Patent Description:
The poultry mite (Dermanyssus gallinae, also called the red mite) is the most significant pest in the poultry industry. This pest causes considerable damage in poultry farming and affects the health and well-being of people and animals. In professional poultry farming in the Netherlands, the damage is valued at around €<NUM> million per year due to production losses and countermeasure costs. To safeguard the production and the well-being and health of poultry, it is important to combat and to control poultry mite.

The use of pesticides is of only limited effectiveness in practice, since the mites spend most of the day in holes and cracks, and the likelihood of effective contact with the pesticide is therefore low. Furthermore, the mite quickly develops resistance to pesticides, and the use of relatively strong pesticides is a threat to public health and thus undesirable.

For this reason, practical methods are sought in the industry that make it possible physically to repel or to eliminate poultry mite from locations where poultry spend the most time in a poultry shed, such as the perches for poultry. On perches, the risk of poultry mite visiting the poultry is relatively high: for most of the day the poultry mite hide in dark corners and gaps in the perches or the supporting structures thereof, while often at night, when the poultry are roosting on the perch and it is dark, the poultry mite move onto the poultry and feed parasitically on the poultry's blood.

Examples of perches according to the prior art described in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> relates to a poultry perch comprising a cylindrical open ended body, wherein the perch is provided with longitudinal openings which facilitate the entrance of insects. <CIT> relates to a method for controlling the red bird mites in birds, by providing a seat element for the birds which contains cavities with openings to the outside configured such that the red bird mites can pass to the bird via the seat member, in which the red bird mites located in the cavities are killed in a suitable manner. <CIT> relates to a perch for trapping of parasite in a chamber, wherein the perch has one part provided with a trapping chamber and holes therefrom to the exterior and the other part is provided with an undercut projection engaging a corresponding groove or a portion of the chamber in the first part.

Physically removing poultry mite from a poultry shed daily at an effective time is therefore in principle of interest as a method for further limiting the risk to the poultry. In practice, there is a need in this context for a practical, workable method that is economically attractive for implementation in a poultry shed which houses a great many metres of perches.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop an economically attractive and effective method for ridding poultry of poultry mite. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a perch that is specifically designed to allow the method to be applied, wherein the perch preferably forms part of a sanitization system for carrying out this method. It is additionally important for the sanitization method according to the invention to trouble or to disturb the poultry as little as possible.

Although the measures according to the invention are primarily designed for combating poultry mite, it is also possible for these measures to be used against other parasites, preferably against parasites that exhibit similar behaviour.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by providing a perch for poultry to be placed in a room for accommodating poultry, according to appended claim <NUM>. The perch according to the invention comprises at least one elongated tube with an inner chamber allowing flow-through, which tube is provided with a series of access channels that run between the outside of the tube and the inner chamber of the tube. The tube's inner chamber allowing flow-through may be connected to the intake connection of an air pump.

To keep the perches managable during installation and to prevent sagging, the perch comprises at least two tubes that are positioned in line with one another, the inner chambers of which are connected to one another by a joining piece that extends on the outside of the tubes and joins both tubes together with a substantially airtight seal, which substantially airtight seal is formed by the joining piece having opposite end segments which fit onto the ends of the two tubes in a clamping manner.

The substantially airtight seal makes it possible to remove the poultry mites from the interior of the tube by means of air movement.

This measure provides the poultry mite with the opportunity to hide during the day in small chambers, such as the interior of the tube. It is then straightforward to remove the populations of poultry mite or other parasites from the interior of the tube.

Preferably, the access channels have a smallest cross section of between <NUM> and <NUM><NUM> and the access channels are arranged in the tube according to a regular pattern. Most preferably, the access channels are round and have a diameter of <NUM>. In this way, the poultry mite are given a sufficient degree of access to the interior of the tube, thus preventing the poultry mite from hiding elsewhere in the room in which the poultry are accommodated. The number of access channels per length of tube is chosen according to the specific situation.

Preferably, the wall thickness of the tube is between <NUM> and <NUM>, and is most preferably <NUM>. In this way, the tube is sturdy enough for catchers to stand on during catching of the poultry and the access channel is long enough for the interior of the tube to provide the poultry mite with sufficient shelter. These dimensions assume a steel embodiment of the tube. It is however highly conceivable for the tube to be made of plastic, in which case a greater wall thickness is necessary, possibly even up to <NUM>.

The access channels may be arranged at the same distance from one another, but it is advantageous for the access channels to be positioned in proximity to the mounting points of the perches. When, in the dawn twilight, the poultry mites seek a place to hide, they will move to the mounting points and pass the access channels.

To clarify, it should be noted that the access channel is aimed at luring in poultry mite or another parasite, since poultry mite naturally seek out a dark hiding place, such as the interior of the perch. Indeed, there is no more attractive hiding place for the poultry mite on the perch than the inner chamber of the tube openings in the tube accessed through the access channels. To increase the attractiveness for the poultry mite, pheromones may be applied in the hiding place. Once the mite is in its hiding place, the inner chamber of the perch can be sucked clear by a sanitation system discussed below and the poultry mite thereby removed.

It is also advantageous for the tube to be provided with sloping surfaces that face outwards in the downwards direction and for the access channels to be configured as openings arranged in the narrow, sloping surfaces of the tube. In this way, the blocking of the access channels by the poultry's droppings is prevented. Additionally and preferably, the tube has a cross section in the shape of an isosceles triangle with rounded corners, the tube is positioned with the widest side facing upwards and the access channels are configured as openings arranged in the narrow, sloping surfaces of the tube. The width of the tube provides the poultry with sufficient comfort for their feet when perching and the sloping sides remain mostly in the shade, so that the interior of the tube is dark. However, the tube may take another shape, such as a round, elliptical or mushroom shape.

To remove the poultry mites, it is advantageous for a first end of the perch to comprise a connecting piece that is configured for connection to a suction air pump. By switching on the air pump, an airflow that carries the poultry mites along with it can be created in the interior of the tube.

To obtain a high airspeed in the tube, which is desirable for carrying the poultry mite away, the tubes are preferably connected to the air pump in succession. According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece is therefore provided with a controllable valve.

The invention also relates to a sanitization system according to claim <NUM> for a poultry accommodation, comprising at least one perch of the abovementioned type, wherein the connecting piece of each perch is connected to a central discharge line and wherein the central discharge line is connected downstream to a pump that is configured to create a reduced pressure in the discharge line. As a result, an airflow is created that carries the poultry mites along with it from the inside of the perch to a treatment room via the central discharge line.

As an alternative to the local valves that are each connected to a perch as described above, it is also possible for the intake side of the air pump to be connected to a common outlet connection of a controllable multiway valve and for the inlet connections of the multiway valve each to be connected to a perch. This embodiment affords the possibility of the valve being sited in a central location.

A special measure proposes a sanitization system of the type described above, wherein a main valve is provided on the central discharge line, upstream from the treatment chamber, and wherein an overpressure line is connected to the central discharge line via a return valve so as to create an increased pressure in the perch.

For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, in the context of the invention, the terms "downstream" and "upstream" refer to the direction of the extracting airflow that flows from the perch to the treatment chamber, and ultimately the pump, via the central discharge line.

The invention also relates to a method according to claim <NUM> for sanitizing an accommodation for poultry that is provided with a sanitization system of the abovementioned type, wherein a reduced pressure is created in the interior of the perch by the pump and the poultry mite present in the interior of the perch is carried along thereby.

A preferred embodiment proposes a method wherein the end of the perch opposite the connected end is provided with a controllable shut-off valve, and pumping is initially effected with the shut-off valve closed and the shut-off valve is subsequently opened.

In this way, the population of poultry mite that is present in the joining piece and around the access channel is first sucked further into the inner chamber of the perch, wherein a relatively low extraction speed prevails in the inner chamber of the perch itself and the poultry mite remains in the tube. Next, after the end valve has been opened, a higher extraction speed is created in the inner chamber of the perch, by means of which all poultry mite present are sucked away to the treatment chamber via the central discharge line.

The invention will the explained in greater detail below by means of a specific embodiment of the invention as is illustrated in the appended figures, which show:.

<FIG> shows seven perches <NUM> arranged in parallel that are supported as a group by a number of transverse profiles <NUM>. The perch is of modular construction, constructed from a series of consecutive tubes, and typically has a total length of <NUM> metres. The assembly <NUM> forms for example an uppermost storey in a conventional aviary system or colony system in a poultry shed. A first end of the perches is connected to a central discharge line <NUM> that leads to a main valve <NUM>. After this main valve <NUM>, the line <NUM> continues on to a treatment device (not shown) for treating poultry mite and an air pump. Each first end of a perch is additionally provided with a remote-controlled valve <NUM>. The second ends of the perches <NUM> connect to an end line <NUM> with an end valve <NUM>. Incidentally, it is possible for the main valve <NUM> to be omitted.

<FIG> shows a detail of the structure of a perch <NUM> from <FIG>, namely the connection of two consecutive ends of adjacent tubes <NUM> and <NUM> by means of a tubular joining piece <NUM>, which is shown as being see-through for the sake of clarity of the drawing but which in reality is not transparent. The tubular joining piece <NUM> comprises opposite end segments <NUM> which fit onto the ends of the adjacent tubes <NUM> and <NUM> in a clamping manner, forming a substantially airtight seal. The joining piece comprises a middle segment <NUM> between the end segments <NUM> which determines a distance between the reciprocal ends of the adjacent tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, for which the inside of the middle segment <NUM> is provided with a stop profile. The edges <NUM> of the joining piece have a tapering profile, which narrows in the direction of a relatively small entrance <NUM> into the access channel. The access channel runs from the entrance <NUM> into the inner chamber <NUM> of the joining piece, which is in open communication with the inner chamber <NUM> of the tubes <NUM> and <NUM>. The two entrances <NUM> into the access channel shown on the top side are bounded by a sleeve <NUM>. The joining piece <NUM> is thus provided with entrances <NUM> into an access channel on multiple sides. Poultry mite present on the perch will, in the situation shown, be tempted to make use of the entrances <NUM> into the access channel in order to hide in the dark interior of the perch <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a longitudinal section through the joining piece shown in <FIG>, wherein identical components are denoted by the same reference numbers. The inner wall <NUM> of the joining part <NUM> is made thicker in the middle segment <NUM> so as to form a stop body <NUM>, against which the reciprocal ends (not shown) of the adjacent tubes butt. The length of the stop body <NUM> thus determines the distance between the two reciprocal ends of the adjacent tubes which are connected by the joining part.

An elongated groove <NUM> is present as the access channel between the two entrances <NUM>, which are surrounded by sleeve <NUM>. When the respective ends of connected tubes are inserted into the respective end segments <NUM>, the groove <NUM> will be in open communication with the inner chamber <NUM> of the joining piece <NUM> at the location of the middle segment <NUM>, and thus the access channel <NUM> will run from the outside of the joining piece to an inner chamber of the joining piece. The channel <NUM> thus allows an airflow between the outside of a perch and the inner chamber of a perch.

The underside of the joining piece is provided with a profile <NUM> combined with a small steel tube <NUM> that acts as a reinforcing structure for the joining piece. The small tube <NUM> bridges the middle segment <NUM> and thus forms a rigid bridging part between the two ends of tubes that are connected to the two respective end segments <NUM>. This reinforcing structure makes it possible for the rest of the joining piece to be formed from an elastomer which is advantageous for contacting tubes in a clamping manner, while the joining piece as a whole provides sufficient rigidity and strength as a component of the perch.

<FIG> shows a flow diagram of the sanitization system <NUM> according to an embodiment. A first part <NUM> of the sanitization system is arranged in a poultry shed and consists of seven perches <NUM> which are connected to a central discharge line <NUM> by a first end. Insofar as they correspond to the representation in <FIG>, identical components are illustrated with the same reference numbers, including the end line <NUM> with end valve <NUM>, and the valves <NUM> of the perches. The second end of each perch <NUM> that is connected to the end line <NUM> is additionally provided with a non-return valve <NUM>, which allows only an outflow of air from the end line <NUM> into the perch <NUM> and thus prevents a reverse airflow from the perch <NUM> to the end line <NUM>. Inside the second part <NUM> of the sanitization system, which is optionally arranged outside the poultry shed, the discharge line <NUM> leads, after passing main valve <NUM>, through a cyclone filter <NUM>, which also acts as a treatment chamber for killing poultry mite. To this end, the cyclone <NUM> is provided with features for subjecting the poultry mite to a treatment, such as exposure to hot air, hot water, electricity, UV radiation, water and soap or pesticides, or a combination thereof. Depending on the required capacity of the sanitization system, additional cyclones may be arranged in series with cyclone <NUM>, which may or may not be provided with the abovementioned features.

The discharge line <NUM> then leads to a pump <NUM> for creating a reduced pressure in the discharge line <NUM>. The pump <NUM> creates an extracting airflow from the inside of a selected perch <NUM>, the valve <NUM> of which is opened, to the treatment chamber <NUM> via the central discharge line <NUM>. Behind the pump <NUM>, the pumped-out air is passed into the outside air via end <NUM> of line <NUM>. When applying a reduced pressure in the sanitization system, the non-return valves <NUM> close those perches, the valves <NUM> at the first end of which are not open, off at the other, second end too, such that the reduced pressure can only be present in a selected perch.

Downstream of the pump <NUM>, an overpressure line <NUM> is provided which is connected to the return valve <NUM>, so as to be able to create a reverse, expelling airflow in the first part of the sanitization system <NUM> with perches. By closing the main valve <NUM> and the first auxiliary valve <NUM>, and opening second auxiliary valve <NUM>, air is drawn in from the end <NUM> in order to purge the sanitization system using pump <NUM> via return valve <NUM>.

The above sanitization system provides an adequate and practical means for the periodic, and preferably daily, removal of poultry mite from perches.

The joining pieces <NUM> between the tubes <NUM>, <NUM> of a perch <NUM> provide a hiding place for poultry mite during (day)light hours in the poultry shed. The pump <NUM> is activated at least once a day, whereby a reduced pressure is created in the inner chamber of the perch so that as many mites as possible in the vicinity of the entrances <NUM> into the access channels are sucked into the inner chamber, where a considerable number of poultry mites are already hiding. By then opening the end valve <NUM>, a stronger extracting airflow can be created, by means of which the poultry mite are carried into the treatment chamber, in this case cyclone <NUM>, via the discharge line <NUM>, where they are killed. After these actions, the majority of poultry mite have been removed from the perches, and the health risk to the poultry has been greatly reduced.

It is furthermore possible within this system for the removal of poultry mite to be carried out per individual perch, and for this to be carried out on a timer and to be automated.

Once all of the perches have been sanitized, a brief, sharp expelling airflow can be sent through each perch by the pump <NUM> via overpressure line <NUM> and by opening return valve <NUM>. This step is intended to prevent the access channels <NUM> from becoming clogged or blocked in any way by sticky substances such as poultry droppings. Such a system may be self-cleaning, and thus requires little maintenance. The non-return valves <NUM> ensure that the expelling air flow escapes only via the access channels <NUM>, and thus that a sharp, effective airflow is obtained so as to purge the access channels <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a tube of a perch according to the invention. The tube <NUM> has a cross section in the shape of an isosceles triangle, the long side <NUM> of which faces upwards. The corners are rounded. In this way, a comfortable perching surface for the poultry is formed. The tube <NUM> is made of galvanized steel sheet, for example by rolling and welding. Openings <NUM>, which serve as access channels, are arranged at regular distances from one another in the sloping, downward facing surfaces <NUM> of the profile. <FIG> shows the same profile in perspective. Incidentally, for the poultry's comfort, it is preferable for the width of the upper surface of the tube to be at least <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of a tube <NUM>, which is placed on a supporting plate <NUM> belonging to a frame. The supporting plate <NUM>, which is preferably made of metal, is provided with an opening <NUM> in the shape of the tube <NUM>, but of larger size so that a gap <NUM> is formed between the tube <NUM> and the supporting plate <NUM>. However, the tube <NUM> rests on two tongues <NUM> arranged in the opening <NUM>. The gap prevents the poultry mite from reaching the plate easily, so that they remain instead on the tube and go through the access channels <NUM> to seek refuge in the interior of the tube <NUM>. The supporting plate <NUM> is additionally provided with a number of openings for securing the supporting plate to the frame of the perch unit for the poultry.

Claim 1:
Perch (<NUM>) for poultry to be placed in a room for accommodating poultry, comprising at least one elongated tube (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) with an inner chamber (<NUM>) allowing flow-through, comprising a series of access channels (<NUM>, <NUM>) that run between the outside of the tube (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the inner chamber (<NUM>) of the tube (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
characterized in that the perch (<NUM>) comprises at least two tubes (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are positioned in line with one another, the inner chambers (<NUM>) of which are connected to one another by a joining piece (<NUM>) that extends on the outside of the tubes (<NUM>, <NUM>) and joins both tubes (<NUM>, <NUM>) together with a substantially airtight seal, which substantially airtight seal is formed by the tubular joining piece (<NUM>) having opposite enc segments (<NUM>) which fit onto the ends of the two adjacent tubes (<NUM>,<NUM>) in a clamping manner.