Various apparatus and associated methods involve a light source that provides light at wavelengths that substantially correlate to local maxima in the spectral sensitivity of a diurnal avian. In an illustrative example, the light source may output light primarily in wavelength bands that are not substantially absorbed by colored oil droplets and/or visual pigment in at least one type of cone in the eye of a diurnal avian. In some embodiments, the light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. Exemplary light sources may output spectral components to illuminate diurnal avians with local maxima of intensity at wavelengths that substantially correspond to local maxima in a spectral sensitivity visual response characteristic of the diurnal avians.

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 system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

A livestock cage may have a frame, a generally planar aluminum top sheet attached to the frame, a generally planar aluminum bottom sheet attached to the frame opposite the top sheet, a first and a second generally planar aluminum side sheet attached to the frame extending transverse to the top sheet and the bottom sheet, and a generally planar back sheet attached to the frame and transverse to the top sheet, the first side sheet, the second side sheet, and the bottom sheet. The top sheet, the bottom sheet, the first side sheet, the second side sheet, a front, and the back sheet define an interior volume of the cage. A plurality of livestock is within the interior of the cage.

The present disclosure discloses a hybrid LED lighting method and system for chicken coops. For example, a closed or semi-open chicken coop is provided with the hybrid LED lightings including white LED beads and yellow LED beads in a mixing ratio of about 1:5 to about 5:1 in a regularly alternating manner. The average light intensity on the chicken cages' underside exposed to the light of the hybrid LED lighting is about 5 to about 30 Lux. The closed chicken coop is lit by a hybrid LED lighting every day during fattening period; the semi-open chicken coop is exposed to natural light in the daytime and lit by the hybrid LED lighting at night during fattening period. Implementation of the present disclosure improves growth of chickens, increases uniformity of chickens, and improves health and resistance to epidemic diseases.

The invention relates to broiler containers having a floor and side walls defining an inner volume which is designed and configured to receive and accommodate at least five live broilers, wherein the broiler container is designed and configured to be stackable with broiler containers of the same construction and has at least one ventilation opening and at least one air outflow opening, which broiler container is characterised in that the broiler container comprises at least one segment of a ventilation or air outflow column which extends through the inner volume and has at least one ventilation or air outflow opening at a distance from the side walls, wherein each segment of the ventilation or air outflow column is designed and configured for connection to corresponding segments of broiler containers of the same construction and also for connection to an active ventilation system. The invention relates also to a unit comprising at least two containers, to an arrangement comprising a unit and a ventilation system, to a transport trailer, to a poultry slaughterhouse, and to a method for ventilating the broilers.

Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for efficiently assembling a structure. In one embodiment, a system includes multiple panels, with each panel having a frame made of multiple members. Each member of the frame has at least two pairs of passageways. Each pair of passageways can include two passageways that intersect each other in a perpendicular manner. Furthermore, each passageway may pass through, and be oriented orthogonal to, the longitudinal axis of the member. The first pair of passageways can be spaced a first distance from the first end of the member, while the second pair of passageways can be spaced a second distance from the second end of the member. In some embodiments, the first and second distances are approximately equal to one another. This consistency allows for maximum interchangeability and compatibility of the members and/or panels.

An animal house includes an impermeable hollow-moulded structure having at least one convex surface. The structure includes a first flat surface extending in a first direction and a second flat surface extending in a second direction. The convex surface connects the first flat surface to the second flat surface. The structure further includes a rib defining a sharp edge. The rib is configured to be releasably attached proximate to or on the convex surface such that the rib diverts a liquid flowing over the convex surface away from the structure. An impermeable hollow-moulded panel with protruding ridges is also provided to prevent water ingress.

An animal house includes an impermeable hollow-moulded structure having at least one convex surface. The structure includes a first flat surface extending in a first direction and a second flat surface extending in a second direction. The convex surface connects the first flat surface to the second flat surface. The structure further includes a rib defining a sharp edge. The rib is configured to be releasably attached proximate to or on the convex surface such that the rib diverts a liquid flowing over the convex surface away from the structure. An impermeable hollow-moulded panel with protruding ridges is also provided to prevent water ingress.

A computer-implemented method of attempting to identify an individual bird based on image data of the bird, comprising: receiving image data relating to an image which shows at least part of a foot of a bird at a bird station; processing the image data to determine whether the bird can be identified from the image using reference data which comprises, for each bird of a plurality of birds, a respective feature descriptor derived from an image of a foot of the bird, and respective bird identifier which identifies the bird; in case it is determined that the bird can be identified as being one of the birds, identifying the bird using the identifier which identifies the one of the birds; and in case it is determined that the bird cannot be identified as being one of the birds, generating an indicator indicating that the bird cannot be identified.

A computer-implemented method of attempting to identify an individual bird based on image data of the bird, comprising: receiving image data relating to an image which shows at least part of a foot of a bird at a bird station; processing the image data to determine whether the bird can be identified from the image using reference data which comprises, for each bird of a plurality of birds, a respective feature descriptor derived from an image of a foot of the bird, and respective bird identifier which identifies the bird; in case it is determined that the bird can be identified as being one of the birds, identifying the bird using the identifier which identifies the one of the birds; and in case it is determined that the bird cannot be identified as being one of the birds, generating an indicator indicating that the bird cannot be identified.