Patent ID: 8904964
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A method of improving gastrointestinal development of chicks, comprising the steps of: (a) hatching chicks in a compartment within an incubator, the incubator being an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially, the compartment comprising an incubator egg tray having an egg tray bottom and at least one egg tray wall; and (b) providing feed in at least one trough, the at least one trough having a trough bottom and at least one transparent trough wall disposed inside said incubator egg tray, the at least one trough being in the incubator egg tray within the compartment so that immediately upon hatching the chicks have access to and can see the feed, the feed containing nutrients; the incubator having controlled environmental conditions suitable for the eggs of the chicks prior to hatching and suitable for newly hatched chicks.