Abstract: A livestock force tub features a perimeter structure delimiting an interior space of said livestock tub, including a main peripheral wall spanning circumferentially around a central upright axis, an exit situated at or proximate a terminal end of the main peripheral wall and a supplemental wall section at an area adjacent the exit on a side thereof opposite the terminal end of the main peripheral wall. The supplemental wall section increases an angular span of the tub around the central axis to create an auxiliary space beyond the exit. This auxiliary space accommodates a possible uncooperative animal during unloading of the force tub while allowing others to still reach the exit. The supplemental wall section and a terminal section of the main peripheral wall have a lesser opacity than more significantly cladded areas of the main peripheral wall, whereby increased light admission and environmental visibility attract livestock toward the exit.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for filtering dewatered water utilizing primary and secondary containment mechanisms positioned on a portable sled, the primary containment mechanism of the system being a filter bag enclosed by an interior porous fence, the secondary containment mechanism including a filter medium positioned within a channel defined by the interior fence and an exterior porous fence and enclosing the filter bag. Water entering the filter bag exits the bag as filtrate which passes through the secondary containment mechanism and returns to the environment. The system is transported to a different location where filtering may continue utilizing the same filter bag enclosed within the interior fence.

Abstract: A corner construction with improved warping flexibility may feature two panels, or walls, hinged together to form a corner and then hinged to the underlying building structure or adjacent wall construction. Any flexible connection between the two panels in the central corner and the panels and underlying building structure or wall construction may be utilized, including hinges and flexible plate supports.

Abstract: A low-profile snake barrier includes a plurality of sections that form a boundary. One section of the plurality of sections includes a screen-type material that is supported by a first support brace at a first end of the one section and a second support brace at a second end of the one section opposite the first end. The support braces support the screen-type material in a collapsed configuration and an erect configuration, where the erect configuration includes an upright portion of the screen-type material extending upward from the ground and an overhang portion of the screen-type material extending from the upright portion. In the collapsed configuration, the upright portion and the overhang portion are parallel to the ground. Each support brace include pivotably coupled members.

Abstract: A fence includes first elongated tubular members, each one of which is configured to extend vertically from ends of the first elongated tubular members positionable proximate to a support surface (e.g., the ground). The fence also includes second elongated tubular members extending between the first elongated tubular members, each of which is configured to extend parallel to the support surface. The fence further includes receivers defined by apertures formed in the first elongated tubular members, each of which extends outwardly from respective first elongated tubular members so that each one of the second elongated tubular members can be fixedly attached to corresponding ones of the first elongated tubular members. In some embodiments, one or more of the first elongated tubular members and/or the second elongated tubular members can have a circular cross-section. The second elongated tubular members can be fixedly attached the first elongated tubular members with and/or without welding.

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. At least one coil spring is secured to each of the panel fences to assist in raising the panel fence from its lower creep feeder position to its upper stowed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for repelling birds that can be readily installed on a structure and effective in repelling birds.

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. In many cases, a simple, but robust, fencing structure is needed to guide the cattle in the proper direction into a separate sorting corral. A preferred embodiment of the Portable Cattle Wing is comprised of two twenty-four foot panels; two twenty-two foot panels; two twelve foot panels; two four foot gates; two twelve foot gates; a main frame; a plurality of swing-out braces; and a goose-neck hitch.

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: An animal containment fence includes posts that may be anchored to a surface, connection members that may be transversely coupled to the posts, and flexible cross-members disposed between the posts by telescopically and reciprocally engaging the connection members transversely coupled to the posts. The engagement between the connection members and the cross-member moves reciprocally upon a flexion of the cross-member due to application of a force less than a release force to the cross-member. The engagement between the connection members and the cross-member releases upon a flexion a flexible cross-member due to application of a force equal to or greater than a release force. A method of assembling the animal containment fence includes anchoring posts to a surface, transversely coupling connection members to the posts, and telescopically and reciprocally engaging cross members with the connection members.

Abstract: A wall panel for a livestock confinement pen made of a hollow plastic twin sheet thermoformed body with a grid divider received in an opening of the body between the two sides of the body. One side has flanges by the opening to receive a cover cut from the other side over the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an animal enclosure including a plurality of members defining an interior of the enclosure. One of the plurality of members includes a first member having a frame structure and door assembly formed by a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. At least two of the horizontal wires of the frame structure form a hook positioned inside the defined opening. The door assembly is coupled to the frame and moves between an open and closed positions. The door assembly includes a first door and a second door removably coupled to one another. The enclosure also includes a latch assembly for releasing the door assembly from the frame structure. In the closed position, at least one horizontal wire of the first door and at least one horizontal wire of the second door are coupled to the hooks formed by the at least two horizontal wires of the frame structure.

Abstract: An indoor livestock confinement system includes a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame.

Abstract: An animal pen according to the invention comprises an access wall spanning the width of the pen between two side walls. An access door in the access wall is hinged to a vertical hanging post and closes against a vertical slam post. A first of the posts, which may be the hanging post or the slam post, is supported at its top end not by a door lintel extending between the hanging post and the slam post but by a diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said first post and the top of its adjacent side wall, and the second of the posts is supported either by being located at a junction between the access wall and its adjacent side wall or by a similar diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said second post and the top of its adjacent side wall.

Abstract: An animal pen according to the invention comprises an access wall spanning the width of the pen between two side walls. An access door in the access wall is hinged to a vertical hanging post and closes against a vertical slam post. A first of the posts, which may be the hanging post or the slam post, is supported at its top end not by a door lintel extending between the hanging post and the slam post but by a diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said first post and the top of its adjacent side wall, and the second of the posts is supported either by being located at a junction between the access wall and its adjacent side wall or by a similar diagonal brace member extending between the top of the said second post and the top of its adjacent side wall.

Abstract: A pet barrier is disclosed. The pet barrier comprises a plurality of hinges. Each of the plurality of hinges a first component configured to engage a second component. The first component comprises one or more projections. The second component comprises a plurality of openings at a plurality of angles. One or more of the plurality of openings are configured to engage and lock the one or more projections at one of the plurality of angles. The pet barrier also comprises a plurality of panels. Each of the plurality of panels are configured to couple to another one of the plurality of panels at one of the plurality of angles via one of the plurality of hinges. The one of the plurality of hinges is locked at the one of the plurality of angles while the one or more of the plurality of openings engage the one or more projections.

Abstract: An animal barrier system for deterring hogs and or other small animals from entering a protected area they include a barrier section including an outer frame member, and opposed interior frame member being opposed to the outer frame member, and a side frame member to connect the outer frame member and the inner frame member. The barrier section may include a first section of a first angled wall.

Abstract: An animal run having first and second side panels operable to be pivotally mounted along a central plane. A front panel is pivotally coupled with one of the side panels and operable to be detachably coupled to the other side panel. The side panels are moveable between a stored position, in which each side panel is positioned parallel the central plane, and an operational position, in which they extend outward at an angle from the central plane. The front panel is moveable between a stored position, in which it is positioned parallel the central plane, and an operational position, in which it is positioned at an angle from the side panel to which it is coupled and is detachably coupled with the other side panel. The side panels and front panel define an interior space for housing an animal when in their operational position.

Abstract: A wall panel for a livestock confinement pen made of a hollow plastic twin sheet thermoformed body with a grid divider received in an opening of the body between the two sides of the body. One side has flanges by the opening to receive a cover cut from the other side over the opening.

Abstract: An indoor livestock confinement system includes a plurality of hollow plastic panels. One of the hollow plastic panels defines a U-shaped door frame. The door frame is open at the top and includes an attachment for a door at one edge. The door frame includes a reinforcement inside the panel that extends across a bottom threshold and sides of the door frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides an environmentally friendly housing for laying hens. A preferred embodiment includes a covered structure having perching area having a porous floor, a worm bed under the perching area in which worms feed upon the manure that falls through the porous floor, a back door for access to the worm bed, and nesting boxes for laying eggs. Some embodiments are modular and can be readily expanded in sections, with each section including the parts described above. Some embodiments include an enclosed yard area in which the hens can go outside the structure and still be safe from predators. Grain can be grown in a part of the enclosed yard, with irrigation for the grain being provided by a rainwater collection system on the roof of the structure.

Abstract: A sow management system makes use of separate Trickle Feeding and loafing areas separated by a one way gate or gates to establish a general continuous flow of sows through an interrogator apparatus where an RFID tag for each sow is read to determine if such sow should be returned to the general Trickle Feeding area or at least two other possible areas through automatic gating controlled by computer means sensitive to RFID tagging of the sows.

Abstract: A safe circular horse pen which is easily assembled and disassembled. The pen is constructed of multiple panels arranged end-to-end. Each panel includes a vertical pole with an L-shaped leg and six horizontal bars secured to the vertical pole at vertically spaced apart intervals. The unattached ends of the poles are hollow and each unattached end couples to the next adjacent panel by receiving a loop extending from the side of the pole of the next adjacent panel such that a bolt may be passed through a vertical opening in the unattached end to lock each horizontal arm to the pole of the next adjacent panel. The individual panels may be nested in pairs for storage and shipping.

Abstract: A gate for a pet enclosure having limited visibility from inside the enclosure of events taking place outside the enclosure. In one embodiment, the gate of the present invention is formed from a plurality of removable panels which define an outer facial surface of the gate. At least one portal is provided in the gate for limited protrusion of a pet's face into the portal only to the extent of the nose and eyes of the pet. The portal is provided about its perimeter with an artistic which enhances the outer appearance of the gate itself, and when associated with a pet animal's partial exposure within the portal, provides a striking and enjoyable, sometimes comical, visual alteration of the facial surface of the gate. In various embodiments, the artistic associated with a given portal in the gate may be changed employing plural artistics which are arrayed on a moveable mount which positions selected artistics in register with selected ones of a plurality of portals defined in the gate.

Abstract: A safety bypass gate is provided for use with a livestock management system having a sorting scale arranged between watering and feeding areas. The safety bypass gate changes from a closed position to an open position to provide an emergency exit from the watering area when a condition exists that prevents animals from passing over the sorting scale. The safety bypass gate includes a pair of pivoting gate members and a channel member that fits over the top edges of the gate members to secure them closed. The channel member is attached to a pneumatic actuator that uses air pressure to hold the channel member in its locked position, and a spring return that moves the channel member to its unlocked position upon a drop in air pressure. Springs bias the gate members from their closed positions to their open positions when the channel member moves to its unlocked position.

Abstract: A modular fence panel system for constructing at least a portion of a pet kennel. The modular fence panel system of the present invention includes at least first and second modular fence panel members, which include a panel member having first and second vertical sides and upper and lower horizontal sides. Upper and lower frame members are secured to the upper and lower horizontal sides of the panel member. At least one vertical side of the panel member is left exposed. A joining member having an elongated tube member and upper and lower cross members is used to secure the first and second modular fence panel members to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides an indoor livestock confinement system that includes a plurality of hollow plastic panels. Each panel includes a plurality of spaced tabs at its ends. A first end of each panel includes a first set of tabs, and a second end of each panel includes a second set of tabs. Each set of tabs includes at least one tab at a top portion of the end, at least one tab at an intermediate portion of the end, and at least one tab at a lower portion of the end. The tabs of the first set are offset vertically from the tabs of the second set such that the first set of tabs of a first panel fit vertically between the second tabs of another panel when the ends of the panels are put together. Each tab includes a hole such that a rod can be inserted down through the tabs to lock the panels together. The livestock confinement system may include additional features, such as ventilation components, reinforced panels, and bucket holders.

Abstract: A pen for domestic animals, preferably sows, the pen having a size such that one of these animals can stay in the pen. The pen has a rear gate which is hinged horizontally and positioned above the animal's back in the open condition. The rear gate has a release mechanism for releasing the rear gate from the closed condition. The release mechanism is adapted to allow releasing of the gate from closed condition by a rearwards directed push by the animal in the pen against the rear gate. Furthermore, the release mechanism includes a pivoting arm on the rear gate, where the pivoting arm is connected with a barb for releasing the barb from engagement with a fitting when the pivoting arm is moved rearwards.

Abstract: The number of piglets dying at birth is reduced by providing a motion or weight sensor in a farrowing crate at the piglet area thereof so that, when the sow is expected to give birth, the motion sensor is located in the crate at a location to detect motion of one or more piglets after birth and, on detection of motion of the one or more piglets, causing the motion sensor to wirelessly communicate a signal to a pager carried by an operator indicating to the operator that birth of piglets is in progress.

Abstract: A portable gate assembly for use in combination with a corral or holding pen to capture wild or renegade cows is disclosed. The portable gate assembly includes a frame defining a frame opening extending therethrough, the frame opening being sized such that the cow sought to be captured can pass therethrough. A gate is pivotally connected to the frame such that the gate is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the gate is positioned in at least a portion of the frame opening such that the lower end of the gate is disposed a distance above the ground to permit at least a portion of the cows head to the position thereunder, in the second position the gate being moved inwardly and upwardly into the corral or holding pen and over the back of the cow when the cow moves through the frame opening and into the corral or holding pen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a farrowing pen comprising an associated pigpen whose sidewalls form a feeding trough in the forward area. The sidewalls are connected to a wall either directly or via extensions while the farrowing pen is fixedly arranged on an associated prefabricated steel wall. One, two, or four respective farrowing pens can be connected to one prefabricated steel wall.

Abstract: A fence panel for a horse training corral generally comprises a containment wall for containing a horse and a dog-leg support member connected to the bottom of the containment wall for supporting the containment wall at a height so as to contain a horse and extending substantially outward from the wall such that a horse confined inside the fence panel is substantially prevented from striking the bottom of the dog-leg support member with a hoof. A horse training corral includes a plurality of joined of fence panels wherein the second end member of one panel is joined to the first end member of an adjoining panel. Preferably, the dog leg support members extend laterally so as to align with the corral center. A plurality of ground footers each include bosses for receiving a dog-leg from each of adjacent joined the panels.

Abstract: A cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area includes a plurality of posts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinement area. Each of the posts includes a main section and a pivoting section. A first end of each main section is mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section is secured to the pivoting section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Upper fencing is mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extends across at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts. A resilient member is mounted proximate to the second end of the main section of each post and biases the pivoting section of the respective post toward the upright position.

Abstract: An apparatus to prevent a canine from reaching a top of a fence, may comprise first and second members secured to first and second points on or adjacent to the fence, the first and second members comprising cable couplings spaced apart from the points on the fence by predetermined distances. A longitudinally flexible sheathing member may surround a flexible cable. The flexible cable may have a first end engaging the cable coupling of the first member and a second end engaging the cable coupling of the second member, wherein the sheathing member and the flexible cable hang between the first and second member cabling couplings. A system and kit including the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A cubicle construction for forming a partition of an animal place has a partition element extending in the longitudinal direction of an animal place and a coupling for fastening the partition element to a support. The coupling comprises a support portion for fastening to the support and a partition element portion for fastening to the partition element, the partition element being movable in height by rotation about an axis of rotation. The coupling comprises a closing element for making the partition element portion detachable from the support portion via a movement of the partition element portion perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

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 kennel includes a plurality of side panels that are connected or coupled together with a gate panel to form an enclosure. The gate panel has a pair of ends that are configured for connecting to the side panels and allow access into and out of the enclosure via a doorway positioned between the ends. A door configured for opening and closing the doorway is positioned therein, and has a frame member directly and rotatably attached to a doorway frame member to form a compact door and doorway combination in the gate panel.

Abstract: A livestock pen with ends and long sides for permanently restricting the freedom of movement of animals kept therein. The livestock pen contains a moving, endless belt that supports all the weight of the animals. The belt is arranged to move from an inlet end towards an outlet end. An outlet end panel forms a gap between the belt and the outlet end panel's lowermost transverse member. At the belt's outlet end, a sensing means, when actuated, stops any ongoing belt movement. An additional aspect relates to a method for stopping the movement of an endless belt in a livestock pen, whereby a sensing means registers when a part of an animal is in a restricted area of the livestock pen. A signal from the sensing means then stops the belt's drive mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel collapsible pen that is used in combination with a widely available modular unit used in the shipping industry. The present invention is economical to use by virtue of the fact that the pen may be stored inexpensively in a minimum of space in a disassembled state, may be assembled quickly, and may be easily and readily disassembled to permit alternate uses of the modular freight unit. The present invention consists of a collapsible pen erected on a standardized rectangular platform which has at least one side open to the air. The pen is made up of modular panels. The panels are attached to the rectangular platform, and can be used alone or in combination with any side or end walls present on the rectangular platform to create an enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed towards an animal pen system including a body having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The body is flexible and the body defines a support wall proximate a perimeter of the body. The support wall is configured to support a pen wall disposed on the top surface of the body. The support wall is configured to demountably couple to the pen wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a livestock pen (10) with ends (12, 13) and long sides (11) for permanently restricting the freedom of movement of animals kept therein. The said livestock pen contains a moving, endless belt (15) that supports all the weight of the animals. The belt is arranged to move from an inlet end towards an outlet end. The outlet tend panel (13) forms a gap between the belt (15) and the outlet end panel's lowermost transverse beam (21). At the belt's outlet end, a sensing means (20), when actuated, stops any ongoing belt movement. The invention also relates to a method for stopping the movement of an endless belt in a livestock pen (10), whereby a sensing means (20) registers when a part of an animal is in a restricted area of the livestock pen (10). A signal from the sensing means then stops the belt's (15) drive mechanism.

Abstract: A pen is provided for the exterior of an animal shelter house or calf hutch, and is mounted onto an adjustable universal frame that fits on the exterior of the animal shelter house and is secured to the house. The frame is adjustable in width using cross members that overlap and are secured together in an adjusted position. The frame provides vertically extending guides that form a track for receiving side walls of the pen so that the pen can be slid longitudinally of the animal shelter house from an extended position which provides an exercise area pen to a retracted position wherein a forward panel of the pen will close the door or opening in the end of the animal shelter house. The end wall of the pen supports a suitable holder for feeding buckets for the calf or young animal.

Abstract: An animal enclosure system is disclosed utilizing a coated metal wire grid mounted within a frame formed of horizontal and vertical support members. The end of each wire on the wire grid has a captive termination that allows the wire grid to be installed into an opening, hole, or channel of the support members. The wire grid may also incorporate a hinge area formed by dividing the horizontal wires into two portions and wrapping the inner terminating points around a particular perpendicular vertical wire near the mid-point of the body of the wire grid. The hinge allows the wire grid to be folded, facilitating easier handling, storage and transport of the enclosure in its disassembled state. When the wire grid is assembled with the support members, along with corner pieces, it forms a single panel of the animal enclosure.

Abstract: This invention is a livestock feeder comprising a top gate, a bottom gate, a center gate disposed between the top gate and the bottom gate. The top gate, bottom gate, and center gate define a gate system. The bottom gate can swing inward when the feed is eaten. Then after the livestock eat the feed when the gate is swung inward, the gate can be “reset” to the vertical position, and then the gate system can be moved closer to the feed. The gate system can move in a horizontal direction by a hand crank. This livestock feeder can be in a covered environment such as a pole barn. The size of the livestock feeder can vary depending on the livestock herd, the property, and the feed. A sloped floor helps prevent waste accumulation where the livestock feed.

Abstract: A foal feeder area barrier for creating a foal feed area. The barrier includes a number of adjustable steel tubes that are configurable to connect to corner section of a stall, corral or the like while at the same time creating a gate entry way sized to allow foals through the barrier but which is sufficiently small to prevent full grown horses to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A modular, double-height animal boarding system which can be installed inside a building having limited headroom while permitting persons up to six feet in height to enter lower runs without stooping. The boarding system has a lower section divided into plural lower runs, each lower run having a rear wall and a door that opens outwardly away from the rear wall. At least one upper section is supported above the lower section and is divided into plural upper runs. The upper runs have doors that open onto a catwalk. The upper sections are provided with a plumbing system so that each upper run has a drain through which waste can be washed, the waste from each run then draining into a single drainpipe, and, thereafter, draining into a floor gutter connected to any suitable waste collection system. The upper runs have floors which are sealed against leakage of liquid material to the lower runs by a floor seal provided around the perimeter of the floors.

Abstract: An arrangement for managing a herd of animals. Said arrangement comprises an animal identification system. The arrangement comprises a central unit provided with a computer having a memory, said memory containing per animal data in relation to the hierarchic order. The memory contains per animal data in relation to the jostling behaviour. A method of managing a herd of animals. In the method a number of automatic animal related treatments are performed. The method comprises the step of determining the hierarchic order of an animal, the performance of at least one of the automatic animal related treatments being controlled at least on the basis of the determined hierarchic order of an animal.

Abstract: An animal holding facility with automatic evacuation system is disclosed, comprised of an otherwise conventional kennel. Installed inside of the kennel is an automatic fire/smoke/carbon dioxide detection system utilizing a plurality of smoke and/or fire and/or carbon monoxide sensors. An audible alarm activates upon triggering of the sensors. A common fire door open automatically and a hydraulic animal ejection means gently sweeps or guides the animal out of the kennel through the fire exits. A slide is located at the outside entrance to each fire exit. A cushioned pad is located on the bottom of each slide. A fenced-in area is located at the base of each slide, and is designed to retain the animals in a restricted area away from the fire or smoke or carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving grazing distribution and an animal feed supplement for use therein. The method comprises the steps of identifying a plurality of underutilized rangeland areas and providing an animal feed supplement in a first underutilized rangeland area. The animal feed supplement attracts the livestock to the first underutilized rangeland area and encourages the livestock to graze once there.