Provided is a multi-layer, intelligent and environment-friendly breeding structure for meat waterfowl, including house bodies, a manure treatment room, staircases and feeders. A bottom end net bed and an upper layer net bed are fixedly connected in the house body, and the upper layer net bed is located above the bottom end net bed. Manure dropping mechanisms are arranged side by side between the bottom end net bed and the upper layer net bed. Conveying mechanisms are arranged respectively on both sides of each of the manure dropping mechanisms. A plurality of conveyor belt conveyors are arranged side by side below the bottom end net bed. A transfer mechanism is arranged at one side of the each of the house bodies, and the transfer mechanism is used for collecting manure on the conveyor belt conveyors and the conveying mechanisms and transporting the manure to the fermentation mechanism.

A bird nest box system is provided that includes a nesting enclosure, a moveable nest floor, and a floor movement mechanism that moves the nest floor between a lowered position and a raised position, the nest floor being mounted over the floor movement mechanism. The floor movement mechanism includes a driveshaft, a gear assembly coupled to the driveshaft and actuatable by rotation of the driveshaft, and a lift arm. The lift arm is actuatable by the gear assembly to rotate the nest floor toward a front opening of the nest enclosure. The gear assembly provides at least one gear reduction between the driveshaft and the lift arm.

Disclosed is an aquaponics system with minimal outflows of waste. A stream of waste water from aquatic animals is mineralized in a waste conversion unit having algae and bacteria located on multiple horizontal plates through which the stream of waste water flows. The stream of waste leaving the waste conversion unit passes through troughs upon which plants are hydroponically grown by absorbing the mineralized waste. The water leaving the troughs is returned to the tank holding the aquatic animals and the cycle is repeated. The system may be augmented with an air source, a light source, and a nutrient source in the waste conversion unit to further enhance the breakdown of the animal waste. Additionally, floating trays may be utilized in the troughs to support a wide range of plants hydroponically grown in the troughs.

Disclosed is an aquaponics system with minimal outflows of waste. A stream of waste water from aquatic animals is mineralized in a waste conversion unit having algae and bacteria located on multiple horizontal plates through which the stream of waste water flows. The stream of waste leaving the waste conversion unit passes through troughs upon which plants are hydroponically grown by absorbing the mineralized waste. The water leaving the troughs is returned to the tank holding the aquatic animals and the cycle is repeated. The system may be augmented with an air source, a light source, and a nutrient source in the waste conversion unit to further enhance the breakdown of the animal waste. Additionally, floating trays may be utilized in the troughs to support a wide range of plants hydroponically grown in the troughs.

A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

The invention relates to a method of feeding hatched chicks in a climate chamber during a first stage of life from hatching, the method comprising;

a) controlling the temperature and humidity in the climate chamber,

b) operating a ventilation means to generate an air flow through the climate chamber, and

c) supplying the newly hatched chicks with live feed in the climate chamber.

Systems and mounting apparatuses for removably securing a pole to a structure, for example, to support a bird house or animal feeder. The mounting apparatuses include an outer member having an elongated wall defining at least a portion of an internal cavity and an end opening thereto configured to receive the pole. Features are provided for fixing the mounting apparatus to the structure. An inner member located within the internal cavity is elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer member and has a cross-sectional shape congruous or otherwise complementary to an exterior surface of the pole. A feature provides the capability to move the inner member within the internal cavity in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer member in order to secure the pole within the internal cavity by moving the inner member toward the pole to contact and apply pressure thereto.

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.

A windrower machine having a pair of forward rotating augers mounted in parallel with one another in overlapping relationship with one another to work in conjunction with a blade and a backstop to form windrows to disrupt and reduce caked material to particulate in windrows as said machine is moved forwardly through a work area.

Provided is a multi-layer, intelligent and environment-friendly breeding structure for meat waterfowl, including house bodies, a manure treatment room, staircases and feeders. A bottom end net bed and an upper layer net bed are fixedly connected in the house body, and the upper layer net bed is located above the bottom end net bed. Manure dropping mechanisms are arranged side by side between the bottom end net bed and the upper layer net bed. Conveying mechanisms are arranged respectively on both sides of each of the manure dropping mechanisms. A plurality of conveyor belt conveyors are arranged side by side below the bottom end net bed. A transfer mechanism is arranged at one side of the each of the house bodies, and the transfer mechanism is used for collecting manure on the conveyor belt conveyors and the conveying mechanisms and transporting the manure to the fermentation mechanism.