Abstract: Systems and methods provide automated data collection of feed behavior and intake for animals in confinement where the animal ingests feed from a feed station that includes a first and second feed container each of which holds a feed that is freely accessible to the animal, and a respective first and second weight sensor each of which senses a change in weight of the respective feed in the container. A processor is configured to transmit instructions to cause it to receive from the weight sensors, a plurality signals indicative of a change in weight in the first and second feed containers. The processor records a reduction in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as consumption of the respective feed, and records a change in weight sensed by the first or the second sensor as feeding activity at the respective feed container.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: A limiting device (9) for limiting the freedom of movement of a standing cow in a lying box (1) in a loose house for keeping cattle, in a direction towards a front end (8) of the lying box. The limiting device (9) is intended to be placed near the front end, on and projecting from the bottom (11) of the lying box. At least one top part (13) of the limiting device is movable between a limiting position operatively projecting from the bottom for limiting the freedom of movement of the standing cow towards the front end of the lying box, and a releasing position, for leaving, for the purpose of the front legs of the cow lying down, at least a part of the space the limiting device occupies in the limiting position. A lying box and a loose house with such limiting device are also described.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a first positioning member; and a second positioning member positioned relative to the first positioning member configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the first positioning member and the second positioning member. The second positioning member is typically arranged at an angular bias away from the first positioning member relative to a floor surface and is configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: Monitoring activity of an animal in a system for housing freely moving animals including a plurality of animal ID stations, includes the steps of a) recording a first visit of said animal at a first of said animal ID stations, b) recording a subsequent second visit of said animal at a second of said animal ID stations, and c) determining a distance covered by said animal as the distance between said first animal ID station at said first visit and said second animal ID station at said second visit. With such simple means, parts of which are already present in e.g. most robot dairy stables, important information about activity of animals can easily be gathered.

Abstract: Ranchers and other owners of livestock commonly have a need for a transportable means of setting up a corral for numerous purposes. Sorting must take place in a remote location or a location without a permanent corral, which are prohibitively time consuming and expensive to build. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Corral is comprised of a central chute, a left corral area, and a right corral area. The central chute is comprised of a back chute, a front chute, a left central chute panel and a right central chute panel. The front chute is comprised of a breakaway hitch that in turn is comprised of a left breakaway hitch section and a right breakaway hitch section. The left and right breakaway hitch sections are collapsed together to comprise the breakaway hitch used to connect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling element in order to decrease the thermal load on animals includes the step: —to start the cooling element when the air temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value and/or a parameter, dependent on the relative humidity of air, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring an animal includes a light source and an optical source. The light source, which is preferably an array of monochromatic light emitting diodes, at least partially backlights one or more of the animal's legs. The optical sensor or device, which is preferably a single dimension camera or charged-coupled device, opposes the light source and obtains an image that includes silhouettes of one or more legs of the animal. A processor, such as a computer with software and data storage, determines measurements, such as the approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal, from the silhouetted legs in the image. One or more first ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate height of the pelvic region, and one or more second ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate width of the pelvic region.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the condition of animals provides for current height and weight measurements taken from an animal in order to automatically derive a height-to-weight ratio. The height-to-weight ratio thus obtained may be used to determine whether or not an animal's overall physical condition lies inside tolerance limits in relation to its predetermined expected development. An apparatus for implementing the method of the invention may include a control system configured to determine the height-to-weight ratio and may within a control system of an animal installation. The supply of feed to an animal may be adjusted in response to a deviation of its measured height weight ratio from a target or benchmark value.

Abstract: A cover for a livestock panel to provide shelter from wind and/or block vision through the panel.

Abstract: A hanger for a brisket tube or brisket rail employs an L-shaped bracket member formed of a slotted vertical plate with a horizontal top mounting flange. A clamp member, e.g., an omega clamp, secures the top mounting flange to a lower rail of a stall divider. A brisket pipe clamp attaches to the bracket and has an arcuate portion that captures the brisket pipe. The brisket pipe clamp is formed of a slide plate with flanged edges, a partly arcuate retaining arm that extends proximally from the slide plate, and a stub or post that extends distally through the slot in the vertical plate. This can be a threaded post so that the slide plate can be secured to the vertical plate with a nut. The slot permits limited vertical adjustment.

Abstract: An elevated-beam cow stall assembly has a plurality of tubular cow stall dividers supported on a single horizontal beam. This provides room for the cow to lunge slightly to assist her in lying down or getting up. In an embodiment, stanchions or brackets are formed of vertical channel members affixed onto the beam. The tubular stall dividers each have an upper and a lower horizontal rail, the ends of which are mounted into the upper and lower ends of the channel member. Short upper and lower channel portions are fastened to the main vertical channel members, web-to-web, and the tubular stall dividers from a facing row of stalls are mounted on these. The brackets or stanchions may be mounted to the beam using square U-bolts, or by other techniques such as welding.

Abstract: A confinement and feeding stall for livestock such as horses, cows and the like with side frames spaced so that an animal can stand comfortably but not turn around and narrow enough to prevent other animals from crowding into an occupied stall. A gate is provided at one end of the side panels and a rear closure member may be provided at the other end. The side panels and gate prevent the animal from reaching over or around the side frames to disturb adjoining animals in adjacent stalls. The side frames are connected by elevated top members and flat bottom members to form individual stalls and stalls linked in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: A hoof trimming stall has a front gate having two pivotally mounted spaced-apart doors for swinging inwardly and outwardly. The doors are movable between a catching position in which the doors point inwardly for receiving a head of the animal entering the stall, a closed position for holding the animal in the stall with the neck of the animal caught in a gap between the doors, and an open position in which the doors point outwardly for permitting the animal to exit. A door lock/release mechanism has a slider arm movable forward and backward, a hydraulic cylinder for moving the slider arm forward and backward, a rear catcher mounted on the slider arm for preventing the doors from moving from the closed position to the catching position, a front catcher mounted on the slider arm for preventing the doors from being opened by the animal when the doors are in the closed position, and a release mechanism for permitting the doors to move from the open position to the catching position.

Abstract: A calving enclosure which is adapted to be placed permanently on the ground or which may be moved from one location to another for use during calving operations. The enclosure includes a pivotal alleyway which may be moved from a stowed position to an operative position so that the width of the enclosure is reduced for transport purposes. The enclosure includes multiple confinement pens or areas as well as a tack or warming room and a headgate assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an animal in a place such as a milking stall or feeding stall wherein an artificial climate is created. The artificial climate disclosed comprises wetting the animal with a water vapor and causing an air flow over the wetted area of the animal. Water vapor is sprayed and rubbed onto the back of the animal while shields protect areas to remain dry. During the process the animal is monitored for signs of thermal stress using a variety of methods and the wetting and cooling process are discontinued if the artificial climate adversely affects the animal.

Abstract: An elevated-beam cow stall assembly employs angle brackets each installed on a respective vertical post. Support stanchions formed of a vertical rail, with upper and receiver members affixed at upper and lower ends of the rail, are attached to the back plates of the angle brackets, and the back plates also support the horizontal support beam. Tubular stall dividers each have an upper and a lower horizontal rail, the ends of which are mounted into the receivers of the stanchions. Additional stanchions may be affixed, i.e., with U-bolts, at intermediate locations along the horizontal beam, and these stanchions also support associated stall dividers. Neck rails may be attached to the upper rails of the dividers, and brisket rails or brisket pipes may be supported on the lower rails of the dividers. This construction permits an unobstructed space below the horizontal beam to give the cow some freedom of movement for lying down and rising.

Abstract: A connection assembly for constructing animal stalls including a connection body that is rigidly constructed and adapted for releasable and variable positioning upon an elongate support rail. A first releasable connector is formed in the connection body and is adapted for releasable fixation to an animal stall divider. The connection body is elongately constructed along a longitudinal axis with first and second ends that are distally located one from the other. The first releasable connector is positioned at the first end of the connection body. The connection body has first and second side flanges that are connected together by a webbing. At least a portion of the first and second side flanges project away from the webbing to form a receiving area between the portions of the first and second side flanges that is configured to insertibly accept a portion of an animal stall divider to be secured therein.

Abstract: A method for serving animals, such as milking dairy animals, allowed to go loose in an enclosed area, with animal stalls with a robot. The stalls have entrance and exit gates that are controlled. A service area includes at least three stationary animals stalls around a robot to form a central robot inner area. The robot is associated with the controller for the gates and is capable of moving to and serving each one of the animal stalls. A strolling area is arranged between the outer border of the enclosed area and the central robot area with animal stalls that is divided into subareas in various ways by the use of separators that may include controlled one-way passing gates for the animals.

Abstract: The use of a thermoplastic molding composition which is not ABS, comprising, based on the total of the amounts of components A, B, C, and, where appropriate, D, this total being 100% by weight, a: as component A, from 1 to 48% by weight of at least one particulate emulsion polymer which has one or more phases and has a glass transition temperature below 0° C. in at least one phase, and has a median particle size from 50 to 1000 nm, b: as component B, from 1 to 48% by weight of at least one amorphous or semicrystalline polymer, c: as component C, from 51 to 90% by weight of polycarbonates, and d: as component D, from 0 to 47% by weight of conventional addictives and/or fibrous or particulate fillers, or a mixture of these, for producing moldings, or corresponding semifinished products, for the garden sector or animal-keeping sector.

Abstract: A cattle handling system comprises a plurality of stall dividers positioned side by side and extending generally parallel to each other. Brackets for mounting the stall dividers are connected directly to a concrete slab and allow for connection of the stall dividers to the brackets in a one man operation without the need for embedding vertical members in the slab. The position of the brackets are located on the concrete slab by use of a mounting jig. The brackets may have a vertical adjustment allowing for an increase or decrease in the working height of the stall dividers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attracting an animal to a predetermined place such as a milking stall or feeding stall wherein the animal so attracted undergoes a predetermined process that relates to the animal being milking or fed, or both. In order to attract the animal into the stall a previously defining climatic parameter is established artificially which will attract the animal to proceed voluntarily to the stall or another predetermined place where it undergoes a process such as being milked or fed or both. The artificial climate disclosed comprises wetting the animal with a water vapor and causing an air flow over the wetted area of the animal. During the process, the animal is monitored for signs of thermal stress and the wetting and cooling processes are discontinued before the end of the milking or feeding or both so that the animal will voluntarily depart from the stall or predetermined place after it has been milked or fed or both.

Abstract: A livestock free stall is provided, having a pair of vertically oriented posts held in fixed spaced relationship. Each of the posts has attached thereto in parallel spaced relationship upper and lower receiver tubes or posts with the receiver tubes or posts of each stanchion oriented in parallel spaced relationship to the corresponding upper and lower receiver tubes or posts of the other stanchions. A pair of rail loops, each having upper and lower ends, are then configured and sized for insertion into the upper and lower receiver tubes, or for receiving the upper and lower receiver posts, is then attached and fastened to the stanchion. A top rail interconnects the posts to form the completed free stall assembly.

Abstract: The disclosure is for a free hanging animal stall. The stall sides are curved pipes forming a loop-like barrier hanging above floor level with no support from the floor or ceiling. The stall is supported by several chains hanging from the header board, and chains are also angled from the head end of the stall so that the stall is urged toward the header board at the head of the stall. The chains permit simple adjustment of the height of the stall sides above the floor and the structure also prevents the animal from being trapped under the sides because, if the animal is under a stall side, the sides are simply temporarily tilted up by an animal as it stands up.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safety strip for horses and other animals to prevent casting. The strip may be attached to the walls of corrals and other structures that are used to contain horses and other animals. The strip may comprise a series of raised conical projections which provide a frictional surface for a horse to use as leverage to enable the horse to raise itself to an upright position within the confines of a narrow corral. The strips may be made in sizes that allow them to be used in a variety of differently sized and shaped walls. Apertures in the strips provide a method for mounting them to the wall by the use of nails for example.

Abstract: There is disclosed a safety strip for horses and other animals to prevent casting. The strip may be attached to the walls of corrals and other structures that are used to contain horses and other animals. The strip may comprise a series of raised conical projections which provide a frictional surface for a horse to use as leverage to enable the horse to raise itself to an upright position within the confines of a narrow corral. The strips may be made in sizes that allow them to be used in a variety of differently sized and shaped walls. Apertures in the strips provide a method for mounting them to the walls by the use of nails for example.