Abstract: A hopper for supplying food to a livestock feeding trough has a food levelling device at its outlet which comprises a downward extension of the outlet with side and end walls which is supported from the main body of the hopper by spring-loaded means which allow the extension to move vertically relative to the outlet and normally urge the extension downwards. The spring-loaded means may comprise guide rods which are slideable in brackets mounted on the main body, are secured to the extension and are fitted with compression springs which act between the brackets and the guide members. When the hopper is mounted over a trough for use the extension is urged by the spring-loaded means to rest on the trough at all times as the hopper travels along the trough. This ensures that a constant level of food is discharged into the trough as the hopper travels along it regardless of any variations in the heights of the trough and the main body of the hopper during the travel of the hopper along the trough.

Abstract: A poultry drinker for suspension or for standing on the ground comprises a trough member, a suspendible hanging member from which the trough member is suspended, a resilient connection between the trough member and the hanging member, a valve controlling water supply to the trough in dependence on the amount of water in the trough, and a stand member which can be used to support the stand on the ground, the stand member having a base projecting below the trough member and support means at its upper end for supporting the hanging member when the drinking trough is standing on the ground, the stand member being coupled to the trough member by a coupling which permits limited relative vertical movement so that when the drinking trough is suspended from above, the stand member is suspended from the trough member but when standing on the ground, the trough member may move relative to the stand member in order to operate the valve.

Abstract: A device for positioning livestock including a frame, apparatus for securing an animal within the frame without requiring operator contact with the animal and apparatus for orienting the frame so as to orient the animal in a desired orientation. The frame may comprise an outer frame which is selectably positionable, and an inner frame, raisably mounted within the outer frame and to which the animal is secured.

Abstract: A panel structure for animal pens in which downwardly extending stems are disposed near the top and bottom of one end thereof, and a supporting structure is provided with ring-like fixtures for receiving said stems. A bracket is disposed above one of said stems and has a pivoted element which swings between the horizontal and a downwardly extending vertical position for retaining the stems in their assembled position in the ring-like fixtures. One or more sets of upper and lower ring-like fixtures and brackets with a pivoted element thereon may be provided at the opposite end of the panel to facilitate completion or extension of the pens. The pens are preferably constructed of upper and lower rails with horizontally spaced vertically arranged bars connected to the rails to form a rigid structure.

Abstract: Animal grooming device comprising, a hexagonally-shaped flat top with a downwardly extending skirt from said top and forward extensions with said skirt having disposed circular apertures, extended triangular slots in combination with alternately placed triangular notches, a center strip with the aforesaid apertures, slots and notches attached to said top to provide two horizontal open suction chambers, a rearward closed skirt casing comprising, an attachable cylindrical nozzle and a forward facing triangular plate having laterally-placed triangular notches.

Abstract: Apparatus used in conjunction with milking machines for automatically stimulating the cow to facilitate milk let-down. Upon initiation of the milking cycle, the apparatus provides a controlled higher than atmospheric pressure to the air intake port of the vacuum line pulsator. An alternating vacuum and air pressure is thereby applied between the teat cup shell and inflation to provide a massaging action which causes stimulation of the cow and full milk let-down. Timing means are provided in the apparatus to shut off the air pressure to the pulsator a selected period of time after initiation of the stimulation, and to thereafter supply filtered atmospheric air to the pulsator to allow milking to continue in the usual manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing special food to a selected plurality of animals in a herd which includes providing a distinguishing device on each of said selected plurality of the animals, and providing a supply of foodstuff in an enclosure having a movable barrier which in a position of rest prevents access to that foodstuff supply and is locked in the rest position by a releaseable lock device. The device is so controlled that the barrier is released for animal access to the food only in response to the proximity of any one of the distinguishing devices, so that all of the selected plurality of animals, and only those selected plurality of animals, have access to the supply of foodstuff. A battery powered low electrical consumption control circuit is provided.

Abstract: Described is an enclosure device for encouraging the laying of eggs by domestic fowls particularly turkeys, comprising a cage open at opposite ends, one end constituting the fowl-entry end for permitting the entry and exit of the domestic fowl, and the opposite end constituting the egg-removal end for removing the egg layed by the fowl when in the cage. An ejector member is movable within the cage to force the fowl to exit from the fowl-entry end; and an egg-removing member is coupled to the ejector member within the cage to remove any eggs therein through the egg-removal end. The device further includes a drive for driving the ejector member and the egg-removal member first to force the fowl out of the cage from the fowl-entry end, and then to remove any egg therein from the egg-removal end.

Abstract: A feed residue saver attachment for combines has a trough adapted to be mounted in a transverse position beneath the rearward portion of a combine to receive residue which the combine would otherwise discharge onto the ground. A driven auger in the trough moves residue out an open end and into an impeller housing from which it is blown through a duct into a wagon. The attachment has alternative modes of operation so that it may be selectively used either to save substantially all the feed residue including chaff, or to save substantially only large material such as corn cobs, corn husks and pieces of stalk (known in some farming areas as "husklage") and permit chaff and other fine material to drop to the ground.

Abstract: An animal grooming tethering device in which a safety break-away clip is used, having two generally resilient parallel arms connected to one another at one end, and a band slidable on the arms to adjust the clip to release the tether at a predetermined force corresponding to the weight of the animal. The device is intended for use as a leash on a grooming table, and will prevent injury to the animal in the event the animal jumps or falls from the table.

Abstract: An improved frame section which is adapted to be mounted in a beehive in abutting relationship with a plurality of similar frame sections for making round comb honey. A plurality of circular openings are formed by cylindrical walls in each of the frame sections. A plurality of cylindrically shaped, horizontally extending chambers or "rounds" are formed by abutting pairs of the cylindrical walls of adjacent frame sections. The cylindrical frame walls each have a pair of arcuate zones of reduced axial lengths with respect to a second pair of intervening arcuate zones of greater axial lengths. The smaller axial length zones form a series of top and bottom openings along the frames when assembled, to provide access openings for the bees to the interior chambers. A ring is telescopically seated within each of the frame openings to form the sidewalls of a container for the formed combs.

Abstract: An animal fumigating unit is provided for defleaing animals. The unit comprises a container having a rotatively displaceable rear wall and having an opening in the front wall to enable the head of a contained animal to project exteriorly of the container. A flexible material is attached to the container and covers the opening. Radially symmetrical slits in the material intersect in alignment with the center of the opening enabling the material to fit firmly around the animal's neck.

Abstract: A locking device, in combination with a self-locking tag, insertable through a slit in the ear of an animal, includes a disc with a centrally disposed slit for more securely attaching the tag to the animal. Similar to the function of a pedestal, the device may also support the tag in an essentially upright position in the animal's ear. In addition, two locking devices may be utilized on both sides of the ear to prevent the tripping of the tag from either side of the ear. Another salient feature of the locking device is that it may be of a color which provides information concerning the animal. Additionally, the device may be impregnated with an insecticide repellent which will bleed out over a period of time thereby providing a measure of control over flies, lice, and other insects that may come near the animal's ear.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic horse-feeding system in which a measured amount of feed is supplied to one or more horses at frequent intervals during the feeding day of the horse. The system is characterized by a central hopper and a feed-distribution system comprising a motor-driven shaft which provides the multiple functions of agitating the feed within the hopper while driving an impeller distribution assembly which apportions the feed into one or more chutes in the predetermined measured amount. A manually-controllable damper assembly allows for simultaneously feeding different horses at different rates from the same feed hopper, while an adjustable-control circuit provides for presetting of both the interval between feedings and the amount of each feeding.

Abstract: A whirlpool therapy facility especially useful for treatment of racehorses is disclosed. The facility includes a heated pool of water contained within an elongated channel-shaped tub having upstanding substantially parallel sidewalls and a pair of opposed laterally extending inclined ramps for ingress to and egress from the pool. A plurality of air induction type hydrojet water nozzles is carried by each of the sidewalls in an inverted substantially U-shaped pattern corresponding generally to the outline of the torso and legs of a horse. Turbulence in the pool is generated by jets of intermixed water and air injected under pressure through the nozzles at selected body portions of the horse to massage disfunctional or injured muscles and joints. The tub is preferably large enough to accommodate two horses in tandem for simultaneous therapy treatments.

Abstract: An animal collar includes a flexible belt with a transparent face or window running along a substantial portion of the belt. A pouch is formed therein for containing a display strip having various identifying and ornamental indicia along one side which are displayed through the transparent face. A transverse slot is provided near one end of the pouch for inserting and removing the strip so that the indicia can be readily changed. A number of indicia-bearing tabs are provided having an adhesive backing for removable attachment to the side of the display strip.

Abstract: An eye protection device comprising a soft, flexible plastic envelope forming a goggle enclosure contoured to comfortably conform to the angular anterior cranial features of a particular mammalian, non-human animal, such as a dog, two elastic band means for extending in different directions for securing said envelope to the cranium; the envelope having venting means for permitting indirect exposure of the animal's eyes to the atmosphere; and a plastic window positioned at a front opening in the envelope.

Abstract: A farrowing crate for sows which crate is adjustable in size to accommodate different sows. Adjustability of the crate is accomplished by pivotally mounted side panels each of which has flared ends spaced different distances from the pivot. When the side panels are swung 180.degree., the interior dimensions of the crate are varied.

Abstract: A pet feeding device having a pedal portion which when depressed by the pet causes a lid unit to swing open to uncover a food receptable, incorporating an improved simplified linkage which minimizes the effort required to operate the pedal.

Abstract: An improved means of lighting and lightscaping a container of the transparent viewing variety principally used for the simultaneous display of aqueous and terraneous culture. The means is adaptable to aquariums and terrariums in separate forms consisting of a light chamber with removable drawers containing the light bulbs, and includes means of engaging electrical current when the light drawers are closed and means of dispensing said light within the container by means of ornamental light dispensing sculptures within said container.