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.

An at least partially floorless semirigid poultry enclosure configured to flex and/or adjust to accommodate undulating terrain during movement across a field. The semirigid poultry enclosure may comprise a semirigid foundation. The semirigid foundation may include one or more flexible portions disposed between two or more rigid structural elements. The semirigid poultry enclosure may include an automated movement system configured to facilitate movement of the semirigid poultry enclosure on a field. The automated movement system may be configured to move a semirigid poultry enclosure that is at least 90 feet in length via multiple drive units coupled to a semirigid foundation.

An at least partially floorless semirigid poultry enclosure configured to flex and/or adjust to accommodate undulating terrain during movement across a field. The semirigid poultry enclosure may comprise a semirigid foundation. The semirigid foundation may include one or more flexible portions disposed between two or more rigid structural elements. The semirigid poultry enclosure may include an automated movement system configured to facilitate movement of the semirigid poultry enclosure on a field. The automated movement system may be configured to move a semirigid poultry enclosure that is at least 90 feet in length via multiple drive units coupled to a semirigid foundation.

A wheel kit for moving a structure on a surface. The wheel kit includes first wheel mounting brackets with first wheel assemblies and a second bracket wheel mounting bracket with a second wheel assembly. The first wheel assemblies are movable between first wheel assemblies first positions, in which first wheels engage the surface and raise the structure away from the surface, and first wheel assemblies second positions, in which the first wheels allow the structure to rest on the surface. The second wheel assembly is movable between a second wheel assembly first position, in which a second wheel engages the surface and raises the structure away from the surface, and a second wheel assembly second position, in which the second wheel allows the structure to rest on the surface. The second wheel assembly rotates about the second wheel mounting bracket to allow the second wheel to steer the structure.

A wheel kit for moving a structure on a surface. The wheel kit includes first wheel mounting brackets with first wheel assemblies and a second bracket wheel mounting bracket with a second wheel assembly. The first wheel assemblies are movable between first wheel assemblies first positions, in which first wheels engage the surface and raise the structure away from the surface, and first wheel assemblies second positions, in which the first wheels allow the structure to rest on the surface. The second wheel assembly is movable between a second wheel assembly first position, in which a second wheel engages the surface and raises the structure away from the surface, and a second wheel assembly second position, in which the second wheel allows the structure to rest on the surface. The second wheel assembly rotates about the second wheel mounting bracket to allow the second wheel to steer the structure.

An agricultural animal house modular flooring system is provided, the flooring being particularly suited to poultry housing due to the structure of the flooring which facilitates cleaning, minimizes build-up of manure, bacteria and pathogens, and reduces risk of injury to the poultry. A plurality of interconnecting flooring panels and a plurality of panel support beams are provided. The panels each have pluralities of side flanges and recesses and end bosses and apertures for coupling the panel to a horizontally adjacent panel. The support beams provide interlocking engagement with the panels, prevent lateral disengagement of the panels, and distribute load from the panels and flanges to lower regions of the support beams to provide a support base of optimal strength and durability. The modular design of the flooring system provides for easy installation, assembly and disassembly of the flooring system.

An agricultural animal house modular flooring system is provided, the flooring being particularly suited to poultry housing due to the structure of the flooring which facilitates cleaning, minimizes build-up of manure, bacteria and pathogens, and reduces risk of injury to the poultry. A plurality of interconnecting flooring panels and a plurality of panel support beams are provided. The panels each have pluralities of side flanges and recesses and end bosses and apertures for coupling the panel to a horizontally adjacent panel. The support beams provide interlocking engagement with the panels, prevent lateral disengagement of the panels, and distribute load from the panels and flanges to lower regions of the support beams to provide a support base of optimal strength and durability. The modular design of the flooring system provides for easy installation, assembly and disassembly of the flooring system.

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 swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

A method of constructing an aviary structure is provided. The method includes steps of forming a foundation and coupling an internal support structure to the foundation. The internal support structure is coupled to the foundation at least in part by coupling a plurality of aviary cages to the foundation, coupling a plurality of peripheral columns to the foundation, and coupling the aviary cages with the peripheral columns using bracing. The method also includes steps of coupling at least one side wall to the peripheral columns, coupling the roof assembly to vertical support members of the aviary cages, and coupling said external paneling to the side wall and the roof assembly.