Abstract: A method of feeding an animal in a feeding box including in no particular order, at least the actions of: a) registering the presence of the animal in the feeding box, b) closing the feeding box and locking the feeding box in such a way that access to the feeding box is impeded for an animal outside the feeding box, c) supplying feed to the animal in the feeding box in a chosen eating period of time. For an animal that does not leave the feeding box after an initially chosen eating period of time has elapsed, the initially chosen eating period of time beginning immediately after the performance of step b), within a first waiting time span chosen contiguously to said period of time, in which the animal is given the possibility of leaving the feeding box, step c) is repeated at least once.

Abstract: A system for and method of managing a group of animals include a control system, a camera operatively connected to it for forming a depth-image of at least one animal, and an animal management or actuator mechanism operatively connected to the control system. The control system compares information regarding the depth-image formed by the camera with reference information regarding the animal, generates control information on this basis, and sends the control information to the animal management or actuator mechanism. The camera includes an emitting source of electromagnetic radiation, a matrix with a plurality of rows and columns of receivers for receiving radiation reflected from the animal, a lens for displaying the reflected radiation on the receivers, and a sensor controller operatively connected to the source of radiation in order to modulate the radiation and determine for each of the receivers a phase difference between the emitted and the reflected radiation.

Abstract: A device is provided for dispensing feed to feed troughs for animals such as cows. In one embodiment, the feed troughs are separate from the frame. Furthermore, the frame may be provided with a number of storage boxes for storing a supply of feed. The storage box has an outlet. The feed can be removed from the storage box via the outlet. The device furthermore comprises a conveying device for conveying feed from the storage boxes to respective feed troughs. The conveying device comprises a receptacle or container for temporarily accommodating feed. This receptacle is movable along a guide provided on the frame. The receptacle is movable from a position downstream of the outlet of the storage box to positions upstream of the respective feed troughs. The guide comprises at least two tracks, which extend substantially parallel to one another. As a result, a stable guide for the receptacle can be provided along which the receptacle is movable.

Abstract: A method of feeding an animal in a feeding box. The method comprises at least the following steps, the steps a-c not necessarily taking place in the given sequence: a) identifying the animal in the feeding box, b) closing the feeding box, in such a way that access to the feeding box is impeded for an animal outside the feeding box, c) supplying feed to the animal in the feeding box in a chosen eating period of time. An installation for feeding an animal, which installation is provided with a frame that encloses at any rate at least partially a frame area. A neutral position means for positioning a passage means into one particular neutral position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically supplying feed to animals such as cows. A control device generates a control signal for controlling the supply of feed to be consumed by an animal at a feed trough. A parameter-measuring component determines the value of a variable parameter which bears a relationship to the feed to be supplied to an animal at the feed trough and issues a parameter value signal to the control device. The control device is provided with a processing device for processing the parameter value signal into the control signal. The parameter-measuring component measures the parameter involved which relates to an animal that feeds at the feed trough and issues a signal providing information as to that parameter to the processing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for automatically supplying feed and/or drink to an animal, comprising at any rate at least one trough, a flap, a control unit for controlling the flap, so that the flap is capable of being put in an open position and in a closed position for giving the animal access to the trough, respectively preventing the animal from having access to the trough, and an identification device for identifying the animal and for emitting an identification signal that is indicative of the identified animal.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal, which device is provided with a milking robot, a computer for controlling the operation of the device, a measuring device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal, at least two teat cups, and a common milk line for discharging milk coming from the at least two teat cups, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to the common milk line. The device is provided with a milk-determining element for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal. The measuring device comprises a common sensor for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal and for emitting a measurement signal. The common sensor is disposed in the common milk line. The computer is suitable for combining the measurement signal and the determination signal.

Abstract: A feed metering apparatus for supplying a consumable substance to a feeding trough for consumption by an animal, such as a dairy cow, while at least one further animal that has voluntary access to the same trough to consume a consumable substance therefrom is waiting for the animal at the feeding trough to depart. The feeding trough has an entrance opening which can be closed by a closing member. The apparatus intermittently supplies a quantity of a consumable substance to the feeding trough. The feeding trough has a weighing mechanism for continuously weighing the amount of the consumable substance in the feeding trough. A control mechanism is provided for closing the feeding trough's opening and there is a timing component.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal, which device is provided with a milking robot, a computer for controlling the operation of the device, a measuring device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal, at least two teat cups, and a common milk line for discharging milk coming from the at least two teat cups, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to the common milk line. The device is provided with a milk-determining element for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal. The measuring device comprises a common sensor for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal and for emitting a measurement signal. The common sensor is disposed in the common milk line. The computer is suitable for combining the measurement signal and the determination signal.

Abstract: A device for automatically milking an animal, which device is provided with a milking robot, a computer for controlling the operation of the device, a measuring device for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal, at least two teat cups, and a common milk line for discharging milk coming from the at least two teat cups, each teat cup being connected via a teat cup line to the common milk line. The device is provided with a milk-determining element for determining the teat cup from which comes the milk present in the common milk line and for emitting a determination signal. The measuring device comprises a common sensor for performing measurements on milk obtained from an animal and for emitting a measurement signal. The common sensor is disposed in the common milk line. The computer is suitable for combining the measurement signal and the determination signal.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying a predetermined amount of at least one sort of feed to an animal in a period having a predetermined length. The device is provided with a feeding parlour, with an animal identification system for identifying an animal present at the feeding parlour, and with a computer for controlling the device for automatically supplying the at least one sort of feed to the feeding parlour. The computer is suitable for determining the sub-period between the last supply of feed to an animal and the momentary point of time when the animal is identified by the animal identification system at the feeding parlour. The computer controls the device in such a way that, during the momentary visit of the animal to the feeding parlour, there is supplied to the animal a feed balance, the size of the feed balance depending on the determined sub-period.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically supplying predetermined amounts of feed to animals over a predetermined period which may be a period of time such as 24 hours or based on other occurrences such as the number of animals that are being fed. Each animal feeds at a trough in a feeding area wherein the animal is identified and which may be provided in a preferably circular feeding column or available to an animal in a milking compartment. A plurality of feed types are provided for each animal wherein the amounts and types are computer controlled and take into consideration a number of factors such as the nutrition needs of the particular animal, its preferences in feed types, whether the animal involved is in a lactation period, the milk yield of the animal, the season of the year, the weather, and the physical profile of the animal being fed.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying a predetermined amount of feed to an animal in a period of time respectively a period having a predetermined length. Said device is provided with a feeding parlour, with animal identification means for identifying an animal present at the feeding parlour, and with a computer for controlling the device for automatically supplying the feed to the feeding parlour. The computer is possibly provided with a clock for determining the point of time of supply of feed to the animal. The device is provided with means for determining the amount of feed consumed by an animal after a supply of feed. Said amount is stored at least temporarily in a memory of the computer. The computer is provided with a calculating device for determining the total amount of feed consumed by an animal in the period having the predetermined length immediately preceding the momentary point of time when the animal is identified by the animal identification means at the feeding parlour.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying a predetermined amount of at least one sort of feed to an animal in a period having a predetermined length. Said device is provided with a feeding parlour, with animal identification means for identifying an animal present at the feeding parlour, and with a computer for controlling the device for automatically supplying the at least one sort of feed to the feeding parlour. The computer is suitable for determining the sub-period between the last supply of feed to an animal and the momentary point of time when the animal is identified by the animal identification means at the feeding parlour. The computer controls the device in such a way that, during the momentary visit of the animal to the feeding parlour, there is supplied to the animal a feed balance, the size of said feed balance depending on the determined sub-period.

Abstract: An assembly for automatically supplying an amount of feed to a dairy animal in a predetermined period. Said assembly is provided with a milking box and with a feeding parlour located outside the milking box. The milking box is provided with a milking robot for automatically milking a dairy animal, and with a feeding station for automatically supplying teed to the dairy animal under control of a first control device. The feeding parlour automatically supplies feed to the dairy animal under control of a second control device. The assembly is further provided with a third control device, the third control device generating a control signal for controlling the first and/or the second control device in such a way that the collective supply of feed in said predetermined period is at least approximately equal to said amount of feed.

Abstract: A device for determining the adhesiveness factor of a particular sort of feed. The device is provided with a tube-shaped chute respectively a channel-shaped chute having a first end and a second end. The second end is located below the first end. A contact-determining means determines the moment of contact of an amount of the particular sort of feed with a first place of the tube-shaped chute respectively the channel-shaped chute. A leaving-determining means determines the moment when the amount of the particular sort of feed leaves a second place of the tube-shaped chute respectively the channel-shaped chute, said second place being remote from the first place. A period-of-time-determining means determines the period of time between the moment of contact and the moment of leaving.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying feed to animals, such as cows. The device is provided with a control device which generates a control signal for controlling the supply of the feed, and with parameter-measuring means for measuring a momentary value of a variable parameter and for issuing a parameter value signal to the control device. The control device is provided with a processing device for processing the parameter value signal into the control signal. The parameter measuring means comprise means for measuring the condition scare of an animal and or issuing a condition score signal to the processing device. A method of automatically supplying feed to animals, such as cows The method comprises the step of measuring a momentary value of a variable parameter and of providing a parameter value signal, the supply of feed depending on the parameter value signal. As variable parameter the condition score of an animal is chosen.

Abstract: A device for supplying feed to animals, such as cows. The device is provided with a number of hoppers, each for containing a stock of a particular sort of feed, with a feed trough which is accessible to an animal, and with conveying means for conveying feed from the hoppers to the feed trough. The device is provided with a control device, said control device controlling the device in such a way that the sorts of feed are supplied to the feed trough in order of increasing adhesiveness factor.

Abstract: A device for automatically supplying at least two sorts of feed to animals, such as cows. Said device is provided with a number of hoppers, each for containing a stock of a particular sort of feed, with a feeding parlour accessible to an animal, and with conveying means for conveying feed from the hoppers to the feeding parlour. The device is provided with a control device, said control device generating a control signal for controlling the device in such a way that, seen in time, at least one sort of feed is supplied to the feeding parlour at least substantially separately from the other sorts of feed, in that substantially the at least one sort of feed is not present in the feeding parlour simultaneously with the other sorts of feed. A method of automatically supplying at least two sorts of feed to animals, such as cows, said method comprising the step of supplying the at least two sorts of feed at least substantially successively to the animals.

Abstract: A device for supplying fodder to animals such as cows which has a plurality of hoppers containing fodder wherein each hopper may have a different type of fodder. A plurality of feeding troughs are provided which are accessible to animals to feed therefrom. Each hopper has a conveyor for conveying fodder from that hopper to a control component that has a receptacle which receives fodder from selected hoppers. Under control of the control component selected conveyors in the hoppers convey predetermined amounts of fodder therefrom to the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom which can be opened and from which fodder falls through a pipe or chute to a selected trough. The device is provided with a container which may be one of the hoppers edible separating material which may be supplied to the receptacle to form a layer on top of which fodder is received and is wrapped, at least in part, by the edible separating material as it falls through the bottom of the receptacle into the underlying pipe or chute.