An improved, self-balancing water distribution system uses siphon characteristics to maintain negative pressure within the water system and to enable distribution of water to one or more distribution points, such as drinker lines with drinker nipples, at a controlled pressure, for consumption by poultry. The system includes water conduit connected to and configured to distribute water from a water supply reservoir to the one or more distribution points. The water level of the water supply reservoir is used to control the water pressure within the system. A vacuum apparatus is connected to the water conduit to remove entrapped air within the system to help maintain negative pressure within the conduit and throughout the system.

A method and apparatus for delivering sanitized drinking water to a poultry or other animal husbandry facility with water supplied from either a potable or non-potable source. In the case of a non-potable water source, ozone and antimicrobial copper or copper alloy are employed as primary and secondary sanitizing agents to eliminate chemical and biological drinking water contaminants. Ozone gas is generated onsite and serves as the primary sanitation agent prior to distribution of water to nipple drinker conduits within the facility. In the case of a potable water source, water is delivered directly to the drinking water distribution system. In either case, at least one conduit is filled with a woven mesh of antimicrobial copper to perform as a passive sanitation agent to inhibit microbial propagation and prevent development of biofilm within a nipple drinker system during periods of low flow and high temperatures. In the case of non-potable water source, as animals mature and consume more water, increasing concentrations of residual ozone clean the copper/copper alloy mesh surface and sanitize exposed nipple drinker actuator pins.

A method and apparatus for delivering sanitized drinking water to a poultry or other animal husbandry facility with water supplied from either a potable or non-potable source. In the case of a non-potable water source, ozone and antimicrobial copper or copper alloy are employed as primary and secondary sanitizing agents to eliminate chemical and biological drinking water contaminants. Ozone gas is generated onsite and serves as the primary sanitation agent prior to distribution of water to nipple drinker conduits within the facility. In the case of a potable water source, water is delivered directly to the drinking water distribution system. In either case, at least one conduit is filled with a woven mesh of antimicrobial copper to perform as a passive sanitation agent to inhibit microbial propagation and prevent development of biofilm within a nipple drinker system during periods of low flow and high temperatures. In the case of non-potable water source, as animals mature and consume more water, increasing concentrations of residual ozone clean the copper/copper alloy mesh surface and sanitize exposed nipple drinker actuator pins.

A system and method for delivering a water supply to a poultry flock includes a water supply line including at least one perforation; a nipple drinker connected with the water supply line at each perforation; a water flow delivered from the nipple drinker; and a pathogen inhibiting material associated with at least one wetted component of at least one of the water supply line and the nipple drinker, whereby delivery of water through the system reduces flock exposure to water borne pathogens.

A portable animal waterer includes a bulbous manifold formed from a manifold wall, a connector formed from an extension of the bulbous manifold, a first valve hole on the bulbous manifold in the manifold wall and a second valve hole on the bulbous manifold in the manifold wall, substantially opposite to the first valve hole. The first valve hole is configured to receive a first valve and the second valve hole is configured to receive a second valve.

The present invention relates to a hatcher basket for holding newly hatched birds in an incubator. The basket has: - a pair of side walls on horizontally opposite sides having a plurality of horizontally-extending openings through them; - a horizontally-extending trough which is attached to the exterior of each side wall and which can contain feed for the newly hatched birds; - the bottom of each opening in each side wall being located at the same distance above the bottom of the side wall; - the top of each trough being located at this same distance above the bottom of its side wall; and - the size of each opening being significantly larger than the head of the newly hatched birds but significantly smaller than the thorax of the newly hatched birds.

An enclosed container for holding water and at least one hole near a bottom of the container with a valve for an animal to obtain water from the container. At least one leg underneath the container is provided for supporting the bottom of the container and the valve off of the ground. The enclosed container is tapered from a top of the container to the bottom of the container. A hanger assembly attaches to opposite sides near a top of the container, so that when the animal drinker is hung, the container rotates so that the front of the container rests substantially flush against a fence.

An enclosed container for holding water and at least one hole near a bottom of the container with a valve for an animal to obtain water from the container. At least one leg underneath the container is provided for supporting the bottom of the container and the valve off of the ground. The enclosed container is tapered from a top of the container to the bottom of the container. A hanger assembly attaches to opposite sides near a top of the container, so that when the animal drinker is hung, the container rotates so that the front of the container rests substantially flush against a fence.

A watering system is configured to supply water to insects without the insects drowning. The watering system has a base portion with a base lip which is attached to all distal edges of a pan. An overflow channel is arranged next to the pan and through the base lip. A flow path is arranged in the base portion and further has a lip with a fluid pathway. A retainer ring is installed into the flow path immediately adjacent to the lip. The retainer ring has a retainer ring fluid pathway. The fluid pathway is aligned with the retainer ring fluid pathway. The pan is attached to raised sections with channels therebetween. Fluid that is inserted through the retainer ring flows through the fills the fluid pathway and the retainer ring fluid pathway, before filling the channels, and then spilling out of the overflow channel.

A watering system is configured to supply water to insects without the insects drowning. The watering system has a base portion with a base lip which is attached to all distal edges of a pan. An overflow channel is arranged next to the pan and through the base lip. A flow path is arranged in the base portion and further has a lip with a fluid pathway. A retainer ring is installed into the flow path immediately adjacent to the lip. The retainer ring has a retainer ring fluid pathway. The fluid pathway is aligned with the retainer ring fluid pathway. The pan is attached to raised sections with channels therebetween. Fluid that is inserted through the retainer ring flows through the fills the fluid pathway and the retainer ring fluid pathway, before filling the channels, and then spilling out of the overflow channel.