Improvements in Apparatus for the Purpose of Rearing Chicks and such like Birds Artificially.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1899-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Purpose of Rearing Chicks and
such like Birds Artificially.
I, ALFRED HOLLOWAY, of Bletchley Hall, Bletchley, in the County of
Buckingham, Member of the Buff Orpington Club, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the purpose of rearing
artificially chicks, partridges, pheasants, ducklings, poults, goslings and the
like.
My improved apparatus is so constructed that the birds may be safely reared
out in the open air night and day, during the roughest of weather.
I employ two distinct apparatus, namely a hot rearer and a semi-cold rearer.
The hot rearer to receive the birds as soon as they are hatched, and when they
have attained the age of two weeks, I transfer them to my semi cold rearer,
which can be transformed instantly into a cold rearer by substituting for the
lamp and guard the fitted square supplied for this purpose.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is shown the front elevation, together
with plan, Fig. 2 end view Fig. 3 and section Fig. 4 of my improved hot rearer.
This apparatus consists of a box constructed of patent non-corrosive metal or any
other suitable material, measuring 3 ft. 6 inches by 2 ft. 22 inches high in front
and 16 inches at back, double cased, padded with asbestos & well lined with
polished tin to secure and reflect the heat derived from the lamp. A fixed and
sealed partition of wood or metal A carrying a pane of plate glass B 10" x 18" in
which is cut a shaped exit C for the birds, divides the apparatus into two com-
partments D and E, one D measuring 2 feet square.
In this compartment D) to be hereinafter called the hot chamber, is placed a
silver burner lamp F, having a one inch Stemp's wick, surrounded by a perforated
tin or zinc guard, G. A. loose inner tin lid H rests on four 10 inch shaped
blocks I, I, I, I, placed below the ventilation holes J around the top of the rearer.
This lid H which must be raised when attending to the lamp, is cut of an inch
too small on the four sides in order that the rising fumes may be carried above
and allowed to escape through the ventilation holes J along the top three sides of
the apparatus.
A tight fitting framed door K, in the lower half of which is inserted a pane
of glass L shuts in the hot chamber D.
The framed wire door M closing the second chamber E is made to carry a
loose fitting square of glass which should be buttoned in at night and during
rough weather. A shaped exit N closed by a sliding door inside, is cut in the
right hand end of the second chamber E as shown in end view Fig. III.
Now the silver lamp F in the hot chamber D suffices to equally light and partly
warm the second chamber E through the exit shaped plate glass partition B,
which enables the chickens to feed during the night and thus a second lamp
with its deadly fumes is obviated. The heat in the hot chamber D is regular,

page_text: subject of course to the height of the flame, and is not affected by the coldest
temperature outside.
The semi-cold rearer Fig. 5 is a similar structure in size and shape externally
as the hot rearer, but has no partition or lining. A lamp F of the same description
as that used in the hot rearer, but with a conical guard 0) 8 inches in diameter
and 13 inches high is placed in the centre, Fig. 6, in a shaped recess 5 inches
square, cut in the floor P to receive it, see also Fig. 7.
The framed wire door is also fitted with loose glass to be buttoned in during
the night and bad weather.
This apparatus may be instantly transformed into a cold rearer by removing
the lamp and guard, and closing the small recess in the floor with the square
supplied for this purpose.
The floor P of each rearer is raised 3 inches from the ground for ventilation
for lamp and birds, the air passing through only a certain number of brass eyelet
holes R along the bottom of the apparatus.
The chief feature of this invention in the hot rearer is the regular lighting and
heating of both compartments by the use of one lamp only, which enables the birds
to feed in the second chamber during the night by the excellent light through
the plate glass partition.
The foul air in the hot chamber D is carried up above the inner lid H and
escapes through the ventilation holes J along the top and sides of the apparatus as
aforesaid, thus rendering the air where the birds are perfectly pure, and the
sealing of the top partition A making it impossible for any fumes to enter the
second chamber.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention & in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1
I. The improved method of ventilation, obtained by the use of the loose
inner lid, the constant supply of fresh air from below, & the even temperature
maintained by the improved general construction.
II. The improved method of dividing the apparatus by the partition carrying
an 18 x 10 plate glass (Fig. 4) whereby both chambers are equally lighted & the
second partly warmed by the use of one lamp only. This reflected light enabling
the chickens to feed during the night without the necessity of a second lamp & its
attendant noxious fumes.
Dated this 1st day of June 1900