The invention relates to a system to carry out a floor related action. The system comprises an animal enclosure for detaining at least one animal and provided with an enclosure floor surface, a first autonomous vehicle configured to navigate over the floor surface to carry out the floor related action, and a feed providing device to provide feed to the animal. The system comprises a communication signal configured to transmit a communication signal representative for an actual or planned feeding action of the feed providing device to the first vehicle, which action influences the position of animals with the animal enclosure. In order to move the first vehicle more efficiently over the stable floor, in particular to avoid interference with animals on the stable floor, the first vehicle is capable to adapt its navigation based on the communication signal representative for the actual or planned feeding action.

An animal feeder includes a generally rectangular housing having a floor, four sidewalls, and a slanted roof. One of the sidewalls includes a pivotal door for access to the interior of the housing. Each sidewall has an arched feeding opening therethrough extending upwardly from the housing floor. The housing is mounted to a pair of underlying skids. A hitch receiver is mounted to the housing. The animal feeder also has a divider wall extending outwardly from each corner of the housing. A netting may be mounted to the interior of the housing.

An animal feeder includes a generally rectangular housing having a floor, four sidewalls, and a slanted roof. One of the sidewalls includes a pivotal door for access to the interior of the housing. Each sidewall has an arched feeding opening therethrough extending upwardly from the housing floor. The housing is mounted to a pair of underlying skids. A hitch receiver is mounted to the housing. The animal feeder also has a divider wall extending outwardly from each corner of the housing. A netting may be mounted to the interior of the housing.

A system may provide for delivering a sequence of one or more soaking sprays at a station where an animal is present. The station may include a pressurized pipe supplying a liquid for the soaking spray, a valve and nozzle coupled to the pipe, and a control circuit coupled to the valve. The control circuit may be operable to determine the sequence of the soaking spray using a signal from an animal sensor that is configured to detect the presence of the animal at the station. The system may include an environmental sensor providing at least one signal to the control circuit. The signal from the environmental sensor may be used by the control circuit to determine the sequence for the soaking spray.

A system may provide for delivering a sequence of one or more soaking sprays at a station where an animal is present. The station may include a pressurized pipe supplying a liquid for the soaking spray, a valve and nozzle coupled to the pipe, and a control circuit coupled to the valve. The control circuit may be operable to determine the sequence of the soaking spray using a signal from an animal sensor that is configured to detect the presence of the animal at the station. The system may include an environmental sensor providing at least one signal to the control circuit. The signal from the environmental sensor may be used by the control circuit to determine the sequence for the soaking spray.

A feeding system for measuring, monitoring and managing feed intake to determine feed efficiency of individual animals of a dairy herd. The feeding system includes at least one feed trough that contains feed to be consumed by the individual animals of the dairy herd. At least one load cell is coupled to the at least one feed trough for detecting a weight of the feed contained within the at least one feed trough. Lifting assemblies support the at least one load cell. The lifting assemblies can be actuated to move the at least one load cell and the at least one feed trough between a set feeding position, in which the individual animals consume the amount of feed contained within the feed trough, and a pivoted discharge position in which the amount of feed is discharged from the feed trough.

A feeding system for measuring, monitoring and managing feed intake to determine feed efficiency of individual animals of a dairy herd. The feeding system includes at least one feed trough that contains feed to be consumed by the individual animals of the dairy herd. At least one load cell is coupled to the at least one feed trough for detecting a weight of the feed contained within the at least one feed trough. Lifting assemblies support the at least one load cell. The lifting assemblies can be actuated to move the at least one load cell and the at least one feed trough between a set feeding position, in which the individual animals consume the amount of feed contained within the feed trough, and a pivoted discharge position in which the amount of feed is discharged from the feed trough.

A hay bale feeding device that is configured to be surroundably mounted a hay bale and provide access thereto for feeding by animals in order to assist in controlling the rate of consumption of the hay by the animals. The present invention includes a support ring member wherein the support ring member is configured to encircle a hay bale proximate the bottom thereof. A body is secured to the support ring member wherein the body is nylon netting having a plurality of apertures. The support ring member further includes a coupler wherein the coupler has a first portion and second portion that are releasably secured. The coupler provides access to the hollow passage of the support ring member so as to facilitate the ability for a material to be deposited therein so as to increase the weight of the support ring member.

A hay bale feeding device that is configured to be surroundably mounted a hay bale and provide access thereto for feeding by animals in order to assist in controlling the rate of consumption of the hay by the animals. The present invention includes a support ring member wherein the support ring member is configured to encircle a hay bale proximate the bottom thereof. A body is secured to the support ring member wherein the body is nylon netting having a plurality of apertures. The support ring member further includes a coupler wherein the coupler has a first portion and second portion that are releasably secured. The coupler provides access to the hollow passage of the support ring member so as to facilitate the ability for a material to be deposited therein so as to increase the weight of the support ring member.

A system may provide for delivering a sequence of one or more soaking sprays at a station where an animal is present. The station may include a pressurized pipe supplying a liquid for the soaking spray, a valve and nozzle coupled to the pipe, and a control circuit coupled to the valve. The control circuit may be operable to determine the sequence of the soaking spray using a signal from an animal sensor that is configured to detect the presence of the animal at the station. The system may include an environmental sensor providing at least one signal to the control circuit. The signal from the environmental sensor may be used by the control circuit to determine the sequence for the soaking spray.