Abstract: An animal containment system includes a cage with a lid and a water flask. The water flask has a generally rectangular footprint and sits on top of the cage, preferably on the lid itself. A sipper tube connected to a port on one of the sides of the water flask can be inserted through a hole in the cage lid to a height sufficient for the animals in the cage to reach up to obtain water. The lid of the cage preferably includes a recessed portion in which at least a portion of the water flask is disposed. The water flask includes a bottom surface that is sloped to facilitate emptying of the flask into the sipper tube. The water flask has a relatively low profile and thus, contributes very little to the height of the cage. Thus, existing rack designs can be used to house the same number of cage and water flask assemblies of the present invention as was possible with conventional isolation cage and water bottle designs. Further, the water flask can be replaced without having to remove the lid of the cage.

Abstract: A poultry drinker system includes a number of drinker lines each supplied from a common high pressure water supply through a water pressure regulator. Each regulator includes a reference spring establishing a default minimum water pressure. A centralized remote control system provides regulated low pressure air to the water pressure regulators to augment the reference spring force and remotely adjust the water pressure in the drinker lines. The remote control system periodically applies higher pressure air to the water pressure regulators to increase water pressure and flow rates and sequentially flush the drinker lines. The remote control system includes a source of high pressure air, an air pressure regulator for supplying lower pressure air and a stack of 3-way valves for applying low or high pressure air to each water pressure regulator.

Abstract: A novel adjustment mechanism is provided for varying the height of a poultry drinker above a poultry feeder. The adjustment mechanism preferably includes a first portion to which the feeder is attached, a second portion to which the drinker is attached, and a structure, such as a pin, for fixing the position of the second portion relative to the first portion. The first portion includes a slot along which the second portion slides. The second portion includes a support channel which extends through the slot and the fixing structure contacts the first portion and the support channel to prevent movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.