Poultry house cleanout machine: Manure pickup device designed for use in obstruction-free area under strings of poultry cages shows high efficiency

A self-propelled machine–capable of picking up 0.5 cubic yard of poultry manure in 3-4 minutes–has been developed for use in poultry houses where individual and colony cages confine laying chickens. The cages have wire tops, walls, and floors. The wire floor–usually of welded wire of l"x2" mesh spacing– is about 3' above ground level. Eggs are caught on the wire floor and roll to the egg tray at the front of the cage. Defecation passes through the wire mesh and accumulates in a windrow on the ground. This accumulated manure is a serious sanitation problem, as it is a good breeding medium for the common housefly.