Breeding cage for small animal and breeding of small animal using the same

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a trapezoidal breeding cage that widens toward the top of the breeding cage, as well as to a method for breeding small animals using the same.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#The present invention will hereinafter be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of the body of an embodiment according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the body of another embodiment according to the invention;

#Reference numeral 1 designates a metal body made of synthetic resin or metal. The body is a trapezoidal top-opened vessel that widens toward the top opening. Since a plurality of bodies 1 shaped as above can be stacked by plunging one body on the top of another body, the handling of the breeding cage during movement or housing, can be greatly facilitated. Body 1 may be made with a synthetic resin, preferably, thermoplastic- or thermosetting-resin. In this case, although body 1 can be formed by providing particular side- and bottom-walls, and assembling the walls with an adhesive, it is favorable to form cage 1 in one piece. The use of a transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin is convenient because the small animal in the breeding cage can be observed through the side wall. A colored synthetic resin can be used, if necessary. When body 1 is made with a metal, the use of a metal mesh, such as that of steel or stainless steel, is desirable.

#Reference numeral 2 designates an opening which is provided through the upper part of or over the front wall of body 1 as shown in FIG. 1. If necessary, opening 2 may extend to the adjacent side walls as shown in FIG. 2.

#Reference numeral 3 designates a feeder which is removably attached to body 1 in such a manner that feeder 3 closes opening 2. As shown in FIG. 3, feeder 3 is shaped into a top-opened trough having a forwardly-inclined front wall, and the cross-sectional shape of feeder 3 is triangular, arcuate, or a combination thereof which essentially provides a forwardly-inclined front wall 4 of linear or arcuate form. Since the top opening of body 1 where front wall 4 is to be located opens outwardly when feeder 3 is attached to body 1 through opening 2 in such a manner that at least a part or, if necessary, entire front wall 4 extends outside body 1, feed can be easily supplied to feeder 3 through its opening without pulling out body 1 from the rack. This enables automatic feeding. It is favorably to form front wall 4, specifically, the part extending outside body 1, as an imperforate wall so as to prevent feed from spilling out front wall 4. The feed, for example, in rod or cube form, supplied to feeder 3 can be easily given to the small animal by imparting a grilled structure, such as lattice or mesh, to the part of feeder 3 which resides inside body 1. Specifically, by positioning the lower end of feeder 3 inside body 1, a small animal can more easily consume the supplied feed. It is favorable to make feeder 3 out of metal, such as steel or stainless steel, in order to prevent the damage to feeder 3 by a small animal such as a rodent. By providing an upwardly-widened structure to the opposed side walls of feeder 3 similarly as in body 1, feeder 3 is stably attached to body 1, and handling of feeder 3 during movement or housing is greatly facilitated because each feeder 3 can be plunged on the top of another feeder.