Abstract: A broiler rearing unit comprises an elongate housing which defines a continuous elongate space able to accommodate birds from chicks through to maturity and allow them to exercise, and having a floor 9 which extends longitudinally of, and is movable along, the space so that birds can be transported on the floor to one end of the space for removal from the housing. The floor comprises a series of load-supporting elements 10 which are releasably connected end-to-end and can be successively detached from the remaining elements when they reach the end of the space. Each load-supporting element in turn has drive imparted to it, suitably by a motor driven portable drive assembly, as it reaches the leading end of the floor and the drive is transmitted to the other elements of the floor through the connections between the elements.

Abstract: A hopper for supplying food to a livestock feeding trough has a food levelling device at its outlet which comprises a downward extension of the outlet with side and end walls which is supported from the main body of the hopper by spring-loaded means which allow the extension to move vertically relative to the outlet and normally urge the extension downwards. The spring-loaded means may comprise guide rods which are slideable in brackets mounted on the main body, are secured to the extension and are fitted with compression springs which act between the brackets and the guide members. When the hopper is mounted over a trough for use the extension is urged by the spring-loaded means to rest on the trough at all times as the hopper travels along the trough. This ensures that a constant level of food is discharged into the trough as the hopper travels along it regardless of any variations in the heights of the trough and the main body of the hopper during the travel of the hopper along the trough.