| 摘要 |
<p>A poultry broiler cage comprising a plurality of stacked tiers or confinement areas (20, 30, 40) each comprising a floor (50, 70, 100) movable longitudinally between an operative position and an inverted inoperative position whereby poultry can be loaded and unloaded. Each floor is selectively responsive to a driven axle (71) and comprises low friction rails (80) on opposite sides of the confinement area; a chain (75, 76) rides and movable longitudinally along each rail. A plurality of spaced support bars (83) extend between the chains and a flexible floor material (87) extends between and is supported in trampoline-like fashion on the support bars. The floor material comprises an open-weave fabric with apertures (89) through which droppings can easily pass. Each cage tier includes an access door (120, 130) pivotal about a horizontal axis (133) located between the th upper and lower edges (131a, 131b) of the door. The pivot axis is located below the inoperative position of the floor (87) immediately above the door so that when the door is opened to a horizontal position, the upper floor can be moved into and out of its inoperative position, and when the door is closed, poultry cannot escape over the door. The broiler cage further comprises a single motor-driven shaft (112) and a clutch (121) for selectively driving each floor with the same motor. </p> |
