Patent ID: 6508202
Filing Date: 2003-01-21
Classification: A01K,A61D

Abstract:
A method for carrying a boar along an alleyway of a sow insemination area for interaction with sows on at least one of two sides of the alleyway during insemination comprising:providing two rows of sows in pens each row on a respective side of an alleyway; locating the boar within a cage assembly including a cage floor on which the boar stands, two cage sides each on a respective side of a longitudinal center line of the cage assembly for confining the boar so that the boar is maintained extending longitudinally of the cage assembly, a cage front and a cage rear for confining the boar against forward and rearward movement; the cage assembly having at least one door allowing entry and exit of the boar from the cage assembly; mounting the cage assembly on ground wheels for movement generally longitudinally along the alleyway carrying the boar within the cage assembly; providing on the cage assembly a guide arrangement arranged to cooperate with at least one member in the alleyway for guiding the cage assembly along the alleyway; operating the guide assembly in a first adjustment position thereof to select one of the sides of the alleyway and to guide the cage assembly so that the cage assembly runs, while in the first adjustment position, continually along the alleyway at a position in the alleyway adjacent to that one side and spaced from the other of the sides; and subsequently operating the guide assembly out of the first adjustment position into a second adjustment position thereof to select the other of the sides of the alleyway and to guide the cage assembly so that the cage assembly runs, while in the first adjustment position, continually along the alleyway at a position in the alleyway adjacent to the other of the sides and spaced from said one of the sides.