Abstract: A poultry feeder with beak growth control device is provided. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder pan, a feeder tower, and a beak grooming ring. The grooming ring is removably inserted in the feeder and has an annular shape complementary configured to engage a corresponding shape of the feeder pan. Preferably, the grooming ring has a self-supporting structure that retains its complementary shape to the feeder pan independently of the pan when removed therefrom. The grooming ring is insertable and removable from feeder as a separable unit from the feeder and operable to abrade the beak while the birds feed, thereby controlling its growth and length.

Abstract: A poultry feed system is provided having a plurality of feeders that may be fully charged with feed while located on the floor of the feed house, but are capable of being stored near to their location when feeding has ceased.

Abstract: A poultry feed system is provided having a plurality of feeders that may be fully charged with feed while located on the floor of the feed house, but are capable of being stored near to their location when feeding has ceased.

Abstract: A poultry feeder with beak growth control device is provided. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder pan, a feeder tower, and a beak grooming ring. The grooming ring is removably inserted in the feeder and has an annular shape complementary configured to engage a corresponding shape of the feeder pan. Preferably, the grooming ring has a self-supporting structure that retains its complementary shape to the feeder pan independently of the pan when removed therefrom. The grooming ring is insertable and removable from feeder as a separable unit from the feeder and operable to abrade the beak while the birds feed, thereby controlling its growth and length.

Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided that may be fully charged with feed. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder pan and a feeder tower that vertically moveable with respect to the pan. The feeder tower is movable between a first closed position in which a bottom end of the feeder tower engages the feeder pan and a second open position forming a gap between the end of the tower and pan to dispense feed. Feed is precluded from entering the pan when the feeder tower is in the first position. In some embodiments, an adjusting collar may be provided to limit regulate the amount of feed dispensed to the feeder pan. The feeder tower is configured for suspension from an overhead feeding system.

Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided that may be fully charged with feed. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder tower and a feeder pan assembly that is vertically moveable with respect to the pan. The feeder pan assembly is movable between a first closed position in which a bottom end of the feeder tower engages the feeder pan and a second open position forming a gap between the end of the tower and pan to dispense feed. Feed is precluded from entering the pan when the feeder pan assembly is in the first position. In one embodiment, the feeder pan assembly is operated between the two positions via a cable. An adjusting collar may be provided to regulate the amount of feed dispensed to the feeder pan.

Abstract: A poultry feeder having an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the relative positions between the feeder tower and the feeder bowl to control the amount of feed entering the bowl that is readily adjustable, and, at the same time, enables the feeder bowl, the grill and the adjustment collar to freely rotate relative to the feeder tower to prevent damage to the adjustment mechanism when the grill and/or the bowl is contacted by the feeding birds. A lower edge of an adjusting collar rests on a shoulder portion of the feeder tower when the poultry feeder is suspended above floor level. The relative positions between a bottom of the feeder tower and the feeder bowl is adjustable in a plurality of discreet positions. Each of the plurality of discreet positions provides a different clearance between the bottom of the feeder tower and the bowl, thus controlling the amount of feed which may enter the bowl from the feeder tower.

Abstract: An insulated watering system is provided for fowl, animals or the like in which a length of pipeline is defined by several groups of watering pipes with each group of watering pipes being of a different wall thickness and having greater heat-insulating efficiency in the direction of water flow. The pipes are preferably formed from foamed polymeric/copolymeric material, such as polyvinylchloride, and each includes an interior cylindrical closed cell core sandwiched between noncellular skins or plies. The exterior diameters of all watering pipes are identical, but the interior diameters of the various groups decrease in the direction of water flow. In this fashion, a larger wall thicknesses of the pipes effectively insulate the lesser volume of water flowing through the water line along downstream portions thereof.

Abstract: A watering system for poultry, small animals or the like including a plurality of elongated stabilizing anti-roosting members in longitudinal alignment with each other and interconnected by slidable connectors, a plurality of interconnected watering pipes below the stabilizing members, clips for connecting the stabilizing members to the watering pipe and a suspension system for suspending the overall watering system relative to a supporting surface. The clip for connecting the stabilizing members to each other in generally of an inverted V-shape configuration and the clip for securing the watering pipes to the stabilizing members is of a generally C-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A drinker for feeding liquid to fowl and/or small animals includes a housing having an outlet through which liquid/water flows under the control of a valve operated by a drinker 10 which is actuated by the fowl and/or small animals. The water outlet and particularly the pin is supported above an uppermost top wall of a wire cage which prevents inadvertent/accidental operation of the pin to prevent water leakage. An inlet is directed into an associated water pipe from above with an associated outlet thereof being spaced above a lowermost portion of the water pipe to preclude accumulated sediment from entering the drinker and causing the valve to remain in its open position.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a flexible diaphragm which sets-off a liquid chamber having an inlet and an outlet for respectively introducing liquid into and discharging liquid from the liquid chamber under the control of an associated valve through an actuator operated by the movement of the diaphragm. The valve is carried by a coupling which is connected to the housing inlet which, upon the uncoupling of the coupling, allows inspection and/or repair of an associated valve seat or the actuator through the pressure regulator inlet.The pressure regulator can be cleaned or flushed by a novel method which includes uncoupling the coupling from the liquid inlet and reversing the connection with an associated standpipe outlet and thereafter reopening the liquid inlet valve. Liquid enters the liquid chamber through the standpipe outlet and discharges the liquid chamber through the liquid outlet thereby flushing the liquid chamber in a thorough and effective manner.

Abstract: A watering system for poultry, small animals or the like including a plurality of elongated stabilizing/anti-roosting members in longitudinal alignment with each other and interconnected by slidable connectors, a plurality of interconnected watering pipes below the stabilizing members, clips for connecting the stabilizing members to the watering pipe and a suspension system for suspending the overall watering system relative to a supporting surface. The clip for connecting the stabilizing members to each other in generally of an inverted V-shape configuration and the clip for securing the watering pipes to the stabilizing members is of a generally C-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a flexible diaphragm which sets-off a liquid chamber having an inlet and an outlet for respectively introducing liquid into and discharging liquid from the liquid chamber under the control of an associated valve through an actuator operated by the movement of the diaphragm. The valve is carried by a coupling which is connected to the housing inlet which, upon the uncoupling of the coupling, allows inspection and/or repair of an associated valve seat or the actuator through the pressure regulator inlet. The pressure regulator can be cleaned or flushed by a novel method which includes uncoupling the coupling from the liquid inlet and reversing the connection with an associated standpipe outlet and thereafter reopening the liquid inlet valve. Liquid enters the liquid chamber through the standpipe outlet and discharges the liquid chamber through the liquid outlet thereby flushing the liquid chamber in a thorough and effective manner.

Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a flexible diaphragm which sets-off a liquid chamber having an inlet and an outlet for respectively introducing liquid into and discharging liquid from the liquid chamber under the control of an associated valve through an actuator operated by the movement of the diaphragm. The valve is carried by a coupling which is connected to the housing inlet which, upon the uncoupling of the coupling, allows inspection and/or repair of an associated valve seat or the actuator through the pressure regulator inlet.The pressure regulator can be cleaned or flushed by a novel method which includes uncoupling the coupling from the liquid inlet and reversing the connection with an associated standpipe outlet and thereafter reopening the liquid inlet valve. Liquid enters the liquid chamber through the standpipe outlet and discharges the liquid chamber through the liquid outlet thereby flushing the liquid chamber in a thorough and effective manner.

Abstract: A nipple drinker particularly adapted for feeding liquid to fowl and/or small animals which includes a passage, a ball valve closing the passage when seated on at least one valve seat, and a ball valve actuating stem having a head and a pin, the head having a concave surface and a through bore opening therethrough, and an exterior surface of the pin having at least one water flow channel whereby both small and large fowl and/or animals can actuate the stem to unseat the ball valve in proportion to the force applied to the stem which not only provides proportional water flow but also assures automatic self-cleaning or flushing of the recess.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a flexible watering tube to a water pipe associated with a watering system for poultry and/or small animals, the clamp including a generally U-shaped saddle which embraces the exterior of a water pipe, a tubular stem projecting in a direction away from a convex outer surface of the saddle, a passage in the tubular stem, a passage of legs in diametrically opposite spaced relationship to each other, the tubular stem being located between the two legs and defining therewith a pair of gaps, the legs having projections directed toward projections of the tubular stem, and the latter projections bite into the watering tube when an end portion thereof is inserted into the gaps.

Abstract: A drinking mechanism which includes a trough, the trough having a generally upwardly opening mouth when in an in-use position, brackets for suspending the trough from a support structure in the in-use position, the trough being movable by the rotation of the brackets to a non-use position at which the mouth is no longer in the generally upwardly opening position but instead opens generally downwardly, and the bracket also holding the trough in its non-use position thereby preventing the interior of the trough from becoming filled with debris when associated with poultry or similar small animals. Preferably, the drinking mechanism is suspended by the brackets from a conventional watering system which includes a water pipe and a plurality of drinkers having nipples which can be actuated by the beaks of birds or similar animals.

Abstract: A height-adjustable watering system which includes a watering pipe connected to a source of water and carrying a plurality of drinkers, brackets for suspending the water pipe, each bracket having a pair of arms for clampingly embracing the water pipe, and a clip secured by tongues and grooves to the arms to prevent the water pipe from inadvertently or accidentally being removed from the clamping arms.

Abstract: A height-adjustable watering system which includes a watering pipe connected to a source of water and carrying a plurality of drinkers, a stabilizing element positioned above and along the water pipe, an anti-roosting element positioned along and above the stabilizing element, a plurality of brackets each having arms for receiving therebetween the anti-roosting element, the stabilizing element and the water pipe, a flexible suspension cord secured to at least selective one of the brackets, and a quick-release clamp associated with the suspension cords for readily varying the height of the system from a supporting surface to vary the height of the overall watering system as the poultry, small animals or the like grow.

Abstract: A height-adjustable watering system which includes a watering pipe connected to a source of water and carrying a plurality of drinkers, a stabilizing element positioned above and along the water pipe, an anti-roosting element positioned along and above the stabilizing element, a plurality of brackets each having arms for receiving therebetween the anti-roosting element, the stabilizing element and the water pipe, a flexible suspension cord secured to at least selective one of the brackets, and a quick-release clamp associated with the suspension cords for readily varying the height of the system from a supporting surface to vary the height of the overall watering system as the poultry, small animals or the like grow.