Abstract: A trailer for transporting living fowl includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure that are separated by a partition wall, each of the first and second enclosures being defined by a top, a floor, the partition wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall; an apparatus for generating conditioned air to be supplied to the first and second enclosures; the partition wall having a length extending vertically between the floor and the ceiling and a width extending horizontally between the first and second side walls; the partition wall including a plurality of fans being structured and disposed for creating a path of airflow of the conditioned air throughout the first and second enclosures; and a plurality of air supply ducts in fluid flow communication with the apparatus for generating conditioned air.

Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, inner and outer panels of a cargo bed, and a heat exchange module that manages thermal energy levels of a traction battery. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between the inner and outer panels. An exemplary thermal management method includes, among other things, managing thermal energy within a traction battery by exchanging thermal energy between a first fluid and a second fluid at a heat exchange module. The heat exchange module is disposed within a chamber between inner and outer panels of a cargo bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system and a method for transporting livestock, in particular poultry such as chicks, wherein the transport system includes a transport compartment with an air entry side and an air exit side. The transport system further includes a ventilation system for supplying air to the transport compartment at the air entry side. The transport system is provided with positioning elements which are arranged for receiving and holding a plurality of boxes for the livestock in a transport position in the transport compartment between the air entry side and the air exit side of the transport compartment. The positioning elements are arranged to hold and position the boxes in the transport position in which the boxes form a first row and a second row that converge towards each other in a direction from the air entry side towards the air exit side of the transport compartment.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: In accordance with example embodiment, a system may include a supply unit, a first transfer unit, a second transfer unit, and a gas chamber. In example embodiments, the supply unit may include a plurality of compartments and each compartment may have a moving device configured to move contents of the compartment from a first end of the compartment to a second end of the compartment. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may include a second moving device. In example embodiments, the second transfer unit may include a third moving device. In example embodiments the first transfer unit may be configured to receive contents from each compartment of the supply unit and move the contents to the second transfer unit, and the third moving device may be configured to move the contents to the gas chamber.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the placing of poultry animals supplied on at least one poultry conveyor into containers is provided with a frame, a number of first platforms mounted on the frame and extending horizontally at a first level for the purpose of carrying a container for each of the poultry conveyors. Each first platform is located at the end of a poultry conveyor. At least a first discharge transport element is mounted on the frame at the first level and extending transversely of the poultry conveyors and situated on the side of the platforms facing away from the poultry conveyor for the purpose of carrying away containers filled with poultry. A first connecting element extends between the first discharge transport element and each of the first platforms and mounted on the frame for the purpose of transporting containers filled with poultry between the relevant platform and the discharge transport element. The invention also relates to a method.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: A system and method for handling live poultry by means of transporting units including a quadrangular supporting frame and a plurality of drawer-type cages arranged in a superimposed and extractable condition within the supporting frame. The supporting frame of the transporting unit is devoid of a lower pallet, and is manipulable by means of a lifting truck that is provided with a roller platform for moving the transporting unit.

Abstract: A reduced-weight poultry cage is used in conjunction with a reduced-weight trailer to transport live poultry for maximizing the poundage of poultry being transported while reducing the number of trips and fuel expenses. The poultry cage includes a combination of aluminum and plastic elements that reduce cage weight, provide for nesting of cages in stacks as well as easy replacement of failed parts. Furthermore, a drop-deck aluminum trailer with a reduced floor and guide rail alignment stops allows for a durable yet lightweight trailer that can haul a plurality of stacks of these poultry cages, thereby maximizing cubic feet availability while being compliant with various road and bridge laws.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting living fowl is provided and includes an enclosure defined by a top, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, and first and second side walls. The side walls are made of fabric so that the living fowl may be loaded and unloaded from the sides of the trailer. A main air supply duct extends a substantial portion of the length of the enclosure and receives conditioned air from an apparatus for generating conditioned air. A plurality of spaced apart vertical side ducts are connected to the main air supply duct and provide support for the top of the enclosure. A plurality of spaced apart floor ducts are connected to the vertical side ducts.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting living fowl is provided and includes an enclosure defined by a top, a front wall, a rear wall, a floor, and first and second side walls. The side walls are made of fabric so that the living fowl may be loaded and unloaded from the sides of the trailer. A main air supply duct extends a substantial portion of the length of the enclosure and receives conditioned air from an apparatus for generating conditioned air. A plurality of spaced apart vertical side ducts are connected to the main air supply duct and provide support for the top of the enclosure. A plurality of spaced apart floor ducts are connected to the vertical side ducts.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle is provided for use in transporting poultry loaded in a wheeled multi-tier cage from a first location to a second location, such as through the tight confines of a poultry house. The apparatus has a gripper assembly for releasably laterally engaging and disengaging one end of the cage above its fixed wheels and a lifter assembly disposed below the gripper assembly for selectively raising and lowering the cage adjacent its fixed wheels. The apparatus also has self-propelled drive wheels enabling linear and pivotal translation of the apparatus and cage along a support surface, such as the floor of the poultry house. Accordingly, the cage can be coupled to the apparatus and decoupled therefrom for efficient transportation of live poultry within a poultry house. A method of moving live poultry within a poultry house is also provided.

Abstract: The invention describes a poultry-loading machine able to guide poultry into a cage, the cage having an opening and a bottom surface. The machine comprises: a main frame; a first conveyor belt for transporting the poultry from a first position into a second position, the first conveyor belt being supported by the main frame; and a second conveyor belt for transporting the poultry into the container, the second conveyor belt defining a loading belt surface. The machine also comprises a device for modifying the inclination of the second conveyor belt so that the loading belt surface is substantially parallel to the bottom of the container; and an approach frame which supports the second conveyor belt, the approach frame being able to move the second conveyor belt towards and away from the container, the second conveyor belt being displaceable so as to enter into the container and transport the poultry inside it.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting live poultry hatchlings has a cargo space for containing a plurality of perforated hatching containers. The hatching containers are stacked to create a central passage for air flow along the length of the trailer from which the air is admitted into a side duct on each side of the trailer through apertures in each side wall of the cargo space. This creates a transverse flow of air through the hatchling containers. A variety of measures may be undertaken alone or in combination to promote a similar transverse flow of air at all positions along the length of the trailer. The size of the apertures, spacing between apertures, cross-sectional area of the side ducts, cross-sectional area of the cargo space, or a combination thereof, may be varied along the length of the trailer to promote a similar transverse flow of air at all positions along the length of the trailer.

Abstract: An improved poult box for transportation of newly hatched turkey poults. The box has an open top, a bottom joined by opposing sidewalls and at least one box divider. Positioned on the box divider is a removable poult feed tray which rests over the divider and presents feed at approximately eye level of turkey poults.

Abstract: A portable device for transporting young fowl from a hatchery to a growout house within a climate-controlled compartment located on a delivery vehicle, wherein the portable device can be composed, in part, of a frame, at least one conveyor belt, at least one baffle coupled to each of the at least one conveyor belt, a plurality of rollers coupled to the frame to support the conveyor belts, a motor for driving the conveyor belts, and a plurality of wheels supporting the frame. In operation, young fowl are loaded onto the at least one conveyor belt at a hatchery using a loading slide. After the portable device has been loaded to a desired level, it is loaded into the climate-controlled compartment and transported to the growout house. The young fowl are unloaded by backing the delivery vehicle into the growout house and unloading the young fowl using an unloading slide.

Abstract: There is provided an enclosed air conditioned trailer for transporting living fowl. The trailer includes a ceiling, first and second side walls, a front wall, a rear opening having a door attached thereto, and a bottom platform. A floor is located above the bottom platform, forming a space therebetween. At least one elongated air handling duct is located in the space. One end of the duct is attached to an air conditioning apparatus located near the front wall. The other end of the duct is located near the rear opening of the trailer. The floor forms the top of the duct. A plurality of openings are provided along the top of the duct so that air can pass from the duct into the inside of the trailer above the floor. The duct is tapered so that the velocity air flow from the holes is substantially equalized for the length of the duct. An outside air intake valve is provided and is opened in response to the detection of high CO2 levels on the inside of the trailer.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting poultry and transporting the poultry to a slaughterhouse, in which the birds are at least partially made unconscious prior to their arrival at the slaughterhouse. Prior to or during their collection, the birds can be conveyed through a tunnel containing a stunning gas. A goods vehicle for carrying crates or containers with poultry to a slaughterhouse can be provided with means for introducing a stunning gas into the crates or containers.