Abstract: A ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.

Abstract: An aviary that includes a system and method for providing litter to birds and for circulating the litter throughout the aviary. A litter distribution chain extends through at least some of the scratching platforms. The litter distribution chain receives litter from a storage container and then transfers the litter through the aviary for use by the birds on the scratching platforms. At least a portion of the litter from one scratching platform is directed to move to a scratching platform on a lower level where the litter may be used by birds occupying this lower level. This circulation pattern repeats on the current level, with the recycled litter being deposited on at least one scratching platform near the next lower aviary tower level. Once the litter reaches the lowest aviary tower level, it remains there until it is removed from the aviary by a belt or other means.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a ventilation system for an aviary including at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof. The ventilation system includes a first fan disposed in one of the at least one exterior walls. A plenum is disposed on one of the at least one exterior walls. A second fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum. The present embodiments also provide a method of constructing a ventilation system in an aviary, which aviary includes at least one exterior wall disposed between a floor and a roof, a first fan, a plenum, and a second fan. The method includes disposing the first fan in one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the plenum on one of the at least one exterior walls. The method also includes disposing the second fan in flow communication with the plenum.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a method of building an aviary comprising a floor, a roof, a frame, an exterior wall, and a cage tower including a plurality of support members. The method includes disposing the cage tower on the floor. The method also includes attaching the frame to the plurality of support members. The method also includes attaching at least one of the exterior wall and the roof to the frame. The present embodiments also provide an aviary having a cage tower including a plurality of support members. The cage tower is disposed on a floor. A frame is attached to the plurality of support members. At least one of an exterior wall and a roof is attached to the frame.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.

Abstract: An aviary includes a cage and a resilient platform coupled to the cage. The resilient platform is resilient such that movement of a bird on the resilient platform causes the resilient platform to flex and then rebound to loosen a deposit from the resilient platform but not permit the deposit to pass through the resilient platform.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a floor, a roof, and at least one wall having a plenum to draw air adjacent the roof down the plenum toward the floor. At least one cage tower is disposed on the floor. At least one walkway is disposed adjacent the at least one cage tower and is configured to facilitate bird access to the at least one cage tower. A fan is disposed in flow communication with the plenum to circulate air in the aviary.

Abstract: A protein-rich food product comprising water and solids, wherein at least 70% of the solids consist of protein, and a method for making the protein-rich food product. The protein-rich food product is capable of replacing flour food products as a low-calorie, gluten-free, high-protein alternative.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An aviary is provided having a floor and a first aviary cage including a first outside surface enclosing a first inside area. The aviary further comprises a second aviary cage substantially similar to the first aviary cage and including a second outside surface enclosing a second inside area. The second aviary cage is positioned at a height from the floor greater than a height from the floor at which the first aviary cage is positioned. An aisle extends between the first aviary cage and the second aviary cage. A first perch extends from the first outside surface of the first aviary cage and into the aisle at a first vertical distance from the floor. A second perch extends from the second outside surface of the second aviary cage and into the aisle at a second vertical distance from the floor. The first and second vertical distances from the floor are not equal.

Abstract: A beak trimming device is provided. The device includes a trough operative to receive an avian attractant. The trough has an inner surface. The inner surface includes one or more abrasive surfaces configured to contact and trim a beak of a bird accessing the attractant at the trough. In some embodiments, the attractant is feed.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary that includes a cage tower and an egg collector. A cover is positioned over the egg collector and includes an inner end and an outer end. A cover adjustment member is coupled to the cover to reversibly raise one of the inner end and the outer end to a higher position than the other of the inner end and the outer end to facilitate movement of a deposit disposed on the cover toward the lower positioned end. The present embodiments also provide a method of operating an adjustable balcony in an aviary, which aviary includes a cage tower, an egg collector, a cover including an inner end and an outer end, and a deposit. The method includes disposing the cage tower in the aviary, disposing the egg collector on the cage tower, disposing the cover above the egg collector, and disposing the deposit on the cover.

Abstract: An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.

Abstract: An aviary is provided, wherein the aviary includes a cage tower including an outside surface. An egg collector extends from the outside surface of the cage tower. A cover is positioned over the egg collector. A perch is positioned adjacent to the egg collector so that a gap is formed between the perch and the cover. The gap is sized to prevent eggs from rolling between the perch and the cover.

Abstract: An aviary is provided having a floor and a first aviary cage including a first outside surface enclosing a first inside area. The aviary further comprises a second aviary cage similar to the first aviary cage and including a second outside surface enclosing a second inside area. An aisle extends between the first aviary cage and the second aviary cage. A first perch extends from the first outside surface of the first aviary cage and into the aisle at a first vertical distance from the floor. A second perch extends from the second outside surface of the second aviary cage and into the aisle at a second vertical distance from the floor. The first and second vertical distances from the floor are not equal.

Abstract: An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.

Abstract: An aviary is provided having a floor and a first aviary cage including a first outside surface enclosing a first inside area. The aviary further comprises a second aviary cage substantially similar to the first aviary cage and including a second outside surface enclosing a second inside area. The second aviary cage is positioned at a height from the floor greater than a height from the floor at which the first aviary cage is positioned. An aisle extends between the first aviary cage and the second aviary cage. A first perch extends from the first outside surface of the first aviary cage and into the aisle at a first vertical distance from the floor. A second perch extends from the second outside surface of the second aviary cage and into the aisle at a second vertical distance from the floor. The first and second vertical distances from the floor are not equal.

Abstract: An aviary is provided having a floor and a first aviary cage including a first outside surface enclosing a first inside area. The aviary further comprises a second aviary cage similar to the first aviary cage and including a second outside surface enclosing a second inside area. An aisle extends between the first aviary cage and the second aviary cage. A first perch extends from the first outside surface of the first aviary cage and into the aisle at a first vertical distance from the floor. A second perch extends from the second outside surface of the second aviary cage and into the aisle at a second vertical distance from the floor. The first and second vertical distances from the floor are not equal.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an aviary cage having a cage tower. 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.