Abstract: An excrement-drying device (1) for animal stalls, such as poultry stalls, comprises an excrement conveyor belt (2) for conveying the excrement along a conveying direction (F), wherein the excrement conveyor belt (2) extends over a conveying length (L) and has a top side (10) for receiving the excrement (K), and a drying unit (3) with at least one discharge element (4), which has at least one air nozzle (5) for blowing air onto the excrement (K) lying on the excrement conveyor belt (2) in order to dry the excrement (K). The top side (10) for receiving the excrement (K) of the excrement conveyor belt (2) is divided into several excrement conveyor belt sections (TB1, TB2) arranged one after the other in the conveying direction (F); and the at least one discharge element (4) is arranged in such a way that air is blown onto only one of said excrement conveyor belt sections (TB1, TB2).

Abstract: A poultry cage comprises a resting surface in a horizontal plane having a plurality of openings, a manure collecting surface arranged underneath the resting surface, and a drying air channel comprising a first side wall having a set of first openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface and a set of second openings for directing drying air towards the manure collecting surface. Each first opening directs the drying air at a first angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface and each second opening directs the drying air at a second angle against a vertical direction towards the manure collecting surface, wherein the first angle being different than the second angle.

Abstract: An aviary is provided including an aviary cage having a first side, a second side, and a nesting area. The nesting area is positioned between the first side and the second side. A belt extends beneath the nesting area. A grate having a first end and a second end is positioned over the belt. The first end of the grate extends to the first side of the aviary cage, and the second end of the grate extends to the second side of the aviary cage. A first egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the first end of the grate. A second egg conveyor is positioned adjacent the second end of the grate.

Abstract: A system for the collection and disposal of grain samples including a grain sample receptacle, a vacuum bin and a vacuum pump. A grain sample conduit extends from a discharge opening of the receptacle to the upper interior of the vacuum bin. The air inlet end of the vacuum pump is connected to the interior of the vacuum bin to create a negative pressure therein. The grain samples which have been tested are dumped into the receptacle. When the receptacle is full, the vacuum pump is operated so that the grain samples in the receptacle will be drawn into the interior of the vacuum bin. When the vacuum bin is full, the vacuum bin may be transported to a dump pit or the like so that the contents of the vacuum bin may be dumped therefrom into the dump pit.

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: This invention relates to a process of rearing poultry. The process comprises the steps of housing the poultry in a heated poultry shed, collecting poultry litter from the poultry shed, thermally treating the poultry litter and harnessing heat generated by the thermally treated poultry litter, and heating the poultry shed using the harnessed heat. In this way, the poultry litter may be used to heat the poultry in the shed and other expensive fuels will not have to be purchased to carry out this task, thereby reducing the operating cost of the poultry rearing process. Furthermore, the poultry litter will be available in an abundant supply. Due to the fact that the fuel is so readily available, it is possible to preheat the sheds to the ideal temperature prior to receiving the poultry and ventilate the poultry sheds both of which will result in the poultry thriving.

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 portable system for recycling used chicken litter in place which one can use to accommodate a succession of flocks, in the same commercial chicken house, with the same bedding material. The system comprises a litter pulverizer mounted within a hood-like housing, a high output ozone generator, fluidly connected thereto, which, in use, discharges ozone into a flux of pulverized chicken litter and pathogen-laden dust particulates, killing pathogens and neutralizing ammonia odors in the process, and an ultraviolet light source for further sterilizing pulverized litter and for destroying excess ozone discharged with it from the hood-like housing's base. Enhancing the system's pathogen-killing capacity are at least one hot air blower also fluidly connected to the hood-like housing and a moisture detector. The latter measures, in real time, the dryness of ozone-treated litter being discharged from the hood-like housing onto the chicken house floor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses relating to animal specimen collection and animal specimen collection stations. In an embodiment, multiple chambers each contain a single animal, and wells on a removable floor on each of the chambers may collect animal specimens. The wells may be dimensioned with a depth and width such that the animals may not disturb, contact, or contaminate specimens contained within a well.

Abstract: An at least partially open sided outdoor animal shelter structure, the structure including (a) a floor to support animals, the floor including apertures therethrough allowing animal waste matter to pass through the floor, (b) a basement below the floor for collecting the waste matter, (c) floor supports to support the floor above the basement, (d) side supports, (e) a water impervious canopy supported by the side supports, the canopy being supported above at least part of the floor, the canopy allowing at least some light to pass therethrough, (f) at least one air flow controller to control airflow in the area below the canopy.

Abstract: A windrower machine having a pair of forward rotating augers mounted in parallel with one another in overlapping relationship with one another to work in conjunction with a blade and a backstop to form windrows to disrupt and reduce caked material to particulate in windrows as said machine is moved forwardly through a work area.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of rearing poultry. The process comprises the steps of housing the poultry in a heated poultry shed, collecting poultry litter from the poultry shed, thermally treating the poultry litter and harnessing heat generated by the thermally treated poultry litter, and heating the poultry shed using the harnessed heat. In this way, the poultry litter may be used to heat the poultry in the shed and other expensive fuels will not have to be purchased to carry out this task, thereby reducing the operating cost of the poultry rearing process. Furthermore, the poultry litter will be available in an abundant supply. Due to the fact that the fuel is so readily available, it is possible to preheat the sheds to the ideal temperature prior to receiving the poultry and ventilate the poultry sheds both of which will result in the poultry thriving.

Abstract: A method of treating waste from poultry such as chickens in a chicken house is described wherein the method includes applying a layer of short paper fibers over a floor of the chicken house horizontally below the chickens in the chicken house, mixing manure from the chickens with the layer of short paper fibers, and removing the mixed manure and short paper fibers from the chicken house. The manure is turned with the layer of short paper fibers such that the manure and the short paper fibers are intimately mixed together. The removed mixture can be spread over land as fertilizer, mulch, or the like.

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 pass through the 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 be easily raised and lowered during use and harvest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting and removing waste from a poultry house is described. The apparatus sorts and deposits waste litter to a central location where it is then cleared using a separate machine.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a manure conveyor device. The method includes driving a first return roller about which a manure conveyor belt circulates at a first rotational speed, and driving a second return roller about which the manure conveyor belt circulates at a second rotational speed. During a first interval the first rotational speed exceeds the second rotational speed, and during a second interval the second rotational speed exceeds the first rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving debris such as chicken manure away from a wall including a frame assembly movable across a floor, a scraping member suspended from the frame assembly and a guide member connected to the scraping member. The scraping member is arranged for scraping debris away from the wall and causing movement of the scraping member and frame assembly toward the wall when the frame assembly is moved in a predetermined direction across the floor. The guide member causes movement of the scraping member away from the wall and around objects projecting out from the wall such as support beams.

Abstract: An overhead livestock enclosure washing system for cleaning the pens of a livestock confinement building. The overhead livestock enclosure washing system includes a track member coupled to the ceiling of the building. A mobile unit operationally engages the track member and selectively advances along the track member. The mobile unit is for being in fluid communication with a fluid source to spray fluid into the interior space of the livestock confinement building to clean the interior space of the building when the mobile unit advances along the track member. A base unit is positioned on the floor of the livestock confinement building. The base unit is in fluid communication with the mobile unit whereby the base unit controls the flow of the fluid from the fluid source to provide the mobile unit with pressurized fluid when the mobile unit is cleaning the interior space of the building.

Abstract: The animal stall soil agitator includes a mounting plate assembly pivotally attached to a tractor loader boom for pivotal movement about a transverse horizontal loader boom axis. An elongated frame assembly has an inboard frame end attached to the mounting plate assembly and outboard frame end that extends laterally to one side of the tractor loader boom. An elongated bar is journaled on the elongated frame assembly. A plurality of flat soil agitator bars are fixed to the elongated bar. The flat soil agitator bars are oriented to minimize lateral movement of agitated soil. A reversible hydraulic motor is connected to a hydraulic system of the tractor and rotates the elongated bar in a selected direction. The elongated frame assembly is pivotable about a vertical axis relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A method for processing animal waste reduces ammonia levels and moisture and eliminates darkling beetles by heating and compressing the animal waste (such as soiled litter). In the preferred embodiments, the heating and compressing are done simultaneously using a screw-type extruder that is commercially available, but has only been used to date for producing animal food and feed products. By heating and compressing the animal waste, the volume of waste is reduced, bacteria in the waste is destroyed, and all darkling beetles in the waste are killed. In addition, the resulting processed waste may be recycled because it is free of bacteria and in a dry form. The preferred embodiments also include methods for doing business that include the processing of animal waste.

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: A mobile apparatus is used to process animal waste in a farm building and to spread the processed animal waste back on the floor of the farm building as the apparatus moves through the farm building. The apparatus includes a processing mechanism that heats the animal waste to a predetermined temperature to eliminate insects, bacteria, and ammonia from the animal waste. The apparatus also includes a spreader mechanism for distributing the processed animal waste onto the farm building floor. The apparatus may optionally include a pickup mechanism that picks up the animal waste off of the farm building floor and directs the animal waste to the processing mechanism.

Abstract: A method for processing animal waste reduces ammonia levels and moisture and eliminates darkling beetles by heating and compressing the animal waste (such as soiled litter). In the preferred embodiments, the heating and compressing are done simultaneously using a screw-type extruder that is commercially available, but has only been used to date for producing animal food and feed products. By heating and compressing the animal waste, the volume of waste is reduced, bacteria in the waste is destroyed, and all darkling beetles in the waste are killed. In addition, the resulting processed waste may be recycled because it is free of bacteria and in a dry form. The preferred embodiments also include methods for doing business that include the processing of animal waste.

Abstract: A method for processing animal waste reduces ammonia levels and moisture and eliminates darkling beetles by heating and compressing the animal waste (such as soiled litter). In the preferred embodiments, the heating and compressing are done simultaneously using a screw-type extruder that is commercially available, but has only been used to date for producing animal food and feed products. By heating and compressing the animal waste, the volume of waste is reduced, bacteria in the waste is destroyed, and all darkling beetles in the waste are killed. In addition, the resulting processed waste may be recycled because it is free of bacteria and in a dry form. The preferred embodiments also include methods for doing business that include the processing of animal waste.

Abstract: A solid and liquid separation device includes a housing provided with a heater so that liquid contained in the housing will not freeze. A filter net layer may divide the housing into an upper space and a lower space. A conveying assembly includes a plurality of connecting rods each having a scraper and a brush. The scraper may contact the filter net layer for driving solids, and the brush may remove solids attached on the filter net layer. A squeeze assembly includes a cylinder provided with a threaded rod that may be rotated to output the solids. A liquid spraying assembly includes a water pumping member for delivering water liquid through a conveying pipe to be sprayed toward the filter net layer through a plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A tractor-drawn implement for breaking up caked litter on the floor of a poultry house includes a stationary blade which passes beneath the surface of the litter and a rotary rake whose tines are flattened and are inclined at an oblique angle to radial planes of the rake. The tines break up caked litter as they turn; their inclination causes sweeps the litter particles toward one end of the blade, away from the wall of the house.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for clearing the walkways in chicken houses of litter, and placing the litter on a manure pile so as to cover moist droppings, thereby depriving egg-laying flies of sites for their eggs. The apparatus is powered and highly maneuverable, enabling the farmer to clear the walkways frequently and regularly. Using the methods and apparatus of this invention the fly population in chicken houses is significantly decreased compared to a facility relying on prior art manual shoveling of litter from the walkways.

Abstract: A sitting pole for poultry having a surface designed substantially straight on an incline, forcing the poultry perching on the sitting pole to sit in a defined alignment. The inclined plane is set at an angle of approximately 35°. The surface has a U-shaped profile with a U-base forming the inclined plane. U-legs are provided and are bent off from the U-base. The U-base can be formed by two surface sections that are set at different angles from each other.

Abstract: A method of cleaning poultry manure from support surfaces of an egg-laying installation which comprises contacting the manure with an aqueous solution obtained by combining water and one or more compounds selected from alkali metal polyphosphates, organo-phosphonates, alkali metal salts of nitriloacetic acid and alkali metal salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid.

Abstract: Atmospheric growing conditions in high-rise animal rearing facilities are proved by spraying liquid alum periodically over the manure collection area. Improved high rise animal rearing facilities provided with a liquid alum treatment delivery system for misting or spraying the liquid alum over the manure collection area to strip ammonia gas from the air and to apply a chemical coating on a surface of the accumulated manure which reduces or prevents ammonia volatilization. The liquid chemical treatment comprises an aqueous alum solution containing 1 to about 50% by weight alum, applied at a rate of about 50-250 g of Al.sub.2 (SO.sub.4).sub.3. 14H.sub.2 O per kg of manure as it accumulates. The improved rearing facilities and methods control the atmospheric conditions in the animal rearing area at less than or equal to about 25 ppm ammonia throughout the growing cycle.

Abstract: A device for separating and dehydrating droppings includes a body having two walls and a bottom which includes a meshed portion and a plain portion connected to one of two ends of the meshed portion. A first shaft and a second shaft are respectively and transversely disposed between the two walls, wherein the first shaft is driven by a first motor. A loop-shaped member is reeved through the first and the second shaft and has a plurality of plates transversely disposed thereto which are moved on an upper surface of the bottom. A hydrating device is disposed to the first end of the body and includes tube with an inlet and an outlet. The tube has a screw member rotatably disposed therein driven by a motor on a first end thereof and has a cap pivotally disposed to a second end thereof. The tube further has a slotted portion defined in an under periphery thereof.

Abstract: This chicken coop litter removal apparatus that incorporates a frame under which a blade is pivotally mounted to extend outside the side of the frame to scrape along the walls of chicken coops. The blade is pivotally mounted to the frame held in its normal working position by tension. When the blade contacts an object such as a structural pole, it rotates relative to the frame backwards. A side bar is mounted to the frame to push the frame out slightly from the wall of the chicken coop as the blade passes the pole. When the blade passes the pole it returns to its original position because of the tension means but does not contact the wall because the frame was pushed slightly away from the wall by the side bar. The devise is mounted to a standard tractor using a type 3 trailer hitch and has two wheels one at each side rear so that it rolls easily.

Abstract: A chicken manure drying system is placed in a hen house. A platform of the system is disposed underneath a plurality of chicken cages. As chicken manure drops from the chicken cages, it collects on the platform. Drying fans of the system are disposed adjacent to the platform. The drying fans provide a constant flow of air over the chicken manure so as to dry the chicken manure. The plowing apparatus of the system includes a plowing device disposed over the platform. The plowing device is periodically moved across the platform in order to plow the chicken manure. The plowing of the chicken manure exposes more of the chicken manure to air. This exposure facilitates the comprehensive and expeditious drying of the chicken manure. After the chicken manure has been sufficiently dried to serve as fertilizer, the chicken manure is conveyed to a collection site.

Abstract: An egg laying assembly wherein eggs are laid onto an endless belt, and a roller at one end of the belt effects a reversal in direction of the belt, and a brush is positioned against the belt where it passes under the roller, wherein debris is loosened from the belt and vacuumed from it. The output of the vacuum system has an output into an enclosure which houses egg laying.