Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment of a coated feeder, a coating is integrated into the structural components of the feeder. The coated feeder may include a base, ridge, and back, which may all be integrally formed with one another. The coating may include an exterior surface opposite concrete. The surface of the coating adjacent the concrete may include at least one tab, at least one linear protrusion, at least one hook, and at least one channel.

Abstract: A pet feeding station intended to allow pets to grasp all food pieces without pushing the pieces up and out of the food bowl. The feeding station includes two adjacent stands, one for water and an adjustable inclined food bowl that allows food pieces to fall forward toward the front of the bowl, allowing the pet easier access to the food and prevents the food pieces from getting pushed out of the bowl.

Abstract: A trough includes an elongate trough body and at least one elongate support element. The trough body includes at least one longitudinal side wall portion and a bottom portion which are integral with one another, or attached to one another along respective longitudinal edges. The support element extends along the outer face of the side wall portion. The support element may be restrained from moving outward, away from a longitudinal trough centerline, by connecting a restraint located inside the trough to the support element. The side wall portion is maintained upright partly by tension in the support element or in the restraint. In one embodiment, a plastics sheet material is bent into a U-shaped animal feed trough with opposite side walls supported upright by tension in longitudinal supporting wires and transverse restraint wires, the ends of which connect to the support wires through respective perforations in the side walls.

Abstract: Livestock feeders can include a one-piece or multi-piece designs. A livestock feeder can include a pan, a hood, and a base. The livestock feeder is suitable for providing feedstuffs such as nutritional supplements to a livestock animal on a free-choice basis. The livestock feeder can be durable, portable, non-corrosive and is designed to minimize spillage of feedstuffs and resist tipping over. The livestock feeder can be constructed from a molded polyethylene material.

Abstract: Collapsible vessels comprising a rubbery material can be folded or scrunched into a small volume, and then spring into a shape suitable for holding water or food such as for a pet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-supporting elevated feeding tray apparatus including a tray, a tray riser and a base, where the tray is watertight and the tray, tray riser, and base are integrally formed from the same material. Fill level indicia or marks allow a precise amount of food to be placed in the tray. Also disclosed is a blank for forming the elevated feeding tray apparatus including the panels that form the tray as well as a tray riser and a base. Also disclosed is a method of forming an elevated feeding tray apparatus including the steps of preparing a blank, bending the blank, forming an indentation in at least one bend, and making the seams between the side walls of the tray and at least one tray bottom panel watertight.

Abstract: A food retainer adapted to receive food to be eaten by a domestic animal. The food retainer has a base and a number of protrusions extending from the upper surface of the base of the food retainer in mutual distances from each other. At least some of the protrusions are substantially higher than the remainder of those on the food retainer. The structure of the food retainer forces the animal to struggle for the food, thereby performing an exercise that keeps the animal healthy and active and stimulates the intelligence and physique of the animal.

Abstract: A housing for animal feedstuff including a base, a roof extending over the base, uprights spaced apart from one another and extending between the base and the roof, and a container locatable between the uprights for containing feedstuff. Livestock, such as cattle, access feedstuff within the container by way of spaces between the uprights. In an embodiment, the uprights are telescopic and the roof can be pivoted between raised and lowered positions relative to the uprights.

Abstract: A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state.

Abstract: A tray for presenting food to a pet or animal. The tray includes a top side, an underside and a peripheral side extending between the top side and the underside. The topside is moreover partly formed as a number of up-turned grooves and interconnected grooves. When a pet is retrieving food from the tray, the animal will not only he self-engaged and fed during retrieval of the food, but the tray will also ensure that the natural needs of the animal are meet with respect to the use of brain, olfactory sense and feeding. The animal will hereby be more relaxed and behave in a balanced manner.

Abstract: A platform bird feeder is provided including a base platform with a seed tray, a baffle and a center pole having a bottom end connected the tray, the baffle being tiltably and adjustably mounted to the pole above the base. Preferably, the seed tray has a seed protecting grate to hinder squirrels from accessing the seed in the tray. The height of the baffle above the seed tray may be adjusted up and down to allow the user to increase and decrease the seed access space, respectively, between the baffle and the tray. When the baffle is at a desired height, it is secured in place by an adjustable securing mechanism that, while holding the baffle at the desired height, allows the baffle to tilt or wobble when sufficient weight is placed on one side of the baffle.

Abstract: A feeding trough which is accessible to livestock animals is disclosed, and is defined at the bottom and laterally by a bottom wall and side walls, respectively, wherein one of the side walls demarcates the trough interior for an access side from which the animals take up feed from the trough interior. The side wall on the access side has an upper side wall edge over which an animal's head must reach at least partly so that the animal can take up feed from the trough interior and a trough frame to which the feeding trough is fixed. An adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the height of the side wall edge on the access side relative to the trough frame.

Abstract: A tray for presenting food to a pet or animal. The tray includes a top side, an underside and a peripheral side extending between the top side and the underside. The topside is moreover partly formed as a number of up-turned grooves and interconnected grooves. When a pet is retrieving food from the tray, the animal will not only he self-engaged and fed during retrieval of the food, but the tray will also ensure that the natural needs of the animal are meet with respect to the use of brain, olfactory sense and feeding. The animal will hereby be more relaxed and behave in a balanced manner.

Abstract: A device for feeding animals, includes a frame with a feed holder for a feeding site for an animal. The frame is provided with a restricting device for restricting in at least two opposite lateral directions a dwelling space for an animal using the feeding site. The device is also provided with a distancing mechanism for keeping animals located outside the dwelling space at a distance from the restricting device.

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: An animal feeding structure can include one or more openings to drain water that is sprayed into the feeding structure in order to clean it. By draining the incident water, the remaining dirt, food and other particles are drained and removed from the feeding structure, thereby cleaning the structure without direct handling. Also, because the water is drained, water bounce back onto the person cleaning the bowl can be greatly reduced. The feeding structure can include an opening covered by a raised cap whose clearance from the bottom of the bowl can be adjusted. The feeding bowl can also include lateral and/or longitudinal slits of various sizes and shapes. The size and shape of openings can be designed to prevent food from falling out while allowing water, food crumbs, dirt, and debris to drain out. The effective size of the openings can be adjusted.

Abstract: A bale feeder includes a support and a housing pivotally mounted to the support. The housing has a peripheral sidewall defining a bale receiving interior cavity with an access opening providing access to the interior cavity. The housing is pivotally movable between a loading position and a feeding position. In the loading position the access opening is substantially horizontal for improved loading access.

Abstract: A method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. Thanks to immediate post hatch nutrition, the development during the chicks first days is significantly improved, resulting in a significant improvement in their weight as well. Furthermore, the accessibility of feed for the chicks is enabled and improved immediately after their hatching thanks to suitable lighting and the use of feeding troughs with transparent walls.

Abstract: An anti-spill, self-righting animal feeder particularly suitable for horses comprising a hollow bowl-shaped vessel with means on the top rim of the vessel to limit the degree of tipping from the vertical including a radially outwardly extending flange mounted on the top rim and an internal inwardly and downwardly extending flange integral therewith defining a trap for feed at the top of the bowl together with weight means on the bottom of the vessel such that the center of gravity of the feeder rises when it is tipped from the vertical.

Abstract: A trough comprises elongate trough body (12) and at least one elongate support element (14, 15). The trough body comprises at least one longitudinal side wall portion (18,19) and a bottom portion (16) which are integral with one another, or attacked to one another along respective longitudinal edges. The support element extends along the outer face of the side wall portion, lower than an upper edge of the side wall portion but higher than the bottom portion. The support element may be restrained from moving outward, away from a longitudinal trough centreline, by connecting a restraint located inside the trough to the support element. The side wall portion is maintained upright partly by tension in the support element or in the restraint.

Abstract: A round bale sled that is a combination round bale feeder and transport device. In one embodiment, the bale sled includes a bale holding portion and a base. The bale holding portion is configured to hold a round bale. The base is coupled to the bale holding portion. The base is configured to allow the bale sled to be pulled in a select direction. Moreover, the base is further configured to allow for a pivot loading of the round bale in the bale holding portion.

Abstract: An animal feeding structure can include one or more openings to drain water that is sprayed into the feeding structure in order to clean it. By draining the incident water, the remaining dirt, food and other particles are drained and removed from the feeding structure, thereby cleaning the structure without direct handling. Also, because the water is drained, water bounce back onto the person cleaning the bowl can be greatly reduced. The feeding structure can include an opening covered by a raised cap whose clearance from the bottom of the bowl can be adjusted. The feeding bowl can also include lateral and/or longitudinal slits of various sizes and shapes. The size and shape of openings can be designed to prevent food from falling out while allowing water, food crumbs, dirt, and debris to drain out. The effective size of the openings can be adjusted.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor. An example embodiment includes: a barrel into which animal feed may be deposited, the barrel including a stop attached at an edge of an upper opening of the barrel; and a feed restrictor configured for removable insertion into the opening of the barrel, the feed restrictor including a plurality of feed access holes arranged on a lower surface of the feed restrictor, the feed restrictor being configured to float on top of the animal feed deposited in the barrel, the feed restrictor being further configured to freely spin laterally in the barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing nutritional and other products to animals are provided. Generally, the invention provides a dispensing system comprising an activity monitoring device, and a dispensing device comprising a processor programmed to receive a communication generated by the activity monitoring device. The processor controls the dispensing device to dispense a nutritional or other product in response to the communication from the activity monitoring device. The activity monitoring device can be attached to an animal and communicate with the dispensing device information regarding the nutritional requirements of the animal.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a container having a feeding tray attached to one end, an end cap attached to the other, and a mounting device rigidly mounted to a surface. The bird feeder remains stable, even during adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A universal panel member can be connected with other universal panel members to form various sizes and shapes of feeder structures for dispensing forage material to horses and other animals. The universal panel members can be assembled to provide a floor with ground engaging legs and an upright wall surrounding the floor into which forage material can be placed for access by the animals feeding therefrom. Each panel member is formed with a main body portion that has a pair of connecting legs projecting outwardly from two opposing sides of the body portion within the same plane as the body portion, and a pair of connecting legs that project from the other two opposing sides perpendicularly to the plane of the body portion. Proper location of openings through the body portion allows the connecting legs of adjoining panel members to be connected with fasteners to form feeder structures.

Abstract: A bird feed tray has an integral, unitary body. The tray is separated into a plurality of segments by partitions and circumscribed by an outer wall or rim. Each segment has dual surfaces which are sloped both downward toward the outer rim and inward to form a drain trough. The troughs terminate at the outer rim. A number of drain holes are provided adjacent to the outer rim. Water which collects on the surface of the tray funnels down into the troughs, where it is discharged through the drain holes.

Abstract: An animal hay and grain feeder may be provided comprising a housing having a central axis and configured to receive feed. A feeding plate having an opening configured to allow a portion of an animal's head to penetrate the feeding plate may be configured to fit within the housing and traverse and rotate about a central axis. In addition, a locking ring may be configured to contain the feeding plate within the housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of a portable milking apparatus configured according to principles of the invention include a milking unit that is mobile and configured for milking an animal; a service unit that is mobile and configured for receiving milk; and a connector that selectably operably connects and/or permits fluid communication between the milking and service units.

Abstract: A hay feeder allows a horse to eat from the feeder at a controlled speed in order to help prevent choke as well as overeating. The feeder uses a receptacle that has one or more guide posts extending between a closed bottom and an open top. A plate has first openings that each receive a respective post in order to allow the plate to slide up and down within the receptacle, the plate also having a series of second openings. Hay is placed into the receptacle and the plate is positioned on top of the hay. The horse eats the hay through the series of second openings and the plate gravitationally falls with the depleting stock of hay guided downwardly along the posts.

Abstract: A livestock feeder is provided wherein the seams of the feeder are detachable/re-attachable so as to break away from the livestock in case of entanglement. The break away feature may be applied to various configurations of livestock feeders. The breakaway feature is provided so as to avoid injury to the livestock and also make the livestock feeders easier to clean. Seam attachment means include, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, zippers, snaps or buttons.

Abstract: This invention is directed to troughs and more particularly to pre-cast or molded troughs made of plastic, fiberglass or other appropriate material and utilizing a novel shape whereby the trough rests on it's natural tipping point using a novel pair of stabilizers made to rest on the ground and fit into corresponding cavities on the underside of the trough to maintain an upright and stable position until tipping is desired. The unique shape makes possible the slight backward tipping of the trough, done easily by one person, so the stabilizers can be kicked away and the trough tipped forward to empty, clean and/or refill.

Abstract: An ergonomic horse/animal feeder adapted for receiving a lower portion and jaw of two or more horse heads in a natural headset. The feeder is angular in shape and includes a horizontal bottom, a backside, an ergonomic feed front side, a first side and an opposite second side. A curved lip is disposed around a top of the angular sides. The backside is angled upwardly and outwardly from the horizontal bottom in a range of 60 to less than 90 degrees from the horizontal. A lower portion of the feed front side of the feeder is angled upwardly in a range of 60 to less than 90 degrees from the horizontal. An upper portion of the feed front side is angled upwardly and outwardly in a range of 30 to 60 degrees from the horizontal. This upward and outward angle of the feed front side allows the lower portion of the horse's head and jaw to be received inside the feeder for feeding in the natural headset.

Abstract: According to the preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided an apparatus for feeding livestock that is modular in design. In the preferred embodiment, it consists of alternating support and spanning sections that are preferably held together by one or more steel or similar rods running therethrough. Preferably, the modular components will be made of high density plastic to help reduce the risk of rust and corrosion.

Abstract: A trough is disclosed for supplying piglets with mineral supplements in the suckling period. The trough is designed to awaken the piglets' curiosity and thus make them root in the bottom of the trough, where the mineral supplements are dispensed in form of a dry powder mixture, and thus reduce spillage as compared to placing the mineral supplements on the floor of the pen. During the pre-weaning of the piglets the trough can be converted to serve as a normal trough for solid feed.

Abstract: A pet feeding utensil is provided, comprising a main body having a receiving space, in which the bottom portion of the main body is combined with a footrest pad, the extended width of the footrest pad being the width of the inner diameter of the main body such that pet inevitably steps on it and the pet feeding utensil is fixed in place during eating. Further, a transparent member is inserted onto the main body so that a gap is formed between the transparent member and the receiving space to clip a picture concerned with pet education, such as a photograph of the master. In this manner, there is an opportunity of teaching the pet during eating so that intimate interaction between the pet and the master will be further enhanced.

Abstract: A livestock feeder (50) includes a gravity pulled, fold-down grill (56,57) on both sides of a main frame (51) that can hold a supply of livestock feed such as a hay bale (82) therein. The fold-down grills face each other and fold down on a hay bale positioned on the floor (60) of the feeder as the hay bale is consumed by livestock such as a horse. Grill spacer bars (65,101) are positioned apart from each other to allow only the muzzle of the feeding animal to reach there through and grasp the hay. The feeder also includes a pair of pivot arms (96-99) at the base of each grill to pivot the grill toward the floor of the feeder. Each pivot arm extends from a rotatable member (69-72) connected to the frame. The rotatable members and grill are lifted to hang the grill on a pair of latches (75-78) that lock the grill in a locked upright position for loading of another bale on the feeder floor through an end gate (58,59) that is rotatably connected to the main frame.

Abstract: This invention is for the purpose of feeding hay to livestock in a controlled and timed manner. It's comprised of a base, four sides, roof, and floor and is able to contain one large round bale, or the equivalent in loose hay or square bales. Three gate assemblies are used, consisting of a double gate in which an outer feed gate moves up and down and a fixed inner gate remains stationary. Operation of the feed gates is controlled by a programmable timer, which in conjunction with a 12 VDC air system, raises and lowers the feed gates. Power is provided by either 110 VAC or a completely self-contained 12 VDC system utilizing solar panels. The loading of feed into this invention is accomplished by opening one of the gate assemblies, which are hinged on one side, to allow the whole gate assembly to swing open to facilitate loading and cleaning.

Abstract: A hay feeder system which incorporates a curved arcuate section of plastic or other semi-rigid material formed to mate with the corner of an animal stall or other animal pen is disclosed. The hay feeder system permits easy placement of hay or other feed for a horse or other animal to feed on. Additionally, the disclosed invention permits easy cleaning of the hay or other feed from the floor surrounding the hay feeder.

Abstract: Improved livestock feeding devices comprise a container suitable for storing feed such as, for example, hay or grain and an extension portion surrounding the container. Generally, the extension portion has a shape that defines a plurality of separate eating stations for the livestock. In some embodiments, the extension portion can be an undulating extension having a wave-like shape comprising regions of increased extension and regions of decreased extension. Due to the presence of the extension portion, livestock such as, for example, horses can be separated during feeding which reduces potential injury and/or eating interruptions that can occur when livestock use existing feeders. Additionally, the extension can have a shape adapted to collect feed that falls out of the mouth of a feeding animal, which can reduce the amount of feed that contacts the ground surrounding the feeder.

Abstract: A portable deer and game feeder includes a tub-like feeder box, a support frame for supporting the feeder box, the support frame including a plurality of removable legs for supporting the feeder box above the ground, and a roof extending over the feeder box and being large enough to overhang the edges of the feeder box. A plurality of removable roof support posts are provided for supporting the roof over the feeder box, and the removable legs and the removable roof supports are sized and configured to be detached and stowed in the feeder box for transport.

Abstract: A planting assembly (10) including a flexible trough member (12) which may selectively form a plurality of members which may be then selectively interconnected in any desired manner.

Abstract: The suspended bird-feed catcher of the present invention includes a pan suitable for receiving and holding bird feed that falls out of a bird feeder and prevents the bird feed from falling to the ground. The pan is suspended from the same apparatus from which the bird feeder is suspended so the pan can be easily removed without disrupting the bird feeder.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pet bowl having an interior volume defined by a bottom and an upwardly extending sidewall. The pet bowl also has a generally horizontal top surface, integral with the sidewall, with at least one receiving opening formed therein. The apparatus also includes a lip portion partially extending into the interior volume with an access opening formed therethrough. The lip portion has at least one downwardly extending portion that removeably interlocks with the receiving opening of the pet bowl.