A bird feeder system includes a tray, a packaging system, and a housing. The tray defines a receptacle configured to hold a consumable, such as bird seed. The packaging system is configured to retain the consumable in the receptacle of the tray. At least part of the packaging system is configured to open to allow access to the consumable in the receptacle. The housing has a tray engagement structure configured to secure the tray to the housing.

An ecological restoration method for wading bird habitat in coastal mudflat wetland comprises: S1. performing micro terrain renovation on a candidate area of coastal mudflat wetland, to make ground slope from land to sea in the candidate area 5, and restoring matrix in the candidate area; S2. controlling water level of water in the candidate area at 5-15 cm, with the water surface area accounting for 40-60% of the candidate area; S3. controlling vegetation coverage of the candidate area to be 30% and 10%, with vegetation height of 50 cm, planting and/or restoring salt tolerant vegetation areas; S4. selecting and/or restoring ecological pinch points and/or ecological barrier points in the candidate area to construct ecological corridors; and S5. constructing wading bird habitats in the candidate area. The restoration method can increase the number of wading birds in the coastal mudflat wetland by 33%-75%, and the restoration effect is remarkable.

An ecological restoration method for wading bird habitat in coastal mudflat wetland comprises: S1. performing micro terrain renovation on a candidate area of coastal mudflat wetland, to make ground slope from land to sea in the candidate area 5, and restoring matrix in the candidate area; S2. controlling water level of water in the candidate area at 5-15 cm, with the water surface area accounting for 40-60% of the candidate area; S3. controlling vegetation coverage of the candidate area to be 30% and 10%, with vegetation height of 50 cm, planting and/or restoring salt tolerant vegetation areas; S4. selecting and/or restoring ecological pinch points and/or ecological barrier points in the candidate area to construct ecological corridors; and S5. constructing wading bird habitats in the candidate area. The restoration method can increase the number of wading birds in the coastal mudflat wetland by 33%-75%, and the restoration effect is remarkable.

A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the location in which herbivore fowl populations congregate by altering the behavior of the fowl through the combination of providing a strong disincentive to populate areas where the presence of the fowl is not desired and a strong incentive to populate a proximate area where the presence of fowl can be tolerated. For herbivore waterfowl, and in particular Canada geese, the adjacent area also provides the waterfowl with a means of egress to water as an escape from predators and other perceived threats. The method uses a deterrent in the form of adulterated feed to dissuade the herbivore fowl from congregating in areas in which their presence is not desired and the use of an attractant in the form of non-adulterated feed to encourage the herbivore fowl to congregate in a proximate area in which their presence can be tolerated.

A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the location in which herbivore fowl populations congregate by altering the behavior of the fowl through the combination of providing a strong disincentive to populate areas where the presence of the fowl is not desired and a strong incentive to populate a proximate area where the presence of fowl can be tolerated. For herbivore waterfowl, and in particular Canada geese, the adjacent area also provides the waterfowl with a means of egress to water as an escape from predators and other perceived threats. The method uses a deterrent in the form of adulterated feed to dissuade the herbivore fowl from congregating in areas in which their presence is not desired and the use of an attractant in the form of non-adulterated feed to encourage the herbivore fowl to congregate in a proximate area in which their presence can be tolerated.

The present invention relates to a cover assembly for a poultry feeder including a pivotal cover member that engages a peak of the cover assembly. The peak is formed by an elongated portion of a plurality of support members that are connected to one or more support rings. Extending upwardly from the peak is an elongated member that also engages the pivotal cover member.

A water container for use by poultry has a container with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a water hose connected to the inlet opening, and a nozzle affixed to the inlet opening. The inlet opening is positioned below the outlet opening. The water hose is adapted to pass fresh water into an interior of the container. The outlet opening is adapted to allow water from the interior of the container to be released outwardly of the container. The nozzle is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the container and adapted to direct an unobstructed pressurized flow of water toward the bottom of the container so as to pressure wash, clean and remove debris from the interior of the container. A nipple is affixed to the container. The nipple is adapted to allow poultry to access water from the interior of the container.

A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

A method for measuring feed flow, feed is moved through a flexible pipe using a flexible auger operably positioned within the pipe. Feed flow through a metered section (309) of the flexible pipe is metered using a feed meter (304) attached to the flexible pipe. The feed meter includes load cell (312) configured to detect strain induced by feed mass within the metered section (309). Metering feed includes providing a measure of mass flow of the feed, using the load cell (312), when the feed moves through the metered section (309).