US 12,457,997 B2
Poultry brooder
Michael P. Mackin, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to BIRD-X, INC., Elmhurst, IL (US)
Filed by Bird-X, Inc., Elmhurst, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/180,813.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/323,734, filed on Mar. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0309517 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. A01K 31/19 (2006.01)
CPC A01K 31/19 (2013.01) 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A brooder for rearing poultry hatchlings, the brooder comprising:
a heater assembly comprising a heater base and a heater, wherein the heater comprises resistive traces configured to generate heat to the heater base;
a trough disposed on the heater base, the trough formed by an inner wall and an outer wall;
a tube rotatably supported by the inner wall, wherein the tube is in fluid communication with the trough when rotated into a feed position from a fill position aligning a first aperture formed through the tube with a first slot formed through the inner wall of the trough, and the tube is sealed from fluid communication with the trough when rotated from the feed position to the fill position sealing the first aperture of the tube against the inner wall of the trough;
a pad disposed over the heater base, wherein the pad conducts the heat from the heater base, wherein the pad comprises an opening contoured to receive the inner wall and the outer wall of the trough; and
a dome adjustably supported on the tube, wherein the heat generated by the resistive traces of the heater is transferred, via the heater base and the pad, into a space between the dome and the heater base.