GB669164A - Improvements in or relating to poultry batteries - Google Patents

Abstract

669,164. Poultry-battery feeding arrangements. HILL, F. D., and SHOVE, H. A. Nov. 23, 1950. [Dec. 9, 1949] No. 31731/49. Class 5(ii). Poultry batteries comprising rows of cages separated by a gangway are provided with troughs for food and water which are moved along the gangway to supply opposite cages in succession. Tiers of troughs 46, 47 are secured to uprights 44, 45 supported on wheels 22, 23 which are moved along rails 24, 25, 26 by an electric motor in the overhead housing 28, movement being transmitted through reduction gearing and a chain 27. Current is supplied to the motor by a flexible cable 31. Switches 42 reverse the direction of movement at the ends of the battery. The water-troughs are fitted with level regulating ball or like valves 52 and supplied through a rubber pipe 54 wound on to and paid out from a reel 57. A similar reel is provided for the electric cable 31. The food troughs contain compartments for grain, mash and grit. Beneath each row of cages is a droppings tray 17, cleaned by multiple scrapers 77 on spindles 75 passing through brackets 72 beneath the food troughs. The scrapers are arranged in echelon and the lower trays protrude farther so that the droppings fall in steps into the bin or pit 78. Spray nozzles 65 discharge from the water pipe 54 on to the trays 17. The scrapers may be allowed to trail ineffectively in one direction of movement, or may be lifted automatically through arms 81 and spindles 82. The housing 28 also encloses a motor for driving a ventilator 29.