An apparatus for raising livestock includes one or more confinement pens together with alleyways for transfer of the animals from one location to another. The apparatus includes one or more cameras for obtaining images of all animals in the containment area. A processor is provided for analyzing the images, the processor being arranged to allocate an arbitrary identification to each animal and to track all animals continually to maintain the allocation. From this tracking various data related to individual animals or the animals as a group can be obtained to assess their characteristics and to provide an indication to the worker of the animal to be extracted. The processor can be arranged to detect by image analysis of the image a quantity of feed and/or water in a feeder and to obtain images of the farrowing pen including the sow confinement area and at least one piglet confinement area.

An apparatus for raising livestock includes one or more confinement pens together with alleyways for transfer of the animals from one location to another. The apparatus includes one or more cameras for obtaining images of all animals in the containment area. A processor is provided for analyzing the images, the processor being arranged to allocate an arbitrary identification to each animal and to track all animals continually to maintain the allocation. From this tracking various data related to individual animals or the animals as a group can be obtained to assess their characteristics and to provide an indication to the worker of the animal to be extracted. The processor can be arranged to detect by image analysis of the image a quantity of feed and/or water in a feeder and to obtain images of the farrowing pen including the sow confinement area and at least one piglet confinement area.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

A farrowing system including a farrowing pen adapted to receive a sow, a feed dispenser adapted to dispense feed to the sow received in the farrowing pen according to a first feeding pattern, at least one heating element providing heat to a portion of the farrowing pen, a birth detection sensor for detecting a birth of a piglet from the sow, and a controller operatively connected to the birth sensor, to the feed dispenser and to the at least one heating element for switching from the first feeding pattern to a second feeding pattern and for activating the at least one heating element upon detection of the birth. There is also provided a method for operating a farrowing system and a method for dispensing feed to a farrowing sow.

A feeder and watering apparatus for pigs and a method for rehabilitating a fallback pig and preventing the fallback of a weaned pig is disclosed. A pair of semi-cylindrical troughs are mounted to either side of a fluid supply line. The troughs have a rooting protector mounted to the open portion of the trough, the rooting protector has a pair of longitudinally extending bars and multiple rung portions that are longitudinally spaced apart to provide a plurality of discrete eating areas. The troughs have a front wall portion that is lower than the rear wall portion to prevent feed from spilling over the rear wall. Multiple waterer nipples extend horizontally through holes in the rear wall. A quick-connect floor mount is rotatably mounted to the fluid supply line, with a handle that allows a retaining portion to lock the apparatus in cooperation with floor slats.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

A circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock. The circular grazing system including a center pivot structure installed at a field. The center pivot structure may have a center pivot axis. The field may be a poultry and/or livestock grazing field. The circular grazing system for poultry and/or livestock may include an enclosure for containing poultry and/or livestock. The enclosure may extend generally radially from the center pivot structure to a circumference of the field. The enclosure may be rotably coupled to the center pivot structure such that the enclosure rotates around the center pivot axis.

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.