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.

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
       [0001]    This nonprovisional U.S. patent application claims the benefit of and priority to and is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser No. 12/281,989 filed by Applicant on 7 Sep. 2008 which is presently pending. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. According to the prior art, most chicks which hatch from eggs in an incubator are prevented from immediately reaching their feed because of the structure of the incubator which prevents movement of the chicks and, because the incubator is dark. The incubator is darkened because lighting with standard lighting means could heat the eggs that have yet to hatch and cause them to hatch prematurely. According to the prior art, there is no feed or light at all in incubators, and chicks gain access to feed only when moved to farms. 
         [0003]    Immediate post hatch nutrition improves development during the chicks first days as well as through marketing in part by increasing breast muscle. The major source of energy in the developing embryo is the yolk. Yolk is utilized in two pathways. During the earlier stages of embryonic development, yolk transport is via endocytosis directly into the circulation. Close to hatching, yolk is internalized into the abdominal cavity and is secreted through the yolk stalk into the small intestine. These two processes function close to and after hatch. Yolk that is transported through the yolk stalk enters the distal portion of the small intestine and is then pushed by anti-peristaltic movements up towards the proximal section of the Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT) reaching the stomach where digestion begins. Yolk that goes directly into the distal portion of the small intestine is not hydrolyzed and is excreted. During this time the chick must transfer from yolk dependence to utilization of exogenous feed. Intake of nutrients immediately post hatch stimulates transport of yolk through the yolk stalk into the intestine and intestinal growth. According to commercial practice chicks are fed only after 48-72 hours post hatch. Yolk, therefore, provides energy for the developing embryo/chick, small intestinal growth, and if feed is introduced close to hatch then it stimulates yolk transport to the GIT and its utilization. During the initial post hatch period there is preferential growth of the small intestine as compared to other internal organs especially in chicks with immediate access to feed and water. Studies indicated that early availability of feed results in more rapid intestinal development in the immediate post hatch period. The growth advantage in early fed birds after yolk assimilation is maintained through market age. 
         [0004]    In commercial practice eggs within a single tray will hatch over a 24-36 hour window during which time the birds which have piped are without feed. Incubatory treatments and transport to the farm involve a further holding period. Thus, birds are held for 48-72 hours before initial access to feed and water. During this time chicks decrease in weight at an approximate rate of 4 grams per 24 hours due in part to moisture loss as well as yolk utilization. The process of incubation is 21 days, and at present broiler grow-out period is approximately 42-43 days, therefore each day of development plays a major role in final performance outcome. Providing feed within the incubator stimulates gastrointestinal development thus improving digestion and absorption of nutrients and decreasing the acclimation period from yolk dependence to exogenous feed. Caloric nutrients produce a considerable increase in body weight (BW) which was maximal between 4-8 days and then decreased. At marketing, birds with early access to nutrients were 5-8% heavier then held birds. Percentage of breast muscle was increased by 7-9% in fed birds. 
         [0005]    Chicks receiving immediate access to feed post hatch are not held for a prolonged period of time and thus have a welfare advantage to the majority of poultry which wait for up to 48 hours prior to initial feeding. 
         [0006]    There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, apparatus and method for feeding chicks of various poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks, during the hatching process, without changing their hatching times. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to the present invention, a method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability, is provided. A preliminary trial using a small scale feeding and lighting compartment resulted in improvement of body weight immediately post-hatch and through marketing. 
         [0008]    According to the present invention there is provided a compartment within an incubator, enabling chicks to feed during hatching without reducing hatchability or livability, the compartment including: (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 the incubator egg tray. 
         [0009]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator the trough is a side trough, having a side trough back. 
         [0010]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the compartment within the incubator, further including: (c) a lighting source disposed above the egg tray bottom. 
         [0011]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, at least one of the side troughs is disposed on the egg tray wall. 
         [0012]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the lighting source includes: (i) a central UV source; and (ii) a reflector disposed above the central UV source. 
         [0013]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the lighting source includes: (i) at least two light emitting diodes dispersed within the compartment. 
         [0014]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the compartment within the incubator further includes: (d) phosphoric coatings disposed on the side trough back; and wherein the lighting source is a weak light source. 
         [0015]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the compartment within the incubator further including: (c) a lighting source disposed inside said egg tray bottom, wherein the lighting source emits substantially no heat that may heat eggs within the incubator egg tray prior to hatching. 
         [0016]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the trough is a main trough having a canal with a closed loop shape. 
         [0017]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the trough is an integral part of the incubator egg tray structure. 
         [0018]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the trough is not an integral part of the incubator egg tray structure. 
         [0019]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the compartment within the incubator further includes: (c) at least one secondary trough disposed inside the incubator egg tray, having a bottom, and at least one transparent wall. 
         [0020]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the lighting source includes: (i) a central UV source; and (ii) a reflector disposed above the central UV source. 
         [0021]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments of the compartment within the incubator, the lighting source includes: (i) at least two light emitting diodes dispersed within the compartment. 
         [0022]    According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the compartment within the incubator further includes: (d) phosphoric coatings disposed on the side trough back; and wherein the lighting source is a weak light source. 
         [0023]    According to the present invention there is provided an incubator including: (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 the incubator egg tray; and (iii) a lighting source disposed above the egg tray bottom; and (b) an automated feeder, wherein the automated feeder enables automatic distribution of feed to the at least one trough. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a side trough. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray including side troughs and a UV source, according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray, including two side troughs and LED light sources, according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray, including two side troughs, a weak light source disposed within the incubator, and phosphoric coatings, according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an egg tray, a main trough, and a secondary trough, disposed side by side. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an egg tray, a main trough, and two secondary troughs, disposed side by side and which are removable, according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a top view of an egg tray, a main trough, and two secondary troughs, disposed one within the other, according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a lateral cross section of an egg tray equipped with an integral main trough, according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a lateral cross section of an egg tray, a removable main trough, and two removable secondary troughs, according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a lateral cross section of a secondary trough containing feed, according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of a side view of an automated feeder and a side trough, according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a lateral cross section in the automated feeder, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0037]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0038]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawing in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Throughout the drawing, like-referenced characters are used to designate like elements. 
         [0039]    The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:
     100  side trough (a feeder)     101  main trough     102  secondary trough     200  incubator egg tray (a hatching tray)     300  compartment within an incubator     400  automated feeder     11  transparent trough wall     12  back of the trough     13  LEDs     14  UV source     15  reflector     16  a weak light source     17  phosphoric coatings     19  feeding canal     20  feed     21  bottom of egg tray     22  egg tray wall     30  feed storage container     31  feed portion dispenser     32  funnel     33   a  first sensor     33   b  second sensor     33   c  third sensor   
 
         [0063]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a side trough  100 , serving as a feeder, according to the present invention. The illustration shows a long shallow rectangle receptacle, transparent trough wall  11 , capable of containing feed which is fitted along the sides of the egg trays within the incubator (not shown in the illustration), and the back of the trough  12 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray  200 , according to the present invention, to the sides of which two side troughs  100  are attached. 
         [0065]    According to the present invention, one side trough  100  or more, for example four, can be disposed within the incubator egg tray  200 , attached to its sides or in any other suitable place. 
         [0066]    Trough walls  11  can be built as separate troughs, for example along the sides of egg tray  200 , as illustrated in the figure, or can be built as an integral part of egg tray  200 . 
         [0067]    An incubator can contain one egg tray  200 , or a larger amount, for example several groups of egg trays  200  disposed one next to the other, with each group including several egg trays, for example fifteen, disposed one above the other. 
         [0068]    A central UV source  14  and reflector  15  are disposed in a suitable place in the incubator according to the present invention, in order to supply light to hatching chicks without heating eggs prior to hatch. 
         [0069]    Egg tray  200 , side troughs  100 , central UV source  14  and reflector  15  are part of a compartment within incubator  300 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray  200 , according to the present invention. This illustration demonstrates light sources, including LEDs  13  which, can be dispersed within the incubator, in order to provide light to hatching chicks without heating eggs prior to hatch. 
         [0071]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an incubator egg tray  200 , according to the present invention. This illustration shows a weak light source  16  disposed within the incubator and phosphoric coatings  17  on the back of the trough  12 , whose addition provides light to hatching chicks without heating eggs prior to hatch. 
         [0072]    As used herein the specifications and claims, the term weak light refers to light that is strong enough for chicks to be able to find the feed, however not strong enough to agitate them. 
         [0073]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an egg tray  200 , a main trough  101 , and a secondary trough  102 , disposed side by side. Main trough  101  and a secondary trough  102 , as shown in the illustration, are separate units which can be disposed within egg tray  200 , and be removed for the purpose of cleaning between incubations, to maintain hygiene of egg tray  200  or for any other purpose. The shape of main trough  101  can be as shown in the illustration, namely a long canal in the form of four sides of a rectangle, or any other suitable shape. The shape of secondary trough  102  can be as shown in the illustration, namely a linear canal, or any other suitable shape. For lighting purposes, the walls of the main trough  101  and the secondary trough  102  can be transparent to a sufficient extent for the wavelengths used for lighting. The structure materials can be plastic, composite, or other suitable materials. 
         [0074]    Note the difference in that main trough  101  has a one piece structure, surrounding four sides of hatching egg tray  200 , or at a certain distance from them instead of individual pieces, such as two, or four or other number of side troughs  100 , placed in egg tray  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of an egg tray  200 , a main trough  101 , and two secondary trough  102 , which are disposed one inside the other and are removable, according to the present invention. The location and quantity of main troughs  101 , and secondary troughs  102  can vary and is chosen and determined by need and according to requirements such as space conservation for the purpose of clearing space for the chicks, or alternatively better access to feed for the chicks. An example of a selected configuration is the location of one rectangular main trough  101  within egg tray  200  with smaller dimensions than those of egg tray  200  and at a considerable distance from the walls of egg tray  200  such that the chicks have access to its canals from all sides. Furthermore, several secondary troughs  102  are disposed within the internal rectangle formed by the canals of the egg tray  200 . These secondary troughs  102  have small geometrical dimensions from a top view relative to egg tray  200 , and enable improved access to feed for the chicks. Note that the quantity of secondary troughs  102  can also be selected by need, and can be none, one, or more. 
         [0076]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a top view of an egg tray  200 , a main trough  101 , and two secondary troughs  102 , disposed one within the other, according to the present invention. The illustration shows a lateral section line marked a-a. 
         [0077]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of a lateral section a-a of an egg tray  200 , equipped with an integral main trough  101 , according to the present invention. In this case, main trough  101  is built directly into egg tray  200  as one continuous piece. Egg tray  200  has a bottom  21  with a geometrical shape which can, for example, be rectangular, or with a curved external contour line, and walls  22 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of lateral section a-a of an egg tray  200 , a removable main trough  101 , and two removable secondary troughs  102 , according to the present invention. 
         [0079]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of an isometric view of lateral section a-a of secondary trough  102  containing feed  20 , according to the present invention. This illustration shows one possible typical structure of secondary trough  102  which is also suited to the structure of main trough  101  and including transparent trough walls  11 , and the bottom of the trough  18 , which form feeding canal  19  in which feed  20  can be placed. 
         [0080]    The lighting solutions described above can be adapted to every possible configuration including the above combinations of each egg tray and each trough, as well as others described in this patent application and all others in the gist of the present invention. 
         [0081]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of a side view of an automated feeder  400 , and a side trough  100 , according to the present invention. According to the present invention, feed can be distributed automatically to troughs in order to make feeding more convenient and less timely in comparison with manual feeding. 
         [0082]    Automated feeder  400  can also include feed storage container  30  in its upper part, funnel  32  in its lower part, and feed portion dispenser  31  in between. Furthermore, the illustration also shows three sensors, first sensor  33   a,  disposed at a suitable level on the wall of the feed storage container  30  for controlling the quantity of feed in the container, second sensor  33   b  for controlling the quantity of feed filled into each trough, and a third sensor  33   c  disposed on one of the walls of side trough  100  for controlling the quantity of feed in the side trough  100  and controlling the position of funnel  32  above it. 
         [0083]    In an incubator which contains more than one level of compartments, the compartments, including the egg trays and the troughs, can be pulled out like a shelf and disposed beneath funnel  32  for filling the troughs with feed. 
         [0084]    The automated feeder can also include an electrical power source, electrical motors, and a control system, not shown in the illustration. 
         [0085]    The illustration shows a lateral section line marked b-b. 
         [0086]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a lateral cross section b-b in the funnel  32 , of the automated feeder, according to the present invention. This section describes one of many possible embodiments, suitable in the specific case shown for filling feed into four side troughs  100 , enabling filling each of the four troughs simultaneously or separately. Funnel  32  can be used in a similar manner with different section shapes, suitable for the position, shape, and dimensions of the relevant troughs. 
         [0087]    Trials were performed to test the efficiency of using side trough  100  according to the present invention using an external light source. Specialized trays were installed into the incubator on day  18  of incubation. This enabled early hatching chicks&#39; immediate access to feed. 
         [0088]    The trial consisted of 4 treatments, which included fed and held birds as well as males and females. Prior to placement in experimental facility birds were individually weighed. Table I indicates body weight during trial. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of early feeding on weight from hatch through 36 days 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Sex 
                 Treatment 
                 Hatch wt 
                 10 d 
                 14 d 
                 21 d 
                 28 d 
                 36 d 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Female 
                 Control 
                 42.7 
                 289.4 
                 474.5 
                 807.5 
                 1278.9 
                 1927.9 
               
               
                 Female 
                 Feed 
                 43.1 
                 284.0 
                 477.2 
                 820.5 
                 1294.7 
                 1980.6 
               
               
                 Male 
                 Control 
                 41.1 
                 276.9 
                 485.6 
                 866.7 
                 1386.0 
                 2261.6 
               
               
                 Male 
                 Feed 
                 42.4 
                 291.1 
                 506.6 
                 894.1 
                 1474.1 
                 2418.8 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0089]    Results of this trial indicate a significant improved male body weight at 36 days in fed birds (6%) as compared to held birds. Females receiving immediate post hatch feed improved body weight at 36 days by 2.8% as compared to control. 
         [0090]    Early feed has been shown in studies to improve immediate as well as further chick/broiler development. These broilers achieved improved body weight and carcass development at marketing improvements such as these increase industry profitability substantially. 
         [0091]    An additional trial examined the efficacy of using 4 sided feeder trough with external light sources. Similar to trial 1 specialized trays were installed into the incubator on day 18 of incubation. This enabled early hatching chicks&#39; immediate access to feed. 
         [0092]    The trial consisted of 5 treatments, which included fed and held male birds with different external light sources. Prior to placement in experimental facility birds were individually weighed. Table 1 indicates body weight during trial. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Effect of early feeding on weight from hatch through 37 days 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Age [Days] 
               
               
                   
                 Hatched 
                 Hatch 
                 Weight [Grams] 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Treatment 
                 [%] 
                 wt. [Gr.] 
                 4 
                 9 
                 23 
                 30 
                 37 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Negative Control 
                 94.8 
                 38.4(a) 
                 73.2(c) 
                 181.7(bc) 
                 902.5(b) 
                 1355.3(bc) 
                 1783.4(c) 
               
               
                 (no light) 
               
               
                 (no feed) 
               
               
                 Positive Control 
                 95.5 
                 37.6(b) 
                 76.4(bc) 
                 183.9(b) 
                 931.7(b) 
                 1396.7(b) 
                 1887.5(ab) 
               
               
                 (no light) 
               
               
                 (feed only) 
               
               
                 White 
                 94.7 
                 38.3(a) 
                 86.3(a) 
                 216.6(a) 
                 992.9(a) 
                 1463.8(a) 
                 1903.0(a) 
               
               
                 (light source) 
               
               
                 (feed) 
               
               
                 UV 
                 95.5 
                 37.3(b) 
                 70.7(c) 
                 181.1(c) 
                 900.7(bc) 
                 1373.4(bc) 
                 1817.5(bc) 
               
               
                 (light source) 
               
               
                 (feed) 
               
               
                 Green 
                 94.3 
                 73.3(b) 
                 76.6(b) 
                 191.4(b) 
                 887.8(c) 
                 1339.1(c) 
                 1759.2(c) 
               
               
                 (light source) 
               
               
                 (feed) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0093]    Data were analyzed using general linear model of JMP 5.01 (SAS Institute, Inc). Treatment means were compared by Tukey test, and significance was based on 0.05 probability level. Means in column with no letters in common differ (P&lt;0.05). 
         [0094]    Means in the table&#39;s columns with different letters in parentheses differ statistically, i.e. those results with (a) within the same column are statistically different from those results with (ab) or (b) or (be) or (c). In this case. (a) gave the best results while (c) showed significantly poorer performance. 
         [0095]    Results of this trial indicate a significant improved body weight at 37 days in fed only birds (5.8%) as compared to negative control birds. Broilers receiving immediate post hatch feed with an external white light source had an improved body weight at 37 days by 6.7% as compared to negative control. 
         [0096]    Our trials demonstrated that using this specialized feeding and lighting trays within the incubator, according to the present invention, provides easy feed access to hatched chicks, while not decreasing hatchability and livability. Immediate feed stimulates intestinal development and improves initial body weight which persists through to marketing. 
         [0097]    A suitable light source according to the present invention would be any external non-heating light in a light spectrum that is visible to chicks. 
         [0098]    The light source can be placed in several locations within the incubator, such as on the trough, on the incubator carriage, or somewhere within the incubator as long as the light attracts the chicks&#39; attention. 
         [0099]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.