US 12,439,893 B2
Barrier and a method of operating the same
Alexander Innes, Woodstock (CA)
Assigned to Skyfield Acres Inc., Woodstock (CA)
Filed by Skyfield Acres Inc., Woodstock (CA)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/344,213.
Prior Publication US 2025/0000063 A1, Jan. 2, 2025
Int. Cl. A01K 31/22 (2006.01); A01K 1/00 (2006.01); A01K 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC A01K 31/22 (2013.01) [A01K 1/0005 (2013.01); A01K 13/003 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of isolating a flock of chicks in a barn, the method comprising:
providing a barrier comprising:
a plurality of gratings connected to one another in a linear manner to define a bottom linear planar surface continuously extending an entire length of the barn, each grating comprising a plurality of elongated openings dimensioned to block passage of chicks from the flock of chicks;
a winch positioned above the plurality of gratings and rotatable between first and second positions; and
at least one cable connected at a first end to the winch and at a second end to at least one of the plurality of gratings, the at least one cable holding the plurality of gratings in an upright position such that the bottom linear planar surface sits flush on a support surface of the barn when the winch is in the first position and lifting the plurality of gratings from the support surface towards the winch during rotation of the winch from the first position to the second position, the at least one cable remaining connected to the at least one of the plurality of gratings when the winch is in the first position and when the winch is in the second position and wherein the plurality of gratings are held in the upright position by the at least one cable without contacting existing water or feedlines within the barn;
rotating the winch from the second position to the first position to lower the at least one grating to the upright position on the support surface of the barn such that the at least one grating limits the amount of space for the flock of chicks;
unloading the flock of chicks into the barn such that the at least one grating serves as a barrier to limit the amount of space for the flock of chicks for a predefined time period that is dependent on a type of vaccine sprayed on the flock of chicks; and
upon expiry of the predefined time period, rotating the winch from the first position to the second position to raise the at least one grating from the support surface to increase the amount of space for the flock of chicks.