Aviary Cage Vertical Perch Stacking for Cage-Free Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cage free aviary environments require substantial space, limiting the number of hens that can be housed and increasing costs and labor, as conventional aviaries with battery cages do not provide enough cubic inches for hens to move freely.
Innovation Solution
The design includes multiple aviary cages with perches of varying vertical distances that allow hens to hop between them, creating additional habitable space and enabling a cage free environment by providing areas for hens to walk, peck, and scratch, while egg conveyors collect eggs from these areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional battery cages are used, then space utilization is efficient, but hens cannot move freely and cubic inch requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional floor space utilization to three-dimensional vertical space utilization by stacking multiple cage towers vertically. Each tower contains multiple cages arranged in vertical tiers, allowing hens to move freely within each cage while the overall structure efficiently uses vertical space. This dimensional change enables meeting cubic inch requirements per hen while maintaining high stocking density.
2Ease of operation
If cage free environment is provided, then hens can move freely, but the number of birds that can be housed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The aviary system is segmented into multiple independent cage towers, each containing multiple cages that can be individually managed. Within each cage, hens have freedom to move, peck, and scratch on the floor. The segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple cages, increasing total bird capacity while maintaining cage-free conditions in each unit. Egg collection is also segmented with individual conveyors for each cage.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cages are nested vertically within each cage tower, with each cage containing a complete set of amenities (nesting area, perch, egg conveyor). The cages are arranged one above another, efficiently utilizing vertical space. This nesting approach allows many birds to be housed in a compact footprint while each bird enjoys cage-free movement within its own cage.
3Volume of moving object
If fewer cage towers are used, then cubic inch requirements are met, but lost profits and increased labor occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic egg collection where each cage has its own egg conveyor that continuously or periodically collects eggs automatically. This dynamic collection system eliminates the need for manual egg gathering from multiple towers, reducing labor requirements. The automated conveyors can operate independently, allowing flexible management of the multi-tower structure without proportionally increasing labor costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An aviary is provided having a floor and a first aviary cage including a first outside surface enclosing a first inside area. The aviary further comprises a second aviary cage similar to the first aviary cage and including a second outside surface enclosing a second inside area. An aisle extends between the first aviary cage and the second aviary cage. A first perch extends from the first outside surface of the first aviary cage and into the aisle at a first vertical distance from the floor. A second perch extends from the second outside surface of the second aviary cage and into the aisle at a second vertical distance from the floor. The first and second vertical distances from the floor are not equal.