A hinged water valve (26) for use in a watering (38, 46) system (50) of a poultry house includes rigid sight tubes (20) connected with hinged water valves (26). Each hinged valve (26) includes a valve body (28) with a valve cap (30) hinged to the valve body (28) with at least one hinge pin. The valve (26) permits flow of water into the sight tube (20) when the sight tube (10) is in its upright operational condition but prohibits flow of water toward the sight tube (20) when the sight tube (20) is pivoted to a substantially horizontal cleaning condition. An internal plunger (32) interacts with an internal seat (36) of the valve body (28) in a sealing manner. A biasing spring (40) urges the plunger (32) into contact with the internal seat (36) of the valve body (28) but with the valve cap (30) in the upright condition, the stem (50) forces the plunger (32) away from the internal seat (36) opening a flow passage (41).

The present invention is an automatic chicken waterer within the pet feeding and watering field of inventions. The present chicken waterer is an improvement on automatic chicken waterers by enclosing the water inside a vertical reservoir, and automatically refilling the small volume with a commercially sourced combination float/fill valve that is connection directly to a pressure source. Water is automatically maintained inside the enclosed vertical reservoir by the construction of the assembly0-. Simplicity in this invention is the compact package construction, with a connection to a constant pressure source, without additional pressure regulation or flow control components. The relatively small reservoir is plumbed to feed multiple poultry nipples spaced sufficiently to allow multiple users concurrently. The semi sealed, frequently refilled reservoir provides fresh and hygienic water to users

Implementations described and claimed herein provide apparatuses and methods for facilitating filling and cleaning of bird feeders that are aesthetically pleasing and adaptable for attracting different types of birds. In one implementation, a bird feeder includes a port having a surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end has a connecting portion configured to connect to a reservoir. The surface has one or more openings defined therein. A small seed converter is insertable into the port, and the small seed converter includes a plurality of teeth extending from an edge. The plurality of teeth are configured to narrow the one or more openings for dispensing small sized seed.

A nectar pouch for use with a hummingbird feeder includes a main body forming an interior cavity for containing liquid nectar. A resealable opening in the upper end of the pouch allows the pouch to be sealed with liquid nectar inside for distribution, and to further be attached to a hummingbird feeder for dispersion of the liquid nectar when the pouch is inverted. A tab is hingedly attached to the bottom of the pouch, moveable between an extended position and a folded position. In the extended position the tab allows the nectar pouch and attached hummingbird feeder to be suspended from a structure. When folded, the tab lies flush with the bottom end to allow the pouch to stand upright and to allow the pouch to be package in standard flat bottomed containers while standing upright. Various embodiment of the nectar pouch are shown and described.

A nectar pouch for use with a hummingbird feeder includes a main body forming an interior cavity for containing liquid nectar. A resealable opening in the upper end of the pouch allows the pouch to be sealed with liquid nectar inside for distribution, and to further be attached to a hummingbird feeder for dispersion of the liquid nectar when the pouch is inverted. A tab is hingedly attached to the bottom of the pouch, moveable between an extended position and a folded position. In the extended position the tab allows the nectar pouch and attached hummingbird feeder to be suspended from a structure. When folded, the tab lies flush with the bottom end to allow the pouch to stand upright and to allow the pouch to be package in standard flat bottomed containers while standing upright. Various embodiment of the nectar pouch are shown and described.

A fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from an automatic water source to animals housed in cages in high density caging systems may comprise a flexible, non-metal, hose-type manifold line having a plurality of circular apertures and a plurality of injection molded plastic saddle fittings each configured to fit into an aperture. Each cage location may comprise two apertures opposite one other and two saddle fittings fit thereto. The saddle fittings may further comprise a U-shaped portion configured to fit around the flexible manifold line, an inward-facing protrusion sized and configured to penetrate and seal to an aperture, and one or more ribs to seal the aperture and/or grip the flexible manifold.

A bird feeding device is provided. The device comprises the ability to house food for attracting and feeding birds and other animals. The device is further capable of being provided in various modes of operation including a stationary mode of operation and a portable mode of operation. The portable mode comprises a support or attachment member for connecting the feeding device to a user, and wherein the bird feeding device is conveyed along with a user and operable to attract birds to the user even when the user is mobile.

A bird feeding device is provided. The device comprises the ability to house food for attracting and feeding birds and other animals. The device is further capable of being provided in various modes of operation including a stationary mode of operation and a portable mode of operation. The portable mode comprises a support or attachment member for connecting the feeding device to a user, and wherein the bird feeding device is conveyed along with a user and operable to attract birds to the user even when the user is mobile.

A system for prevention of infectious diseases in a habitat of animals. This system comprises articles consisting at least one antimicrobial additive. Some or all those articles are situated within a bedding of a habitat of animals.

A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening.