Abstract: The chute has a power-driven, rotary carriage in the nature of a stall which an animal may enter and be confined within during processing and various veterinary procedures. A lower side panel of the carriage may be removed entirely from the carriage for access to the lower extremities of the animal while it is standing on the floor of the carriage, or, if desired, the carriage may be rotated to any one of a number of possible positions, for example, 90.degree. from an upright condition, so that the animal is essentially lying on its side within the carriage. The floor may then be completely removed or swung back out of the way for access to the lower extremities of the animal during surgical procedures. Other portions of the carriage adjacent the bottom thereof may also be entirely removed for complete, unhindered access to the lower portions of the animal at that time with the carriage serving essentially as an operating table.

Abstract: An animal lifting device has an inflatable mattress (1) carried by an inflatable support structure (2). In plan, this structure is a closed loop, for example rectangular, so that the center of the mattress is over an open space and can sag down into it to cradle an animal lying on it. The outer edge portion of the mattress preferably overhangs the inflatable support. This comprises a number of compartments (4) which can be inflated individually in sequence, progressively to raise an animal from ground level to a convenient working height. Restraints (11) can be adjusted to tilt the mattress to a desired attitude. There are also means (12) for holding an animal down on the mattress.

Abstract: Animal carrier apparatus including a base portion, an animal support portion, a locking portion and a towing portion; the base portion including a pair of frame members, each frame member having a generally quadrangular configuration with upper and lower horizontal sections and end sections joining same, the frame members being pivotally connected to one another, the pivotal connection being along the end sections of the frame members, the pivotal connection being at the same respective location on each end section, the pivotal connection enabling the frame members to be pivoted substantially parallel to each other for compact storage; the animal support portion including spaced transverse strips extending between the upper sections of the frame members and spaced longitudinal strips crossing with the transverse strips, restraining mechanism operatively connected to the crossed strips; the locking portion including mechanism for maintaining the frame members in a spread configuration with the transverse strip

Abstract: A chicken harvesting machine which includes a wheel mounted main chassis, a chicken pickup conveyor at one end of the chassis, an elevating framework movably supporting the chicken pickup conveyor on the chassis, a discharge conveyor movably mounted on the opposite end of the chassis from the chicken pickup conveyor, and a coop positioning structure carried on the chassis in a position at which a coop supported thereon can receive chickens discharged from the discharge conveyor. The coop supporting structure is mounted on the chassis for pivotation about a horizontal axis, and includes a laterally shiftable subframe. The laterally shiftable subframe carries a reciprocable platform for moving a chicken coop into a loading attitude adjacent the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Conveyance for the transportation of horses by air, comprising a generally rectangular box-like structure defining an enclosure for at least two horses, the enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall, two side walls, a floor and a roof.

Abstract: A group tether or control apparatus for imparting directional control to a group of individuals, such as children, on an outing or field trip, as when crossing a street or touring a building. The group operator has control of a main handle. A plurality of handle strings are releasably connected to the main handle and have a plurality of stations, each station including a secondary handle to be grasped by a group member. The secondary handles are connected by line segments which can carry pennants to identify the group or alert others, such as motorists, to the presence of the group. Handle strings are detached or attached to the main handle as needed. The group leader leads the group by walking ahead with the main handle, and the group members follow by maintaining a grasp on the secondary handles.

Abstract: A device and method for the control of animal pests, especially ectoparasites on livestock and poultry, is disclosed. The device comprises (1) a tag element, and (2) a replaceable controlled-release dispenser element, the latter dispensing an active ingredient at a zero-order rate of release over a period of several months. The dispenser comprises an active ingredient reservoir and a rate-controlling membrane, the reservoir having interconnected pores and being capable of retaining the active ingredient by capillary forces. The method comprises releasing active ingredient in close proximity to the animal's body by means of a device of the type described.

Abstract: The specification discloses a honda retainer for a lariat to stop the lariat from sliding through the honda thus preventing the lasso from being fully tightened around the catch when the roper catches, but does not wish to retain the catch. The honda retainer includes a squat cylindrical member having a generally coaxial bore to admit the lariat therethrough. The honda retainer is secured in position on the portion of the lariat which forms the lasso by the use of four nails which insert into four radial bores in the cylindrical member to extend partially into the lariat in the axial bore.

Abstract: An apparatus having a mechanism for easily controlling the length of a dog leash while avoiding injury to the hand, the apparatus case being formed round and flat to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand; a passageway of said case allowing free passage of a leash through the fingers, the case and palm; the length of the leash controlled by means of a rotating lever which applies pressure against the passageway surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multiple compartment birdhouse where the compartments are within three rigid white plastic cylinders with the end walls of the compartments being formed by resiliently deformable white plastic sheet material having an entrance opening cut centrally therein and removably secured about three inches from the edge of said cylinder by having its top and bottom edges captured in notches in the edges of elongated strips of semirigid plastic material running most of the length of the cylinder; the bottom such strip acts as a slightly raised floor in the compartment and is provided with holes to facilitate drainage and ventilation; each tube has two compartments and there is a double partition in the center of each tube formed of the same material and of generally the same shape as the end walls. The tubes are secured in a triangular array in mutual peripheral contact and metal fixtures are secured to the base of the triangle for mounting the array atop a conventional birdhouse pole.

Abstract: The animal watering tank of the present invention includes a top, a bottom, and a sidewall of double-walled construction filled with insulative material. The top of the tank includes a dome portion which provides an air chamber for housing the water inlet valve of the tank. A water access opening in the top of the tank is normally closed by a buoyant spherical float. An animal desiring a drink can obtain water by pushing downwardly on the float with his head such that the float rolls away from the opening along a converging track attached to the interior surface of the top of the tank so as to present water to the animal. When the animal is finished drinking, the float naturally rolls back into thermally sealing engagement with the access opening. Drainage means and overflow pipes are also provided in the tank.

Abstract: A pet dryer is set forth to retain and dry an animal. The dryer includes an inner shell spaced within an outer shell. At least one blower is provided and receives outside air from an inlet plenum defined between the shells. Each blower discharges the air past a heater to a discharge plenum also defined between the shells. Apertures admit the heated air from the discharge plenum into the inner shell for drying a pet. A door is provided for the inner shell having a vent to exhaust the air from the inner shell. A pet supporting grille is disposed above the apertured floor of the inner shell to keep such apertures unobstructed. A partition can also be provided to divide the inner shell to accomodate two pets.

Abstract: A feeding box for cattle, in particular pigs, comprising a space enclosed by four upright walls, a fodder dispenser in said box or in one of the walls of the box, one of said walls having an access opening therein. The opening includes closure means lockable by means responsive to the presence in said box of a selected one of the cattle, and included in a control circuit also including the dosing motor of said fodder dispenser. It is also possible that the wall opposite to the wall containing the fodder dispenser has two openings, each of which includes said closure means, and in which case a partition gate in the box is arranged for rotation about a shaft disposed in the boundary plane between the two gates.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for holding and cultivating aquatic crustaceans and like shellfish. The apparatus comprises a well for holding water, a plurality of buoyant trays each sub-divided into a plurality of compartments sized to house a crustacean and having a perforated bottom, the trays being adapted for submersion within the well to form a column of trays whereby the weight of one tray maintains the trays beneath it in a submerged condition. The apparatus further includes an airlift to simultaneously lift water from the vicinity of the bottom of the well for recirculation to the top of the well and to aerate the water as it is being lifted. There is further included an outlet to introduce a supply of fresh extraneous water to the top of the well and to drain water from the bottom of the well in amounts corresponding substantially to that added to the top of the well.

Abstract: A multiple cell flat molded from lightweight plastic. The cells are defined primarily by sinuous partition walls that are arranged to define an individual cell shape in the form of two opposed ogee arches connected at the wide ends of the arches. Short lateral support ears are located in the cells and support the eggs with the egg surfaces spaced from the cell walls. The flats can be stacked or nested, and have special shapes at the ends for identification and end to end nesting when the stacks are used in the incubator.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for converting an empty beverage can of standard design into a device for unattendedly feeding aqueous nutrient to hummingbirds. The apparatus is comprised of holding means for attachment to the bottom of the can to support it pendantly in an inverted position, and a dispensing member which fits over the downwardly disposed open upper extremity of the can. The dispensing member is provided with a flange that engages the upper rim of the can, and an elongated downwardly oriented spout having a small exit aperture.

Abstract: An animal feed proportioning device having a feed holding bin and an inlet channel that are separated by a vertical array of sliding gates. Each gate permits the bin to be filled to a predetermined level for later discharge by a discharge gate. Additionally, divider panels selectively block off portions of either the bin or inlet channel from the inflow of feed in order to reduce the amount of feed being metered through the device.

Abstract: This device is designed to discourage pets from trespassing in neighbors yards, etc. Primarily, it consists of a plastic cylinder rotatable on a shaft placed in the ground. The cylinder includes a wire whip extending from its outer wall, for striking the pet when it licks bait on a bait stick extending from the device, and a spring on the inside of the cylinder is wound by a crank pin on the shaft, to set the device, which is harmless, and also produces the noise of a rattlesnake.

Abstract: A lifting device for animals, such as downer cows, has an inflatable bag (1) on a stabilizing frame (2). When inflated, the bag has a valley (4), accentuated at one end, for the cow's belly and udder. A harness (3) is provided for strapping the cow to the bag. A cow can be rolled on to the deflated bag and strapped on, and as inflation proceeds she is raised up straddling the bag. This ultimately takes her entire weight while circulation is restored. The bag may be compartmented so that inflation can be progressive from one compartment to the next, assisting the lifting procedure.

Abstract: An improved veterinary examination table is provided which includes means for determining the weight of the animal being examined. In order to facilitate the examination of animals of varying weights, the height of the table may be varied through the use of a hydraulic actuator. A horizontal examination platform is vertically movable within a frame having vertical support members. A scale is interposed between the examination platform and the frame in a manner to support the entire weight of the platform when the examination platform is moved to its lowermost position to thereby allow the weight of an animal to be determined. Elevation of the examination platform automatically deactivates the scale.