Apparatus and method for raising and transporting poultry

摘要

An apparatus and method for raising and transporting poultry and which is adapted to substantially eliminate the necessity of repeated manual handling of the poultry to thereby reduce labor costs and injuries to the poultry. The apparatus includes a portable enclosure for receiving and containing the poultry during growth and being of a size and construction suitable for being transported with the poultry therein by a truck, railway car or the like. At least one substantially horizontally extending endless conveyor is movably mounted in the housing and has an upper surface serving as a floor for supporting the poultry and receiving droppings therefrom. The conveyor is advanced at a relatively slow rate of speed which is substantially imperceptible to the poultry standing thereon, whereby the droppings and dead and infirm poultry are moved to the downstream end of the conveyor for removal.