Abstract: An installation with animal enclosures includes a nipple assembly with a feeding nipple for dispensing liquid feed to animals in the installation, where a single feeding nipple is pivotable between at least two animal enclosures, the nipple assembly including the feeding nipple mounted on a pivot, which pivot is biased to maintain the feeding nipple in a neutral position between the extremes of a range of pivotability.

Abstract: A method and installation for automatically determining the readiness of an animal for being weaned off liquid feed and onto dry feed. The height of an animal in an animal installation is automatically measured using a height measurement system at a selected location within the installation. A suitable location within an installation for providing a height gauge may include a feeding station, a cleaning station or other treatment station of an animal. Additional parameters may be used for the determination of readiness to wean in combination with dry feed consumption rate, such as animal age, weight or other animal dimensions. In determining the height, the method may include making a determination of the overall physical condition of the animal and may include a determination of the height-to-weight-ratio of an animal. The installation may include an automatic animal weighing system. Measured values may be stored in a control system memory for monitoring the growth of individual animals.

Abstract: An installation with animal enclosures includes a nipple assembly with a feeding nipple for dispensing liquid feed to animals in the installation, where a single feeding nipple is pivotable between at least two animal enclosures, the nipple assembly including the feeding nipple mounted on a pivot, which pivot is biased to maintain the feeding nipple in a neutral position between the extremes of a range of pivotability.

Abstract: A method and installation for automatically determining the readiness of an animal for being weaned off liquid feed and onto dry feed. The height of an animal in an animal installation is automatically measured using a height measurement system at a selected location within the installation. A suitable location within an installation for providing a height gauge may include a feeding station, a cleaning station or other treatment station of an animal. Additional parameters may be used for the determination of readiness to wean in combination with dry feed consumption rate, such as animal age, weight or other animal dimensions. In determining the height, the method may include making a determination of the overall physical condition of the animal and may include a determination of the height-to-weight-ratio of an animal. The installation may include an automatic animal weighing system. Measured values may be stored in a control system memory for monitoring the growth of individual animals.

Abstract: A device for feeding a liquid to an animal includes a nipple member (6), a reservoir (14) for the liquid (13), a passage (15) having an extension between the reservoir (14) and the nipple member (6), a feeding member (16, 19) arranged to allow a supply of liquid through the passage (15) to the nipple member (6), and a control member (7, 11, 18) arranged to control the activation of the feeding member (16, 19). The control member is arranged to detect the presence of a part of the animal in a predetermined position and to initiate activation of the feeding member (16, 19) when the part of the animal is detected in the predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding a liquid to an animal. The device includes a nipple member (6), a reservoir (14) for the liquid (13), a passage (15) having an extension between the reservoir (14) and the nipple member (6), a feeding member (16, 19) arranged to allow a supply of liquid through the passage (15) to the nipple member (6), and a control member (7, 11, 18) arranged to control the activation of the feeding member (16, 19). The control member is arranged to detect the presence of a part of the animal in a predetermined position and to initiate activation of the feeding member (16, 19) when the part of the animal is detected in the predetermined position.