US3892201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brooding and rearing of poultry
Assignee: Crawfords Foods Ltd
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract This relates to methods of brooding and rearing poultry, especially broiler poultry, i.e., poultry raised solely for the production of edible meat, and to apparatus for carrying out the method. The poultry is reared in cage units with solid or continuous floor surfaces with the manure or droppings being allowed to build up on these floors as a litter-free layer during the growing cycle. The droppings are maintained in a relatively dry state during the growing period to avoid problems of disease, discomfort, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd B Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:52
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K31/00; A01K31/04; A01K31/002; A01K31/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of rearing poultry in a cage unit including a floor having a substantially continuous surface comprising the steps of: a. positioning a number of infant poultry in said cage unit such that they are supported directly on said continuous floor surface; b. supplying food and water to said poultry and maintaining the cage unit as a temperature adequate as to provide for growth of said poultry; c. permitting the poultry to remain in said cage unit for a selected growing period; d. the droppings produced by the growing poultry being allowed to continuously build-up on said continuous floor surface during said selected growing period substantially in the absence of litter to form a layer of substantially litter-free manure thereon with said poultry being supported directly on said layer of manure; e. and effecting drying of said layer of manure throughout the growing period of said poultry to maintain the average moisture level of said manure layer below a preselected level thus to provide for the comfort and health of said poultry.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of rearing poultry in a cage unit including a floor having a substantially continuous surface comprising the steps of: a. positioning a number of infant poultry in said cage unit such that they are supported directly on said continuous floor surface; b. supplying food and water to said poultry and maintaining the cage unit as a temperature adequate as to provide for growth of said poultry; c. permitting the poultry to remain in said cage unit for a selected growing period; d. the droppings produced by the growing poultry being allowed to continuously build-up on said continuous floor surface during said selected growing period substantially in the absence of litter to form a layer of substantially litter-free manure thereon with said poultry being supported directly on said layer of manure; e. and effecting drying of said layer of manure throughout the growing period of said poultry to maintain the average moisture level of said manure layer below a preselected level thus to provide for the comfort and health of said poultry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the drying of said layer of manure is effected by passing a flow of air across and over said continuous floor surface and the layer of manure thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the rate of movement of said air is progressively increased during the growing period of the poultry to effect drying of the increasing amounts of droppings emitted by said birds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said drying of the layer of manure is carried out such that the moisture level of said layer of manure is maintained below about 40 percent by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said poultry is kept in said cage unit continuously until reaching marketable size, the droppings being allowed to build up on said floor surface over the entire growing period of the poultry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said floors are provided in vertically spaced relationship with the poultry being reared on each of said floors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said poultry comprises broiler chickens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said drying of the layer of manure is carried out such that the moisture level of said layer of manure is maintained below about 40 percent by weight, and said poultry is kept in said cage unit continuously until reaching marketable size, the droppings being allowed to build up on said floor surface over the entire growing period of the poultry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said drying of the layer of manure is carried out such that the moisture level of said layer of manure is maintained below about 40 percent by weight, and said poultry is kept in said cage unit continuously until reaching marketable size, the droppings being allowed to build up on said floor surface over the entire growing period of the poultry and wherein a plurality of said floors are provided in vertically spaced relationship with the poultry being reared on each of said floors, said poultry comprising broiler chickens.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |