Free stall systems having free stall units arranged in a substantially parallel relationship having coated rail members. The coated rail members comprising an elongated fiberglass material manufactured by grinding a starting fiberglass material prior to a coating being applied. The starting fiberglass material can be reclaimed and reused from other industries such that the fiberglass material may be cut to remove unwanted metal end portions and/or cut to a desired size prior to the grinding and coating steps. The coated fiberglass material can be coated with a UV-resistant material or other coating to maintain the longevity of the fiberglass member during its use. The coated fiberglass apparatus may be utilized in free stall systems, gates, fencing materials and other applications where a solid fiberglass rod or hollow fiberglass tube having a desired coating is desired.

A door assembly for an animal enclosure includes a door frame and a door each having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. The door frame defines an opening for an animal to pass therethrough, and the door is slidably coupled to the door frame such that it moves between an open position and a closed position relative to the door frame to allow egress and ingress through the opening. A catch member is coupled to the door frame. A latch includes a base member, a bolt, and a lever portion. A first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door are spaced from one another such that the first vertical wire is at a first end of the door and the second vertical wire is at a second end of the door. In the closed position, the bolt is coupled to the first vertical wire.

A generally hollow plastic molded pen front provides multiple operating positions of the door having sets of interdigitating hinge knuckles on the door and door jamb on both the left and right side. The door also may be swung in or out, and one or more stops can be provided for any of four configurationsleft hinged swing in; left hinged swing out; right hinged swing in; right hinged swing out. With the stops removed, the door may be swung both in and out. In one embodiment a J-shaped latching rod secures both the upper and lower portions of the door when latched and a J-shaped hinge rod cooperates on the other side and can use some of the same holes as the latching rod. In another embodiment, a pivoting handle works to secure the door in a catch channel for all six configurations. Other integrated features provide a choice of feed opening sizes and a guard that minimizes feed and water contamination.

A gate holding device for holding an agricultural gate (1) during installation is disclosed. The device (7, 57, 207) takes the form of an elongate attachment member defining a first axis and having a first hinge member (20, 70, 270) connected thereto adjacent a lower end of said attachment member, an elongate foot piece (8, 58, 208) defining a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and having a second hinge member (21, 71, 121) connected to the foot piece intermediate the ends thereof and perpendicular to the second axis, the first and second hinge members being connected together to permit rotation of the foot piece relative to said attachment member between an initial position where the foot piece is substantially parallel to the gate and a final position in which the foot piece is substantially perpendicular to the gate. Preferably a pair of such devices is used. A method is also disclosed.

A cambered screen has multiple frame members that form a frame in a first plane. At least one of the members is cambered in a second plane that is transverse to the first plane. A screening mesh is applied to the frame to create the screen. When installed in a window or door frame channel, the cambered screen cooperates with the walls of the channel to secure the screen in the channel.

A door assembly for an animal enclosure includes a door frame and a door each having a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires. The door frame defines an opening for an animal to pass therethrough, and the door is slidably coupled to the door frame such that it moves between an open position and a closed position relative to the door frame to allow egress and ingress through the opening. A catch member is coupled to the door frame. A latch includes a base member, a bolt, and a lever portion. A first vertical wire and a second vertical wire of the door are spaced from one another such that the first vertical wire is at a first end of the door and the second vertical wire is at a second end of the door. In the closed position, the bolt is coupled to the first vertical wire.

An improved biosecurity livestock confinement crate system for safely confining and farrowing livestock. The confinement crate system improves the safety of the livestock and the user. The confinement crate system includes a containment area which houses an animal and is adjoined, and separated, by a rib structure in the configuration of a Flying-W. This configuration protects offspring of the animal in the adjoining safety area from being injured or killed.

An improved biosecurity livestock floor system for safely supporting and farrowing livestock. The floor system improves the safety of the livestock and the user. The floor system includes a containment area with containment panels, and a safety area with safety area floor panels, which house an animal and is adjoined, and separated, by the Flying-W configuration of the rib structure. This configuration protects offspring of the animal in the adjoining safety area from being injured or killed.

A feeder system for feeding and nurturing livestock is presented. The feeder system improves the safety of the livestock by providing a bio-secure device for feeding livestock. The feeder system provides a means for feeding an animal confined in an area, cleaning the area, and replenishing feed without requiring removal of the animal from the confined area. The feeder system is especially adapted for an improved biosecurity livestock confinement crate and floor system.

The present invention discloses a free dome range (FDR) where dairy animals have a free access to their stall to concurrently eat and to be milked. The FDR comprises a plurality of stalls; at least one of said stalls is characterized by a front side and rear opposite side into which a dairy animal is at least temporarily accommodated, head fronting said front side; a plurality of main living areas (MLAs); at least one of said MLAs is in connection with at least one of said stalls by means a plurality of gates. The FDR further comprising a substantially horizontally positioned elevated rail system comprising a plurality of elevated rails, and a plurality of mobile milking units (MMUs), each of said MMUs is configured to transport on said elevated rail to a dairy animal at its stall, and milk the animal while it is eating.