Abstract: A small animal rearing apparatus (1) has a frame (2) of a rectangular shape, a rearing unit having a plurality of rearing sections (4) formed in vertical arrangement and provided respectively with floor boards (15) sloping down toward the front. Spray nozzles (18) are disposed respectively above the high rear ends of the floor boards (15) to spray washing water from the high rear ends of the floor boards (15) toward the low front ends of the same along the upper surfaces of the same, respectively. The high rear end of the floor board (15) of each rearing division (4) underlying the spray nozzle (18) does not have any raised part. The spray nozzle (18) can be disposed with its axis extended substantially in parallel to the upper surface of the floor board (15). A downward rear rim (15a) is formed by bending downward a rear edge portion of each floor board (15).

Abstract: A water feed device for small animal rearing apparatus has a water feed member (2) and a closing valve (5) operated by the water feed member (2). The water feed member (2) is sheathed in a sheathing pipe (3) so that a thin annular space (M) is formed between the water feed member (2) and the sheathing pipe (3). The sheathing pipe (3) is disposed coaxially in a protective pipe (4) so that a thick annular space (N) is formed between the sheathing pipe (3) and the protective pipe (4). When a small animal touches a fore end portion (2a) of the water feed member (2) projecting from the extremity of the sheathing pipe (3), the valve (5) is opened to permit water flow along the water feed member (2) toward the fore end portion (2a) to enable the small animal drink water.

Abstract: An air supply/exhaust device to be joined to a box-shaped rearing cage included in an experimental animal rearing apparatus to supply or exhaust air into or from the rearing cage. The air supply/exhaust device comprises an air supply pipe having a front end section provided with air supply/exhaust holes, and a stop ring mounted on a section of the air supply pipe behind the front end section provided with the air supply/exhaust holes. An elastic plug is mounted on a section of the air supply pipe extending behind the stop ring so as to be in contact with a back surface of the stop ring. The elastic plug has the shape of a truncated cone tapered toward an extremity of the air supply/exhaust pipe, and a spring holder is provided on the air supply pipe, and an elastic pressing member is mounted on a section of the air supply pipe between the elastic plug and the spring holder to press the elastic plug continuously toward the stop ring.

Abstract: A cage well suited for confining and rearing mice, rats and like relatively small animals in a germ free, hygienic atmosphere for experimentation purposes. Included is a boxlike casing with its open top closed by a horizontal lid. There are provided an air supply conduit for supplying germ free air into the casing, and an exhaust conduit for drawing air from within the casing, both extending into the casing through a side wall of the casing. The air supply conduit extends in parallel relation to the inner or lower surface of the lid and is formed with a series of air supply holes directed upwardly, so that supplied air flows upwardly against the lower surface of the lid and is then turned downwardly, whereby the supplied air does not impinge directly upon the animals, thus providing conditions favorable for the rearing of the animals.