Multi-tiered cage assemblies are paired in spaced end-to-end relationship within a brood house. The floors of the cage assemblies are sequentially movable between the paired assemblies. During an initial sequence of such movement, newborn chicks are placed on the floors as they pass through the space separating the cage assemblies, and continued floor movement carries the chicks into the cage assemblies. The tiers are vertically spaced from one another by a distance limited to that sufficient to provide headroom for a chick approximately three weeks of age. During the period the chicks are maintained in the cage assemblies, feed and water are continuously supplied to the chicks. When the floors are sequentially returned to the cage assemblies from which they previously had been moved, the chicks are dropped onto conveying means which carry the chicks to a motor vehicle for transport to a finishing house where grow-out is completed.