This invention relates to laying nest having a rack drive expulsion system. As disclosed herein, the invention preferably comprises a laying nest for hens comprising a box and a rack drive floor expulsion system. The floor pivotably moves between first and second positions by virtue of a gear rack that is fixedly connected to and disposed within the box, and a gear wheel that is rotatably connected to the floor. Accordingly, the expulsion system provides for the selected removal of hens from the laying nests as desired.

This invention relates to laying nest having a rack drive expulsion system. As disclosed herein, the invention preferably comprises a laying nest for hens comprising a box and a rack drive floor expulsion system. The floor pivotably moves between first and second positions by virtue of a gear rack that is fixedly connected to and disposed within the box, and a gear wheel that is rotatably connected to the floor. Accordingly, the expulsion system provides for the selected removal of hens from the laying nests as desired.

A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

The present invention relates to a container base for holding live poultry, a container segment for holding live poultry that can be stacked onto such a container base, and a container cover as well as to a container assembly for holding live poultry, comprising such a container base and at least one such container segment placed on top of the container base. Furthermore the invention also relates to a method for loading the container assembly according the present invention.

The present invention relates to a container base for holding live poultry, a container segment for holding live poultry that can be stacked onto such a container base, and a container cover as well as to a container assembly for holding live poultry, comprising such a container base and at least one such container segment placed on top of the container base. Furthermore the invention also relates to a method for loading the container assembly according the present invention.

Algorithm for controlling a photon pattern generated by means of a multicolour LED lighting system and inducing by means of said photon pattern a desired response in an organism, said algorithm being in a format executable by a control system of the multicolour LED lighting system and comprising instructions to cause said control system to operate LEDs of the multicolour LED lighting system to emit at least one predetermined varying photon pattern. The instructions define at least the following group of parameters for each varying photon pattern to be emitted: target location, intensity, duty cycle and wavelength band, and variations of at least one of said parameters over time. The instructions are such that the resulting varying photon pattern generated by means of the multicolour LED lighting system induces said desired response in said organism as a result of the combination of said defined parameters and the defined variations thereof.

A poultry-farming battery cage farming has at least two horizontal cage rows, formed with cage enclosures, arranged alongside one another, that are formed with double cages made up of cages that back on to one another. Under each row extends a droppings receptacle, over which air-fanning flaps are longitudinally spaced apart, each air-fanning flap having an upper force-transmission part and a lower fan part mounted on a transverse axis arranged near an upper air-fanning-flap end. The two cages of each double cage have cage bottoms extending away from one another transversely and are separated from one another by a common vertical longitudinal rear wall arranged at a vertical spacing above the upper air-flap end. The fan part of the air-fanning flap is arranged under the associated cage bottoms. The air-fanning-flap end is arranged in a double-cage area, from which the cage bottoms extend away from one another transversely.

A ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.

A ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.

A cage and corresponding method for loading, transporting, and unloading poultry utilize a substantially vertical track attached to a leg or a sidewall to provide stability for a door of the cage throughout the door's entire range of motion. The cage is stackable and together with like cages can form an assembly of cages. The assembled stack of cages allows for several cages to share common components. Thus, the weight of the load during transport is reduced and more livestock can be transported. Shared components can include a roof and even a latching mechanism which prevents the door of each cage from coming open during transport.