Abstract: A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses and methods for facilitating filling and cleaning of bird feeders that are aesthetically pleasing and adaptable for attracting different types of birds. In one implementation, a bird feeder includes a port having a surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has a connecting portion configured to connect to a reservoir. The surface has one or more openings defined therein. A small seed converter is insertable into the port, and the small seed converter includes a plurality of teeth extending from an edge. The plurality of teeth are configured to narrow the one or more openings for dispensing small sized seed.

Abstract: An animal restraint is disclosed for mitigating collar trauma to critical neck structures of an animal. The animal restraint includes a track housing defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. A plurality of loops are positioned on the exterior surface of the track housing. A strap is threaded through the loops, and is adapted to slide around the exterior surface of the track housing from a pulling force on the animal restraint. The strap includes a leash attachment ring adapted for attachment to a leash. Impact resistant padding is attached to the interior surface of the track housing, and the sliding movement of the strap maintains a proper positioning of the impact resistant padding over corresponding anatomical neck structures of an animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dog training clicker, including a first structural part, a sliding assembly and a second structural part overlaid and arranged in sequence along a first direction; the first structural part includes a first outer shell, the first outer shell is internally provided with a first accommodating space, an elastic sounding plate and a floating button are arranged in the first accommodating space, and the floating button abuts against the elastic sounding plate; the second structural part includes a second outer shell, the first structural part is in sliding connection with the second structural part through the sliding assembly, and the first direction is perpendicular to a second direction.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for analyzing conditioned cue preference in an animal such as a fruit fly are described.

Abstract: The invention is a pet toy having an elongate neck that interconnects two enlarged ends. The enlarged ends have spheroid shapes from a side view and circular shapes from an end or plan view. The pet toy is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis. The pet toy has numerous external features formed on the outer surface thereof that provide functional advantages. One group of external features includes ribs or stiffeners provided in various geometric arrangements on the neck and enlarged ends. Another group of external feature include a plurality of protrusions or protuberances. The protrusions are smaller in size as compared to the ribs. The shape of the pet toy resembles a dumbbell. The pet toy is preferably made of an elastomeric and flexible material that enhances play action with an animal. The invention further includes a method of entertaining an animal by using the toy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a remote-controlled automatic dog-teasing ball, which comprises an upper shell and a lower shell which are spliced into a ball shape, wherein a driving box is arranged in the upper shell and the lower shell, the upper and lower parts of the driving box are respectively provided with a protruding fixed head and a movable head, the movable head and the lower shell are assembled in linkage by splicing; a circuit component and a driving component which are electrically connected are also arranged in the driving box; the fixed head and the circuit component are electrically connected by an elastic part, and the fixed head and the upper shell are elastically abutted and linked; the driving component comprises a motor and a gear, and transmission between the motor and the movable head is achieved by the gear; the circuit component comprises a control motherboard, and at least a receiving module, a vibration switch and an LED lamp are arranged on the control motherboard.

Abstract: The present technology provides systems and methods for resisting intrusion of a pest into a supply of bird seed held in a birdfeeder. In one implementation, a base has a surface extending to a base edge. A perch has a body extending from a perch first end to a perch second end. The perch body is disposed relative to a slot. A collapsible member is mounted to the base at a first attachment point. The first attachment point is disposed inward relative to the base edge. The collapsible member is mounted to the perch at a second attachment point. The collapsible member has a pivot point defined between the first attachment point and the second attachment point. The collapsible member moves the perch from a feeding position to a non-feeding position by pivoting at the pivot point upon an application of a force above a threshold on the perch body.

Abstract: The invention provides a feeding observation device, which comprises a feeding base and a body arranged above the feeding base, wherein the body is provided with a bird food storage chamber for bird food for birds to eat; the device further comprises a camera module, a motion sensor module, at least one PCB and at least one conducting wire electrically connecting with the PCB, the imaging range of the camera module and the sensing range of the motion sensor module are at least partially overlapped, and at least one of the camera module and the motion sensor module is electrically connecting with at least one of the PCB and the conducting wires and coaxially rotatable on the body or the feeding base. When the camera or the motion sensor module is adjusted, the PCB or the conducting wire will not be affected, so that the device can work stably.

Abstract: An intelligent bird feeding observation device, including: a storage bin, wherein a top of the storage bin is provided with a feed inlet, and two opposite sides of the storage bin are provided with a sliding groove of which one end penetrates through the storage bin; a cover body, wherein the cover body is movably covered on the feed inlet of the storage bin through a rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft is positioned in the sliding groove; a tray, wherein the tray is arranged at a bottom of the storage bin, the tray is provided with a feeding cavity with an opening at the top, and the storage bin covers part of the feeding cavity and is communicated with the feeding cavity; and a camera module, wherein the camera module is arranged on the storage bin and photographs towards the feeding cavity of the tray.

Abstract: A mesh feed port for a bird feeder comprises a plurality of intersecting members defining a periodic pattern of openings. The openings include a plurality of first openings sized to receive a seed of a first size in a predetermined orientation, a plurality of second openings sized to receive a seed of a second size distinct from the first size in a predetermined orientation, and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a seed of a third size distinct from the first size and the second size in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Collar devices including interlinking collar components that have a hollow portion and a securing portion connected by a flexible portion have increased strength and security. The number of collar components included in a collar device may be adjusted in order to properly fit a collar to a particular animal. Such collar devices generally include a plurality of interlinking collar components, as well as first and second loop attachment components, which couple to respective ends of interlinked collar components. A loop with a fastening element is then inserted into openings of the first and second loop attachment components.

Abstract: A pet toy includes surfaces for adhering abrasive material for dulling a pet's claws as the pet plays with the toy, as well as a cavity for receiving pet treats for encouraging play.

Abstract: A system and method for training a dog is provided which teaches the dog to ignore stimuli, respond to a person when called by name, retreat, and socialize, as core behaviors. For each core behavior, the method comprises progressively challenging the dog and introducing a distinct auditory signal associated with each of the core behaviors so that when the auditory signal is given, the dog performs the associated core behavior. Additional or superfluous use of auditory signals is reduced or altogether avoided to prevent the dog's desensitization to each auditory signal. As such, the system for training a dog comprises a dog, a boundary, a valued item, and an auditory signal which may each be variously engaged according to the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sustainably producing an aquaculture meat product by feeding a fish over its dietary cycles an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating an aquaculture feed composition by replacing all or part of fish oil in the composition with a single microbial source of eicosapentaenoic acid (“EPA”) and docosahex-aenoic acid (“DHA”). In a preferred embodiment, the microbial source comprising DHA and EPA derives from a microorganism/microbe of the genus Schizochytrium or Thraustochytrium.

Abstract: This invention is a hydroponic appliance that allows users to grow sufficient yields of fresh produce with relatively little maintenance. The appliance incorporates multiple features required for hydroponic plant cultivation into a plug-and-play system with a feedback loop to manage optimal growing conditions, comprising a growing area, a processor, a mixing chamber, and, in embodiments, more than one reservoir. In aspects, the grow area is divided between two or more reservoirs allowing users to stratify their crops or plant different crop types simultaneously. The apparatus and associated method provide the overall system with increased versatility, including removing aspects of day-to-day maintenance. The system automatically regulates the environment in response to various sensor readings. This includes automatically regulating the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide level, pH level, and/or nutrient concentration. Accordingly, the plants have more optimum conditions for growth.

Abstract: An automated litter device having: a base; and a chamber configured for retaining a litter and rotatably supported by the support base, wherein the chamber includes: an entry opening so that an animal can enter and exit the chamber; and a waste opening generally opposing the entry opening configured so that an animal waste passes through the waste opening into the base upon rotation of the chamber; wherein the automated litter device includes one or more of: i) one or more sensors located adjacent to the entry opening which are adapted to sense the presence of the animal within the chamber, the presence of the waste in the base, a level of litter in the chamber, a position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; ii) a filtering system configured for reducing, eliminating, and/or preventing, malodors building in the base; and/or iii) a litter dispenser in communication with the chamber to transfer some of the litter to the chamber.

Abstract: A removable grow cup having a grow media receptacle, a nutrigation coupler extending from the grow media receptacle, the nutrigation coupler having a socket member and a mating detachable plug member. The plug member has a nutrigation inlet extending from the grow media receptacle. The nutrigation inlet is configured to distribute nutrient rich water in the grow media receptacle using at least one of a nutrient film technique and intermittent flow saturation technique. The socket member has a self-sealing valve, a socket housing, and a means for engaging said plug member. A means for attaching the grow media receptacle to at least one of a wall, planting column, and nutrigation manifold is provided. An outlet port extends from the grow media receptacle and is configured as a root growth channel and nutrient rich water exhaust port.

Abstract: A locking tree stand comprising a basin with a plurality of bolt mounts configured to accommodate locking bolts to slide into position. When a tab on the bolt mount is closed a threaded portion of the locking bolt comes in contact with a grip on the tab, preventing the bolt from sliding freely within the bolt mount. The bolt may slide on the thread base where a spring extends from, causing an arm from the spring to push the tab away from the locking bolt, when a locking tab is in an unlocked position. A foot pad may also be attached to the locking screw to provide a greater contact surface between the locking bolt and the trunk of a tree. The footpad may also include a plurality of nubs to provide greater grip between the footpad and the tree trunk.

Abstract: A modular grow lighting assembly provides a structure for integrating grow light strips into channels defined in vertical and horizontal structural supports. Levels of support structure can be added above previously installed levels as needed. A cable management system is also provided.