Abstract: A scalable pet ecosystem includes modules that are activated by an activity collar of a pet. The modules collect data, such as feeding, resting, and other biological functions. The data may be uploaded to a central server for reporting to an owner's computing device. An app on the computing device may be used to link multiple pets via the activity collars to multiple modules. Modules of the system may include a feeding bowl, a pet bed, an activity collar, and a litter box, and a water dish. A pet recognition device on the activity collar may identify a pet within the system. A profile may logically link the pet recognition device to one or more of the system modules. Collected data may be stored in a repository that is accessible to owners, veterinarians, and marketers via a phone app or server connection. The data may be analyzed to identify trends, to provide marketing and industry data, and to provide advice to owners.

Abstract: The automatically detachable collar pendant system is structured so that when the system receives a signal, one end of the collar is released from the rest of the collar body, thereby unfastening the collar and allowing the collar to fall off of a target animal. The “signal” may comprise a magnetic or induction heat signal. In the preferred embodiment, the signal is received (and the collar is unfastened) when the target animal feeds at a specially-equipped bait station.

Abstract: A method of determining a temperature of a patient includes determining that a temperature measurement device is located within at least one of a distance range and an alignment range of a portion of a measurement site of the patient, providing an indication to a user of the device that the device is located within the at least one of the distance range and the alignment range, and determining, with the device, a first temperature of a first location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device. Such a method also includes determining, with the device, a second temperature of a second location on the portion of the measurement site without contacting the patient with the device, wherein the second location is different from the first location. Such a method further includes determining a third temperature of the patient based on the first and second temperatures.

Abstract: An animal interaction device is provided that includes a food access component which allows and disallows access to at least a portion of the food. In various embodiments, the allowing and disallowing of access to at least a portion of the food is dependent upon the animal's condition. A method is also provided such that the device above is provided to an animal, one or more indicators are optionally activated, the animal's first condition is sensed via one or more sensors, and based upon the animal's condition, the previously protected food is made accessible, and subsequently the protected food is made available again based upon the animal's second condition. A system is also provided for automatically interacting with an animal including at least one animal interaction device each of which comprises an initial interaction algorithm to automatically interact with the animal. Other aspects of the invention are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to remote data collecting systems and methods. In a general aspect, the present invention provides a remote data collecting system comprising a measuring device having at least two scales in communication with a web server. The web server can be used to display data from the measuring device on a website to be accessed by one or more users, for example, using a computing device. The remote data collecting system is particularly useful for real-time, uncontrolled environment (e.g., in-home) product testing.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining a body condition score of an animal comprises a three-dimensional camera system directed towards the animal and provided for recording at least one three-dimensional image of the animal; and an image processing device connected to the three-dimensional camera system and provided for forming a three-dimensional surface representation of a portion of the animal from the three- dimensional image recorded by the three-dimensional camera system; for statistically analyzing the surface of the three-dimensional surface representation; and for determining the body condition score of the animal based on the statistically analyzed surface of the three-dimensional surface representation.

Abstract: A wireless power receiver includes a receiver resonator configured to be coupled to a source resonator to receive a power from the source resonator, the receiver resonator comprising: an inverted U-shaped dielectric layer whose distal ends are bent inward; an antenna patterned in the form of a loop in line with the shape of the dielectric layer; and a meta-structure arranged around the antenna on the dielectric layer, wherein the meta-structure is configured to reinforce at least one of the electric fields and magnetic fields that are formed in the receiver resonator.

Abstract: An animal feeding vehicle includes a movement control system, a GPS receiver for generating a first set of parameters including location information, a proximity sensor for generating a second set of parameters including spatial information, a position sensor for generating a third set of parameters including motion information, a feeding system including a feeding control system for feeding animals based on a fourth set of parameters. A control unit receives the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters, and defines a first mode in which the user controls the movement control system and the feeding control system, and in which the control unit records data representing the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters; and a second mode in which the control unit controls the movement control system and the feeding system by comparing recorded data with the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for managing a group of dairy animals in which a subgroup of dairy animals to be separated from the group of dairy animals is determined. A planned collection time is determined, at which time it is planned that the dairy animals in the subgroup of dairy animals to be separated are separated from the group of dairy animals. An individual separation period, which is determined by the length of time from a start time, preceding the planned collection time, to the planned collection time, is selected separately, for each individual dairy animal in the subgroup of dairy animals to be separated, in dependence of a property of said individual dairy animal. Each individual dairy animal in the subgroup of dairy animals to be separated is separated from the group of dairy animals during the individual separation period selected for said dairy animal.

Abstract: A method for estimating a greenhouse gas emission from a ruminant in a loose housing environment, and in a predetermined time period from T0 to Tdesired, the method including: determining a model emission rate function EM(t) for the ruminant determining the moments of eating feed by the ruminant, at least during the predetermined time period, as a series of points in time {T1, T2, T3, . . . , Tn} constructing the estimated real emission rate function ER(t) on the basis of the model emission rate function and the moments of eating feed, and integrating ER(t) from T0 to Tdesired. Also provided is a greenhouse gas emission estimation device, arranged to perform this method. In the device and method, use is made of the insight that knowing the eating moments can fine-tune calculations for establishing greenhouse gas emissions from the animals.

Abstract: A method and system for the remote determination of an animal weight, and other animal variables, using a piezoelectric sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing nutritional and other products to animals are provided. Generally, the invention provides a dispensing system comprising an activity monitoring device, and a dispensing device comprising a processor programmed to receive a communication generated by the activity monitoring device. The processor controls the dispensing device to dispense a nutritional or other product in response to the communication from the activity monitoring device. The activity monitoring device can be attached to an animal and communicate with the dispensing device information regarding the nutritional requirements of the animal.

Abstract: A trap for capturing a plurality of animals. The trap can comprise an enclosure having an opening through which the at least one animal can pass to enter the enclosure. A gate, movable between an open position and a closed position, is positioned therein the at least one opening and can be selectively moved from the open position to the closed position when desired. Methods are also provided for capturing at least one animal by providing a trap with a gate, positioning the gate in an open position, monitoring the trap until at least one animal has entered the trap, and remotely triggering the gate to move from the open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An arrangement (12; 16) for feeding animals on a farm comprises an on-farm analyzer device (13; 17) provided for measuring, e.g. at least on a daily basis, the amount of a constituent of solid feed to be fed to said animals, and a feeding device (14; 18) provided for feeding said animals, wherein the feeding depends on the result of said measurement, and the amount of the constituent of solid feed is measured immediately prior to the feeding of said animals. By the arrangement, a proper solid feed mix with a balanced composition can be given to the animals.

Abstract: A method for positioning an individually metered out food portion on an animal cage arranged in a row of animal cages for fur animals, in particular mink, by means of a motorized feed cart having wheels, at least one driving wheel, and a feed container, the method including moving the feed cart along a row of animal cages, thereby turning the wheels of the feed cart, determining by means of the control unit that the feed cart has reached a given position corresponding to a given cage and a database of information related to at least positions of animal cages and desired size of food portions to each animal cage, controlling the feed cart to metering out the desired food portions at a suitable food delivering place at the given animal cage according to the information in the database, determining by means of the control unit and the database whether a medication should be provided at the given animal cage, and metering medication out according to the information in the database.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. The stored location information includes a location of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period. The method further includes determining, based on at least a portion of the stored location information, one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock. The method further includes determining, based on the one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock, whether the dairy livestock is likely unhealthy.

Abstract: A highly automated system and method for acquiring animal consumption and behavior data including stations where consumables are fed to animals. The stations being equipped with RFID equipment for reading RFID tags in close proximity to the station, and weighing devices for measuring the weight of the consumables. The RFID equipment and the weighing device are connected to a computer which calculates the weight of the trough at specific times by using weight data collected before and after the specified time to enhance the accuracy of the weight measurement. The computer uses a “mathematical weighted filter technique” to estimate the weight of the trough before and after a consumption event. The computer uses a method to divide the reduction/increase in weighed matter between the RFID tag last seen and the next RFID tag appearing, providing the reduction/increase in matter is less than a specified amount.

Abstract: An intelligent pet-feeding device is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, configured with at least one opening; a storage tank, for storing at least one kind of food while enabling each kind of food to be transported out of the frame from it corresponding opening; a communication module, capable of performing a wireless communication with an operator at a remote end; an imaging module, for capturing images and thus generating image signals accordingly; an audio transceiver module, for receiving and transmitting audio signals; and a central processing unit, electrically connected to the communication module, the imaging module and the audio transceiver module for processing signals received thereby and generated therefrom.

Abstract: A sensor controlled food and water system and method for pet animals. A collar of a pet animal can be attached to a sensor for selectively operating one or more bowls allocated to the pet animal. The bowl for storing the food and/or water can be linked with the sensor such that the lid of the bowl opens on detecting the presence of the pet animal near the bowl. Each animal can be provided with a collar having a sensor and a bowl linked with and/or which communicates wirelessly with the sensor (e.g., RFID tags). The lid of the bowl allocated to the animal opens when the pet is near the bowl and closes when the pet is at a distal or particular location from the bowl.

Abstract: A method and system that controls pet access to various different locations and/or objects. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system whereby pets wearing an ID tag are allowed access to various locations and/or objects, such as food contained within a feeder dish for example, while a sensor system, responding to the presence of other animals or people, causes the device to close preventing unauthorized access thereto. The feeder further includes one or more sensors using ultrasonic, infrared technology or both in combination for the identification of both tagged and non-tagged animals or children. Further embodiments employ the system to control access to litter boxes, pet toys, pet watering systems, pet gate access, pet containment systems or pet doors.

Abstract: A method for training, exercising, and entertaining an animal comprises providing in a first location a dispenser comprising a storage compartment, a first signaling module, and a wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A target is provided in a second location and a system configuration of the dispenser and the target is set. The target transmits a dispense signal in response to a detected predetermined animal behavior. The dispenser generates a reward signal and dispenses a reward only in response to a received dispense signal. The system configuration comprises a training program, a session length, and a periodicity.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with feeding animals from multiple feeders are described. Example systems include a first feeder configured to allow access by a first animal when a condition allowing access is met, and a communication logic configured to communicate with at least one other feeder. At least one other feeder is configured to allow access by at least one other animal when a condition allowing access by the at least one other animal is met. The feeders may be separated to prevent the first animal from simultaneously eating from the first feeder and interfering with other animals eating from at least one other feeder. The system may include detection logic configured to detect the proximity of an animal, and to determine if a condition allowing access is met. The detection logic may include an RFID device attached to the animal and an RFID transceiver in the first feeder.

Abstract: A method for training, exercising, and entertaining an animal comprises providing a dispenser in a first location accessible to a predetermined animal. The dispenser comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a first signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A target is provided in a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the first location and the fixed distance is based on a training condition for the animal. A system configuration of the dispenser and the target is set. The target comprises a second signaling module, a sensor, and a wireless module configured to transmit a dispense signal. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined animal behavior. In one embodiment, the predetermined animal behavior comprises depression of a touch sensor.

Abstract: A base of an animal training includes a dispenser that comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a base signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a base wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A first target is detached from the base at a first target location at a first fixed distance from the base. The first target comprises a first target signaling module, a first sensor, and a first target wireless module. A second target is disposed at a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the base and comprises a second target signaling module, a second sensor, and a second target wireless module. The base further comprises a system configuration module, the system configuration module configured to access and modify configuration information of the dispenser, the first target, and the second target.

Abstract: A system for managing an integrated supply chain of livestock, such as beef cattle, utilizes a networked system solution for interacting various supply chain entities via the Internet. Various livestock producers, feed yards, packers, retailers, and vendors to the livestock industry are interconnected to communicate, manage, market, and transact the livestock from birth to consumer sales at the retail level. Producers are enabled to provide source verification of their livestock to enhance the integrity of the system, and prequalify livestock for value-added retail programs. Retailers are enabled to make real-time changes to characteristics of known future supply through interactions with the decision makers during the production process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning an individually metered out food portion on an animal cage arranged ranged in a row of animal cages for fur animals by means of a motorized feed cart comprising wheels and a feed container, comprising the steps of: —moving said feed cart along a row of animal cages, —providing an output from an encoder corresponding to the angular turning of one of said wheels to a control unit, —determining that the feed cart has reached a given position corresponding to a given cage from said output and a database of information related to positions of animal cages and desired size of food portions to each animal cage, and —controlling the feed cart to metering out the desired food portions at a suitable food delivering place at the given animal cage according to the information in said database.

Abstract: An automated feeding station feeds an animal in a feeding event. An automated collection system, such as a urine collection system, fecal collection system, or combination urine/fecal collection system, collects and excrement from the animal in an excrement elimination event. The feeding event and excrement elimination events provide insights into the health of the animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing a group of dairy animals including individually recognizing each animal by an animal identification system, milking the animals to give actual milk yields for each animal, and feeding the animals with an predetermined individual ration, collecting data regarding the group of dairy animals, which data comprise for each animal at least the actual milk yield and an amount of the individual ration consumed by the animal, wherein subsequent individual milk yields are estimated using a model on the basis of said data, and wherein, for one or more animals, at least one of the individual ration and the milking of individual dairy animals is adjusted in a regulatory step of the model using a precondition. The invention also provides a device and a computer program product, arranged to perform such a method.

Abstract: An early alert system and a method for livestock disease detection are disclosed. An activity measurement zone (AMZ) is defined near an incentive device (e.g. food or water dispensing system) with an RFID tag reader and/or an RFID antenna. An animal's access into the AMZ is tracked and counted with an RFID tag attached to the animal. If the animals' activity relative to the AMZ drops to an alarmingly low level (e.g. dropping below an alert trigger point) over time, then a user of the alert system is informed of a potential health problem of the animal and may also be encouraged to inspect the animal in person for further determination of its current health and potential medical issues. The early alert system may be powered by hybrid alternative energy sources for rural or remote areas, which may have inconvenient or expensive access to conventional electrical power lines.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation.

Abstract: A system and method for cognitive enrichment of an animal. At least one display device is configured to display stimuli to an animal. At least one input device is configured to accept input from the animal. At least one reward dispenser is configured to dispense a reward to the animal. At least one processor is communicatively coupled with the at least one display device, the at least one input device, and the at least one reward dispenser. Execution of computer-readable instructions causes the at least one processor to carry out steps including displaying one or more stimuli to the animal using the at least one display device, accepting an input from the animal corresponding to at least one of the one or more stimuli, making a dispensing decision based on the input, and dispensing a reward using the at least one reward dispenser based on the dispensing decision.

Abstract: A pet feeding apparatus includes a container and a base assembly, wherein the base assembly includes a sensor assembly operatively coupled to a portion keypad circuit board and operation keypad circuit board. The base assembly displays an indication of the amount of food carried by the container, and the base assembly provides an indication of the feeding time.

Abstract: A method for automatically feeding at least two animals wherein at least one feed dispenser is used which comprises at least one registration device, an electronic control unit, a feed container, a conveyor mechanism, a trough, said at least two animals being each provided with an information carrier containing data, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the information carrier is registered via registration device; the control unit activates the conveyor mechanism which advances feed to the trough, wherein said control unit activates the conveyor mechanism to the effect that the conveyor mechanism advances a varying amount of feed per time unit depending on the registered information carrier; said control unit stopping the conveyor mechanism when registration of information carrier is interrupted whereby dispensing of feed is stopped.

Abstract: In a method for supplying animals kept in restricted compartments (1 to 1.4) with feed by at least one dispensing unit (4) which is arranged movably along the restricted compartments, is connected to a control center (5) and has at least one dispensing element (9.1, 9.2), compartments (1.1) having group animals and compartments (1.2) for individual animals are intended to be jointly supplied with feed by a control center (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing and dosing device for cattle feed, comprising a plurality of feed hoppers for different types of feed, wherein each hopper has an infeed end and an outfeed end disposed thereunder, wherein a dosing device is disposed in each hopper at its outfeed end, further comprising a control device adapted to control each of the dosing devices in order to dose feed from the associated hopper, a pivotable distributing hopper disposed under the plurality of outfeed ends, outfeed ports placed under the distributing hopper for connection to fodder conduits debouching in different feed troughs, further comprising one or more actuators for pivoting the distributing hopper, wherein the control device is further adapted to control the actuators so as to position the distributing hopper with its downstream end substantially above a selected one of the outfeed ports. The invention also relates to a feeding stall for feeding animals and a system and method for tracking positions of animals.

Abstract: Monitoring activity of an animal in a system for housing freely moving animals including a plurality of animal ID stations, includes the steps of a) recording a first visit of said animal at a first of said animal ID stations, b) recording a subsequent second visit of said animal at a second of said animal ID stations, and c) determining a distance covered by said animal as the distance between said first animal ID station at said first visit and said second animal ID station at said second visit. With such simple means, parts of which are already present in e.g. most robot dairy stables, important information about activity of animals can easily be gathered.

Abstract: A game feeder configured for remote monitoring, the game feeder comprising a feeder body comprising a container for holding feed, a motor configured to disperse the feed, and a motor relay configured to actuate the motor; a computer, the computer comprising a wireless driver configured to communicatively couple the computer to a wireless communication network; and a sensor array having a plurality of sensors adapted to provide data on a plurality of local conditions at the game feeder, the sensor array being communicatively coupled to the computer; wherein the computer is configured to receive the data on the plurality of local conditions from the sensor array and send the data on the plurality of local conditions to the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A dispenser (5) for dispensing discrete predefined quantities of animal feed to animals comprises first and second primary containers (28a, 28b) for ingredients of the animal feed. Primary metering augers (34) are provided in each primary container (28) for metering predefined quantities of the ingredients to produce a discrete predefined quantity of animal feed for dispensing to an animal. A radio frequency identity detector (82) located in the dispenser (5) identifies the identity of an approaching animal, and a microprocessor (48) in the dispenser (5) operates the primary metering augers (34) for metering out appropriate quantities of the ingredients in the first and second primary containers (28a, 28b) to produce a specific discrete predefined quantity of the animal feed for consumption by the animal. The discrete predefined quantity of the animal feed is presented to the animal in a dish-shaped base (22) of the dispenser (5).

Abstract: An animal data communication system, including a rover unit to be carried by an animal, an animal accessory device to interact with the rover unit and/or animal, at least one detector to detect an occurrence of an action engaged in by the animal, and to generate a signal indicative of a detected action, a processing unit to generate animal data identifying the detected action based on the generated signal, and a communication unit disposed on at least one of the rover unit and the animal accessory device to transmit the animal data over a network in response to an occurrence of one or more particular conditions associated with the detected action.

Abstract: An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning an individually metered out food portion on an animal cage arranged ranged in a row of animal cages for fur animals by means of a motorized feed cart comprising wheels and a feed container, comprising the steps of: —moving said feed cart along a row of animal cages, —providing an output from an encoder corresponding to the angular turning of one of said wheels to a control unit, —determining that the feed cart has reached a given position corresponding to a given cage from said output and a database of information related to positions of animal cages and desired size of food portions to each animal cage, and —controlling the feed cart to metering out the desired food portions at a suitable food delivering place at the given animal cage according to the information in said database.

Abstract: An automated method and system for individual animal electronic identification, measurement, and management of cattle in a feedlot. Through the use of a computer system integrated with individual animal identification, multiple measurement and remeasurement systems, and a handling and sorting system, animals are individually identified and measured. The computer system calculates optimum slaughter weight, economic end point and marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. Individual animals are sorted by the computer in response to calculations from the measurements. The computer system stores individual animal measurement, performance and location data, which is used to select animals for shipment to slaughter at the optimum time.

Abstract: A method for managing health of ruminants or other animals. The method includes providing a feed dispenser for feeding ruminants nutrient supplements, and the feed dispenser includes a gas analyzer where a ruminant places its head. The method includes determining a particular ruminant has accessed the feed dispenser such as by reading an identifier from an RFID ear tag and operating the feed dispenser to provide a ration of methane-controlling nutrient supplement. The method may include using the identifier to determine that the animal should be vaccinated such as based on their age and no record of prior vaccination. The method includes dispensing a dose of a nasal vaccine into the feed dispenser near the animal's nostrils. The method may include discharging a diagnostic agent such as propane or carbon monoxide and processing data collected to diagnose the animal as having a disease or condition such as a lung-related sickness.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle for supplying feed to an animal, which is provided with a frame, with propulsion mechanism disposed thereon, feed supplier for supplying feed and navigator connected to the propulsion mechanism with a sensor for forming an image of an observation area, wherein the sensor comprises: a source of radiation for emitting modulated electromagnetic radiation, a receiver device for radiation reflected by an object, comprising a matrix with rows and columns of receivers, an optical device and sensor image processor configured to determine for the receivers a phase difference between the emitted electromagnetic radiation and the reflected electromagnetic radiation in order to calculate a distance from the receiver to the object. Through use of the unmanned vehicle device an excellent and reliable navigation is possible, so that, for example, milk can be conveyed efficiently from a milking implement to a calf.

Abstract: Method of supplying feed to animals with the aid of a group of feed stations which are accessible to those animals, wherein the feed stations, following the identification of an animal, supply feed to that animal according to a feed program for that animal adjusted to that individual animal and taking into account data relating to earlier feed supplies to that animal, wherein data relating to a feed supply to an animal are made available to each feed station via data connections, and wherein, in the event of failure of the data connection for at least one of the feed stations, at least one of the feed stations is operated to switch over to a safety feed program to reduce the feed supply to an animal identified at that feed station.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with feeding animals from multiple feeders are described. Example systems include a first feeder configured to allow access by a first animal when a condition allowing access is met, and a communication logic configured to communicate with at least one other feeder. At least one other feeder is configured to allow access by at least one other animal when a condition allowing access by the at least one other animal is met. The feeders may be separated to prevent the first animal from simultaneously eating from the first feeder and interfering with other animals eating from at least one other feeder. The system may include detection logic configured to detect the proximity of an animal, and to determine if a condition allowing access is met. The detection logic may include an RFID device attached to the animal and an RFID transceiver in the first feeder.

Abstract: An Internet-accessible apparatus for dispensing a pet treat using a remote Internet-accessible electronic device includes: (a) a treat dispensing unit including a treat rack, a delivery plate, a base plate, and an actuator or other mechanism for sliding the delivery plate over the base plate; (b) a control circuit electronics portion in communication with the sliding mechanism and with a local computer or router with a built-in Domain Name System client, which is in communication with at least one remote Internet-accessible electronic device; and (c) at least one video camera portion in communication with the local computer or router; wherein the treat dispensing unit includes a dispensing position in which cutouts in the plates are substantially aligned, and a parked position in which the plate cutouts are not aligned. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A portable feed apparatus comprising a feed container, a mixing assembly that receives a feed from said feed container, at least one feed additive assembly in flowable connection with said mixing assembly, and a controller in communication with said mixing assembly.

Abstract: It used to be difficult to automatically mix—together with ordinary pet foods—nutrients and medications as additives based on a prescription from an animal hospital according to the condition of a pet. Also, it was not easy to submit from a personal computer or a mobile phone an order for custom-mixed pet food. This system easily receives, via the Internet from a personal computer 1 or a mobile phone 2, an order for custom-mixed pet food based on a prescription sent to a custom-mixed-pet-food prescription control computer system 4 that electronically controls a mixing device 5 that automatically produces custom-mixed pet food according to mixing data specified by an pet owner's order and prescription from an animal hospital.

Abstract: An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, and one or more vehicles that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle, such as a flexible teat, which is movably mounted relative to the remaining part of the displaceable vehicle, and a height adjusting device for adjusting a height of the drinking nozzle.