Abstract: An enclosure for poultry is described which has a feeding floor with openings to allow the feeding of the poultry housed therein. The enclosure is provided with a partition which is used to change the effective size of the openings through which the birds gain entry to the feed trough. Smaller openings, suitable for small birds and large openings, suitable for larger birds, are thus provided. When not in use, the partition is pivoted to a vertical position, away from the cage floor so that it does not interfere with the movement of the birds.

Abstract: A manure scraper assembly for removal of manure from collecting sheets used in association with poultry cage systems. The scraper assembly includes a blade member which is angularly disposed with respect to the manure collecting sheets and which has the lower portion of each end thereof raised sufficiently to facilitate sliding across the overlapped edges of the manure collecting sheets. The scraper assembly is pivotally movable with respect to the manure collecting sheets so that the leading and trailing ends of the scraper blade are functionally interchanged when the direction of movement of the scraper assembly is reversed upon reaching the end of the length of manure collecting sheets.

Abstract: A cage door construction, useful for poultry cages and the like which are stacked one above another, has a door opening framed in a wall of the cage by vertical and horizontal wires. The vertical wires extend beyond the upper horizontal wire of the door frame and are bent over to become part of the top of the cage where they serve as guide wires for sliding movement of the cage door. The case door is formed of a single piece of wire bent into a U-shaped with lateral arms extending outward from the open end therof. Each laterally extending arm is provided at its end with an eye which slidably engages one of the guide wires. Indentations, formed in the legs of the U-shaped door, can lock into place under the upper horizontal wire. When closed, a portion of the U-shaped door slides in front of and is then bent under a wire disposed below the door frame; it thus travels downward, being engaged in an entrapment below the door to restrict its sideward movement.

Abstract: An easily assembled poultry cage system wherein the framework for the system includes a plurality of spaced A-frame members all of which are adapted to be assembled without the use of conventional fasteners. Protrusions and complementary receptacles are utilized for joining, connecting and interconnecting parts of the system. Once assembled into the appropriate receptacle, the protruding member is deformed in a manner to securely fasten the respective members together. The cages are supported between A-frame members by means of wire supports secured to the A-frames, by interconnection of the cages and by means of the feed trough. The feed trough is supported by a clip member in which it is secured by a snap-fit to the spaced A-frame members.

Abstract: In a feed supply system in which feed from a hopper is directed into down spouts by means of augers, agitators, gravity feed or the like, the down spouts terminating at a feed trough, a sensor capable of sensing a build up of feed is disposed at the end of the down spout and supplies a signal to terminate dispensing when excess feed is sensed.

Abstract: Auger assembly for use in feed dispensing hoppers comprising in combination an elongate housing member with feed dispensing openings on the underside thereof, web portions extending above the dispensing openings, feed admitting cutouts longitudinally spaced from the openings and on the upper side of the housing member; at least one drive shaft disposed in the housing member and extending the full length thereof; a multi-sectional auger device having a bore disposed around the drive shaft and secured thereto for rotation therewith. Each section of the auger device is adapted to convey feed into the space under a web portion of the housing member and dispense feed out through a dispensing opening.

Abstract: A feed dispensing hopper of the type adapted to travel along the length of a battery cage arrangement to dispense feed into feed troughs extending along the battery cage arrangement which includes at least a pair of inclined wall portions converging to a channel portion to which feed is funneled by gravity. An auger device is provided in the bottom of the channel and is adapted to convey feed out through feed discharge outlets into the troughs. An agitating mechanism is provided to break up the feed that is funneled into the channel and a canopy or hood is disposed above the agitator to divert feed to opposite sides of the agitator and thus prevent packing of feed all around the agitator.

Abstract: Electrical connectors and assembly thereof comprising both male and female connectors formed from spring metal material. The assembly is particularly adaptable for use in automatically establishing electrical contact between the terminal of a self-propelled mobile unit and a fixed terminal. The female connector is formed with a constricted throat defined by first and second portions extending from secured ends to the constricted throat. The first and second portions continue from the throat diverging outwardly therefrom to define a pair of lip elements which facilitate entrance of a male connector by guiding the male connector in forcibly expanding the throat. The female connector member by reason of its spring characteristic grips the male connector to ensure an effective contact. At least one of the male or female connectors are of sufficient breadth to compensate for slight misalignment therebetween.

Abstract: A method of controlling feed ingredients and quantity consumed by livestock including the steps of confining the livestock in an area, segregating the livestock into two or more groups, providing each of the segregated groups of livestock with its own individual feed receptacle, dispensing accurately measured uniform quantities of feed into each receptacle at numerous intervals each day. In the case of poultry, for example, groups of five chickens each may be confined in a cage with a feed receptacle that is on the order of 15 inches in length provided therefor. Feed may be dispensed into each receptacle on the order of about 4 to 20 times each day. For groups of five chickens fed 16 times a day, for example, the quantity of feed dispensed into each receptacle at each feeding interval may be about one ounce per 15 inches or five chickens.