A belt drive that has a transmission element that transmits a drive force to a drive element, which then sets a belt roller into rotational motion. The transmission element is a shaft and the drive element is an angular gear which has an input that is connected to the transmission element and an output that transmits the rotational motion from the gear to the belt roller. The belt drive is particularly suited for use in a belt system that is used in multi-tier poultry facilities. This belt system according to the invention includes a common drive motor that provides the drive force and a plurality of belt drives, one belt drive for each tier. One or more drive shafts transmit the drive force from the drive motor to each of the belt drives.

Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

An aviary that includes a system for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.

An aviary that includes a system for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.

A nesting cavity for birds having a false floor of a screen or perforated material above a sloped floor that terminates at its lowest elevation with exposure to the exterior of the nest cavity. This exposure allows debris, water and nest parasites that fall through the false floor to exit the cavity when natural forces such as gravity act on the materials that reach the sloped floor. Increased ventilation as a result of this exposure aids in lowering moisture inside a nesting cavity and moderates a cavity temperature.

A nesting cavity for birds having a false floor of a screen or perforated material above a sloped floor that terminates at its lowest elevation with exposure to the exterior of the nest cavity. This exposure allows debris, water and nest parasites that fall through the false floor to exit the cavity when natural forces such as gravity act on the materials that reach the sloped floor. Increased ventilation as a result of this exposure aids in lowering moisture inside a nesting cavity and moderates a cavity temperature.

Disclosed is a system (100) for a poultry farm. The system (100) includes an automated guided vehicle (110). The automated guided vehicle (110) includes a body (111) adapted to mount a plurality of devices (170), a plurality of wheels (112), a plurality of sensors (113), a collection bin (114) at the rear end (116) of the automated guided vehicle (110), and a detachable protection arrangement (160) at a front (115) of the body (111). The system (100) also includes an overhead power railing unit (120), an open overhead utility line (130) with a vertical water supply line (140) with a pump (142), and a vertical conveyor (150) to retrieve the litter, eggs or wastewater from the collection bin (114) and dispose in the open overhead utility line (130).

A chicken coop cleaning device that is used to sift through sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds inside of a chicken coop to collect waste. The chicken coop cleaning device comprises a head component that is configured in a rectangular shape with a scoop component at one end to resemble a barn rake. A handle is then secured to the opposite end of the scoop component for use. Further, the head component would have a plurality of tines that run parallel and mesh wire running over the head component, covering the plurality of tines. The mesh wire allows the user to collect chicken waste, while the bedding material, such as sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds fall through the mesh wire and back into the chicken coop for reuse. Thus, the bedding material can be recycled for a longer period of time.

A chicken coop cleaning device that is used to sift through sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds inside of a chicken coop to collect waste. The chicken coop cleaning device comprises a head component that is configured in a rectangular shape with a scoop component at one end to resemble a barn rake. A handle is then secured to the opposite end of the scoop component for use. Further, the head component would have a plurality of tines that run parallel and mesh wire running over the head component, covering the plurality of tines. The mesh wire allows the user to collect chicken waste, while the bedding material, such as sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds fall through the mesh wire and back into the chicken coop for reuse. Thus, the bedding material can be recycled for a longer period of time.