Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of Hatching Pens.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction and Arrangement of
Hatching Pens.
1, JAMES MAYES, of The Game Farm, Elveden, Thetford, in the County of
Norfolk, Head Gamekeeper, 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 improved appliances adapted for use in hatching
pheasants', partridges' and domestic fowls' eggs; the principal objects of the
invention being to lessen the cost of construction, to save time in feeding the birds,
and to ensure their living under conditions which shall be both natural and
sanitary.
The way in which I prefer to carry out my invention is illustrated in the
Each pen is
accompanying diagram. The 'pens a are arranged in a double row.
provided with a sitting-box 6 having a hinged lid c, upon lifting which the eggs may
be inspected or removed. The sitting-box is also furnished with a hinged flap d,
which, when let down, lies within the pen. The flap d is provided with air-holes to
afford the sitting-box proper ventilation. The top of each pen is fitted with a trap-
door a. The sitting-box is preferably made of wood. The pens consist of wire
netting secured to a suitable framework of wire strands e. These strands are attached
at each end of the pens to three uprights f; each strand being preferably secured to
the eye of a bolt the shank of which is furnished with a nut h. By turning the
nuts h, the strands can be tightened to the required extent. The uprights of are
united by cross-bars f¹; the lowest cross-bar being at the ground-level. The lower
end of each upright is secured to two crossed plates k and k¹, which may be of sheet
metal. That part of the plate k' which lies under the pens is preferably bent upwards,
as indicated. The upright is supported by struts ², which are fastened to the
upright and to the end of the bent-up part of the plate k¹. The end of the
horizontal part of the plate k¹ is united to the upright by a tie 3. The plate k
and the upright fare connected by two braces k*. A strand e¹ runs along the centre
of the top of each row of pens; this strand being secured at each end to the highest
cross-bar . The trap-doors a¹ are hinged to the strands e¹.
It will be observed that, according to this method of construction, the wire netting,
or other material whereof the sides of the pens are formed, does double duty on three
out of the four sides of each pen. An end-pen has two of its four sides common to
other pens.
The sitting-boxes may if preferred be made in pairs, in which case a single central
partition forms one side to each of two boxes. Such double boxes are not only some-
what less costly, but are rather warmer in consequence of having one side protected
from the weather.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
Constructing and arranging pens for use in hatching pheasants' and other eggs
substantially as herein described.
Dated this 5th da
11000
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.