A Device and method for removing animal carcasses from an animal housing facility having a manipulator for collecting dead animals when the manipulator is located in a predetermined relative position with respect to the dead animal, an actuator for moving the manipulator inside the animal housing facility, a camera to identify and locate the dead animal, and a processor to move the actuator to a rough position of a dead animal, use the camera to steers the actuator to the precise position of the dead animal, controls the manipulator to collect the dead animal, and move the actuator to a predetermined disposal location and deposits the dead animals.

Hatchling supports, hatchling support systems, and methods of using the same. The hatchling supports and methods of using the same may employ a cradle in combination with a calming band, with the cradle and calming band providing gentle support of a hatchling supported in the hatchling supports. The hatchling support systems and methods of using the same may include a cam with cam sections having different cam radii may provide the ability to gently transition the support and restraint provided to hatchlings during the loading and unloading of hatchlings from hatchling supports. In some cases, compression delivered to hatchlings in hatchling supports having both a cradle and calming band may be adjusted.

An enhanced bird activity station that is more attractive to birds than conventional designs. The bird activity station is provided with a surface that is configured to horizontally polarize any light reflected by the surface. The bird activity station may be a bird feeder with a housing for containing bird food and a platform mounted to the housing. The platform forms the substrate that horizontally polarized the light reflected by the surface and is made from a transparent polymer and a layer of dark paint applied to an opposing side of the substrate from the housing. The bird activity station may also be a bird bath formed from a bowl having a layer of dark paint applied thereto so that any water placed in the bowl will cooperate with the layer of dark paint to horizontally polarize any light reflected by the surface.

An egg-examining device, comprising a sampling device, by which a liquid sample to be taken can be taken from an egg of a rack loaded with eggs, a feeding device for feeding the rack loaded with eggs to the sampling device, and a control unit, by which the feeding device and the sampling device can be controlled. The feeding device feeds the rack to the sampling device at an oblique angle of between 20° and 80° to a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity. A lifting-out device is provided, by which the egg can be lifted out of the rack and by which the egg can be put into a sampling position, in which the liquid amount to be taken can be taken from the egg by the sampling device.

The present invention relates to a computer-controlled system for non-invasively identifying the location of the air cell of an egg and determining a preferred extraction point relative to the position of the air cell of the egg, the system comprising: a. an egg manipulator to hold and orient one or more eggs in a defined position; b. a candling unit comprising one or more light sources and one or more detectors; c. a system which is configured to run an algorithm for determining the location of the air cell of the egg and the preferred extraction point; and d. a system for positioning the egg relative to an extractor or an egg opener or vice versa from their initial position to the preferred extraction point.

A system for use in a poultry house includes a control server, a network gateway disposed in the poultry house and equipping with a wireless communication capability; a movable sensor module disposed in the poultry house, wherein the movable sensor module is movable within the poultry house for obtaining a plurality of environmental parameters associated with specific locations within the poultry house, and a sampling machine disposed in the poultry house for obtaining a sample of poultry waste on the ground of the poultry house. The movable sensor module transmits the environmental parameters to the network gateway, and the network gateway transmits the environmental parameters to the control server for processing the environmental parameters.

A system for use in a poultry house includes a control server, a network gateway disposed in the poultry house and equipping with a wireless communication capability; a movable sensor module disposed in the poultry house, wherein the movable sensor module is movable within the poultry house for obtaining a plurality of environmental parameters associated with specific locations within the poultry house, and a sampling machine disposed in the poultry house for obtaining a sample of poultry waste on the ground of the poultry house. The movable sensor module transmits the environmental parameters to the network gateway, and the network gateway transmits the environmental parameters to the control server for processing the environmental parameters.

The system for managing bird populations includes a drone; a disruptor comprising an extension arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being operatively coupled with the drone, and the distal end comprising a tool portion, where the tool portion comprises a piercing element constructed for engagement with one or more eggs in a nest; and a remote control system. The remote control system may comprise one or more remote control units and a monitor.

The system can be used to manage bird populations by flying the drone above a bird's nest; positioning the drone above the bird's nest; and descending the drone to disrupt eggs in the bird's nest with the disruptor.

The system for managing bird populations includes a drone; a disruptor comprising an extension arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being operatively coupled with the drone, and the distal end comprising a tool portion, where the tool portion comprises a piercing element constructed for engagement with one or more eggs in a nest; and a remote control system. The remote control system may comprise one or more remote control units and a monitor.

The system can be used to manage bird populations by flying the drone above a bird's nest; positioning the drone above the bird's nest; and descending the drone to disrupt eggs in the bird's nest with the disruptor.

The present embodiments provide an aviary, a walkway for an aviary, and a walkway system for an aviary. The walkway includes a ramp and at least one support disposed below the ramp.