Abstract: A feeding trough for flying animals, particularly turkeys, capable of adjusting the level of the feed, of the type in which the feeding troughs are arranged in series along distribution lines of the feed in sheds, is described. The feeding trough is of high stability and at the same time permits to adjust the level of the feed with a simple and rapid maneuver which may be carried out in a centralized position of the shed. The feeding trough comprises a suspended plate (2), supported by arms (3) which are connected directly to the horizontal tubular conduit (5) used for the transportation of the feed. The feeding trough also comprises an element for the distribution of the feed in the plate which comprises an element (11) for the regulation of the level of the feed. The latter is actuated by means of cables from a centralized position of the shed.

Abstract: A sorting gate assembly adapted for use in cooperation with a holding pen including a sorting gate and a gate support assembly. The sorting gate is movably connected to the gate support assembly for movement in a first direction generally toward the gate support assembly and for movement in a second direction generally away from the gate support assembly. The gate support assembly also movably supports the sorting gate for movement of the sorting gate in a first direction generally away from the exit of the holding pen and for movement in a second direction generally toward the exit of the holding pen. The sorting gate is movably supported on the gate support assembly for movement within the holding pen to sort a selected animal and to move the sorted animal into an exit area portion of the holding pen for exiting the animal through the exit of the holding frame.

Abstract: A device for supplying farm animals with a liquid feed from an automatic feeding device comprises a flexible feed discharge line connected to the feed device and terminating in an animal operated discharge member or sucker. The sucker is supported by a member which is moved back and forth on a conveyor in the form of an overhead trolley. The liquid feed connecting line which connects the feeder is flexible and it is moved over a support which is advantageously on a level substantially equal to that of the feeder so that the connecting line is supported as the end thereof carrying the sucker is moved by the overlying conveyor. Because the sucker may be displaced into a plurality of different feeding stations in a controlled manner, feed can be supplied in a controlled manner and accurately metered in accordance with the feed to be given out at each station.

Abstract: An animal head restrainer for holding the head of an animal confined in an animal chute is provided and includes a pair of bracket assemblies adjustably attached to the chute and a head cradle connected to the bracket assemblies. The cradle includes a crossbar adjustably connected at opposite ends to the bracket assemblies, a clamp unit pivotally attached to the crossbar intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of spaced apart arms connected to and extending forwardly from the clamp unit, and a jaw support member slidably mounted upon the arms. The head restrainer permits the head of the animal to be raised, lowered, tilted and turned to the desired position for work thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing animals, such as dogs, cats, or even livestock, includes an enclosure in which the animal can be restrained with only its head extending therefrom; a plurality of spray heads located within the enclosure; a plurality of adjustably positionable and movable brushes located within the enclosure; mechanism for supplying warm water to the spray heads, and for subsequently supplying drying air to the same spray heads; and mechanism for moving the brushes to effect gentle scrubbing of the animal.

Abstract: A milk weight metering apparatus (10) is disclosed which uses a standard glass milk weigh jar (14) which is suspended from a load cell weight measuring unit (15). A hydraulic output line (16) extends from the weight measuring unit (15) to a pressure transducer (17) at a position remote from the cow being milked, preferably outside the milking parlor. As milk accumulates within the milk weigh jar (14) greater pressure is provided on fluid sealed within a chamber defined by a load cell body (55) and a diaphragm (63), which pressure is transmitted through the hydraulic line (16) to the pressure transducer. The change in weight of the suspended weigh jar (14) after the milk has been accumulated therein will be proportional to the change in the pressure in the hydraulic line (16), allowing the weight, and thereby the volume, of the milk from the cow to be determined and recorded. The production from the cow may also be correlated with the cow's identity and the time of milking.

Abstract: A disposable cat litter box including a horizontally extending bottom preferably rectangular and attached along the ends to upwardly extending end walls and side walls which each may be further folded to provide a top cover of one-half the area of the horizontally extending bottom. Furthermore the upwardly extending side walls and end walls may be further folded and through the use of tabs and slots form angled sides.The disposable cat litter box contains litter and is sealed. Upon opening, the cat litter box may easily be formed into an open-top moisture resistant box. After use, the biodegradable cat litter box may be resealed and disposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the operation of a chicken brooder plant with trestles for accommodating the eggs to be incubated arranged on a cart, said trestles being arranged in several tiers over one another in a cart, with the carts being conveyed continuously through a brooding oven with ventilation of the individual trestles being accomplished over one half the path of the cart from one side of the cart, and on the other half of the path of the cart from the other side of the cart. Furthermore, the invention concerns a slip incubator with a slip incubator cart capable of traveling inside the slip incubator, and with circulating conveyor belts arranged on the slip incubator cart.

Abstract: A circular dog-run and feeding station is provided with a shade so that the animal is free to exercise within a complete circle. There is a feeding bowl provided with a vertical bearing receiving an elongated stake that is driven into the ground where the bowl stabilizes the stake. An elongated pole is pivotally mounted to the stake above the bowl and a free end of the pole engages the ground. This free end of the pole is fitted with a flexible leash that is no longer in length than the pivoted pole. The free end of the leash is attached to the collar of the dog. An umbrella is mounted at the lower end of its vertical shaft to the upper end of the stake.

Abstract: A deodorant case of the propel-repel type has a propel-repel assembly, which is received in one end of the casing body. The assembly includes a carrier, a base, and a threaded rod assembly which may be pre-assembled as a unit and inserted in the casing prior to filling. The casing is filled from the bottom through aligned openings in the base and carrier, and through an opening in a knurled disc of the threaded rod assembly which may be aligned for filling. After filling, a plug is snapped on over the opening in the knurled disc. In an alternative embodiment, the propel-repel assembly has no filling holes, but is pre-assembled as a unit and snapped into the casing after filling. In both embodiments, vent holes may be formed in the carrier, base, and disc. The invention may also be applied to containers which have manually propelled carriers.

Abstract: A mitten for canines which comprises a tube tapered-off at least near a closed bottom and having attached around an open top fastening means adapted to decrease the diameter of the open top for securing said top to the canine, said tube being made of a light-weight, waterproof, flexible latex material having a soft inside surface and an anti-slip outside surface provided both at the bottom of the mitten and substantially around the periphery of at least the lower part of the outside surface adjacent to the bottom.

Abstract: The improved bird exerciser and amusement toy device comprises a vertical length of flexible multi-link chain, a hook with universal joint secured to the upper end of the chain to releasably hang the chain in a bird cage, a plurality of colored bird attractive beads slideably disposed on and secured to the links for individual sliding movement therearound by a bird, and at least one of a bell, a sitting ring and a chew toy, preferably of rawhide secured to the lower end of the chains. The beads may be of any suitable size, color, texture and shape. In one embodiment, certain of the beads are covered and/or filled with edible seeds, etc. In another embodiment, one or more of the beads are large and freely slide up and down a small multi-link section of the chain. Certain of the links may also extend horizontally or diagonally from the chain. The chain can include a spring section, and/or a multi-rod abacus section and/or a multi-loop scroll section.

Abstract: An insulating assembly is provided for animal waterers. The insulating assembly includes a large sheet of flexible, closed-cell foam material preferably at least as large as the largest top opening of an animal waterer with which the insulating assembly is to be used. The insulating sheet is cut to the shape of the opening of the waterer, but preferably slightly smaller so as to leave a gap between the edges of the sheet and the side walls of the waterer. An opening is cut in an intermediate portion of the insulating sheet through which water can enter from below the sheet for access to the animals when they push the insulating sheet down into the water with their noses. A plurality of weights are provided which are connected by lines to the sheet, preferably extending up through the sheet and washers thereabove and then being tied in knots. The lines are long enough so that the weights can rest on the bottom of the waterer when it contains water at the maximum level.

Abstract: A rugged and inexpensive kit for making an animal maze is especially suited for use by school children. The maze runways may be constructed in any configuration, including non-orthogonal. The kit comprises a plurality of partitions, each having at least one pointed fastener embedded in and projecting from an edge thereof. The partitions may be placed at any location on a bottom plate with the pointed fasteners in contact with the bottom plate. By pounding the partition edge opposite the fasteners, the fasteners are removably inserted into the bottom plate, thereby retaining the partition in an upright attitude. The fasteners are formed with annular flanges to prevent deeper embedding of the fasteners in the partitions with repeated use.

Abstract: A disposable animal litter box having a substantially fluid-tight bottom container and a cover member supported by the container is provided. The bottom container is provided with a bottom panel, substantially parallel container end walls connected to opposite side edges of the bottom panels so as to be substantially normally disposed to the plane of the bottom panel, substantially parallel container side walls connected to the other two opposite edges of the bottom panel so as to be substantially normally disposed to the plane of the bottom panel and so as to extend in the same direction as the container end walls, and foldable corners interconnecting the end portions of the container end walls to the adjacently disposed end portions of the container side walls.

Abstract: A squirrel-proof selective bird feeder includes a metallic hopper having integral side walls and a back wall defining an open front face, an open top, and a feed portal, a translucent window fastened in water-resistant sealing engagement to the open front face, a top having a sandwiched metallic plate slidably mounted in and frictionally retained by the confronting walls of the open top of the hopper, and a spring-loaded perch having an adjustable tension pivotally mounted to the bottom of the hopper and adjacent the feed portal. In the case of a light bird alighting on the perch having a weight less than that needed to overcome the spring force, the perch remains in at least a partially open state allowing access to the feed portal. In the case of a squirrel or heavy bird having a weight that overcomes the spring force, the perch pivots to a closed state that prevents access to the feed portal.

Abstract: Animal restraint apparatus for use in restraining domestic animals having an elongate uniformly stretching elastomeric member, a selectively releasable eyelet attached thereto at the distal end adapted for interconnection to a dog collar or the like, and a quick release strap means interconnected at the proximal end of the elastomeric member.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus for cooperation with an associated liquid reservoir which includes a first fluid conduit extending into the associated liquid reservoir and a second fluid being disposed at a higher elevation than the first fluid conduit.

Abstract: A chicken watering device solves the problem of leakage while still allowing easy actuation of the trigger by a bird by utilizing a coil spring having a spring coefficient of one to two pounds per inch of displacement and prevents jamming of the device by feed, cage waste and the like through use of a conical portion positioned along the inlet conduit and surrounding the trigger.

Abstract: A cap is removably secured to the upper end of a vertical hollow cylinder. The cylinder has an internal thread. A cylindrical member having a threaded outer surface is disposed inside the cylinder with the inner thread engaging the outer thread. A solid cylinder of disposable applicator material is disposed in the hollow cylinder between cap and member. A cover is rotatably secured to the lower end of the hollow cylinder and has a vertical extension extending through a central bore in the member into the solid cylinder.