Abstract: A hog or swine feeder includes one or more stations for serving a single hog at a time. Each station includes a bowl, with a feed dispenser above the bowl, and a water dispenser below the feed dispenser. The feed and the water dispensers are actuated by the hog on demand. A hopper in the feeder supplies dry feed to the feed dispenser. The hog can select dry feed, wet feed, or drinking water, as needed.

Abstract: A sensor assembly on a swine-activated self-feeder allows monitoring or tracking of individual animal feeding activity, thereby allowing corrective action to be taken in instances of under-feeding or over-feeding by an animal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor on the feed dispenser and, with a printed circuit board to generate a signal corresponding to activation of the dispenser by an animal. The signal can be sent to a computer or website which generates reports on the individual animal's feeding activity.

Abstract: An ear tagging station includes a cart or table having at least one tagging pliers mounted thereon. The pliers have jaws which are normally open to receive male and female tag parts. An actuating arm engages one of the plier handles. A foot pedal on the cart is depressed to lift the arm and thereby close the plier jaws so as to secure the ear tag to a piglet's ear.

Abstract: A sensor assembly on a swine-activated self-feeder allows monitoring or tracking of individual animal feeding activity, thereby allowing corrective action to be taken in instances of under-feeding or over-feeding by an animal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor on the feed dispenser and, with a printed circuit board to generate a signal corresponding to activation of the dispenser by an animal. The signal can be sent to a computer or website which generates reports on the individual animal's feeding activity.

Abstract: A sensor assembly on a swine-activated self-feeder allows monitoring or tracking of individual animal feeding activity, thereby allowing corrective action to be taken in instances of under-feeding or over-feeding by an animal. The sensor assembly includes a sensor on the feed dispenser and, with a printed circuit board to generate a signal corresponding to activation of the dispenser by an animal. The signal can be sent to a computer or website which generates reports on the individual animal's feeding activity.

Abstract: A hog or swine feeder includes one or more stations for serving a single hog at a time. Each station includes a bowl, with a feed dispenser above the bowl, and a water dispenser below the feed dispenser. The feed and the water dispensers are actuated by the hog on demand. A hopper in the feeder supplies dry feed to the feed dispenser. The hog can select dry feed, wet feed, or drinking water, as needed.

Abstract: An ear tagging station includes a cart or table having at least one tagging pliers mounted thereon. The pliers have jaws which are normally open to receive male and female tag parts. An actuating arm engages one of the plier handles. A foot pedal on the cart is depressed to lift the arm and thereby close the plier jaws so as to secure the ear tag to a piglet's ear.

Abstract: A plug insert matingly fits into the open lower end of a feed tube in a gilt or sow stall. The plug includes an inlet for receiving feed from the tube and an outlet for discharging feed onto the floor of the stall. The inlet and outlet are offset from one another. An axle extends through the plug, with spokes on the lower outer end of the axle, an anti-bridge bar on the upper end of the axle, and one or more fins on the central portion of the axle. Discharge of the seed is controlled by the gilt or sow as she rotates the spokes on the forward end of the plug, thereby rotating the fins or spiral flighting to carry feed from the inlet to the outlet. This self-feeding system eliminates or minimizes feed waste while providing an appropriate feeding program for the gilt or sow.

Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for a hog confinement building having a slatted floor, a manure reservoir beneath the floor, and a pump out pit in communication with the reservoir. The ventilation system includes a fan on top of the pump out pit, with an air conduit extending downwardly from the fan. A gate is slidably mounted on the conduit, with a float on the bottom end of the gate. The float sits on the surface of the manure, such that the gate rises and falls with changes in the manure level. A ventilation opening on the lower end of the gate allows air to be drawn from the manure reservoir adjacent the surface of the manure, upwardly through the conduit for expulsion by the fan. Air turbulence beneath the slatted floor is minimized to reduce or eliminate rising noxious gases through the slatted floor.

Abstract: A plug insert matingly fits into the open lower end of a feed tube in a gilt or sow stall. The plug includes an inlet for receiving feed from the tube and an outlet for discharging feed onto the floor of the stall. The inlet and outlet are offset from one another. An axle extends through the plug, with spokes on the lower outer end of the axle, an anti-bridge bar on the upper end of the axle, and one or more fins on the central portion of the axle. Discharge of the seed is controlled by the gilt or sow as she rotates the spokes on the forward end of the plug, thereby rotating the fins or spiral flighting to carry feed from the inlet to the outlet. This self-feeding system eliminates or minimizes feed waste while providing an appropriate feeding program for the gilt or sow.

Abstract: A ventilation system is provided for a hog confinement building having a slatted floor, a manure reservoir beneath the floor, and a pump out pit in communication with the reservoir. The ventilation system includes a fan on top of the pump out pit, with an air conduit extending downwardly from the fan. A gate is slidably mounted on the conduit, with a float on the bottom end of the gate. The float sits on the surface of the manure, such that the gate rises and falls with changes in the manure level. A ventilation opening on the lower end of the gate allows air to be drawn from the manure reservoir adjacent the surface of the manure, upwardly through the conduit for expulsion by the fan. Air turbulence beneath the slatted floor is minimized to reduce or eliminate rising noxious gases through the slatted floor.