The transfer machine comprises an input and output system (8) for inserting trays filled with incubated eggs into the transfer machine and for removing the emptied trays therefrom and a transfer system (9) for transferring the eggs from the trays to the floor of the poultry house. The transfer system (9) comprises a set of egg pickup members (28) mounted on a first sub-frame (30). The first sub-frame (30) is mounted on a second sub-frame (31) such that it can move up and down, the second sub-frame mounted on the frame (5) of the machine such that it can move back and forth between a first position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the filled trays that have been inserted, and a second position, wherein the set of egg pickup members (28) is above the floor of the poultry house.

A housing system for poultry, includes an animal habitation area which is divided into a first partial habitation area and a second partial habitation area by a centrally disposed row of nests, wherein the row of nests has a first nest assembly with a first egg channel and a second nest assembly with a second egg channel.

A housing system for poultry, includes an animal habitation area which is divided into a first partial habitation area and a second partial habitation area by a centrally disposed row of nests, wherein the row of nests has a first nest assembly with a first egg channel and a second nest assembly with a second egg channel.

An aviary cage having a cage tower is provided. The cage tower includes a nesting area positioned in the cage tower and a belt extending below the nesting area. A scratching floor extends from the cage tower and is oriented with respect to the belt such that a deposit on the scratching floor is directed back to the belt. The belt is configured to capture eggs laid outside the nesting area. The belt is configured to capture a deposit. The belt may be further configured to remove dead animals from the aviary cage.

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.

The invention relates to a poultry housing unit, in particular for ducks to lay eggs, a poultry house, in particular for keeping ducks, and a method for keeping ducks. The invention relates to a poultry housing unit for ducks to lay eggs, comprising a plurality of nests arranged one beside the other and above a floor area, at least one supporting element extending in the vertical direction from a lower supporting end to an upper free end and arranged relatively movably in the vertical direction in relation to the floor area, and a locking element which interacts with the supporting element to block movement of the supporting element in a vertically upward supporting direction relative to the floor area and to allow movement of the supporting element relative to the floor area in a vertically downward direction of free motion.

The invention relates to a poultry housing unit, in particular for ducks to lay eggs, a poultry house, in particular for keeping ducks, and a method for keeping ducks. The invention relates to a poultry housing unit for ducks to lay eggs, comprising a plurality of nests arranged one beside the other and above a floor area, at least one supporting element extending in the vertical direction from a lower supporting end to an upper free end and arranged relatively movably in the vertical direction in relation to the floor area, and a locking element which interacts with the supporting element to block movement of the supporting element in a vertically upward supporting direction relative to the floor area and to allow movement of the supporting element relative to the floor area in a vertically downward direction of free motion.

This invention relates to laying nest having a rack drive expulsion system. As disclosed herein, the invention preferably comprises a laying nest for hens comprising a box and a rack drive floor expulsion system. The floor pivotably moves between first and second positions by virtue of a gear rack that is fixedly connected to and disposed within the box, and a gear wheel that is rotatably connected to the floor. Accordingly, the expulsion system provides for the selected removal of hens from the laying nests as desired.

This invention relates to laying nest having a rack drive expulsion system. As disclosed herein, the invention preferably comprises a laying nest for hens comprising a box and a rack drive floor expulsion system. The floor pivotably moves between first and second positions by virtue of a gear rack that is fixedly connected to and disposed within the box, and a gear wheel that is rotatably connected to the floor. Accordingly, the expulsion system provides for the selected removal of hens from the laying nests as desired.

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).