Abstract: The invention relates to a method for brooding or growing poultry, wherein eggs of the first 3-5 layings of young animals, preferably hens younger than 29 weeks, usually starting from about 26 weeks, are collected and are hatched together, directly after hatching the hatched chicks are provided in crates with about 10-500 animals arranged in stacks in an incubator chamber, in which incubator chamber food and drinking are provided to each crate and the temperature, humidity, CO2 level and flow rate of air are controlled.

Abstract: A foldable poultry brood box having a folding bottom, folding endwalls, and folding sidewalls provides a sheltered environment for the maturation of a brood of young poultry. Preferably, after the brood box is deployed, a floor overlay insert is placed and retained within the brood box to overlay, bridge over, and cover substantial portions of two floor free edges.

Abstract: The “Microcosm Terrestrial and Aquatic Landscape Habitat” is a Main Basin Pond 4 surrounded on three sides by artificial rock, “Miniature Mountains” 3 a, 3 b, 3 c or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks. The fourth, front side has no “Miniature Mountains” or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks to enclose the Main Basin Pond. Instead, here I adhere on a Pane of Glass 2 a to the imitation rock surface using Silicon Sealant 2 b or other sealants 2 c: A pond-aquarium hybrid! The “Miniature Mountains” are higher than the water level in the Main Basin Pond. On the top or sides of the “Miniature Mountains” is an Upper Pool 5. Water in the Main Basin Pond is circulated up to the Upper Pool using a Submersible; Electric, Aquatic, Pump 8. From the Upper Pool, the Water then flows down a Water Course to the Waterfalls and back to the Main Basin Pond to oxygenate the water.

Abstract: An advancement system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such an advancement system is configured to advance an egg carrier carrying a plurality of avian eggs to an injection assembly. The advancement system includes a guide assembly configured to receive the egg carrier and provide support thereto during advancement of the egg carrier. A manual advancement device slidingly engages the guide assembly such that the manual advancement device is movable along the guide assembly. The manual advancement device is capable of interacting with a trailing end of the egg carrier to advance the egg carrier to an injection position. At least one stop is positioned to interact with the manual advancement device during advancement of the egg carrier so as to prevent progression of the manual advancement device beneath the injection assembly, thereby locating the egg carrier at the injection position. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A culture container includes a container and a cover. The container forms an opening at the top and an external threaded portion around the opening. The cover includes a main body and a flange extending from the main body. An internal threaded portion corresponding to the external threaded portion is formed on the internal surface of the flange. The cover forms a ventilation passage having an opening formed at a free end of the flange facing away from the main body. When the internal threaded portion is threaded with the external threaded portion so as to close the opening of the bottle, the interior of the bottle communicates with exterior via the ventilation passage. Thus, dust is prevented from falling into the bottle via the ventilation passage.

Abstract: There is provided a greenhouse system. An exemplary greenhouse system comprises at least one plant culture. At least part of a glazing of the greenhouse system comprises at least one functional layer that is adapted to the plant culture.

Abstract: The invention refers to a greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn system by means of hosiery, knitting, warp-knitting or weaving process to form a continuous product. At least some of the strips comprise a film material in the form of a multilayer polyester film having a thickness less than 60 ?m and comprising at least two layers, wherein at least one layer is white and at least one layer is black, the at least one white layer comprises polyester and a white pigment in an amount between 5 and 50 weight-% based on the total weight of the white layer, and the at least one black layer comprises polyester and a black opacifying agent.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, quantitative, standardized method of hydrating succulent plants by a plant owner. The method includes calculating the amount of water and watering frequency required, depending on environmental conditions, such as substrate used to grow a plant, relative humidity and temperature, and using a demarcated container for watering the plant, all of which maintains and prolongs the health, vitality, beauty and longevity of the succulent plant.

Abstract: An arrangement in a rotary milking system includes a rotating platform, an entry thereto and an exit therefrom. A selection gate arrangement at the exit of the rotating platform selectively guides animals, which have been milked in the rotary milking system and leave the rotating platform through the exit, back to the entry of the rotating platform or to a waiting area. A control device is provided for (i) determining whether an animal, which has been milked and leaves the rotating platform through the exit, has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked, and (ii) controlling the selection gate arrangement to guide the animal back to the entry of the rotating platform or to the waiting area provided that the animal has at least one udder compartment that was incompletely milked the last time the animal was milked.

Abstract: A vertical planting tray comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal shelves held together by outer side walls and a plurality of vertical struts located therebetween with the struts connected to and supporting the shelves, the struts being substantially thin and narrow an defining a plurality of planting stations with the horizontal shelves in which vertical plants may be grown. The substantial open wall structure between stations permits improved plant performance.

Abstract: A device and method for delivering drugs or sending or receiving information to or from a lab test animal over a long period of time without having the cords attached to the animal tangle as it moves around in its enclosure.

Abstract: A shrimp aquaculture structure including a set of at least two raceways each having a length, width, and at least one depth to give an average depth, and including two ends, two side walls having a top, a sloped bottom joining each side wall at two side wall junctions. Some of five raceways may be stacked at least partially on top of another of the five raceways. According to another embodiment, the disclosure relates to a process of shrimp aquaculture by using the set of five raceways and sequentially transferring shrimp form one raceway to another once the shrimp reach a given average size.

Abstract: A pet fountain assembly that includes a cover with a drinking bowl formed therein that straddles a sidewall of a basin that can be user-provided enclosing a pump within a pumping chamber defined therebetween. The cover has a downwardly extending sidewall divided by openings that can be generally U-shaped or V-shaped into a plurality of supports on which the cover. In a preferred embodiment, one of the supports is disposed outboard the basin sidewall resting on the ground and another one of the supports is disposed inboard the basin sidewall resting on a bottom of the basin providing a water passage enabling water from the basin to reach the pump. The inboard support can provide an overflow spillway as well as define a shroud disposed between the pump and water in a lower drinking bowl of the basin. The basin can include an outwardly offset seat that locates the pump.

Abstract: A system that attached to mechanized milking equipment allows its automation that solves the subclinical mastitis by “differentiating” among each individual mammary quarter the time when teat cups must be removed after the milk is over, in an asynchronous and independent manner from other teat cups. Minimize the negative consequences of over-milking as a results of not removing teat cups on time after the milk flow has stopped; reduces economic, financial and productivity problems arisen as a result of subclinical mastitis mainly caused by over-milking; thus improving the product quality and amount. Mastitis produces somatic cells in milk, the greater the amount of these cells the lower the price received by the producer. Damage to the mammary gland may be permanent resulting in the loss of the gland and may be contagious.

Abstract: A litter box includes a tray having a bottom wall and side walls extending upward from the bottom wall. At least one of the side walls has an upper portion that is moveable from a retracted position to an upright position. A plurality of bags are in the tray, each containing a layer of litter. The layers of litter are separated from one another by the bags. In another embodiment, the plurality of bags of litter are provided in an outer bag that can be placed into a tray. In use, upper portions of each bag are lifted over the side walls to expose the litter in that bag. After use, the entire layer of litter can be removed by removing the associated bag. The next layer of litter is then exposed for use.

Abstract: A wall panel for a livestock confinement pen made of a hollow plastic twin sheet thermoformed body with a grid divider received in an opening of the body between the two sides of the body. One side has flanges by the opening to receive a cover cut from the other side over the opening.

Abstract: The invention claim is a garden tool to assist in the removal of planting medium and plant from a planting container. The garden tool comprises a handle having a first end and a second end, a base, and a planting container. The handle and the base are connected forming a L-shape body. The base is placed inside the planting container, and the handle extends above the top of the planting container. The connection between the handle and base may be reinforced by an angle brace. The connection between the handle and base may be hinged. If the connection is hinged, the angle brace prevents the hinge movement. Located on one end of the angle brace is a hook, that connects to the base. In addition, the base has weeping holes to allow the drainage of water. The base also has raised ridges to contain the growing medium when removed.

Abstract: A system for organic farming of aquatic livestock has at least one substantially enclosed container structured and arranged to contain at least one input-controlled organic environment usable to organically farm such aquatic livestock. At least one pollutant-free water-supplier is structured and arranged to supply, to the at least one substantially enclosed container, water substantially free of environmental pollutants. At least one aquatic life-support unit is structured and arranged to maintain within the at least one substantially enclosed container habitable environment consistent with sustaining growth of such aquatic livestock. At least one heating system is coupled to the at least one substantially enclosed container for heating an air mixture. The air mixture is injected into the water substantially free of environmental pollutants to heat the water substantially free of environmental pollutants.

Abstract: An animal handling system (AMS), for positioning an immobilized animal in a predefined configuration therein, including: a proximal portion, held outside a medical device including: at least one inner shaft, and at least one outer shaft, the at least one inner is telescopically maneuverable within the at least one outer shaft providing a variable telescopic mechanism; and a distal portion including: a configurable encapsuable life support system (ELSS), the ELSS is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the at least outer shaft and the at least inner shaft and translationally moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis by means of the maneuverable telescopic mechanism.