A hay handle for use with a hay net in order to facilitate loading of the hay net and a method of providing a quantity of forage to an animal through use of a hay handle and an engaged hay net. The handle assembly that is adapted to be placed into an open position wherein the hay handle assembly rotates around a pair of hinges to the open position so that forage may be inserted into an open mouth of a hay net; and a closed position wherein the hay handle assembly rotates around the pair of hinges to the closed position so that the animal may access the quantity of forage in the hay net through a set of open gaps in the hay net not including the open mouth of the hay net used for filling the hay net.

An interactive slow feeder is provided. The feeder requires intellectual assessment and physical interaction by a horse or other animal to access forage or other suitable feed contained within a feed box, which is closed by a cover and placed on the ground or barn floor to simulate a grazing position. The interactive slow feeder encourages the animal to engage in natural, interactive feeding behaviors, simulates the experience of grazing, combats boredom, and tends to discourage overeating.

Provided herein are mechanisms and methods for the automated distribution of active ingredients (whether oral or contact based) to wild and domestic animal populations as well as a method for monitoring animal activity and estimating consumption and/or application of such ingredients within the population through the utilization of the mechanisms themselves. The inventive device pertains to a manner of delivering either an active oral ingredient or active contact ingredient within a bait pellet or like substrate for ingestion or external contact and/or coating of a target population. The device allows for controlled access of such a bait pellet (or like substrate) for such a target population coupled with the ability to retain freshness thereof for multiple timed access events without the need for human involvement. A properly sized, configured, and automated delivery device is thus provided to meet these needs. Delivery components are also encompassed herein.

In some embodiments, a livestock-feeding apparatus includes an upper frame, a lower frame; and a netting that connects the upper frame and the lower frame together such that the livestock-feeding apparatus has a three-dimensional geometric shape. In some embodiments, a livestock-feeding apparatus includes a clam-shell frame, wherein the clam-shell frame is configured to provide an open position for the apparatus and a closed position for the apparatus, and a netting attached to the clam-shell frame such that the netting is folded upon itself to form a bag that hangs from the clam-shell frame. In some embodiments, a method of feeding livestock includes providing an upper frame and a lower frame, connecting the upper frame to the lower frame with a netting to form a three-dimensional geometric shape, and containing a collection of animal feed within the three-dimensional geometric shape.

A feeding device for preventing displacement of feed during livestock feeding inside a livestock trailer is described. The device includes a wall bracket configured for connection of the device to an interior surface of the trailer and a net frame having a net connected thereto. The net frame is connected to the wall bracket and pivotable from an elevated open position permitting the feed to be placed on a substantially flat manger surface of the trailer to a substantially horizontal closed position where the net covers the feed on the manger surface and permits the livestock feeding to occur through the net while the net prevents the displacement of the feed.

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for livestock feeding and care. The livestock feeding devices include two horizontal bars adapted to be strung through a hay net, and further include at least two mounting brackets which each include a zigzag channel. One horizontal bar is fixed in place on the mounting brackets, and the other horizontal bar moves in and out of the zigzag channels of the mounting brackets.

Provided herein are mechanisms and methods for the automated distribution of active ingredients (whether oral or contact based) to wild and domestic animal populations as well as a method for monitoring animal activity and estimating consumption and/or application of such ingredients within the population through the utilization of the mechanisms themselves. The inventive device pertains to a manner of delivering either an active oral ingredient or active contact ingredient within a bait pellet or like substrate for ingestion or external contact and/or coating of a target population. The device allows for controlled access of such a bait pellet (or like substrate) for such a target population coupled with the ability to retain freshness thereof for multiple timed access events without the need for human involvement. A properly sized, configured, and automated delivery device is thus provided to meet these needs. Delivery components are also encompassed herein.

In one aspect, a method for feeding animals includes selecting a plurality of strains of sporulated living microbes and form a microbial solution; and applying the microbial solution to a carrier. In another aspect during use, the method includes feeding animals with the microbial infused carrier to deliver microbes to a gastrointestinal tract alive; and germinating the microbes in the digestive tract and stimulating local intestinal immunity with the microbes.

A system and method for a salt holding integratable pillow having wool infused with different types of salts, particularly Pharmaceutical grade salt ground into a powder and essential oils that may be integrated into masks, scrubbing sleeves used by athletes and other people for performance, baby toys, cat toys for asthmatic felines, small pillows, pillow cases acting as a salt holding device, feed bag styles having salt holding devices for horses and other animals.

A system and method for a salt holding integratable pillow having wool infused with different types of salts, particularly Pharmaceutical grade salt ground into a powder and essential oils that may be integrated into masks, scrubbing sleeves used by athletes and other people for performance, baby toys, cat toys for asthmatic felines, small pillows, pillow cases acting as a salt holding device, feed bag styles having salt holding devices for horses and other animals.