CA1048875A - Poultry cage structure - Google Patents

Poultry cage structure

Info

Publication number
CA1048875A
CA1048875A CA77275570A CA275570A CA1048875A CA 1048875 A CA1048875 A CA 1048875A CA 77275570 A CA77275570 A CA 77275570A CA 275570 A CA275570 A CA 275570A CA 1048875 A CA1048875 A CA 1048875A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cage
row
cage row
shaped
rows
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA77275570A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mark Skinner
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CTB Inc
Original Assignee
Chore Time Equipment Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chore Time Equipment Inc filed Critical Chore Time Equipment Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1048875A publication Critical patent/CA1048875A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01KANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K31/00Housing birds
    • A01K31/14Nest-boxes, e.g. for singing birds or the like
    • A01K31/16Laying nests for poultry; Egg collecting
    • A01K31/17Laying batteries including auxiliary features, e.g. feeding, watering, demanuring, heating, ventilation

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)

Abstract

POULTRY CAGE STRUCTURE

Abstract of the Disclosure Cage structure for poultry and the like comprises a number of cage rows mounted on A-frames in pyramided, stepped back, A-shaped, elevational array. Each cage row includes a bottom/back member and a top/front member join-ed together to form a row of cages of rectangular cross section. Each cage row is tipped forward to incline the cage bottom so as to urge eggs laid in the cages to roll forward into an egg collecting trough at the cage front.
The bottom element of the bottom/back member forms at least a portion of the top of the cage row next below.
A feeder trough forms a portion of each cage front.

Description

1~8875 ',ackground of the Invention This invention relates generally to cages for poultry and like animals, and more particularly concerns cage structure which will securely retain a large number of birds or similiar animals, yet which can be erected -and maintained at low cost. -Modern poultry operations provide sophisti-cated equipment for maintaining large flocks of birds in-side poultry houses of extended size. When these birds are properly cared ~or, high flock performance levels can be reached; that is, relatively large numbers of eggs can be obtained from the laying hens.
In many of these poultry operations, it is help-ful to maintain the birds inside cages so that food and water can be delivered to the poultry accurately and ec-onomically and in rationed amounts. In addition eggs can be economically collected from laying flocks.
Large poultry cage arrays have, of course, been known for some time to the poultry care industry. Effec-tive cage arrays are more or less incidentally disclosedin U. S. Patents 3,523,519; 3,611,995; 3,776,191 and 3,893,423 It is the general object of the present inven-tion to provide a poultry cage structure or arrangement which can be inexpensively manufactured and disassembled, yet which accommodates a large number of birds or like animals in an easy-to-care-for array.

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Summary of the Invention In accordance with the invention, a cage structure for poultry and the like is provided. The structure comprises a plurality of cage rows mounted in a stepped-back elevational array. Each cage row includes a plurality of cage end parti-tions, a separate, unitary L-shaped bottom/back member secured to the partitions and a separate, unitary L-shaped top/front member separated from the bottom/back member at the cage row top and front but secured to the end partitions to form a row of cages of rectangular cross-section. The L-shaped bottom/
back member has a bottom element extending forwardly from the cage row to define an egg collecting trough at the cage row front/bottom. The L-shaped top/front member has a top element defining the forward portion only of the cage row top. The remaining portion of the cage row top is covered to prevent animal escape by the overhanging bottom/back member egg collec-ting trough of the cage row immediately above and to the rear.
The L-shaped top/front member also has a front element defining the upper portion only of the cage row front. The cage struc-ture further includes feed trough means mounted to the cage row at the cage row lower front and defining the remaining por-tions of the cage row front.

Brief Description of the Drawin~s -FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the novel poultry cage structure as ît appears when erected for use with poultry or like animals;

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FIG. 2 is an elevational end view of the poultry cage structure shown in FIG. l; and FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing cage-defining elements of the novel structure.

Detailed Description While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to this embodiment.
On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a poultry cage structure 10 embodying the present invention. In gen-eral, this cage structure 10 can be considered to include a plurality of a cage of rows 11-18. These cage rows 11-18 are carried in a stepped-back, pyramidal, A-shaped eleva-tional array upon a number of A-frame support structures 20, 21. Here, each A-frame structure 20, 21 includes two diagonally oriented joists 24, 25 and 26, 27 respectively.
Horizontally disposed cross braces 29 interconnect in the joists and provide rigid support for the cage rows 11-18.
To minimize material expense and maximize structural strength in carrying out the invention, these joists 24-27 and cross braces 29 can be formed of channel iron of suitable dimension and strength. To further minimize ~xpense, it is contemplated that these A-frame support ele-ments will be welded together or otherwise interconnected in some inexpensive yet effective way.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the novel cage structure is designed to urge eggs laid in the cages to roll forward along the cage floor and into a collecting device provided at the front of each cage row.
To this end, each cage row 11-18 is tipped forward, and is mounted in its tipped-forward condition upon the A-frame support structure 20 Here, this forward-tipped condition is provided by securing a top front cage corner 30 to a cross brace 29 at a strut end 31. The rear of each cage row 11-18 is also secured to the horizontal strut 29, but this interconnection is made at a point spaced apart from a top rear cage corner 33, as illustrated particularly in FIG 2. These cage row-strut interconnections can be con-vieniently made by inexpensive clips 34 of appropriate de-sign. Thus arranged, the cage rows 11-18 provide the illustrated rectangular cross sectional aspects, but each cage bottom 41-48 is inclined or tipped forward so as to urge eggs laid in the cage to roll toward the cage front.
It is another feature of the invention that this cage structure minimizes cage fabrication time and attendant expenses. To this end, each cage row 11-18 is at least partly defined by a bottom/back member 51 and a -top/front member 52 as illustrated in FIG. 3. These mem-bers 51-52 are L-shaped in general aspect, and can be - 1~48875 fabricated of wire stock of appropriate strength and rigidity in known manner in a factory. Cage end partitions 53 can be similarily produced. These parts can be conveniently and in-expensively shipped in their un-assembled condition, or they can be preliminarily assembled into the case rows 11-18 for even faster on-site case structure erection.
Examination of FIGS. 2 and 3 will reveal that the top-front member 52 includes a top element 55 extending over only the forward portion of the top of each cage row 11-18.
Remaining portions of each cage row top are covered by forward portions of a bottom element 56 of the next higher bottom-back member 51. The cage bottom element 56 provides not only a floor to a relatively upper cage row, but also provides a roof or top to a relatively lower cage row.
In carrying out the invention, an egg collector trough can be formed in and provided on this bottom element 56.
To this end, the laterally extending wires 57 of the bottom element 56 are deformed into a trough-like structure and are extended past a front bottom corner 58 of each cage row 50 to collect the eggs, but to collect them at a location outside the cages and out of harms way. To lessen cage costs in further accordance with the invention, this egg collector trough 59 also forms a portion of the top of the cage row located immediately below the egg collector trough. To prevent poultry or other contained animals from escaping from the top of the top cage rows 14 and 15, a wire mesh roof 61 is secured across the cage tops and to the top elements 55 of the top/front ~`
1~)48875 members 52.
To further minimize material expense in accordance with the invention, a front element 65 of the front/top member 52 extends only partially down the cage front. A laterally extending feed trough 67 is located below this front element 65; together with the front element 65, the trough 67 closes the cage row front and retains animals therein.
Each cage is provided with a gate to permit anima~
to be placed within the cage or removed easily. An inexpensive yet effective gate is provided in further accordance with the invention by forming the gate of two front bars 70 and 71 which are interconnected, as by a gate handle 72 at the cage top.
The depending gate bar legs 73 and 74 are loosely reversely turned to form reverse-turn attachment eyelets 76 and 77. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the eyelets 76 and 77 engage adjacent cage bars 78 and 79 to permit the gate to be slid up and down, thereby opening and closing the cage front.
Pursuant to the invention, a waterer 81 is located adjacent to the feeder 67 and the cage row fronts. When these feeders and waterers are so located, the contained poultry or other animals are encouraged to face the cage front. This animal orientation in turn encourages animal droppings to be dropped out the cage row rear past lower cage rows without entering and befouling the lower cage rows and any animals occupying them.

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Claims (6)

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A cage structure for poultry and the like, com-prising in combination, a plurality of cage rows mounted in stepped-back, elevational array, each cage row including a plurality of cage end partitions, a separate, unitary L-shaped bottom/back member secured to the partitions and a separate, unitary L-shaped top/front member separated from the bottom/
back member at the cage row top and front but secured to the end partitions to form a row of cages of rectangular cross-section, the L-shaped bottom/back member having a bottom ele-ment being extended forwardly from the cage row to define an egg collecting trough at the cage row front bottom, the L-shaped top/front member having a top element defining the for-ward portion only of the cage row top, the remaining portion of the cage row top being covered to prevent animal escape by the overhanging bottom/back member egg collecting trough of the cage row immediately above and to the rear, the L-shaped top/front member also having a front element defining the upper portion only of the cage row front, the cage structure further including feed trough means mounted to the cage row at the cage row lower front and defining the remaining portions of the cage row front.
2. A cage structure according to claim 1 wherein said top element of said top/front member extends less than halfway across the cage top, and said egg collecting trough extending from the cage row immediately above extends more than halfway across the cage top, the top element and the egg collecting trough thus completely defining the cage top.
3. A cage structure according to claims 1 or 2 inclu-ding at least two interconnected front cage bars slidably mounted on said cage top/front member to form a gate member for permitting access to a cage in the cage row.
4. A cage structure according to claim 1 including A-frame structure for mounting the plurality of cage rows in pyramided A-shaped elevational array.
5. A cage structure according to claim 4 including means for mounting each cage row on the A-frame structure with each cage row tipped forward to incline the cage bottom so as to urge eggs laid in the cage to roll forward along the tipped-forward cage bottom and into said egg collecting trough at the cage row lower front.
6. A cage structure according to claim 1 including waterer means mounted at the cage row front for supplying water to animals contained within the cage row to encourage animal droppings to be dropped out the cage row rear past lower cage rows without entering those lower cage rows.
CA77275570A 1976-05-14 1977-04-05 Poultry cage structure Expired CA1048875A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68629176A 1976-05-14 1976-05-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1048875A true CA1048875A (en) 1979-02-20

Family

ID=24755713

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA77275570A Expired CA1048875A (en) 1976-05-14 1977-04-05 Poultry cage structure

Country Status (11)

Country Link
JP (2) JPS52141368A (en)
AU (1) AU503789B2 (en)
BE (1) BE854138A (en)
CA (1) CA1048875A (en)
DE (1) DE2719669A1 (en)
ES (1) ES237297Y (en)
FR (1) FR2350786A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1534385A (en)
IT (1) IT1089860B (en)
MX (1) MX144584A (en)
NL (1) NL7705044A (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61167757U (en) * 1985-04-09 1986-10-17

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2264959A (en) * 1938-05-02 1941-12-02 Pope Brooks Foundation Inc Laying battery
CH245597A (en) * 1946-11-16 1946-11-30 Kunz Johann Facility for poultry and small animal husbandry.
FR1452289A (en) * 1965-08-13 1966-02-25 Keen Mfg Corp Egg battery for poultry farming
JPS473735U (en) * 1971-01-28 1972-09-06
DE2108518A1 (en) * 1971-02-23 1972-09-28 Hans Giesbert KG, 8752 Mömbris Step battery for poultry
US3768442A (en) * 1972-02-22 1973-10-30 Us Industries Inc Multi tier cage constructions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES237297Y (en) 1979-02-01
JPS52141368A (en) 1977-11-25
BE854138A (en) 1977-08-16
DE2719669A1 (en) 1977-12-01
JPS62196668U (en) 1987-12-14
FR2350786A1 (en) 1977-12-09
ES237297U (en) 1978-09-16
MX144584A (en) 1981-10-28
IT1089860B (en) 1985-06-18
AU503789B2 (en) 1979-09-20
AU2509677A (en) 1978-11-16
NL7705044A (en) 1977-11-16
GB1534385A (en) 1978-12-06

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