A heat source that emits infrared radiation; a parabolic reflective sheet surrounding the heat source with a first emission area tuned to direct infrared energy directly downward out of the first emission area. The parabolic reflective sheet has an aspect ratio of 1/4 and the heat source is centered at the focus of the parabolic reflective sheet to provide a substantially consistent temperature in an area on the ground directly beneath the parabolic reflective sheet.

A detector for detecting a signal from one or more feeders. A processor is in communication with the can be configured with an artificial intelligence module and a library of pre-recorded action events and for comparing the signal with the library of pre-recorded action events and determining a likely action event. A warning device can be in communication with the processor for providing an output in response to the likely action event. At least one false positive sensor in communication with either the processor or the warning device or both of the processor and the warning device can be used for stopping the output from the warning device upon a predetermined condition.

A method of counting pigs or poultry includes mounting a camera at an alleyway through which the livestock pass with a width such that the livestock can pass at least two abreast and are free to turn to move in an opposite direction against the direction of travel before all livestock of the group complete their movement though the alleyway. An analysis of the images is carried out which takes into account errors caused by livestock which turn in the portion of the alleyway to move in the opposite direction temporarily before continuing to complete the travel through the portion of the single alleyway to the remote location and takes into account errors caused animals being side by side when passing through the portion of the single alleyway.

A vibratory detector for detecting a vibratory signal from one or more feeders. A processor is in communication with the vibratory detector and configured for determining from at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal a possible action event, and for determining from a pattern of possible action events a likely action event. A warning device is in communication with the processor for providing an output in response to the likely action event. In an embodiment, the at least one characteristic of the vibratory signal can comprise the frequency or magnitude of the vibratory signal.