Abstract: An automatic feeding dispenser with a cylindrical feed supply conduit, an accumulation tray to supply feed to poultry and a shutter having at least one cylindrical portion, outer sliding and rotatable with respect to the supply conduit.

Abstract: A feeder for pigs includes a hopper and a trough for receiving the feed where an elongate opening is defined by an elongate shelf to control the amount of feed discharged from the hopper to the trough. An adjustment linkage for lifting the shelf against the weight of feed in the hopper includes a first lift screw and a second lift screw each for applying a lifting force to the elongate adjustment member located at spaced positions from the end walls of the hopper. Each of the screws includes a gear box with a shaft connected between the two gear boxes to communicate drive therebetween for simultaneous operation of the lift screws by a hand crank connected to one at the top of the feed in the hopper.

Abstract: An animal feeding device is provided including at least one cassette including a frame including wall elements defining upper and lower compartments, side wall elements defining a width of the upper compartment, a food container housed in the upper compartment, supported by at least one wall element, and a food delivery device housed in the lower compartment. The food container communicates with the food delivery device through an opening provided in a bottom portion of the food container. The food container has front, end, and side walls. The side walls are parallel in a longitudinal direction, have a constant distance therebetween in the longitudinal direction, are opposite to each other, are connected to and separated by the front wall in one end, and are connected to and separated by the end wall in an opposite end. The end wall has an inclination towards the bottom portion of the food container.

Abstract: The feed leveler on a poultry feeder has a plurality of feet provided on an inward facing surface of the feed skirt. A feed pan has a pedestal extending up from a pan floor configured to engage with one of the plurality of feet. Each foot is positioned at a different vertical position along a longitudinal axis of the feed leveler. The pan floor has a central core, wherein a lower portion of a drop tube extends through the central core and a retainer is fastened to a bottom end of the drop tube to mount the feed pan and feed leveler on the drop tube such that the feed pan and the feed leveler can slide along a vertical axis of the drop tube so the poultry feeder engages a ground surface on which the feed pan is received in a telescoping manner.

Abstract: A feeding system for freely moving poultry or other small animals including a feeding pan with an outer distribution cone. An overlying horizontal transport channel for feed is provided above the distribution cone having a passage for regular feeding, and the feed passes through the opening at the top of the distribution cone to the inner side of the distribution cone. There is a passage for initial feeding out of the transport channel, arranged such that the feed passes out of the initial feeding passage and impinges on separate chutes externally on the distribution cone having a dividing line between the two chutes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resisting intrusion by a pest include a reservoir extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and the reservoir defining an interior. A basin is mounted to the reservoir. The basin has a basin body and a basin surface. A sleeve assembly has a sleeve body and a port defined in the sleeve body. A tensioner translationally mounts the sleeve body relative to the basin body. The sleeve body translates distally from an accessible position to an occluded position when a weight applied to the sleeve assembly exceeds a weight threshold set by the tensioner. The accessible position includes bird food on the basin surface being accessible through the port. The occluded position includes the port being disposed distal to the basin surface such that the bird food on the basin surface is inaccessible through the port.

Abstract: A fun pet feeder, comprising a shell, a cavity for housing food provided in an upper part of the shell, a food sliding area in a lower part of the shell, a leaky channel capable of being opened and closed between the cavity and the food sliding area, a elastic part in the cavity, a feedstuff outlet provided in a lower part of the cavity, with a lower end of the elastic part resting in the feedstuff outlet, and feedstuff outlet dents provided on the lower end of the elastic part; when the elastic part remains in an initial position, the feedstuff outlet dents are above the feedstuff outlet, the food cannot reach the food sliding area and when the elastic part is pressed and goes downward, the feedstuff outlet dents enter the feedstuff outlet and the feedstuff enters the food sliding area.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a pushbutton activated positioning mechanism in a hub of a hinged cover for fastening or unfastening a rope having a bottom end secured to a feeding pan. The cover is releasably secured to a seed container by a latch. Together they prevent the cover from being accidentally disengaged from the seed container.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for determining the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into an inlet of a blender from one or more bulk material containers placed on a support structure are disclosed. The system includes sensors placed on the support structure beneath the one or more containers for determining the amount of bulk material contained within the container at any given time. By monitoring the change in the mass of the material in the containers overtime the amount of material being fed into the blender can be determined. The material is metered into a mixer within the blender using a metering mechanism, such as a sand screw, which supplies a fixed capacity of bulk material into the blender. The ability to precisely measure the amount of bulk material being choke-fed into the blender enables operators to calibrate the sand screw continuously.

Abstract: A calf creep feeder includes a panel fence positioned at each side of a feed enclosure. Each of the panel fences are selectively movable between a lower creep feeder position to an upper stowed position. A pair of torsion springs are secured to each of the panel fences to assist in raising the panel fences from their lower creep feeder positions to its upper stowed position.

Abstract: A feeding device for poultry animals having an upper feed provision element with an elongated expansion disposed so that poultry animals can reach the feed in the upper feed provision element from the access platform. The feeding device having at least one lower feed provision element disposed underneath the upper feed provision element during operation, wherein the lower feed provision element is arranged and designed so that during operation poultry animals can reach the feed in the lower feed provision element from a floor, and wherein the lower feed provision element is arranged and designed so that the lower feed provision element is supplied with feed provided in the upper feed provision element.

Abstract: An adjustable feeder pan system for feeding poultry and a related method is provided. The feeder pan system includes a cone portion, an excluder portion that includes a number of anti-rake and radially disposed fins, a skirt, a feed pan, a cap, and optionally a feed shut-off component. The cone includes a pair of stops that may selectively engage with one of a number of pairs of corresponding slots of varying depths on the excluder portion so as to provide multiple feed levels as desired and depending upon the size and age of the poultry being fed.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper for receiving feed, the hopper having converging front panels with lower ends defining an elongate chute through which feed is directed. A shield is attached to each of the front panels and diverges from the front panel forming a cove that remains free of feed. A trough extends along the feeder and a water supply duct delivers water into the trough. An elongate shelf has a feed platform for receiving feed from the hopper. The shelf is positioned above the trough such that any feed falling, falls into the trough. The shelf has shelf retainers running longitudinally of the shelf above the feed platform, each shelf retainer directed between its respective shield and front panel. A height-adjusting mechanism adjusts the vertical position of the shelf relative the hopper and the trough. As the shelf moves upward, the shelf retainer moves into the cove.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for promoting growth of young chicken comprising the step; offering feed in a layered manner in subsequent order of pellet-size for adjusting the pellet-size to the size of the young chicken during a whole brooding cycle for the feed being attractive during the whole brooding cycle as perceived by the young chicken.

Abstract: A poultry feed distribution system includes a feed storage, a conveyor line and feeding devices. Each feeding device has an attachment part that is rotatable around the line. The attachment part has a drop tube of the device hingedly connected thereto. The attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotatable around the line between a feeding and a cleaning position, with an inlet of the drop tube getting distanced from the line when the attachment part together with the hinge connection to the drop tube is rotated from the feeding to the cleaning position.

Abstract: A portable feed is provided with a frame having a tow hitch, a plurality of wheels and a storage bin. The portable feeder can be towed from a feeder location to a refill station and refilled. A variably sloped floor extending through the storage bin and each feeder chute provides for the continuous flow of feed to the chutes for on demand feeding without substantial spillage from the open ends of the feeder chutes. A lower chute surface is pivotable relative to an upper chute surface so that the lower chute surface is movable relative to the upper chute surface in a clamshell-like closure.

Abstract: A gyrator feeder that gyrates a dispensing member to uniformly and circumnavigating dispense material by generating a true circular orbital vibratory motion in the dispensing member by either rotating an offset weight along a vertical central axis of the dispensing member or by positioning vibratory motors diametrical opposite from each other on a gyrator housing and synchronizing the vibratory motors with each other to thereby dispense material.

Abstract: A pet amusement device includes a housing; a processing unit disposed in the housing; a transceiver for transmitting signals to the processing unit; an image fetching unit disposed in the housing and configured to encode digital images and videos of a pet, storing the recoded images and videos in digital files, and sending them to the processing unit; an amusing unit for amusing the pet; a feeding unit disposed on the housing and configured to feed the pet; and a power source for supplying power to the processing unit, the transceiver, the image fetching unit, the amusing unit, and the feeding unit respectively. The processing unit controls the transceiver, the image fetching unit, the amusing unit, and the feeding unit respectively.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for a chicken feeder includes a body section, a coupling member and a feeder contacting section. The coupling member is positioned on a first end of the body section for securing the body section to a chicken feed tube. The feeder contacting section is positioned on a second end of the body section and includes angled arms to support a feeder above the feed tube.

Abstract: Devices and systems for limiting feed volume dispensed into a plurality of tandem feed boot unloaders into one or more feed paths and related methods are disclosed. A core system is provided that are disposed in the feed path through each of the tandem feed boot unloaders in a center portion of an auger supported by a bearing assembly. Feed housings are configured to direct feed into the boot unloaders and into the auger. The feed is moved by the auger as a result of rotation of the auger about the bearing assembly. The core system provided herein limits and regulates the amount of feed that can enter each boot unloader by occupying space within a center portion of the auger that passes through each boot unloader, thus making it less likely that the auger will become clogged and be constrained from moving feed in the feed path.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to processing image pixels. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a system for classifying pixels comprising retrieval logic; a pixel storage allocation including a plurality of pixel slots, each pixel slot being associated individually with a pixel, where the retrieval logic is configured to cause the pixels to be allocated into the pixel slots in an input sequence; pipelined processing logic configured to output, for each of the pixels, classification information associated with the pixel; and scheduling logic configured to control dispatches from the pixel slots to the pipelined processing logic, where the scheduling logic and pipelined processing logic are configured to act in concert to generate the classification information for the pixels in an output sequence that differs from and is independent of the input sequence.

Abstract: A bee feeder system includes a bee house having a plurality of levels. One of the levels includes a bee feeder having a frame with a top major surface and a bottom major surface. The frame surrounds a central opening and a feeder pipe extends across the central opening. The feeder pipe has a distal section that includes feeder holes. A divider covers the central opening. The feeder pipe has a proximal section that extends outside the frame. A feed container is attached to the proximal section of the feeder pipe. The feeder pipe is rotatable relative to the frame for moving between an ON position in which the feeder holes face toward the bottom major face of the frame and an OFF position in which the feeder holes face toward the top major face of the frame.

Abstract: A bird feeder which comprises a seed container, a cover, a seed tray below the seed container to receive seeds therefrom, and a shield which is secured to the seed container, the shield being spaced above said seed tray a distance sized to restrict access of certain sized birds to the seed tray.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feeding device for amphibians and reptiles that includes a food chamber in the form of a cup with a plurality of feeding holes formed in a bottom thereof. The preferred hole size is approximately 4 mm to accommodate the mealworm. The feeding device is made from transparent plastic allowing reptiles or amphibians sitting beneath the feeding device to see the mealworms contained therein.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

Abstract: An intelligent pet-feeding device is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, configured with at least one opening; a storage tank, for storing at least one kind of food while enabling each kind of food to be transported out of the frame from it corresponding opening; a communication module, capable of performing a wireless communication with an operator at a remote end; an imaging module, for capturing images and thus generating image signals accordingly; an audio transceiver module, for receiving and transmitting audio signals; and a central processing unit, electrically connected to the communication module, the imaging module and the audio transceiver module for processing signals received thereby and generated therefrom.

Abstract: A feed level sensor for a poultry feeding system is positioned within the drop tube of a control feeder of the feeding system. The sensor comprise a first light emitter/light detector pair to detect when the level of feed in the drop tube falls below a predetermined “empty” level and a second light emitter/light detector pair to detect when feed in the drop tube is at a predetermined “full” level in the drop tube. The sensor emits a “start” signal to activate a drive to deliver feed to the feeders along a feed line when it is detected that feed in the control feeder drop tube falls below the “empty” level and emits a “stop” signal to deactivate the drive when it detects that feed within the drop tube is at the “full” level.

Abstract: Devices and systems for limiting feed volume dispensed into a plurality of tandem feed boot unloaders into one or more feed paths and related methods are disclosed. A core system is provided that are disposed in the feed path through each of the tandem feed boot unloaders in a center portion of an auger supported by a bearing assembly. Feed housings are configured to direct feed into the boot unloaders and into the auger. The feed is moved by the auger as a result of rotation of the auger about the bearing assembly. The core system provided herein limits and regulates the amount of feed that can enter each boot unloader by occupying space within a center portion of the auger that passes through each boot unloader, thus making it less likely that the auger will become clogged and be constrained from moving feed in the feed path.

Abstract: An oriole jelly birdfeeder is provided that includes a jelly holding container, a base having a feeding platform and a connecting element for connecting the base to the container, and a mixing mechanism. The mixing mechanism includes a mixer element and a mixer handle which are coupled to one another and rotatable together. The mixer element includes a paddle positioned within the connecting element to enable the user to mix and distribute the jelly, which is held within the container, onto the feeding platform as needed by rotating the mixer handle.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

Abstract: A wildlife feeder having a hopper, a manifold, and a removed head at a removed end of the manifold. The hopper is designed to enclose particulate feed, such as corn, for dispensing through the manifold and head to wildlife. The head has a multiplicity of feed troughs and each feed trough has an angled top wall and an angled bottom wall, angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the manifold and a plane of a tabular floor of the head.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus including a frame, a tray on the frame, and a hopper on the frame with an interior for holding feed. The hopper may be positioned above the tray and have a dispensing opening in a lower end to dispense feed into the tray. The apparatus may include a feed flow control assembly extending from the tray into the hopper and including a closing member configured for at least partially restricting feed movement through the dispensing opening. The closing member may be mounted on the tray and positioned in the hopper above the opening to define a gap therebetween. The hopper may be mounted on the frame in a manner that permits adjustment of the proximity of the hopper to the tray to adjust a size of the gap between the closing member and the dispensing opening to control feed flow through the gap.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

Abstract: A pet food dispenser comprising a lid and a hopper bin. The lid fits over a loading opening of the hopper bin. A main section includes a base, and the main section includes a base cover having a hopper funnel and a hopper recess. An auger assembly has an intake opening and an output opening, and the auger assembly is removably cradled in the hopper recess. When the auger assembly is operating, an auger blade is formed as a helical screw that drives articles from the intake opening to the output opening. A motor mount has a motor, and the motor is mechanically connected to the auger assembly to drive the auger assembly. The motor mount is connected to the base. A microprocessor controls actuation of the motor.

Abstract: A wildlife feeder having a hopper, a manifold, and a removed head at a removed end of the manifold. The hopper is designed to enclose particulate feed, such as corn, for dispensing through the manifold and head to wildlife. The head has a multiplicity of feed troughs and each feed trough has an angled top wall and an angled bottom wall, angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the manifold and a plane of a tabular floor of the head.

Abstract: A vernier adjustor for a feed dispenser is provided. The vernier adjustor includes first and second slotted members moveable in slidable relation and a pin, the first and second slotted members each including a plurality of slots separated by respective first and second spacings. The pin is adapted for placement within an aligned slot pairing to fix movement of the first slotted member relative to the second slotted member. The first and second slotted members are positionable in increments less than the first and second spacings. In particular, the first and second slotted members are positionable in increments substantially equal to the difference between the first spacing and the second spacing. Movement of the first slotted member relative to the second slotted member provides an incremental raising or lowering of a feed gate.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A device catering for the dietary needs of animals. Feed is stored in a hopper and distributed at intervals to the animal's feeding receptacle via an internal dispensing mechanism using a flexible rotor sealing against the walls of a housing to both meter the feed and seal against contamination. The quantities and delivery times may be set by the user. An optional weighting system can be provided to increase accuracy of delivered feed amounts. Optionally, the device may include a water delivery system. Water is provided by a plumbed domestic connection and is available to the animal at all times, except during the automatic change cycle. A pump is utilized to change the water several times a day, in an attempt to remove any contaminants that may affect the water quality that is required to be dispensed.

Abstract: An animal feeding device for feeding animals, including wildlife, is disclosed. The animal feeding device includes a first storage compartment and a second storage compartment inside the first storage compartment. Both storage compartments have openings on the upper ends thereof. The first and second storage compartments have feed assemblies engaged to the lower end thereof, to provide a first feed from a first storage compartment to a first feed assembly, and a second feed from a second storage compartment to a second feed assembly. In this manner, two different types of feed may be poured into one device, but kept separate, a first feed, for example, in a first storage compartment, and a second feed in a second storage compartment. Moreover, a first and second feeding assembly can be engaged with the first or second storage means and below the first and second storage means to gravity feed the first feed to the first feed assembly and the second feed to the second feed assembly.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a feed hopper with side walls, end walls, a bottom assembly, and an open top. Moveable gates extend below the lower edge of the side walls and are slidably mounted upon the side walls. The bottom assembly includes a feed trough under the gate in communication with the feed hopper. An adjustment mechanism allows vertical adjustment of the gate relative to the feed trough and includes an upwardly extending rod connected at its lower end to the gate and at its upper end to one end of a crank lever. The crank lever is rotatable about a pivot provided in a bracket extending perpendicularly to the end walls of the feed hopper. A pair of handles extends through a pair of slots provided in an arcuate panel attached to the bracket. Rotational movement of the handle and crank lever cause vertical adjustment of the gate.

Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided that may be fully charged with feed. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder pan and a feeder tower that vertically moveable with respect to the pan. The feeder tower is movable between a first closed position in which a bottom end of the feeder tower engages the feeder pan and a second open position forming a gap between the end of the tower and pan to dispense feed. Feed is precluded from entering the pan when the feeder tower is in the first position. In some embodiments, an adjusting collar may be provided to limit regulate the amount of feed dispensed to the feeder pan. The feeder tower is configured for suspension from an overhead feeding system.

Abstract: A poultry feeder is provided that may be fully charged with feed. In one embodiment, the feeder includes a feeder tower and a feeder pan assembly that is vertically moveable with respect to the pan. The feeder pan assembly is movable between a first closed position in which a bottom end of the feeder tower engages the feeder pan and a second open position forming a gap between the end of the tower and pan to dispense feed. Feed is precluded from entering the pan when the feeder pan assembly is in the first position. In one embodiment, the feeder pan assembly is operated between the two positions via a cable. An adjusting collar may be provided to regulate the amount of feed dispensed to the feeder pan.

Abstract: An animal feeder is provided having a movable gate between a hopper portion and a trough portion of the feeder. An adjustment mechanism is positioned on the hopper wall above gate and is operable to adjust the position of the gate, and hence, the size of the opening between the hopper and trough. The adjustment mechanism allows for easy control of the size of the opening between the hopper and the trough.

Abstract: Feed dispenser for feeding birds, comprising a dispenser tray (1) having a center section (2) which is raised relative to the bottom surface (3). The raised center section interacts with a downpipe (7) in such a way that a supplied volume of feed (8) is distributed over the bottom surface of the dispenser tray. The center section of the dispenser tray is joined to the bottom surface which blends into a rising outwardly directed side wall (4). The side wall ends in an outer edge. The dispenser tray comprises at least two steep wall sections in the side wall at different height levels relative to the bottom surface. The steep wall sections extend in a direction parallel to the outer edge. In the vertical direction, the side wall has a top (4c) and a bottom half (4d). The bottom half comprises at least two steep wall sections.

Abstract: A nutrient dispensing apparatus for birds having a hanger and two interchangeable dispensers supported by the hanger. Each dispenser includes a bottle for holding liquid or solid nutrients, and at least one basin into which the liquid or solid nutrients, water and bird feed, for example, are made available to the birds. The user can change the configuration of the dispensers as desired to provide just liquid nutrients, just solid nutrients or both. The flow rates for dispensing of the nutrients are different for each nutrient alternative.

Abstract: A management system for managing animals on a dairy farm includes a receiving element (12) provided for receiving, for each of the animals, a value of a protein content and a value of a fat content of milk from the animal as milked on the dairy farm; a calculating element (19) provided for calculating, for each of the animals, the ratio of the values of the protein and fat contents of milk from the animal; a comparison element (20) provided for fetching, for each of the animals, from a database (18) a reference protein/fat ratio, and for comparing the calculated protein/fat ratio with the reference protein/fat ratio; and a notifying element (21-23), preferably a display unit (21) or a loudspeaker (22), provided for notifying, for each of the animals, a dairy farmer (24) of the dairy farm depending on the outcome of the comparison.