US2300573A - Chicken roost, nest, and litter carrier - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1942. w. ISCHE 2,300,573

CHICKEN ROOST; NEST, AND LITTER CARRIER Filed June 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l /9 23 20 20 2253 E42 2 39 g 23 as 2 20 27 25 2/ I0 85 86 2 7 25 I5 I giwwm anew,

Nov. 3, 1942. w 1 H 2,300,573-

CHICKEN ROOST, mzsw AND L'ITTER CARRIER Filed June 9, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Momma- Nov. 3, 1942. w |$HE CHICKEN ROOST, NEST, AND LITTER CARRIER Filed June 9, 1938 S'SheetS-Sheet s grwe/Mo'o w e 3 n ///V/ 7 m n u M a K m MM no a 0 4 H 4 W u u l M b u M A k. m 2 u m R n F emm Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNITE D CHICKEN abuse; EST, rim En CAR R,

M invention l es l an hhRhY meh chicken roost, nest and litter carrier, where n. it iedesired t Pro i e erd ee wh ehl-i -c-eeztremely sanitary and which may be kept clean witha minimum of efi'ort,

Many ou t f hie mr este' hf'e' been P ev u hs u tee e d a n .h v ab eh taken to mount these rootsin snch ;,a way that it is dimeult for rm ofive eue.eq emeeme. into contactwith the roostsi. Because-of thefact that the roosts in order to be practical mus be ofsome considerable length iwhere a number .of chickens are to be suPDQ td, it has-been ex tremely difficult -to keep the roostsanddropping boards clean. Furthermore, it has been diiiicultto clean the space beneath the dropping boards where the nests for the chickens are often lo- Difficulty has also often loeen experienced in keeping the chickens out of the nests at night 20 Instead of remaining on the roostsat night, some chickens have a tendency to remain in m ma making them difilcult to keep; clean, Attempts havebeen made to keep the chickensout o f the; nests at night, but-if this is done, it is ne ;essary to open the nests again after the chicken are quiet or to open the nests early in the mo to permit hens to have some place to lay the It has u h e ou d hat after ne; qh ke has laid an i a ne ten er hi k he illfl come into the nest and set on the eggs therein, p n ee e w rmr 1 r 11 1. a

is the object of he, e t nveniienio 9 10.1: vide a roost i h i i l t rt dmqvabl on. t acks mounted on the ceiling or depending therefrom so that the roost y be omer d iqr w leehi te; beneath the same and sothat the entire rgost may be moved to a point where th chickens;wi 1l be most comfortable. In the summer time the entire roosts may be moved to thecenteh en where r air or nt lat n urnqse available. In cool or cold Weather the roost may, be moved into the position in whichthe chick will be warmest. Movably mountingtheent re roostin this way also eliminates all connectign 45 betweenthe roost and the floor and the roost may therefore be maintainedin a'more sanitary condition. k I

It is a purpose. of my invention toprov fe roosts with pivotally mounted wire-guards: pp: sitioned .therebetweein'. T he se guards or guard v trays extend above the dropping board trays and prevent the chickens from;walking'in the drqp n b di l it 'iey jsireeiiq;elem-J r the" mapping 'baaidwiays the"screens maybe 55 ey f li s e' I 1 f V, v. a piyotedout of usual position and a scraper blade y used -.te een th t tiena r y It is a purpose of myinyention to dividethe; rop ing. bea d-Ante hav h y Sides ndi ne nd write -1.1 v s ateeli e er re apart e a a r may flow upwardly between thetrays and over he eeqen eesi y eeii e e he eenehQ above h .tr rsa' esen ih vdr i hbe c A r-h e heP eamm eppi e; qyee. the; e l f e ray .t-iwh h the scraper is operated from the opposite end rl i. a eene fea u e 9i; my: me ento i hi' h, em en t ro e a h e rih ff 7 er; t e; cr en P at rm hi h o. c e n t em thei i et' u st n n main nh 'th nn t cle ns-T tilted at night and held m'jftiitgci o tibln ithri o hunt the night- A latch w 'ev deq tetheldin t e; s f -1m tilted position, which latch is operated when i i $?P ..1? 1Y?a En 1%? in; h v i to h PWWmm P rm t ihe e. teas t normal,horizontal positioni Therefore,

b ltfrrm a tomat ca ly P ope l esiti ned m the" morning to enable the chickens to enter the at l ili v ititgt Pre- T e whe ahqth he j slthene tl a l he i .euehee nesihe tha e nq i et upon the same while shelis inthe nest. Thisvalso;

enables-the-egg's to vlrpe'cooled 701i and collected without dist i in t e..- I. h ens.v

t ti ue e aie P re i yiin en eh e-nr r d a te a rie whiehi m va e thmu hW he length of the roost to permit the droppings and dirt .on the dropping board to he scraped into I this carrier throughout ,the length. of the ,roost,

'Ijhese andother objects and ,novel features. of.

, er 2 l anin th tr y a a g a, series of nests integrally fr ont of--,these nests. nestsmthe chickens must walk.

,tiltable screen plat-- hep etie ni e1hhe ilt d ur n I he. i ht. ent ehiekenei rom-ent in e-. sn h HQHEQYSQKQGII bet emm m- 0 ,5 W Qh ex end tex r Figure I is a is'r'spcev view V of my roost;

release. The construction illustrated in Figure 4 shows a modified form of roost support to that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 3, but taken centrally through one of the nests on the line 55 of Figure l.

similar Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 5, illustrating the manner in which the lower portion of the nests are constructed.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lower portion of one of the nests.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the front portion of the frame illustrating a modified form of construction.

The roost, nestand litter carrier device A comprises, in; general, a roosting portion B, a series of nests C, and a litter carrying device D. All of these portions comprising'the device as a whole, are movably mounted and securely connected together.-

The roosting apparatus B comprises a frame l0 preferably rectangular in shape and shown comprising angle iron strips connected at the comers. A pair of upwardly extending loops H are secured to the frame [0 near'opposite sides thereof and are-connected by-bolts 2 to suitable rollers I3, illustrated in Figure 5, engageable in a track l4 mounted'on the ceiling or upon suitable supporting members. It may be seen that the entire frame l0 may be moved forwardly and rearwardly the entire length of the track Spaced at intervals throughout the length of the front angle member [5 and the rear angle member I6 of the frame I0, I provide upright brackets l1 and [9, respectively. The brackets l1 and I9 support the ends of roosts 26, with the exception of the center bracket H. To each of the brackets I! and [9, with the exception of the brackets at one extreme end of the frame, I 'provide" saddle strips 2| designed to form a journal for wire trays 22 positioned between the brackets-ll and I9. These wire trays are preferably composed of a series of welded wire strips connected between longitudinally extending edge members 23 about which the saddle strips 21 may extend. Hook-shaped strips 24 are provided on the opposite sides of the brackets l1 and I9 to engage the opposite edge strip 23 of the trays 22. Accordingly; the wire trays 22 are pivotally supported upon the brackets I1 and I9. In Figure 1 of theidrawings one of the trays 22 is shown pivoted out'of usual position into the rear wall 31 of the nests.

' the same.

the various nests.

rear wall 31.

1, the dropping board tray 25 adjacent the pivoted tray may be readily cleaned by use of the usual scraper. The inclined rear wall 29 prevents the blade of the scraper from dropping over the end of the bottom of the trays and the side walls 2'! guide the scraper in moving throughout the length of the tray.

Suspended beneath the front angle member I5, I provide a channel track 30 for accommodation of a roller means 3| supporting a yoke 32 having hook ends 33 to support a litter basket 34. The litter carrier 34 may be moved into position beneath any of the trays 25 by merely moving the yoke 32, the roller 3| rolling in the channel track 30. When it is desired to clean any tray, the litter carrier is moved into position beneath The flexible handles 35 of the litter basket 34 enable this basket to be readily removed from the yoke 32.

The nests are constructed as best illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings. A front wall 36extends the length of the row of nests, and a,

rear wall 31 also extends the width of the nests in the front of the same. Partition walls 39 and similar end walls divide the space between the front and rear walls 36 and 31 into a series of nests. The front wall 36 is provided with a series of openings 40 therein best illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The hens enter the nests through these openings 40.

The lower extremities of the partitions and end walls 39 are each provided with a cross rail 4| thereupon to support side flanges 42 of the removable nest trays 43 forming the bottom of The nest trays 43 are preferably formed as illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings, having a top bame' 44 which rounds the nest and holds the hen upon the upper portion of an inclined screen 45 within the trays 43. One end 46 of the trays 43 extends beyond the This end 46 is adjacent the lowermost extremityof the inclined screen bottom member 45. A cover 41 extending the length of the nests is pivoted at 49 to the By opening this pivoted cover 41 the lower extremity of allof the trays 43 may be seen. 7

When an egg is laid upon the inclined screen 45 and the hen leaves the nest, the egg will roll slowly to the lower end 46 of the trays 43. This will place the eggs beneath the cover 41 where they may be easily removed from the nests and also will move the eggs from the portion of the nest available for use by another hen. Thus no egg will remaininthe nest to be set upon by another hen and the eggs may be removed from position "in which the adjacent'dropping board 25 are secured to the brackets IT and I9 by boltsor other suitable means. When the tray 22 is pivoted out of usual position as shown in Figure the nests without disturbing the hens.

The nests C are supported by a pair of supporting brackets 49' ateither end of the nests extending between the front and rear angle members l5 and I6. The wire screen platform 50 is pivoted between these brackets 49' at the point/5|. The screen 50 in preferred form, includes a peripheralreinforcing'member 52 having reinforcing rods 53 extending across the same at intervals. Thescreen 54 is positioned within the, peripheral reinforcing member 52. When in horizontal position the platform 50 is positioned in front of the nests C so that the hens'may Walk across-this screen platform and into the nests. When in inclined position, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the platform 50 closes the entrance to the nests and prevents the full line positionof Figure3 and 'the'dotte d" linej position shown in this figure. A latch strip 52 ispivoted at 63 to the" roost 29'and'is'provided' with a notch 64*which' mayengage a'transversely extending pin 65in theyo'ke '59.

In operation, the bracket or" latch 55' firmly engages the platforr'n5ll when the roostZO isin the full line position illustrated in Figure=' 3.' When the roost 20 is depressed an; abnormal amount, this bracketorlatch 55 disengages 'thef platform 50 and by means ofa cord 66 connected at 61 to the platform 50 and passing over ap'ul ley' 69 in the U-shaped yoke 59 and eiiter'idi'ng to the front of theroost, the'platfor'm 5 may be manually tilted into the" dotted outline" position. In this position the platform 50 is normallyen gaged by the latch 51 when the yoke 59 is in its normal full line position shown in Figure" 3; When the cordfili'is'eng'ag'ed and pu1led;to" tilt the platform 50, the platform 50 tilts upwardly and the yoke '59 pivots downwardly intothe' full line position through this manual operation;if it is notalready in this downward position.-

I'hisoperation takes'place at night when'it is'not desired to have the-hens enter the-nests during the night.

When the platform 50 is thus supported tilted position, the roost 20 is normallyfinitsf-ull line position shownin Figure 3, and they'o ke "59 is also in full line position'.- The'latchflfin'this position is riding upon the pin- 65 and the notch 64 is not engaging'this'p'in as shown in thefu ll line position of Figure 3. When several hens" light upon the roost 20, the roostbar Z0 pivots downwardly slightly compressing the springfflfl', encircling the guide shaft H extending between the front anglememberl and-the top of the" center bracket lL- A nut 12 on"the-"sh'aft'-TI permits the tension of thespring to be adjusted Downward movement ofthe roost 2U moves'the roost under the weight'of severalhensinto the" dotted position illustrated in the drawings-.-' In this position, the notch 54 in thelatch 62 engages the pin 65 in the-yoke59; Aslong asthe several hensremain upon the roost 2D, theyoke" 59 an roost remain in full line and dotted- -line positions, respectively. However, as soon i as": the hens move off from the roost 20,- this roost piv ots upwardly into the full line pos'itiom-and the'" latch 62 carries the yoke 59 upwardly with the roost 20,- thereby'raisingthe latch 5-! into-the; dotted position illustrated, releasing the plat form 50. This platform 50 is suitably counter weighted or pivoted off center to normally assume horizontal position illustrated in full lines when the latch 51 is released. The platform 50 will therefore pivot into horizontal position when the chickens leave the roost in the morning and properly position the platform so that the chickens may enter the nests C.

With this" construction, it is possible for the hen to get out of the nests if she happens to be in the nest at the time the platform is tilted. It

in some instances it'is-poss'ible 'thata" hen be i in necessary for the hen to fly upwardly at a sharp angie arid-to" rest upon, the lower edge of the nest opening without fiy'ingabove' the lei/6150f" the nest. It is virtually impossible for a her'ftd' light upon a perch such as the bottom of the nestopening without iapproaching this ledge from above the level of the: ledge, and therefore the tilting platform is extremely effective in" preventing"the hens from entering the'n'ests;

Under some conditions it may be conceivable that the chickens might avoid the center roost; 20 duringthe' night or it might "happen thatan insuificient number of" chickens may rest upon this' c entral roost to depress the roost sufiiciently to cause the notch 64 to engage the pin 65 and thereby; release the yoke 59 to releasethe latch 51 from-"the platform 50 when the birds leave the'roosts. Itgmay therefore be desirable to" provide, in 'addition to-the-above described releasing means'; a means of connecting several of therooststogether so that a suificient-amount of weight on any of the'roosts'near the center of'the devicewih act to cause release of the platform 50 when "the birds'leave the roost in the morning. To accomplish this result I provide a pair of L-shaped"'connecting levers "I3 and I4.' ';-On'e en-d of the-lever 13' is-pivoted at 15to the roost i on one side ofthe central-roost 20, while theother end is pivoted at 16'to the frame l0."-

Similarl'y,oneend'offthe arm 14 is" pivoted at H to a roost 20 on the opposite'side of the central roost 20, and is-pivotedat its other extreme end-at 'Hitothe frame I0. 14 are'pivoted'together at their crossing point "andto a vertically extendingrod 8| pivoted at 82 at the central roost 20. It may be seen: that} weight upon the roost 20 to the right of the central 'roost-will pivot the arm M'about its fixed pivot 19, thereby lowering the pivot point 80 and actingto draw the central roost 20 downwardly; Similarly, when the roostZU to the left of the central roost is moved downwardly by weight,-

the lever 13 will pivot about its center 16,1owering-the*connecting' point 89 and pulling the central roost 20 downwardly. By this construction the'c'o'rhbined-weight of a number of birds'on any of the roosts'near the center mayact'to depress-thecentral roost 20 sufliciently to cause the latch 62 to engage the yoke 59 so as to release the catch 51 when the depressing weight is -released; Whenthe parts 13 and 14 are not used,

all of the roosts except that at the center are supportedin a fixed position at both ends; how-' ever, when the parts 13 and 74 are usedythree' roostsarepivoted at oneend and can move up and down at-the other end.

InFigure8 of the drawings, I disclose'a modifi'edfformof track in which a channel B3'is"secured-directly to the front frame member l5" and the roller 3| engages in the channel 83. The depending track 39 may in this way be omitted.

The manner in which the roost is constructed has been described and the operation of the platform latching means has also been described in detail. As will be seen, the device A is movable and may be moved throughout the length of isirue that thehensare Qrdin'arn all rrii'oved; from the nests before the platform is tilted, but

These levers 13 and the tracks M for cleaning or for culling, the birds. In accordance with 'thepatent statutes Ihave described the principles of construction ,and operation of my roost, nest and litter carrier, and

while I have endeavored to set forth the .best,

embodiments thereof, I desire 'to have it understood that this is only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

'1 claim:

1. A roosting apparatus comprising a frame, a series of pairs of spaced brackets projecting upwardly therefrom, the brackets of eachpair being arranged in opposed relation on opposite sides of said frame, a roost connecting the" brackets of each pair, being supported thereby substantially spaced above said frame, individual within the space between said roosts, means pivotally securing one side of eachv of said trays to the adjacent bracket, and means, supporting the other side of each of said trays by the next adjacent bracket, to swingably support said trays above said dropping board pans. v

2. A nesting apparatus comprising a frame a series of nests supported by said frame, a tiltable platform having an edge thereof closely adjacent said nests in horizontal position of said platform,

mounted on a pivot parallel to the front of the nests, and means locking, said platform in horizontal position and in tilted position, said pivot supported by said frame and being spaced for-' wardly substantially from said nests to permit the edge of the platform adjacent, the nests in horizontal position of said platform to pivot away from said nests into tilted position to provide a substantial gap between saidl nests and said tilted platform, or toward said nests toswing said platform into substantially horizontal position.

3. A nesting apparatus comprising a frame, a series of nests on said frame, a substantially rectangular wire netting platform supported in front of said nests, means pivotally supporting said platform along an axis parallel to, and spaced substantially from, the front of said nests, said frame being pivotal away from aid nests into tilted position to provide a substantial gap between said platform and said nests, and toward said nests into substantially horizontal position, and means holding said platform in horizontal position, and in tilted position.

4. A roosting apparatus comprising, a dropping board means, a series of pairs of spacedbrackets projecting upwardly from said roosting apparatus, a series of wire trays pivotally securedto said brackets and positioned over said dropping board means, a series of roosts, extending across i means, a track mounted along one edge of said "dropping board means, and receptacle means supported by and movable along said track to receive droppings from said dropping board means.

6. A, roosting apparatus comprising a frame, hanger's supporting said frame, said hangers having roller means, track means slidably' supporting said roller means, a series of dropping board trays extending across said frame, a series of roosts above the level of said trays, and an individual wire tray positioned above each said dropping board trays,a track secured to said frame extending along one end of said dropping board trays, and areceptacle supported by and movable along said track to receive droppings fromsaid trays.

'7. A roosting apparatus comprising a frame, a movably mounted roost upon said frame movable between two extreme positions, a series of nests supported by said frame, a substantially rectangular Wire netting platform supported in front of said nests, means pivotally supporting said platform along an axis parallel to, and spaced substantially from, the front of said nests, a latch holding said platform in tilted position, and means connecting said latch to said roost to release said latch by movement of said roost to one extreme position, and means for holding said platform in horizontal position.

8. A roosting apparatus comprising a frame, movable roost means mounted upon said frame movable between two extreme positions, nest means supported beneath said frame, a .tiltable platform having an edge thereofclosely adjacent said nests in horizontal position of said platform, latch means supporting said tiltable platform-in tilted position, and means connecting said roost means to said latch so that movement of said roost into substantially one extreme position may release said latch, and means for holding said platform in horizontal position. v

9. A roosting device comprising a series of roosts, said roosts being pivotally connected to said roosting device, a series of nests below said roosts, a rectangular-shaped wireplatform pivotally mounted in front of said nests, the rear of said platform swinging upwardly and away from said nests in tilted position to space said platform'substantially from said nests in tilted position, and means for holding said platform in horizontal position, or in tilted position.

WILLIAM ISCHE.

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