| abstract |
An apparatus for loading poultry into compartments or coops in which a main conveyor section delivers poultry to a point adjacent the door of the compartment or coop and a retractable and extensible telescopic conveyor extension delivers the poultry first to the rear of the compartment or coop and then progressively outwardly toward the door as the compartment or coop is filled with poultry. The retractable and extensible conveyor operates on at least two planes different from the plane of the main conveyor section. The conveyor sections are preferably of the continuous belt type, and the belt is continuous from the main section to and throughout the extension section. The main conveyor section has a relatively rigid frame, and the extension section has a retractable and extensible section which may be tilted angularly with respect to the main section to permit effective positioning of the extension section in a compartment or coop. The apparatus also includes a control station movable independently of the conveyors during the poultry loading operation. |