Abstract: An apparatus for motivating one or more animals to move within an enclosed area is disclosed. The apparatus includes a track disposed within the enclosed area and a carriage movably mounted on the track. Also included are a drive mechanism for moving the carriage around the track and an actuating element for actuating the drive mechanism. The invention also includes one or more of a number of elements which are perceivable by the animal and which cause the animal to move within the enclosed area. The actuating element includes a docking member which is connected adjacent the track and a switch which interacts with the docking member to control the movement of the carriage along the track. The actuating member further includes a temperature sensing element which causes the carriage to move along the track whenever a temperature is sensed which is outside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the feed conversion of poultry confined within a poultry raising house. A guide rail having a moveable carriage attached thereto is provided within the house and a baffle positioned adjacent the floor of the house is attached to the carriage. The carriage is periodically caused to move along the guide rail whereby the baffle is moved over substantially the entire floor area of the house so that poultry within the house are disturbed and forced to move to a feeding location.