Patent ID: 7389745
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. Cage apparatus, wherein: the apparatus includes a plurality of separate individual cages; in respect of each one of the cages of the plurality: the individual cage is physically suitable for containing and transporting live poultry on a road-transport truck; the cage includes a support-framework, including uprights and cross-members fixed together in an open rectangular configuration; the individual cage is of such length, width, and height dimensions that the plurality of cages can be stacked upright on the truck, with live poultry birds contained therein; the individual cage is a sturdy, stand-alone, self-contained structure, whereby each individual cage, with poultry birds contained therein, is physically capable of being picked up as a unit, and of being lifted onto the truck as a unit; the support-framework is so configured as to define poultry-receiving tray-chambers, which are arranged, in the cage, in a plurality of rows, and a plurality of columns; in respect of each tray-chamber of each cage: the tray-chamber is rectangular, being defined by a floor, left and right side panels, a roof panel, a rear closure panel, and a front door, of the support-framework; the floor, left and right side panels, the roof panel, and the rear closure panel, are fixed into the support-framework, and remain so fixed throughout operation of the cage to load, unload, and transport, the birds; the front door is pivotable with respect to the support-framework, between an open position and a closed position; in the open position of the front door, poultry birds can pass into and out of the tray-chamber through the open door, and in the closed position of the front door, the tray-chamber is then closed, whereby poultry birds cannot pass into nor out of the tray-chamber of the support-framework; the tray-chamber is so configured as to be suitable for receiving several poultry birds therein; at least one of the panels of the tray-chamber is of open lattice form, having openings of such large size and configuration that the tray-chamber can be characterised as light and well-ventilated, the openings being also of such small size and configuration as substantially to prevent the protrusion of body parts of the birds outside the tray-chamber; the floor of the tray-chamber includes a floor-panel of plastic, and extends from the front to the rear, and from the left side to the right side, of the tray-chamber; the plastic floor-panel is in such a location, in the tray-chamber, that birds being transported inside the tray-chamber have their feet in direct touching contact with the floor-panel; the floor-panel has either no perforations, or, if having perforations, the perforations are so small that the foot of a poultry bird cannot enter therein; the floor-panel is of such form and robustness, and is so mounted in the support-framework, that, with several poultry birds contained in the tray-chamber, liquid entering the tray-chamber substantially cannot form pools, over substantially any portion of the upper surface of the floor panel with which the birds can come into contact.