Abstract: Systems for delivering material through an open beak to a digestive tract of a bird and methods of using the same are described herein. Beak opening apparatus and methods of using the same are also described herein.

Abstract: A tool for slitting an elongate sheath from about an elongate member that is disposed within a longitudinally extending lumen of the sheath includes a longitudinally extending tail portion projecting rearward of a slitting edge and a nose portion of the tool; a lower surface of the nose portion is disposed beneath the slitting edge for engaging a portion of the elongate member. The tail portion of the tool, approximately aligned with the sheath lumen when the lower surface engages the elongate member and a leading edge of the nose portion is within the sheath lumen, is sized to fit within the sheath lumen after the sheath is slit by the slitting edge. A passageway between the nose portion and the tail portion allows a proximal segment of the elongate member to bend away from the tail portion when the elongate member is engaged by the nose portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing antlers from animals in a manner that is substantially painless, and thus humane, and that utilizes a particular banding tool and novel band.

Abstract: A portable system moving a debeaker apparatus within a barn to reduce the transportation and handling of a bird. A frame which holds the debeaker apparatus, a receiving chute, a staging cage, a delivery chute and a first and second storage baskets has wheels for easy movement from one location to another location. In a barn, an operator removes a plurality of birds from a starter cage and places the birds in the receiving chute which directs the birds to a platform in the staging cage. The platform has an inclined surface such that the birds have a tendency to face away from the operator. This orientation of the birds assists in the alignment with respect to a head retaining member of the debeaker apparatus. The operator selects a bird from the platform in a staging cage for presentation to the head retaining member associated with the debeaker apparatus. Once a bird is accepted by the head retaining member, a containment shield is resiliently positioned adjacent opening in the top or the return chute.

Abstract: A method and system for dehorning cattle, the system including a unitary applicator that includes a backing, a receptacle for dehorning material, and an adhesive for use in applying and retaining the backing on the head of the calf with the dehorning material in contact with the horn bud.

Abstract: A flammable gas heated cauterizing device for use in cauterizing the horn stumps in older cattle as well as removing the horn buttons from young calves. A propane torch having a burner tube is utilized to heat a cauterizing device fabricated from surgical stainless steel. A first embodiment, for cauterizing larger horn stumps, comprises a torch attachment tube spot welded to a cauterizing tip having a flat cauterizing face with rearwardly extending frustoconical tubular sidewalls. A second embodiment, for cauterizing horn buttons, is identical to the first embodiment but utilizes a concave cauterizing tip. The invention heats up much faster and to a much higher temperature than the prior art devices, thereby making the cauterizing process much quicker and less painful for the animals.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a body portion, and a tool mechanism in which a pivoting handle pivots about a stationary handle to open and close the tool mechanism. In one embodiment, the tool mechanism including a pair of tissue gripping members having a plurality of rib members extending in a lengthwise direction, and at least one indentation having a longitudinal dimension at least greater than a transverse dimension between the rib members. The instrument includes a rotatable body portion, in which a rotation knob is provided on the instrument at the stationary handle so that the user may rotate the body portion, and consequently the tool mechanism, using a single hand. Furthermore, an electrocautery connection is provided which is positioned out of the line of sight of the surgeon, so that the surgeon may have an unobstructed view to the surgical site.