A method for distributing feed over multiple separate feeding locations includes determining which feeding locations have a feed requirement; selecting a first feeding location among the feeding locations having a feed requirement; determining a feed composition to be delivered to the first feeding location; determining which further feeding locations have a feed requirement and require the same feed composition; selecting at least one further feeding location; filling the feed delivery device with an amount of the determined feed composition; and distributing the feed, wherein the amount of feed distributed to a selected feeding location depends on the ratio between amount to be delivered to said selected feeding location and the sum of the amounts of feed to be delivered to all selected feeding locations.

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.

An animal-pen vehicle, a method for moving an animal-pen vehicle on a floor surface with bedding, and the use of an animal-pen vehicle in a poultry pen for poultry animals and/or in a pig pen is disclosed for the purposes of influencing positions at which poultry animals and/or pigs are residing. The animal-pen vehicle includes a substantially emissions-free drive, at least one movement unit which is coupled to the drive, wherein the movement unit is adapted to permit a movement of the animal-pen vehicle on the bedding, a position-determining device for determining a position of the animal-pen vehicle relative to animal-pen fixtures, and a control device for controlling the drive and for providing a predetermined travel profile, wherein the predetermined travel profile comprises at least one movement pattern and at least one preferential area that is to be travelled to within the poultry pen and/or pig pen.

An infrastructure arrangement and method for a farm animal shed includes a stationary position determination network having multiple optics-free position determination network points and at least one autonomous shed vehicle. The autonomous shed vehicle has a drive and a charging interface for the drive, an optics-free position determination apparatus, a coupling apparatus for detachably securing various functional units, and a control unit. The infrastructure arrangement and method also includes at least one charging station for charging the drive of the autonomous shed vehicle, at least one fitting station for fitting the autonomous shed vehicle with various functional units and/or work materials, and at least one data transmission unit, wherein the control unit of the autonomous shed vehicle is designed to take information of the position determination apparatus and of the data transmission unit as a basis for generating a schedule for the autonomous shed vehicle.

An automatic animal feeding device includes a housing having a frame capable of being suspended. Within the barrel is a removable cartridge having a plurality of feeding tubes. The cartridge is connected to a drive means powered by a solar-powered rechargeable battery. An alignment of a desired one (1) of the plurality of feeding tubes with an aperture in the bottom of the cartridge permits dispensation of contents within the feeding tube. The drive means is also capable of being controlled by an adjustable timing device.

An animal feeding vehicle includes a movement control system, a GPS receiver for generating a first set of parameters including location information, a proximity sensor for generating a second set of parameters including spatial information, a position sensor for generating a third set of parameters including motion information, a feeding system including a feeding control system for feeding animals based on a fourth set of parameters. A control unit receives the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters, and defines a first mode in which the user controls the movement control system and the feeding control system, and in which the control unit records data representing the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters; and a second mode in which the control unit controls the movement control system and the feeding system by comparing recorded data with the first, second, third, and fourth sets of parameters.

A milk cart comprises a chassis, a storage tank coupled to the chassis, and a conveyor system comprising an exit configured to connect to a return line that terminates inside the storage tank. The return line comprises a first portion extending vertically towards a bottom of the inside of the storage tank, a second portion extending vertically in a direction towards a top of the inside the storage tank, and a base portion extending from the first portion to the second portion. The second portion is positioned at a lateral distance from an interior of a wall of the storage tank and further comprises an upper end comprising at least one opening.

A distribution device automates and meters distribution of feed in a commercial shrimp production facility utilizing a stacked shallow tank configuration. The device includes an elongated support surface positioned over and extending along an elongated tank having an open top. A shuttle moves along the support surface to move along a length of the tank. A hopper to hold feed is coupled to the shuttle. A spreader is in environmental communication with the hopper to distribute feed from the hopper and a meter is operationally coupled between the hopper and the spreader for controlling an amount of the feed delivered to and distributed by the spreader.

There is provided an autonomous vehicle for pushing feed lying on a floor, comprising a frame; a skirt rotatably connected to the frame, wherein a bottom portion of the skirt continuously contacts the floor to push the feed. The vehicle comprises a sensor assembly for detecting a magnetic field emitted from a magnetic guiding element inserted in the floor and a control unit mounted for directing rotation of the skirt and for guiding the vehicle along a predetermined path formed by the magnetic guiding element. Also provided is an autonomous vehicle with a skirt drive mechanism mounted to the frame for driving rotation of the skirt, and an autonomous vehicle comprising a prism-shaped skirt rotatably connected to the frame. There is also provided methods for installing a magnetically guided autonomous vehicle and for pushing feed using an autonomous vehicle, as well as systems and kits comprising said vehicle.

An automated livestock feeder consists of a feeder body, a plurality of supports, an actuating mechanism, a control system, and a power source. The feeder body has an internal feed reservoir, a dispenser aperture, a dispenser door, a fill aperture, and a fill door. The actuating mechanism is engaged with the dispenser door to open and close the dispenser door over the dispenser aperture in order to dispense livestock feed from the feed reservoir into a trough. The control system can be programmed to automatically dispense feed at pre-programmed times or intervals.