Systems, methods, and computer code products monitor the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

A poultry nesting system has a nest house with an adjacent platform raised above the surface of the surrounding substrate. The platform has an upper surface and at least a portion of a perimeter of the platform comprises a wire mesh covering a space between the substrate and the upper surface. The wire mesh is formed by a plurality of strands including an upper strand and a lower strand. At least a portion of the upper surface of the platform is supported by a plurality of platform floor supports positioned on a perimeter of the platform. Each of the plurality of platform floor supports includes a bracing member, an upper cap on an upper end of the bracing member and a lower cap on a lower end of the bracing member. The upper cap has an attachment mechanism on an upper portion thereof configured to interact with the upper surface to lock the platform floor support to the upper surface of the platform such that the platform floor support supports the upper surface in its raised position above the substrate. The upper cap has an upper catch configured to interact with the wire mesh and hold the wire mesh in place, wherein the he upper catch forms an upward-facing valley for receiving the upper strand. The lower cap has a lower catch configured to interact with the wire mesh and hold the wire mesh in place, wherein the lower catch forms a downward-facing arch for receiving the lower strand. A length of a travel space under the downward-facing arch of the lower catch is greater that a length of a travel space in the upward-facing valley of the upper catch.

A poultry nesting system has a nest house with an adjacent platform raised above the surface of the surrounding substrate. The platform has an upper surface and at least a portion of a perimeter of the platform comprises a wire mesh covering a space between the substrate and the upper surface. The wire mesh is formed by a plurality of strands including an upper strand and a lower strand. At least a portion of the upper surface of the platform is supported by a plurality of platform floor supports positioned on a perimeter of the platform. Each of the plurality of platform floor supports includes a bracing member, an upper cap on an upper end of the bracing member and a lower cap on a lower end of the bracing member. The upper cap has an attachment mechanism on an upper portion thereof configured to interact with the upper surface to lock the platform floor support to the upper surface of the platform such that the platform floor support supports the upper surface in its raised position above the substrate. The upper cap has an upper catch configured to interact with the wire mesh and hold the wire mesh in place, wherein the he upper catch forms an upward-facing valley for receiving the upper strand. The lower cap has a lower catch configured to interact with the wire mesh and hold the wire mesh in place, wherein the lower catch forms a downward-facing arch for receiving the lower strand. A length of a travel space under the downward-facing arch of the lower catch is greater that a length of a travel space in the upward-facing valley of the upper catch.

A device for accommodating chicks in poultry rearing, having a grid floor. The grid floor has a sloping region

An embodiment of the invention provides a bird feeder 13 comprising: a hopper 23, 25 for providing a supply of food or fluid for a bird, said hopper comprising a storage compartment 27, 29 for a supply of food or fluid for a bird, and a tray 31, 33 into which food or fluid from said storage compartment can flow; a receptacle 15 for waste food or fluid, and a hopper support 35 configured to support the hopper 23, 25 in such a position that food or fluid can flow from said storage compartment 29, 29 to the tray 31, 33, and so that waste food or fluid can pass into said receptacle 15; wherein the hopper 23, 25 is removable from the feeder 13 for cleaning or for replenishing the supply of fluid or food in said storage compartment 27, 29.

An embodiment of the invention provides a bird feeder 13 comprising: a hopper 23, 25 for providing a supply of food or fluid for a bird, said hopper comprising a storage compartment 27, 29 for a supply of food or fluid for a bird, and a tray 31, 33 into which food or fluid from said storage compartment can flow; a receptacle 15 for waste food or fluid, and a hopper support 35 configured to support the hopper 23, 25 in such a position that food or fluid can flow from said storage compartment 29, 29 to the tray 31, 33, and so that waste food or fluid can pass into said receptacle 15; wherein the hopper 23, 25 is removable from the feeder 13 for cleaning or for replenishing the supply of fluid or food in said storage compartment 27, 29.

Systems, methods, and computer code products monitor the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various devices such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

Systems, methods, and computer code products monitor the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various devices such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

A combined poultry roost and waste routing apparatus includes a main tray member having floors, side walls and a peripheral frame portion. A catch basin, including a drainage outlet, is formed in a first end portion of the main tray member. The apparatus also includes a plurality of roosting bars attached to the main tray member, and a support stand supporting the main tray member at an inclined angle with the catch basin at a lower end thereof. A water supply manifold is operatively attached to a second end of the main tray member for selectively supplying rinse water thereto. The water supply manifold includes an inlet portion configured to receive a hose connection, and a fluid dispersion member attached to, and in fluid communication with the inlet portion. The fluid dispersion member has a plurality of openings formed therein for selectively releasing rinse water into the main tray member.

A combined poultry roost and waste routing apparatus includes a main tray member having floors, side walls and a peripheral frame portion. A catch basin, including a drainage outlet, is formed in a first end portion of the main tray member. The apparatus also includes a plurality of roosting bars attached to the main tray member, and a support stand supporting the main tray member at an inclined angle with the catch basin at a lower end thereof. A water supply manifold is operatively attached to a second end of the main tray member for selectively supplying rinse water thereto. The water supply manifold includes an inlet portion configured to receive a hose connection, and a fluid dispersion member attached to, and in fluid communication with the inlet portion. The fluid dispersion member has a plurality of openings formed therein for selectively releasing rinse water into the main tray member.