A laying nest is provided with an improved ejection system, in which the risk of expelling eggs together with the hens is suppressed. The floor of the laying nest can rotate in both directions. Thanks to this arrangement, at first it can be rotated in a first direction for inclining it towards the egg collection area and ensuring that all the laid eggs are removed; next, it can be rotated in a second, opposite direction for inclining it towards the hen coop and thus expelling the hens from the laying nest. In a preferred embodiment, the driving arrangement of the ejection system of the laying nest is entirely arranged below the floor of the laying nest, so as to not occupy room in the laying nest and to be protected from manures and dirt that may be present in the laying nest.

An excrement treatment material includes a plurality of granules, and a packaging bag. The granules are granules for treating excrement. The plurality of granules are accommodated in the packaging bag. A partition member is provided in the packaging bag. The partition member partitions the interior of the packaging bag into a first space and a second space, and has a hole that does not allow the granules to pass through. The plurality of granules are accommodated, among the first space and the second space, only in the first space.

An excrement treatment material includes a plurality of granules, and a packaging bag. The granules are granules for treating excrement. The plurality of granules are accommodated in the packaging bag. A partition member is provided in the packaging bag. The partition member partitions the interior of the packaging bag into a first space and a second space, and has a hole that does not allow the granules to pass through. The plurality of granules are accommodated, among the first space and the second space, only in the first space.

Tools and techniques for biochar production and biochar products are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a method of biochar production that may include introducing a compound that includes at least carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen into a reaction chamber. The compound may be heated to a temperature of at least 1,000 degrees Celsius in the reaction chamber such that the compound reacts through a pyrolysis reaction to produce biochar. The produced biochar may be collected and/or further processed in some cases. In some embodiments, the compound includes at least biomass or a waste product. In some embodiments, the temperature of the reaction chamber is at least 1,100 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the compound has a residence time in the reaction chamber between 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds to produce the biochar. Some embodiments include biochar that may include graphite or graphene.

Treatment mats having a mat material with openings extending into the mat material. The openings contain stones and may additionally include a matrix material. Methods of treatment include positioning an individual proximate the treatment mat.

A process for manufacturing particles of water-absorbing material is provided. The process includes providing a powder bed composed of an absorptive powder comprising a water-absorbing polysaccharide onto a surface; releasing an aqueous solution from a solution dispenser so as to contact the powder bed, thereby forming a solution-impregnated humid material; letting the solution-impregnated humid material agglomerate in substantially shear-less conditions to form an agglomerated humid material, the solution-impregnated humid material being supported by the surface; and drying the agglomerated humid material, thereby forming the particles.

The present invention provides an animal excreta disposal sheet capable of ensuring sufficient bonding strength between a surface sheet and a back sheet and preventing urine excreted from an animal from leaking to the outer side in the planar direction. This animal excreta disposal sheet (1) comprises: a center part (A.sub.1) that is located at the center of the animal excreta disposal sheet (1) and that is defined as a part in which a surface sheet (2), an absorbent body (3) and a back sheet (4) overlap one another in the thickness direction; and an outer circumferential part (A.sub.2) extending from the outer edge of the center part (A.sub.1) toward the outer edge of the animal excreta disposal sheet (1). The animal excreta disposal sheet (1) further comprises in the outer circumferential part (A.sub.2): a joining part (5) which extends so as to surround the center part (A.sub.1) and in which the surface sheet (2) and the back sheet (4) are joined via an adhesive; and a water-stop part (6) which extends so as to overlap at least a part of the joining part (5) in the thickness direction and is exposed so as not to protrude from a first surface which is a surface to which excreta is delivered.

A loader bucket has material spreaders on opposing sides of the loader bucket to spread material from within the loader bucket received through discharge openings in the rear wall of the bucket from an auger located in the bottom of the bucket. Each material spreader includes a spinner formed with blades to spread the material received through the discharge openings. The material spreaders are positioned below the apex of the V-shaped bucket and operable within a path of distribution that includes an interior boundary member oriented with a forward end closer to the center of the bucket than the rearward end to provide a distribution forwardly and laterally of the bucket. A low baffle mounted at the bottom periphery of the spinner blades forces material upwardly into a fluffy pattern. A high baffle provides a second boundary limit for the distribution of material.

An interlocking slat cover system with edge lugs disposed around a substantially planar mat secure the cover in place. Center lugs can also be disposed within openings on the mat to further prevent movement of the cover. The cover can be made of relatively soft rubber, and generally serves to prevent cover movement as well as injury and disease in the livestock.

Various embodiments disclosed relate to absorbent clumping animal litter compositions, and to methods of using and making the same. In some embodiments, the present invention provides an absorbent clumping animal litter composition including an absorbent component and a pumice component.