Abstract: A system for treating wild birds includes an enclosure formed of a mesh material large enough to accommodate a plurality of wild coveying birds targeted for treatment. A call bird box is positioned within the enclosure. A call bird of the same species as the targeted birds is housed in the call box and makes calls for attracting the targeted birds. At least one ground level entrance is provided, sized and located to permit the entry of targeted birds into the enclosure while excluding non-targeted animals. A feeder containing medicated feed is provided within the enclosure for feeding the targeted birds entering the enclosure in order to treat the targeted wild coveying birds for parasites or disease. A cover is provided for protecting the medicated feed in the feeder from the environment. Methods for installing such a treatment system and treating wild birds using a treatment system are disclosed.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a film for an agricultural greenhouse that can maintain a CO2 concentration necessary for the photosynthesis of plants even when ventilation is not performed and to provide an agricultural greenhouse using the film. The film for an agricultural greenhouse of the present invention is a cellulose film which contains a cellulose acylate resin and has an equilibrium moisture content of 4% to 8% at a temperature of 25° C., a relative humidity of 80% and a thickness of 60 to 200 ?m.

Abstract: A system for treating water for subsequent consumption by animals. Illustratively, the system includes a wastewater treatment facility configured to treat wastewater effluent from an egg washer for subsequent consumption by egg producing birds. Further illustratively, stormwater run off collected from the facility is treated for subsequent consumption by the birds.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include a plurality of information handling resources and a thermal control system comprising a plurality of air movers, wherein the thermal control system is configured to operate in a first cooling mode in which the thermal control system operates at least one first air mover of the plurality of air movers to maintain a first information handling resource of the plurality of information handling resources above a minimum temperature threshold and operates at least one second air mover of the plurality of air movers to maintain a second information handling resource of the plurality of information handling resources below a maximum temperature threshold.

Abstract: Most of the time, the disclosed plant husbandry and food preparation apparatus encloses a garden plant, such that the plant is protected on all sides from animals. It may comprise a planter in which the plant is grown, a cage that is attached to the lip of the planter, and a dome containing apertures, which is seated atop the cage. The seated dome may be opened, while the dome is still attached to the cage, allowing the gardener to harvest produce. The opened dome is configured for use as a receptacle into which the harvested produce is deposited. The dome is also configured to be effortlessly detachable from the remainder of the apparatus, so that produce within it may be conveniently transported and rinsed. The dome may also be configured to serve as a strainer/steamer basket and as support for an auxiliary irrigation and/or animal deterrence system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solar tile includes a hollow body including a first half and a second half, the first half including a dark-colored side that is adapted to absorb solar energy and the second half including a light-colored side that is adapted to reflect solar energy, the first and second halves defining an open interior space through which heat exchange fluid can pass, and a central tube that enables the heat exchange fluid to enter or exit the interior space of the body, wherein the central tube also forms a central axis about which the tile can be rotated.

Abstract: Differential illumination systems and methods selectively provide light having different spectrums in an aviary system for housing animals located within an enclosure, and in the enclosure. A first light source produces light with a first spectrum, and illuminates an internal volume of the aviary system. A second light source produces light with a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and illuminates the enclosure outside of the aviary system. The first spectrum can have a higher red component than the second spectrum to encourage chicken to lay eggs inside of the aviary system, and the second spectrum can have a higher blue component than the first spectrum to discourage chicken from laying eggs outside of the aviary system.

Abstract: A system for handling animals includes: a movable series of modules to contain the animals; a plurality of stations at a first location in a facility, at least one station to communicate with at least one module, whereby substances may be dispensed to a module from a station and/or materials may be collected from a module by a station; a first transporter for transporting the series in a first direction and to transport a module from a second location in the facility to a first position between the first and second locations; a second transporter for transporting the series in a second direction and to transport a module from the first position to a second position nearer the stations; a source of a first motive force to move modules on the first transporter; and a source of a second motive force to move modules to the second transporter.

Abstract: An air quality enhancement system that includes an enclosure and an electrostatic particle ionization system. A plurality of objects is located in the enclosure. The enclosure has an interior height that is greater than a height of the objects. The plurality of objects emits particles that become airborne. The electrostatic particle ionization system includes at least one corona point and a corona point mounting mechanism. The corona point mounting mechanism operably mounts the at least one corona point within the enclosure for movement between an extended position and a retracted. When in the extended position, the at least one corona point is closer to the plurality of objects than the enclosure. When in the retracted position, the at least one corona point is closer to the enclosure than the plurality of objects.

Abstract: A sprinkler controller in a poultry house having a processor, a data storage device operatively connected to the processor, the data storage device having instructions for programming the processor, and an input/output module operatively connected to the processor. The input/output module is configured to communicate with at least one valve for controlling a flow of fluid between a fluid source and at least one sprinkler nozzle. The at least one valve has an open position permitting the flow of fluid, and a closed position inhibiting the flow of fluid, and the position of the valve being determined by the processor. The processor is programmed to set the valve in the open position at a start of an activity promotion interval, and to set the valve in the closed position at the end of the activity promotion interval. The duration of the activity promotion interval is selected such that a sufficient amount of fluid is dispersed through the sprinkler nozzle to promote physical activity in the poultry.

Abstract: A poultry house has a floor with a surface area. Litter covers substantially the entire surface area of the floor. A nourishment dispensing device, which is preferably a water trough or other watering device, is preferably positioned above the floor and litter in a nourishment area. A platform is located in the nourishment area above the litter and floor, and below the nourishment dispensing device. The platform is preferably comprised of a grate or a series of slats, and preferably extends throughout substantially the entire nourishment area. The platform is constructed with through-holes or slits which are structured to allow liquids, such as, to pass through the platform to the litter below. However, the through-holes or slits are not so large as to allow the feet of chicken or other poultry from passing there through to make contact with the wet litter below.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and acquiring data concerning the health of poultry and animals housed in one or more barns or enclosed environments predicated upon the frequencies and intensity of sounds generated by the poultry and animals to obtain baseline data of healthy and happy poultry and animals.

Abstract: A method of illuminating livestock with artificial light sources. The method includes generating a first light having a first light output that provides white light at typical lumen levels for workers. Then by using a dimming device the light source can be dimmed to provide a blue light at under 3 lumen in order to provide artificial light to the diurnal avians representative of moonlight to cause the occurrence of a predetermined characteristic visual spectral response of the diurnal avian substantially enclosed habitat for diurnal avians.

Abstract: An edible bird's nests production facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. A plurality of arrangement of swiftlet's nesting substrates configured to maximize efficiency, productivity and high net worth value of the edible nests products created. The facility includes mechanized equipment and apparatus for harvesting swiftlet's edible nests at great heights; carriage of goods and equipment in swiftlets farming houses; safe and efficient collection of nests.

Abstract: An avian shelter comprising a top or bottom cover portion designed to engage with one or more wall sections to form a stackable enclosure, including an access opening adapted to provide privacy and access to the interior of the cage enclosure. Optional complementary locking members are disposed on the outer surfaces to provide the ability to secure one or more said enclosures to each other.

Abstract: Various apparatus and associated methods involve a light source that provides light at wavelengths that substantially correlate to local maxima in the spectral sensitivity of a diurnal avian. In an illustrative example, the light source may output light primarily in wavelength bands that are not substantially absorbed by colored oil droplets and/or visual pigment in at least one type of cone in the eye of a diurnal avian. In some embodiments, the light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. Exemplary light sources may output spectral components to illuminate diurnal avians with local maxima of intensity at wavelengths that substantially correspond to local maxima in a spectral sensitivity visual response characteristic of the diurnal avians.

Abstract: A multistage livestock house system may include an outer frame, and a plurality of adjacent stages within the outer frame. Each one of the stages may be configured to hold livestock of a predetermined age range for a predetermined time interval. The system may also include a wash system disposed in each stage, wherein at least one of the stages is configured to be washed by a respective wash system after each time interval. The system may also include an effluent tank that is configured to collect effluent that is washed from each stage by the wash systems.

Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality by collecting airborne particles. The system includes at least one ground plane, at least one corona point, an ionization field strength adjustment mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. The at least one ground plane is operably mounted proximate to where the airborne particles are present. The at least one ground plane includes at least one ground plane surface. The least one corona point operably is mounted to the at least one ground plane for causing an accumulation of particles to be deposited on the at least one ground plane surface. The ionization field strength adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted. The cleaning mechanism is capable of removing the accumulation of particles from the at least one ground plane surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying a chemical, such as an ammonia control chemical, in an animal house. The apparatus includes spreading apparatus adapted to be installed at an elevated position in the animal house and adapted for spreading the chemical onto the floor in the house. The apparatus also includes feeding apparatus adapted for feeding the chemical from a supply to the spreading apparatus. A method of controlling ammonia emissions from an animal agriculture operation includes applying an ammonia control chemical during both the early part and the late part of the grow out of the animals so that the chemical contacts ammonia from animal waste and reduces or prevents its emission into the air.

Abstract: A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

Abstract: A system for treating water for subsequent consumption by animals. Illustratively, the system includes a wastewater treatment facility configured to treat wastewater effluent from an egg washer for subsequent consumption by egg producing birds. Further illustratively, stormwater run off collected from the facility is treated for subsequent consumption by the birds.

Abstract: Various apparatus and associated methods involve a light source that provides light at wavelengths that substantially correlate to local maxima in the spectral sensitivity of a diurnal avian. In an illustrative example, the light source may output light primarily in wavelength bands that are not substantially absorbed by colored oil droplets and/or visual pigment in at least one type of cone in the eye of a diurnal avian. In some embodiments, the light source may include a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. Exemplary light sources may output spectral components to illuminate diurnal avians with local maxima of intensity at wavelengths that substantially correspond to local maxima in a spectral sensitivity visual response characteristic of the diurnal avians.

Abstract: A poultry raising system includes a poultry house and facilities attached to the poultry house. The facilities include lighting facilities irradiating poultry with light; and the lighting facilities include a semiconductor light source, for irradiation with light having peak wavelength in the range of 550 to 650 nm emitted from the semiconductor light source. The light in this wavelength range has positive influence on sexual maturation, appetite, need for sleep and condition of internal organs. Light of shorter peak wavelength includes ultraviolet rays that cause stress on the poultry and attract insects. Light of longer wavelength includes infrared rays that increase temperature of the poultry and of the poultry house. It is possible to emit light having peak wavelength in a specific range effective to growth and fattening. Because of high electricity-to-light conversion efficiency, high economic efficiency can be attained, and CO2 emission can be reduced.

Abstract: A system for enhancing air quality within a poultry production facility that includes an enclosure, at least one ground plane, at least one corona point and a corona point position adjustment mechanism. The enclosure is adapted to receive a plurality of poultry. The at least one ground plane is mounted with respect to the enclosure. The corona point position adjustment mechanism enables a distance between the at least one corona point and the at least one ground plane to be adjusted.

Abstract: An animal husbandry tunnel door with adjoining extrusions for closing a tunnel ventilation opening typically in a broiler house has opposing faces with top, bottom and side edges. The faces sandwich an insulation layer. The adjoining extrusions have a first door top, bottom and side extrusion, along with a second door side edge extrusion. The first door top, bottom and side edge extrusions each have parallel inner prongs with barbs and adjacent parallel outer flanges forming two slots therebetween for receiving the top, bottom and side edges of the opposing door faces as the inner prongs with barbs pass into the insulation and are held thereat. The second door side edge extrusion has parallel inner prongs adjacent parallel outer flanges forming two slots therebetween for receiving the other side face edges as the inner prongs with barbs pass into the insulation and are held thereat.

Abstract: A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

Abstract: A multistage livestock house system may include an outer frame, and a plurality of adjacent stages within the outer frame. Each one of the stages may be configured to hold livestock of a predetermined age range for a predetermined time interval. The system may also include a wash system disposed in each stage, wherein at least one of the stages is configured to be washed by a respective wash system after each time interval. The system may also include an effluent tank that is configured to collect effluent that is washed from each stage by the wash systems.

Abstract: A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

Abstract: A swiftlet breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swiftlet feeding environment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying a chemical, such as an ammonia control chemical, in an animal house. The apparatus includes spreading apparatus adapted to be installed at an elevated position in the animal house and adapted for spreading the chemical onto the floor in the house. The apparatus also includes feeding apparatus adapted for feeding the chemical from a supply to the spreading apparatus. A method of controlling ammonia emissions from an animal agriculture operation includes applying an ammonia control chemical during both the early part and the late part of the grow out of the animals so that the chemical contacts ammonia from animal waste and reduces or prevents its emission into the air.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: An edible bird's nests production facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. A plurality of arrangement of swiftlet's nesting substrates configured to maximize efficiency, productivity and high net worth value of the edible nests products created. The facility includes mechanized equipment and apparatus for harvesting swiftlet's edible nests at great heights; carriage of goods and equipment in swiftlets farming houses; safe and efficient collection of nests.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. A facility for housing the poultry includes a wall with at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan for ventilating the facility and a movable curtain covering a curtain opening. A controller operates the movable curtain to expose an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. Alternatively, the controller operates the movable curtain to limit exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry. The light absorbing material of the fan facilitates the lighting effect achieved by the controller's operation of, for example, the movable curtain.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the house relative to the outside environment which is vented to the floor assembly plenum. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure from urine and otherwise evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and floor assembly plenum to effectively keep dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. A facility for housing the poultry includes a wall with at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan for ventilating the facility and a movable curtain covering a curtain opening. A controller operates the movable curtain to expose an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. Alternatively, the controller operates the movable curtain to limit exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry. The light absorbing material of the fan facilitates the lighting effect achieved by the controller's operation of, for example, the movable curtain.

Abstract: A poultry raising system includes a poultry house and facilities attached to the poultry house. The facilities include lighting facilities irradiating poultry with light; and the lighting facilities include a semiconductor light source, for irradiation with light having peak wavelength in the range of 550 to 650 nm emitted from the semiconductor light source. The light in this wavelength range has positive influence on sexual maturation, appetite, need for sleep and condition of internal organs. Light of shorter peak wavelength includes ultraviolet rays that cause stress on the poultry and attract insects. Light of longer wavelength includes infrared rays that increase temperature of the poultry and of the poultry house. It is possible to emit light having peak wavelength in a specific range effective to growth and fattening. Because of high electricity-to-light conversion efficiency, high economic efficiency can be attained, and CO2 emission can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: An animal house curtain comprising a metallized composite sheet can be made from a sheet layer having two outer surfaces, the sheet layer comprising at least one of a nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric-film laminate, woven fabric-film laminate, film and composites thereof, and at least one coating on at least one outer surface of the sheet layer, said coating comprising a metal coating layer having a thickness between about 15 nanometers and about 200 nanometers adjacent the outer surface of the sheet layer and wherein the emissivity of the composite sheet is less than about 0.50. Optionally, an organic coating layer of a composition containing a material selected from the group consisting of compounds, polymers, oligomers and combinations thereof, having a thickness between about 0.2 micrometer and about 2.5 micrometers can be deposited on the metal layer.

Abstract: An animal husbandry tunnel door with adjoining extrusions for closing a tunnel ventilation opening typically in a broiler house has opposing faces with top, bottom and side edges. The faces sandwich an insulation layer. The adjoining extrusions have a first door top, bottom and side extrusion, along with a second door side edge extrusion. The first door top, bottom and side edge extrusions each have parallel inner prongs with barbs and adjacent parallel outer flanges forming two slots therebetween for receiving the top, bottom and side edges of the opposing door faces as the inner prongs with barbs pass into the insulation and are held thereat. The second door side edge extrusion has parallel inner prongs adjacent parallel outer flanges forming two slots therebetween for receiving the other side face edges as the inner prongs with barbs pass into the insulation and are held thereat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: A poultry flooring system, comprising a housing structure having four walls and a floor; a substantially inelastic film member raised above the floor to provide a raised floor structure. The inelastic film member comprises apertures to permit waste products and ventilation to through said inelastic film member; wherein the inelastic film structure is maintained under tension to reduce need for independent support structures between the film member and the floor. In a preferred embodiment, an air bag system or other mechanical support system is used to reduce sag in the inelastic film supported under tension, whereby the inelastic film may me easily raised and lowered during use and harvest.

Abstract: An improved poultry coop that facilitates the prevention of entry of predators and the transmission of pathogens to and between the housed birds. In a preferred embodiment, the coop, which advantageously meets bird flu guidelines, includes an insulated house, a covered run coupled to the house, and a covered feed house. All openings are preferably covered with ½? hardware cloth or mesh wire. the same cloth or mesh wire is preferably buried beneath the earth below the coop and coupled to the coop.

Abstract: A method is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: Hatchlings are raised initially on a strip of sheet material which is laid on the floor of a containment pen with a layer of a feed material for the hatchlings. After the hatchlings have grown to a stage where they can move from the paper, the strip is removed by a hand cart operable by a user walking with the cart, the hand cart having wheels arranged for hand steering movement of the vehicle by the user to follow the strip while avoiding the hatchlings. A support is provided on the vehicle for winding the strip into a roll as the cart is moved across the floor. The support is rotated either by a motor or by a hand crank controlled by the user so that the cart is propelled solely by the winding of the strip onto the roll providing a pulling action on the cart and by pushing by the user. Alternatively the roll is driven by frictional contact with the ground wheels so that it rolls up the strip at a rate dependent on the forward movement of the cart.

Abstract: An efficient economical automated animal house is provided to increase the health and longevity of animals, such as poultry, and swine. The automated poultry house provides for automatic removal of contaminated bedding and replacement with fresh or recycled bedding. The automated animal house also greatly reduces concentration of dust and noxious gases to provide for a cleaner and healthier environment for the animals and workers.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, managing, and/or operating a plurality of farm houses on a plurality of farms. The system includes a controller and/or a monitor box in the farm house and a computer in communication with the controller for controlling and adjusting various parameters of the farm house or with the monitor box for monitoring the farm house. The system also includes a computer at an integrator's office that is operable to monitor and/or control various parameters from the farm house remotely. These parameters enable the integrator to coordinate operations with processing plants, feed mills, field service and hatcheries. It also enables the integrator to prepare various data reports for use by the integrator or others.

Abstract: A method is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.

Abstract: An efficient economical automated animal house is provided to increase the health and longevity of animals, such as poultry, and swine. The automated poultry house provides for automatic removal of contaminated bedding and replacement with fresh or recycled bedding. The automated animal house also greatly reduces concentration of dust and noxious gases to provide for a cleaner and healthier environment for the animals and workers.

Abstract: A method is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.