A method of applying at least one product to poultry (e.g., chicken) via the cloaca. The method includes (i) stimulating cloacal drinking behavior of the poultry by blowing air on the cloaca, and (ii) spraying the at least one product on and/or around the cloaca to allow for the at least one product to enter the lower gastrointestinal tract of the poultry through cloacal drinking. The at least one product includes, for example, probiotics, vaccines, nutrients, supplements, and combinations thereof. The poultry includes, for example, newly hatched baby chicks, poults, or ducklings.

An advancement system for an in ovo injection apparatus is provided. Such an advancement system is configured to advance an egg carrier carrying a plurality of avian eggs to an injection assembly. The advancement system includes a guide assembly configured to receive the egg carrier and provide support thereto during advancement of the egg carrier. A manual advancement device slidingly engages the guide assembly such that the manual advancement device is movable along the guide assembly. The manual advancement device is capable of interacting with a trailing end of the egg carrier to advance the egg carrier to an injection position. At least one stop is positioned to interact with the manual advancement device during advancement of the egg carrier so as to prevent progression of the manual advancement device beneath the injection assembly, thereby locating the egg carrier at the injection position. An associated method is also provided.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for delivering droplets of fluids onto an open tray containing poultry, the tray being stationary. According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: (a) a movable arm is moved over the tray in translation in a first direction, said arm supporting a first set of dispensing nozzles and a second set of dispensing nozzles, said nozzles of each set being arranged to cover the entire dimension of the tray in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; (b) initially, droplets of at least one first fluid are dispensed by spraying using the first set of dispensing nozzles; (c) and then at least one second fluid, distinct from said at least one first fluid to be sprayed, is dispensed by ejecting individual drops by means of the second set of dispensing nozzles.

An animal surveillance device for detecting stationary objects in a poultry house comprises a noncontact scanner adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation in a scanner and to receive a reflection of the electromagnetic radiation and an electronic evaluation unit which is in signal communication with the scanner and adapted to evaluate the signals received from the scanner. The scanner includes at least one scanner unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic scanning beam in a predetermined direction and a receiver for receiving a reflection of the scanning beam from the predetermined direction. The evaluation unit is configured to calculate a transit time signal from the reception of a reflected signal emitted from the scanner unit and from the transit time of the signal and to produce a transit time profile for the scanner unit from the transit time signal received over a period.

An animal surveillance device for detecting stationary objects in a poultry house comprises a noncontact scanner adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation in a scanner and to receive a reflection of the electromagnetic radiation and an electronic evaluation unit which is in signal communication with the scanner and adapted to evaluate the signals received from the scanner. The scanner includes at least one scanner unit comprising a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic scanning beam in a predetermined direction and a receiver for receiving a reflection of the scanning beam from the predetermined direction. The evaluation unit is configured to calculate a transit time signal from the reception of a reflected signal emitted from the scanner unit and from the transit time of the signal and to produce a transit time profile for the scanner unit from the transit time signal received over a period.

A pet fountain assembly that includes a cover with a drinking bowl formed therein that straddles a sidewall of a basin that can be user-provided enclosing a pump within a pumping chamber defined therebetween. The cover has a downwardly extending sidewall divided by openings that can be generally U-shaped or V-shaped into a plurality of supports on which the cover. In a preferred embodiment, one of the supports is disposed outboard the basin sidewall resting on the ground and another one of the supports is disposed inboard the basin sidewall resting on a bottom of the basin providing a water passage enabling water from the basin to reach the pump. The inboard support can provide an overflow spillway as well as define a shroud disposed between the pump and water in a lower drinking bowl of the basin. The basin can include an outwardly offset seat that locates the pump.

A poultry behavioral development system includes a left end plate and right end plate; a top beam, attachable to upper ends of the left end plate and right end plate; a plurality of connection assemblies, which each include a connection beam that detachably attaches between the left end plate and right end plate; such that preadolescent poultry perch and jump between the top beam and the plurality of connection beams.

Provided herein are methods for promoting production of male embryos in avian eggs, utilizing a composition which includes Ginseng extract, Vitamin D and/or folic acid. Further provided are systems for delivering one or more substances for promoting the production of male embryos in avian eggs via a humidity unit of an incubator in which the fertilized avian eggs are incubated.

A system and method to promote biological responses within incubated eggs using lighting devices within an incubation chamber. A light supporting device is installed within the incubation chamber in spaced relation to an incubation device housing a plurality of eggs. The light supporting device is positioned to direct light at pre-determined wavelengths into the interior cavity of the incubation device to irradiate the plurality of eggs to promote a biological response within the eggs.

A bird mister apparatus for attracting and cooling birds includes a base plate, a housing, and a reservoir within a housing inside configured to hold liquid that can be sealed and unsealed. A spout has a spout aperture extending through to the housing inside. A pump is coupled within the housing inside and is in fluid communication with the spout aperture. An inlet tube is coupled to the pump and is in fluid communication with the pump. A CPU is coupled within the housing inside and is in operational communication with the pump. A battery is in operational communication with the CPU and the pump. A power switch is in operational communication with the CPU to activate and alternatively deactivate the pump. A hanger is coupled to the housing to support the apparatus on a tree branch, a fence, or an awning.