A system, of the present invention, for restraining a mouse includes: at least one home cage (10); a passage (20) through which the mouse (60) moves, the passage (20) having at least one first open end (21a); and a restraining device (50) which restrains the mouse by physically fixing the mouse (60), the at least one first open end of the passage (21a) being connected to the at least one home cage (10), the restraining device (50) being provided at a location on the passage (20) which location is different from the at least one first open end (21a) of the passage (20).

A system, of the present invention, for restraining a mouse includes: at least one home cage (10); a passage (20) through which the mouse (60) moves, the passage (20) having at least one first open end (21a); and a restraining device (50) which restrains the mouse by physically fixing the mouse (60), the at least one first open end of the passage (21a) being connected to the at least one home cage (10), the restraining device (50) being provided at a location on the passage (20) which location is different from the at least one first open end (21a) of the passage (20).

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.

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.

A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so that the nipple or ball valve maintains at a temperature that is near the temperature of the liquid in the container or supply pipe. Further, the use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

A freeze-resistant watering device has a nipple or ball valve, a heat pipe, a sleeve in tight thermal contact with the nipple, a water-tight connection to a liquid containing container or supply pipe, and an outer shield enclosing an insulating space or insulation material. This device thermally couples a watering nipple or ball valve to a container or supply pipe via a thermal conduction path including bends so that the nipple or ball valve maintains at a temperature that is near the temperature of the liquid in the container or supply pipe. Further, the use of one or more freeze-resistant watering devices with a thermally insulated container in a watering unit with an insulated container or supply pipe provides drinking water to animals, and in particular, birds in sub-freezing and in hot weather.

A pet water dispenser includes a water storage tank (1), a drinking tray (2), and a water pump (5), where an upper end of the water storage tank (1) is provided with an opening, the water storage tank (1) is further provided with a first supporting structure (101); the drinking tray (2) covers an opening of the water storage tank (1) and is supported by the first supporting structure (101), and the drinking tray (2) is provided with a water inlet (3) and a water outlet (4); the water pump (5) is arranged in the water storage tank (1), a water outlet joint of the water pump (5) is communicated with the water inlet (3) through a pipeline, so as to pump water in the water storage tank (1) to the drinking tray (2) through the water pump (5).

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 water dispenser actuating device for activating flow of water from a dispenser to a bowl includes an actuator that is configured to be selectively coupled to a water dispenser so that the actuator is operationally coupled to a flow valve of the water dispenser. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by at least one of a user and an animal, via application of a downward force to the actuator, to actuate the flow valve so that water flows to a bowl of the water dispenser.