Abstract: Animal drinkers of an activation unit provided with two arms engaging respective valve pin in an axially oriented manner when pivoting an activator. This reduces wear and leads to a longer service life of the drinker valve. The respective arm can moreover have a channel through which the water exits the drinker valve and can be fed in a targeted manner to the activator to ensure that all of the water exiting the drinker valve makes its way into the water collection tray.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.

Abstract: Animal drinkers for beaked animals often have drinker valves (12) which are to be opened by activation units (13). In order for the respective drinker valve (12) to be opened, an elongate activation means (29) of the activation unit (13) is pivoted by the beaked animals. Conventional drinker valves of this type have above all the disadvantage that the respective valve pin (16) of the drinker valve (12) is always tilted in the same direction by the activation unit (13). This leads to unilateral wear and therefore to the respective drinker valve (12) being worn out in a rapid manner. The invention provides that the activation means (29) of the activation unit (13) is provided with at least one arm (30, 31). On account of said arm (30, 31) the respective valve pin (16) is able to be lifted in an axially oriented manner when pivoting the activation means (29). This reduces wear and leads to a longer service life of the drinker valve (12).

Abstract: Animal watering stations having a liquid piping system including watering lines, a supply line, and a return line. The supply line supplying liquid simultaneous to all watering lines and the return line returning of liquid to a liquid reservoir. In this way, a circulation of the liquid can be realized in at least parts of the liquid piping system and on the other hand the parallel fluidic circuit of the watering lines enables an easy adapting of the liquid pressure at the drinking valves.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water flow regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first, high flow rate and reduces the water flow rate of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a mating port inside the housing of the regulator. A motor controls the linear movement of the control valve in incremental steps to adjust the water flow rate provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water flow rate at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water pressure regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first high pressure level and reduces the water pressure level of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a round port inside the housing of the regulator. A stepper motor controls the liner movement of the control valve in incremental microsteps to adjust the water pressure level provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water pressure level at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled water pressure regulator for use with a poultry watering system receives potable water at a first high pressure level and reduces the water pressure level of the water provided to watering valves that dispense water to the flock within a poultry house. A variable control valve uses a needle-shaped cone to engage a round port inside the housing of the regulator. A stepper motor controls the liner movement of the control valve in incremental microsteps to adjust the water pressure level provided to the flock. A feedback component enables the variable control valve to maintain the water pressure level at a desired set point for the flock. The desired set point for the flock is controlled or automated to match the growth of the flock over their growth cycle. An electrical controller and suitable cabling enable multiple regulators to be controlled efficiently and cost-effectively.

Abstract: An antimicrobial application system is disclosed, comprising an antimicrobial application unit and a recycle unit. An initial, dilute antimicrobial composition is prepared. The composition is provided to the antimicrobial application unit and applied to work pieces, such as raw poultry. After application to the work pieces, the composition is returned to the recycle tank. The concentration of the antimicrobial in the recycle tank is monitored, and additional antimicrobial is automatically added if the concentration of the antimicrobial in the composition falls below a desired amount. The composition is periodically diverted to a capture tank, and the antimicrobial is selectively removed from the composition. The removed antimicrobial and remaining composition are then disposed of in appropriate manners. The antimicrobial is preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, is more preferably an alkylpyridinium chloride, and is most preferably cetylpyridinium chloride.