A bird feeder 13 that includes a hopper 23, 25 for providing a supply of food or fluid for a bird, a receptacle 15 for waste food or fluid, and a hopper support 35. The hopper includes 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 the storage compartment can flow. The hopper support 35 is configured to support the hopper 23, 25 in such a position that food or fluid can flow from the storage compartment 27, 29 to the tray 31, 33, and so that waste food or fluid can pass into the receptacle 15. The hopper 23, 25 is removable from the feeder 13 for cleaning or for replenishing the supply of fluid or food in the storage compartment 27, 29.

A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the nectar container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The float valve includes a float having a frame with a buoyant member mounted thereon, the buoyant member being made of a closed-cell foam.

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 valve includes a housing, a first ball, a second ball, and a deflector plate. The housing defines an inner chamber and has an inlet and an outlet providing fluid communication into the inner chamber. A longitudinal axis extends between the inlet and outlet. The first ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the inlet and outlet and rests on a seat extending into the inner chamber. The second ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the first ball and outlet and rests on the first ball. The deflector plate is disposed in the inner chamber and positioned between the inlet and first ball. The first ball, second ball, and deflector plate are aligned so that their centers lie on the longitudinal axis. The deflector plate is configured to deflect gas entering through the inlet to prevent the gas from driving the first and second balls upward.

A valve includes a housing, a first ball, a second ball, and a deflector plate. The housing defines an inner chamber and has an inlet and an outlet providing fluid communication into the inner chamber. A longitudinal axis extends between the inlet and outlet. The first ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the inlet and outlet and rests on a seat extending into the inner chamber. The second ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the first ball and outlet and rests on the first ball. The deflector plate is disposed in the inner chamber and positioned between the inlet and first ball. The first ball, second ball, and deflector plate are aligned so that their centers lie on the longitudinal axis. The deflector plate is configured to deflect gas entering through the inlet to prevent the gas from driving the first and second balls upward.

A liquid dispensing device (100), in particular for watering animals, in particular laboratory animals, such as small rodents or the like, said device (100) comprising a main body (101) which defines a longitudinal cavity (1011) for the passage of watering liquids, said longitudinal cavity (1011) being in communication with the outside through a delivery (1002) and a discharge (1001) for introducing said liquids in said longitudinal cavity (1011) and discharging said liquids from said longitudinal cavity (1011) respectively, a valve body (105) and an annular shape elastic sealing element (120) arranged inside said longitudinal cavity (1011), said valve body (105) comprising a stem with a first portion (106) which extends through said annular sealing element (120) and a flange-shaped head (107), wherein said flange-shaped head (107) is kept pressed against said annular sealing element (120) by means of an elastic thrust element (130), and wherein said stem can switch between a first closing position, in which the flow of said liquid downstream of said annular sealing element (120) is prevented by said annular sealing element (120), and a second opening position, in which the flow of said liquids downstream of said annular sealing element (120) is possible.

Systems are disclosed for pasturing livestock on an industrial scale, including for instance poultry.

The present invention relates to a simple, inexpensive and easy to use design which assists in filling the bird or hummingbird feeders which are nested on poles. The assembly provides tubes of varying lengths which are nested within each other and when the filling operation is required, the smaller tube nested within the larger tube can slide together, lowering the height to facilitate an easy feed filling process for users.

Various birdfeeder designs are provided for flowable bird feed such as seeds or nectar. In one design, the birdfeeder (100) has a housing including first and second receptacles (102 and 104). The receptacles (102 and 104) are intertwined to form a double helical configuration. A large number of feed ports (106) can be distributed across the receptacles (102 and 104) to attract a large number of birds in a small area. Partitions (116) within the receptacles (102 and 104) define a number of feed chambers (118) to supply feed at the feed ports (106).