Swine vaccination system

Abstract

A system for vaccinating swine according to one embodiment includes a housing having an open first end and an open apposite second end. The housing has a pair of side walls that are angled and non-parallel to one another such that at the second end only a single piglet can exit at one time. The system also includes a vaccination station for individually vaccinating piglets. The vaccination station is located between the pair of side walls in a region thereof that is sized to only permit one piglet to stand between the side walls. The vaccination station includes at least one sensor that detects the presence of the one piglet within the vaccination station and at least one spray nozzle positioned within the vaccination station such that a vaccine dose discharged therefrom is directed upwardly into facial areas of the piglet effectively.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for vaccinating swine comprising:
 a housing having an open first end that serves as an entrance and an opposite second end, the housing being defined by a wall that tapers inwardly toward the second end, the housing being angled relative to a ground plane such that the second end is positioned lower than the first end to cause the housing to slope downward from the first end to the second end; and   a vaccination station for individually vaccinating piglets, the vaccination station being located within the housing between the first and second ends, the vaccination station including at least one sensor that detects the presence of the one piglet within the vaccination station and at least one spray nozzle positioned within the vaccination station such that a vaccine dose discharged therefrom is directed upwardly into facial areas of the piglet effectively.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end is open and serves as an exit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein one spray nozzle is disposed at or near a bottom surface of the housing on which the piglet slides toward the second end and one or more other spray nozzles are provided and elevated relative to nozzle proximate the bottom surface and oriented to spray the vaccine dose into the eyes and nose of the piglet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the elevated spray nozzle is vertically adjustable within a track to permit a height of the other spray nozzle relative to the bottom surface to be adjusted. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the spray nozzle is part of an automated system and is driven within the track to a desired height by action of a controller. 
     
     
         7 . the system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray nozzle includes a movable head that sprays the vaccine dose in a fan action. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a motion sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is a mass sensor that detects the weight of the piglet in the vaccination station. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spray nozzle is oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the housing resulting in at least sonic of the vaccine dose being discharged at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the bottom surface.