An animal feeder has a hopper for receiving feed, the hopper having converging front panels with lower ends defining an elongate chute through which feed is directed. A shield is attached to each of the front panels and diverges from the front panel forming a cove that remains free of feed. A trough extends along the feeder and a water supply duct delivers water into the trough. An elongate shelf has a feed platform for receiving feed from the hopper. The shelf is positioned above the trough such that any feed falling, falls into the trough. The shelf has shelf retainers running longitudinally of the shelf above the feed platform, each shelf retainer directed between its respective shield and front panel. A height-adjusting mechanism adjusts the vertical position of the shelf relative the hopper and the trough. As the shelf moves upward, the shelf retainer moves into the cove.

Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.

Livestock may be managed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In particular implementations, the properties of water may be monitored by automated techniques and treated water may be provided to animals. In certain implementations, sick, or potentially sick, livestock may be provided with treated water to improve their health. The automated techniques may include monitoring the movements and/or water consumption of the livestock and predicting which ones may be sick based on their movements and/or water consumption. In some implementations, a water trough may contain multiple segments. The water properties in the segments may be maintained at different states.

Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spores container to store spores, a nutrient container to store nutrients, a water supply line, a syringe tank, a syringe pump, an adjustable valve, a heater, and a controller. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can cause the syringe pump and the adjustable valve to draw into the syringe tank a volume of spores, nutrients, and water to form a mixture. The controller causes the heater to heat the mixture for a period of time. In a dispensing phase of the system, the controller can cause the syringe pump to expel the mixture through the adjustable valve and into a water distribution system. The controller can direct the system through a number of other phases of operation.

A centrifugal pump pet water fountain is provided which includes a bowl defined by a peripheral wall extending upwardly from a floor. The bowl is configured to hold water. The housing divides the basin into a drinking basin and an interior basin. The housing includes an upright sidewall extending from a floor and a cap. The housing also defines an elevated water reservoir with a spout. A rotating cone is positioned within the housing and driven by a motor. The cone has a water inlet and a top opening adjacent the cone top opening. During operation, the rotation of the cone forces water to climb the interior surface of the cone through centrifugal force, where the water is deposited within the reservoir and returned to the drinking basin through the spout.

A centrifugal pump pet water fountain is provided which includes a bowl defined by a peripheral wall extending upwardly from a floor. The bowl is configured to hold water. The housing divides the basin into a drinking basin and an interior basin. The housing includes an upright sidewall extending from a floor and a cap. The housing also defines an elevated water reservoir with a spout. A rotating cone is positioned within the housing and driven by a motor. The cone has a water inlet and a top opening adjacent the cone top opening. During operation, the rotation of the cone forces water to climb the interior surface of the cone through centrifugal force, where the water is deposited within the reservoir and returned to the drinking basin through the spout.

A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that has a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes an aerial drone wirelessly communicatively coupled to the wireless data communication system of the robotic animal caregiver. The aerial drone includes a microprocessor, a wireless communication module, a video camera, the aerial drone configured to act in response to instructions issued by the microprocessor of the robotic animal caregiver.

A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that has a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes an aerial drone wirelessly communicatively coupled to the wireless data communication system of the robotic animal caregiver. The aerial drone includes a microprocessor, a wireless communication module, a video camera, the aerial drone configured to act in response to instructions issued by the microprocessor of the robotic animal caregiver.

A pet-feeder device is provided. The pet-feeder device may include a casing, a printed circuit board, at least one compartment, at least one mixer, and a tray. The mixer may be located below at least one compartment. The tray may include at least one bowl. The tray may be located below the mixer.

A pet-feeder device is provided. The pet-feeder device may include a casing, a printed circuit board, at least one compartment, at least one mixer, and a tray. The mixer may be located below at least one compartment. The tray may include at least one bowl. The tray may be located below the mixer.