Abstract: Solid absorbent materials, having adsorbed thereto from about 1000 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of a undecylenic acid, when used as animal litter products, effectively prevent the development of urine odors. Absorbent pads having absorbed thereto from about 5000 ppm to about 100,000 ppm of the undecylenic acid when used as liners in litter boxes likewise effectively control odor development.

Abstract: There is disclosed an animal feeding system which comprises a means for collecting and storing information regarding an animal's individual characteristics such as milk production or weight, a means for storing information regarding the desired or predicted animal characteristics, means for comparing the desired or predicted characteristics and the individual characteristics and determining the degree of variance between the two, and means for feeding the animal based upon the variance, including a means for identifying the particular animal which is at a feed station and means for providing feed to the animal in a user definable, predetermined relationship to the variance.

Abstract: An animal headgate having a forward portion and a rearward portion on a stationary frame (11), having a pair of gate pivot members (19) pivotably connected to said frame (11), and a pair of headgates (13) attached to said gate pivot members (19), said headgates (13) being operably movable among receive, latch and release positions. The headgate further includes a pair of first animal securement means (14) attached to said headgates for substantially restraining movement of an animal, and a pair of second animal securement means (15) positioned forward of said first animal securement means (14) to further restrain movement of said animal, said second animal securement means (15) being movably attached to the headgates and operably movable among receive, latch and release positions.

Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated bedknife alignment and positioning mechanism which uses the hydraulic power source to precisely adjust the distance between the blade of a reel-type lawn mower and the bedknife for proper cutting action. The system includes a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a hydraulic cylinder (mounted to the frame of the mower) which houses a piston connected by a linkage arm to the bedknife that is biased relative to the reel blade and attached pivotally to the frame. During adjustment, the cylinder is pressurized, forcing the piston to move the bedknife into contact with the blades of the mower. When the hydraulic pressure is removed, the biasing force pushes the bedknife away from the reel blade, but a hydraulic locking valve in the actuating cylinder line limits precisely how far the bedknife is biased away from the reel blade before sealing shut, effecting proper distance setting. The hydraulic adjustment may be remotely actuated by the operator of the mower.

Abstract: An elongate pipe is connected to an elongate flange by a plurality of spaced clamps. The pipe is suspended from the elongate flange. The clamps and the conduit have a snap-in connection to clamp each other together and embrace the pipe between them.A drinking water supply apparatus extends below the pipe and includes a nipple drinker which screw threadably engages the clamp and pipe to provide a passage for the water within the pipe through the nipple. A housing screw threadably engages the nipple and encloses an actuating pin depending from the nipple which pin, when raised, allows water to flow from the pipe. A striker extends into the housing, the striker having a water container on its lower end and being supported by a compression spring. When the water level in the container falls below a predetermined level, the spring raises the striker into engagement with the pin to raise the pin and allow water to flow from the pipe, through the nipple drinker and housing into the container.

Abstract: A commercial fish-growing system particularly adapted for use at the head waters of irrigation systems comprises an elongated, level ditch having a cross-section in the form of an inverted trapezoid as a fish-growing raceway. Water for the irrigation system is supplied to an aeration raceway in which the water is subjected to a violent tumbling action as it passes down the aeration raceway. After the water exits the aeration raceway, it enters the fish raceway. At the outlet end of the fish raceway, an underwater spillway slopes upwardly from the bottom of the pool in which it is located to a lip located below the water level in the fish raceway; and a cofferdam is spaced from and is parallel to the sloping spillway surface. The cofferdam also is spaced from the pool bottom a predetermined distance, so that water and solid wastes exiting from the fish raceway flow upwardly from the bottom along the sloping spillway surface to be dumped out over the lip of the spillway.

Abstract: An aquarium for housing fish and other aquatic life if formed within a pyramidal housing. The upper portion of the housing is formed of transparent triangular walls which enclose the water for the fish while permitting viewing of the fish. The lower portion of the housing serves as a base for supporting the water, and includes a drawer which holds filtration, heating and aeration equipment while permitting ready access for servicing of the equipment. Lighting is provided by an internal pyramidal light situated at the apex of the housing within the walls, the location permitting lighting of the entire water surface without any significant heating of the walls. All plumbing connections for treatment of the water are made through the floor of the chamber holding the water, thereby avoiding the presence of unsightly hoses and tubing.

Abstract: This invention is a bird nesting chamber disposed within an outer vessel which contains either live, dried or artificial foliage. The bird enters the nesting area through the foliage thereby providing a safe habitat for raising its young.

Abstract: A device for tying-up an animal comprises a suspension element, a bottom yoke and two legs between the suspension element and the bottom yoke. Each leg is comprised of a top part which hinges in the suspension element and a lower part which is connected through a first hinge to the top part and through another hinge to the bottom yoke. In the open position of the yoke the lower parts and the upper parts form a parallelogram and the lower part of each leg extends downwards towards the other leg up to beyond the other hinge which forms the connection with the bottom yoke.

Abstract: A fully automatic pigeon basket, crate, or cage assembly comprising vertically stacked stalls arranged in several vertical rows, having several vertically slidable doors covering all of said stalls (one sliding door per vertical column of stalls) and opened by gravity. Each portion of the sliding front door covering a stall is provided with an internally extending stop which is firmly attached to the inner side of the door. An electromagnetic solenoid positioned at the bottom of each vertical column of stalls, having an armature or piston against which the stop rests when the solenoid is deenergized, controls the drop of the door.

Abstract: A mugger for use with an animal chute to immobilize the head of an animal held within the chute includes a pair of slotted elongated tubular members that are fixed to the exit gate of the chute with the slots facing outward. Bracket members are positively moved vertically both up and down in the slots by a chain arrangement. A sling suspended between the bracket members moves from a position resting on the ground adjacent the exit gate to a elevated position to engage the head of the animal held in the chute for tagging, treatment or the like.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for raising worms. The worms are fed in accordance with a continuously growing nutritional chain in a manner such that a migration of a worm population following said chain is produced. At least once an accretion of the worm population is separated leaving a migrating stock population in the nutritional chain, whereas the accretion migrates in the direction of an accretion nutritional chain which starts from the stock nutritional chain, and can be harvested therefrom. Apparatus is described for raising the worms under conditions which are optimal for the farmer and depend, for instance, on economical and seasonal conditions.The method and/or device can be advantageously used for producing worm casting, since the worms can be maintained under conditions whereby the conversion velocity of the nutrition offered to the worms is maximal over a long period of time.

Abstract: A broiler harvester 10 (FIG. 1a) comprises contra-rotating pick-up rotors 12, 13 and a third pick-up rotor 14 arranged in front of and co-operating with the other two rotors in a triangular formation. In operation the rotors 12, 13 discharge the broilers on to a conveyor belt 18 which in turn discharges them on to a turntable 32 where they remain until removed for packing into crates etc. The support frame 20 for belt 18 is able to scan back and forth around an arc to accelerate the harvesting operation, the front rotor 14 at all times being rotated in the direction of the scan.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus comprises a manger having a plurality of control gates which require sequential entry into feeding stalls. An adjustable feed mechanism makes a predetermined amount of feed available to each animal and requires the animal to eat the feed before its entire portion will be dispensed. When feeding is complete, the manger is moved to deny the animals further access to the feed. Preferred embodiments include an elevated splash guard for improved sanitation.

Abstract: A container for small pets mounts on the seat of a vehicle and contains a harness for securing the pet in the container which is fastened to the container by a short leash. The container has a hinged front wall which is movable to a plurality of positions to accommodate various lying, sitting, or standing positions of the pet. The front wall also has a hinged flap at its outward edge which may be folded inwardly adjacent the front wall, or may be forwarded rearwardly over a portion of the top of the container to partially cover the container.

Abstract: An article identification tag has a tag body portion and a tag tie extending integrally from the tag body part. The tag tie has, at its end, a latch projection for retention in a latch opening formed in the tag body part, adjacent an identifier expanse on the tag body part. Configuration of the tag interfitting components is such that essentially no grippable surface is presented in the vicinity of the latched components upon looping of the tie through an article and securement of the tag components.

Abstract: There is provided apparatus for egg turning during incubation, comprising a plurality of egg trays, each having axially opposed pivots being aligned along a selected axis of rotation, support means for rotatively supporting said trays at said pivots, respectively, and oscillator means integral to said support means and said trays for continuously and smoothly oscillating said trays at a selected frequency through a selected angle about said axes of rotation, respectively. Preferably, said support means comprises a rack with a tray holding area for interchangeable trays in closely spaced, side-by-side relation and wherein said oscillator means is mounted closely alongside said tray holding area. Associated methods for egg turning are also provided, which are especially adapted for still-air incubation of a mix of egg species.

Abstract: This parasite control bath unit is designed for spraying steers. Primarily, it consists of a housing that is secured to a pair of runners or skids, and the runners serve as reservoirs for the exterminating chemicals, which are recycled after the steers are sprayed.

Abstract: Device for depositing live poultry on to a receiving surface from a container having a plurality of floors, via guide surfaces enclosed in a pivotable chute to adjoin the container and having an increasing length from bottom to top.

Abstract: The lawn mower comprises a vertical cutter shaft which is driven by an internal combustion engine its upper housing is formed as synthetic plastics moulding and combines a fuel tank, a carburettor and an air suction silencer into one construction unit which is secured as a unit on the internal combustion engine. A fuel passage between the fuel tank and the carburettor is formed into the housing. In the path of the fuel supply there is arranged a fuel shut-off valve the valve body of which carries a segment disc serving as choke flap of the carburettor.