APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FEEDING CHICKS DURING THE HATCHING PROCESS

• US 20090199780A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HatchTech Group B.V.
• Original Assignee: Milouot Corporation For The Development Of Haifa Bay Settlements Ltd.
• Inventors: Hendel, Eliezer
• Granted Patent: US 8,272,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/328
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 31/18 Chicken coops or houses for baby chicks; Brooders including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring, heating, ventilation battery breeding cages A01K31/005
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 41/00 Incubators for poultry

Abstract

A method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. Thanks to immediate post hatch nutrition, the development during the chicks first days is significantly improved, resulting in a significant improvement in their weight as well. Furthermore, the accessibility of feed for the chicks is enabled and improved immediately after their hatching thanks to suitable lighting and the use of feeding troughs with transparent walls.

Claims

1. A compartment within an incubator, enabling chicks to feed during hatching without reducing hatchability or livability, the compartment comprising:

(a) an incubator egg tray, having an egg tray bottom, and at least one egg tray wall; and

(b) at least one trough, having a trough bottom, and at least one transparent trough wall, disposed inside said incubator egg tray.

2. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 1, wherein said trough is a side trough, having a side trough back.

3. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 2, further comprising:

(c) a lighting source disposed above said egg tray bottom.

4. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said side troughs is disposed on said egg tray wall.

5. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 3, wherein said lighting source includes:

(i) a central UV source; and

(ii) a reflector disposed above said central UV source.

6. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 3, wherein said lighting source includes:

(i) at least two light emitting diodes dispersed within said compartment.

7. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 3, further comprising:

(d) phosphoric coatings disposed on said side trough back;

and wherein said lighting source is a weak light source.

8. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a lighting source disposed inside said egg tray bottom, wherein said lighting source emits substantially no heat that may heat eggs within said incubator egg tray prior to hatching.

9. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 3, wherein said trough is a main trough having a canal with a closed loop shape.

10. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 1, wherein said trough is an integral part of said incubator egg tray structure.

11. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 1, wherein said trough is not an integral part of said incubator egg tray structure.

12. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 9, further comprising:

(c) at least one secondary trough disposed inside said incubator egg tray, having a bottom, and at least one transparent wall.

13. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 9, wherein said lighting source includes:

(i) a central UV source; and

(ii) a reflector disposed above said central UV source.

14. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 9, wherein said lighting source includes:

(i) at least two light emitting diodes dispersed within said compartment.

15. The compartment within an incubator according to claim 9, further comprising:

(d) phosphoric coatings disposed on said side trough back;

and wherein said lighting source is a weak light source.

16. An incubator comprising:

(a) a compartment, enabling chicks to feed during hatching without reducing hatchability or livability, the compartment including;

(i) an incubator egg tray, having an egg tray bottom, and at least one egg tray wall; and

(ii) at least one trough, having a trough bottom, and at least one transparent trough wall, disposed inside said incubator egg tray; and

(iii) a lighting source disposed above said egg tray bottom; and

(b) an automated feeder, wherein said automated feeder enables automatic distribution of feed to said at least one trough.