
retention arms 452.
[0072] The sizing wall 250 can further include an adjustable barrier 466 that
can be configured
to guide livestock toward the retention arms 452 and stop livestock from
passing through the sizing
wall 250 at locations other than the retention arms 452. For example, as
depicted in FIG. 4, the
sizing wall 250 can include an adjustable barrier 466 positioned near a front
portion (the top of
FIG. 4) of the sizing wall 250 such that livestock are prevented from passing
around the retention
arms 452 and are caused to pass through the sizing wall 250 only through the
retention arms 452.
The adjustable barrier 466 can be configured to expand and contact as a
position of the retention
arms 452 is adjusted. In this way, the adjustable barrier 466 can continue to
prevent livestock from
passing through the sizing wall 250 at locations other than the retention arms
452 as the position
of the sizing wall 250 is adjusted.
[0073] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method 500 of continuously supplying
livestock to a processing
plant, in accordance with the disclosed technology. The method 500 can include
all of the elements
previously described herein in relation to FIGs. 1-4 and can be varied
accordingly. The method
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
500 can include providing livestock 502 and providing 504 an enclosure
configured to house the
livestock. The enclosure can be or include the enclosure 106 described herein.
As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, and as explained herein, the disclosed
technology can be
applicable to a variety of livestock and can therefore be adapted for the
particular livestock. As an
example, providing livestock 502 can include providing broiler chicks,
piglets, calves, or other
livestock offspring. As explained herein, the disclosed technology can be used
to direct the
livestock offspring from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit by
using automatically
moveable walls that are configured to move the livestock through the enclosure
while the livestock
are reared in the enclosure.
[0074] The method 500 can further include providing 506 automatically moveable
walls. The
automatically moveable walls can be or include the moveable walls 230
described herein.
Optionally, the method 500 can include placing 508 the livestock in a
reception pen of the
enclosure if the enclosure includes a reception pen. The reception pen can be
or include the
reception pen 223 described herein.
[0075] The method 500 can further include directing 510 the livestock from an
entrance of the
enclosure toward an exit of the enclosure at a predetermined speed with the
automatically
moveable walls. The predetermined speed at which the automatically moveable
walls can be
moved can be a speed that causes the livestock to be moved from the enclosure
entrance to the
enclosure exit such that the livestock enter the enclosure as offspring and
exit the enclosure about
the time the livestock have reached slaughter weight or otherwise reached an
appropriate age to be
processed. For example, the automatically moveable walls can be configured to
direct broiler
chicks from an enclosure entrance to an enclosure exit such that the broiler
chicks have been reared
in the enclosure to full slaughter weight about the time the broilers reach
the enclosure exit.
[0076] Optionally, the method 500 can include providing 512 a sizing wall and
providing 514 a
sizing passageway. As will be appreciated, the sizing wall can be or include
the sizing wall 250
described herein and the sizing passageway can be the sizing passageway 224
described herein.
The method 500 can also include directing 516 the livestock from the sizing
passageway toward
the enclosure exit with the automatically moveable walls.
[0077] In some examples, the method 500 can further include providing 518 a
passageway
connected to the enclosure exit and a processing plant. As will be
appreciated, the passageway can
be or include the passageway 104 described herein. The method 500 can include
directing 520 the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-19
livestock through the passageway from the enclosure exit toward the processing
plant with
automatically moveable walls.
[0078] As will be appreciated, the method 500 just described and other methods
described herein
can be varied in accordance with the various elements and examples described
herein. That is,
methods in accordance with the disclosed technology can include all or some of
the steps described
above and/or can include additional steps not expressly disclosed above.
Further, methods in
accordance with the disclosed technology can include some, but not all, of a
particular step
described above. Further still, various methods described herein can be
combined in full or in part.
That is, methods in accordance with the disclosed technology can include at
least some elements
or steps of a first method and at least some elements or steps of a second
method. Moreover, the
methods described herein, or portions thereof, can be embodied in computer
instructions (e.g., in
a non-transitory, computer readable medium).
[0079] While the present disclosure has been described in connection with a
plurality of
exemplary aspects, as illustrated in the various figures and discussed above,
it is understood that
other similar aspects can be used, or modifications and additions can be made
to the described
aspects for performing the same function of the present disclosure without
deviating therefrom.
For example, in various aspects of the disclosure, methods and compositions
were described
according to aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter. But other
equivalent methods or
composition to these described aspects are also contemplated by the teachings
herein. Therefore,
the present disclosure should not be limited to any single aspect, but rather
construed in breadth
and scope in accordance with the appended claims.
21
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