Winter Poultry Crate Stack at Puglia Stockyard

Thick gray mist hangs low over the stockyard loading ramp, softening the edges of a tall stack of poultry hatch-date crates silhouetted against the honeyed evening sky. Warm golden hour light falls through the fog, casting long, diffuse shadows across the wet concrete. The crates, constructed of galvanized metal and rubber, rest on layers of straw and paper, their dark forms stark against the glowing horizon. Coarse rope ties secure the stack, adding rough texture to the industrial shapes. The winter air appears heavy, wrapping the scene in a quiet, patient stillness typical of early morning husbandry. One metal latch glints faintly where the light catches the rim of the top crate.