Abstract: The invention relates to a poultry cage comprising: a cage floor (10), preferably having a grid structure, end (11, 13) and side walls (12, 14) which extend upward from the cage floor and define all sides of an area where the animals are kept, an introducing device (50) for introducing litter material (51), which is disposed above the cage floor and from which the litter material can be dispensed from at least one discharge opening, wherein at least one section of the device for introducing litter is disposed between the side walls, a litter plate (60, 160) connected to the cage floor, which has an upwardly facing floor standing area, comprising one section (66) which lies above the at least one discharge opening and has fixing means for fixing the litter plate to the cage floor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environmentally friendly housing for laying hens. A preferred embodiment includes a covered structure having perching area having a porous floor, a worm bed under the perching area in which worms feed upon the manure that falls through the porous floor, a back door for access to the worm bed, and nesting boxes for laying eggs. Some embodiments are modular and can be readily expanded in sections, with each section including the parts described above. Some embodiments include an enclosed yard area in which the hens can go outside the structure and still be safe from predators. Grain can be grown in a part of the enclosed yard, with irrigation for the grain being provided by a rainwater collection system on the roof of the structure.