Abstract: Example hay nets for providing hay to horses are disclosed. A disclosed example hay net includes a mesh body forming a bag, having a securing member at a first position relative to the body of the net, a mouth formed at a second position relative to the body of the net, the first position being spaced from the second position, and a strap engaging the net adjacent the first position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the first position, and engaging the net adjacent the second position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the second position, wherein the length of the strap between the first and second positions is variable whilst maintaining engagement between the strap and the net adjacent both the first and second positions.

Abstract: A food or water container for use by animals. The container may be formed from a flexible and thus collapsible material for safety and portability. The container may be further provided with a strap for hanging the container during use and may be especially adapted for use in a moving vehicle, with the strap enabling pendular movement of the container to lessen the effect of movement of the vehicle and reduce spillage. Additional features such as a spill guard, and a removable, multi-purpose strap are also contemplated.

Abstract: A feed container for storing hardened livestock feed is disclosed. The feed container has a storage area defined by a bottom wall and a sidewall for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing a feed container, having said storage area for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a livestock feeding device configured to removably attach to a livestock animal (e.g., an equine). The livestock feeding device includes a feed receptacle (e.g., a bucket) configured to retain at least one animal feed product, a lid, and an attachment device. In embodiments, the lid can be configured to extend at least partially around a rim of the feed receptacle, and can comprise at least one flexible flap configured to reduce spillage of the animal feed product retained within the feed receptacle. The feed receptacle and/or the lid can be coupled to the attachment device. In embodiments, the attachment device includes at least one strap configured for attaching the feed receptacle to the livestock animal. In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes one or more ears configured for removably attaching the attachment device to at lid and/or the feed receptacle.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus includes a container for, in use, containing food for an animal. The container has a side wall through which a slot is defined, the slot extending between closed upper and lower ends of the slot. In use, a feeding restrictor rests on top of the food in the container. A retaining element is positioned outside the container and is movably engageable with an outer portion or surface of the container side wall. The feeding restrictor is coupled to the retaining element before the animal starts to feed, and moves downwardly, guided by the slot, as the animal eats the food. The feeding restrictor can then be uncoupled from the retaining element after the food is eaten, and withdrawn from the container to allow further food to be placed in the container.

Abstract: A feed container for storing hardened livestock feed is disclosed. The feed container has a storage area defined by a bottom wall and a sidewall for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing a feed container, having said storage area for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall.

Abstract: An automated horse feeder includes a housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and an interior feed chamber. The rear wall includes a pair of L-shaped hangers for suspending the housing from a stall board or other suitable support surface. At predefined, programmable intervals, a controller opens a release hatch on the bottom wall of the housing and rotates an internal auger to gradually dispense feed from the chamber into an underlying nosebag.

Abstract: A slow feeder includes a container for, in use, containing food for an animal. The container has a side wall through which a slot (26) is defined; and a feeding restrictor (6). The feeding restrictor (6) comprises a food-covering element through which at least one opening is defined for, in use, resting on top of the food such that the animal can access the food through the opening; a locating element which extends from the food-covering element through the slot; and a retaining element (34) extending from the locating element and movably engageable with an outer portion of the container. The engagement of the retaining element (34) with the outer portion of the container retains the restrictor (6) in the container.

Abstract: Horse feeders comprising: a feeder body having a top and bottom and formed by surrounding at least one helical coil with a covering material, wherein the feeder contracts and expands by the elasticity of the helical coil and wherein the helical coil maintains a shape of the feeder body and confinement of feed, as the horse feeds.

Abstract: A dry trim and sift bag apparatus comprising a hollow body having open axial ends; a pair of selectively openable and closable end caps respectively sealing the open axial ends; a compression spring operatively coupled to the hollow body and configured to hold the hollow body in an expanded configuration and to be collapsed under compression to a collapsed configuration; and a sifting screen operatively coupled within the hollow body partitioning the interior of the hollow body into a trim chamber for product to be trimmed and a sift chamber for sifted product, the trim chamber having a greater volume than the sift chamber. Additionally, the dry trim and sift bag apparatus comprises multiple handle assemblies for ergonomic and efficient motion series of operation.

Abstract: A feed bag apparatus may generally be described. The feed bag apparatus may include a fabric bag, the fabric bag having a sealable opening proximate a top portion of the bag, a tapered shape terminating at a bottom portion of the bag, an opening at the bottom portion of the bag that facilitates a gravity feed for food, and a hollow interior of the bag. The feed bag apparatus may further have a number of grommets located on a top portion of the fabric bag proximate the sealable top portion, the grommets facilitating coupling of the fabric bag to a support. Additionally, the feed bag apparatus may be substantially waterproof and weatherproof.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A hay feeder for preventing waste and gluttony. The hay feeder includes a support member being fastened to a structure; a net having a plurality of openings being disposed therethrough and depending from the support member; and a fastener assembly for fastening the support member to the structure.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed reservoir having a cavity for holding a feed material, and a feed dispensing assembly coupled to the feed reservoir. The feed dispensing assembly includes a check valve to allow selective access to the feed material. The check valve inhibits feed leakage from the feed reservoir during pressure fluctuations within the feed reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal feeder for the controlled consumption of hay or similar feed to a horse, other equidae or similar grazing animal. The invention provides such feeders in the form of flexible receptacles having an area of open mesh through which the animal consumes the contents of the receptacle over predetermined period of time dependant upon the size of the mesh openings chosen. Such feeders are configured such that a feeding animal in a standing position can only access feed disposed within the receptacle when the feeding animal's head is lowered in a natural feeding headset.

Abstract: A containment vessel for teething and feeding includes an elongate object having axially opposed end portions and a central portion extending between the end portions, and a mesh pouch attached to the central portion. The pouch has an opening, which can be closed when the pouch is attached to the elongate object. The pouch can have a flap which is wrapped around the central portion and attached to the pouch prior to placing an object in the bag and closing the opening. In an alternative, the opening of the pouch is captured between inside surfaces of a two-part object. The elongate object preferably resembles a bone, the vessel being especially suitable for dogs.

Abstract: Example hay nets for providing hay to horses are disclosed. A disclosed example hay net includes a mesh body forming a bag, having a securing member at a first position relative to the body of the net, a mouth formed at a second position relative to the body of the net, the first position being spaced from the second position, and a strap engaging the net adjacent the first position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the first position, and engaging the net adjacent the second position to secure the strap relative to the body of the net adjacent the second position, wherein the length of the strap between the first and second positions is variable whilst maintaining engagement between the strap and the net adjacent both the first and second positions.

Abstract: A feed container for storing hardened livestock feed is disclosed. The feed container has a storage area defined by a bottom wall and a sidewall for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing a feed container, having said storage area, for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall.

Abstract: Provided is an animal food dispenser for dispensing food to animals such as rabbits. The dispenser comprises a package for holding the animal food; an attachment means secured to the package for attaching the animal food dispenser to an enclosure and reconfigurable to adapt to different types of enclosures, such as a rabbit cage; a window through the package; and a window cover removeably attachable to the package for covering the window. The window cover is at least partially removable from the package to provide access through the window to the animal food held in the package.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a feed reservoir having a cavity for holding a feed material, and a feed dispensing assembly coupled to the feed reservoir. The feed dispensing assembly includes a check valve to allow selective access to the feed material. The check valve inhibits feed leakage from the feed reservoir during pressure fluctuations within the feed reservoir.

Abstract: The Texas HayNet is a durable netting configured to fit over a round bale of hay that is up to six and a half foot tall. The netting is made of a proprietary blend of hemp and plastic threads to provide durability with the net openings calibrated to hold the hay intact and allow livestock to eat at a measured pace. The net is secured to the bale by two pairs of drawstrings on the circumference of the netting. The net is sufficiently flexible as to maintain the shape of the bale and the availability of feed as livestock consume the bale.

Abstract: A sock-like bird feeder comprising a tubular feeder body constructed of flexible cloth, fabric or lightweight plastic which may be folded, flattened or collapsed for storage and/or shipment. One or more feed baffles are positioned in the interior of the feeder body and are constructed of a cloth or fabric material. The flexible nature of the feed baffles permits the feed baffles to also be flattened, folded or collapsed along with the feeder body for storage and/or shipment.

Abstract: An animal water supply system includes disposable containers such as plastic bags that can be supplied in bulk in sterile form and filled under a change hood or other sanitary environment using a filling machine located in the sanitary environment. The containers preferably comprise plastic bags configured to be suspended from a hanger of a bag filling machine. The machine's hanger is preferably configured to support a plastic bag during both bag filling and the subsequent insertion of a watering valve into the bag. The bag is further configured to permit its placement in or on a conventional cage while protecting the tearable material of the bag from the animal. If desired, a liner can be provided to further protect and support the bag or other container on a wire bar lid.

Abstract: A livestock feeder is provided wherein the seams of the feeder are detachable/re-attachable so as to break away from the livestock in case of entanglement. The break away feature may be applied to various configurations of livestock feeders. The breakaway feature is provided so as to avoid injury to the livestock and also make the livestock feeders easier to clean. Seam attachment means include, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, zippers, snaps or buttons.

Abstract: A device for feeding animals is provided, the device having an upwardly open enclosure further including a lip disposed about the open portion of the enclosure, a sidewall disposed about the enclosure; and a bottom surface disposed in the interior of the enclosure within the confines of the sidewall. A plurality of upwardly open feeding compartments is disposed in the bottom surface of the enclosure. The feeding compartments further include a shaped sidewall disposed about the compartment and a compartment bottom enclosed within the confines of the shaped sidewall. The compartments are shaped so as to slow the consumption of feed to a safe rate of eating for the animal. The total volume of the compartments equals a single ration of food. The enclosure and sidewall are dimensioned to reduce distractions while the animal is eating and promote freedom of movement of the jaw and neck of the animal during feeding.

Abstract: The subject invention provides pet food dispensers. Embodiments of the subject pet food dispensers include a housing and a resealable opening therein. The housing is configured for retaining and controllably dispensing a selected amount of flowable pet food through the resealable opening. Also provided is packaged pet food. Embodiments of the packaged pet food include a subject pet food dispenser and ambient temperature stable flowable pet food retained therein. In certain embodiments, the subject dispensers are pre-filled with multiple servings of pet food, e.g., multiple servings of ambient temperature stable flowable pet food.

Abstract: A livestock feeder particularly suited as a horse feeder. This feeder has a grille on a front face and hangs on an outside of an enclosure with the front face resting on horizontal bars of the enclosure. The animal is able to pull feed through the vertically disposed grille on the front face. With the feeder on the outside of the enclosure, it is easily accessible for cleaning, filling with feed, or relocation while providing safe access on the outside of the enclosure. The feeder also allows a horse to eat at a natural gazing position by having a lower portion of the grille located near the ground. By providing feed at a natural grazing position, the feeder prevents gorging, boredom and waste while allowing the horse to feed with its head lower than its heart.

Abstract: A plastic or other polymer case, similar to a suitcase, and which is hinged at its bottom, even by way of a living hinge, the plastic case is formed of two segments, like a suitcase, having a series of apertures therein, for sighting of any hay provided therein, and which includes various slots, at the front, or perhaps even at the back, to allow access of the horse to feed when the case is filled with hay and hung within a stable, stall, or in a trailer, where the horse is kept.

Abstract: A portable feed carrier with a central feed chamber for roughage and an integral hanger attachment for attaching a pail for holding grain. The central feed chamber is formed by a flexible panel. The hanger attachment detachably attaches to a feed pail. The hanger attachment uses the weight of the pail to secure the central feed chamber in the closed position such that the roughage is not visible to the livestock. Shoulder straps are attached to the proximal and distal ends to allow a user to carry the device hands-free. Removable support rods are inserted into sleeves at the proximal and distal ends of the carrier to hold the ends of the flexible panel in alignment, and retain the shape of the carrier. The hanger strap can optionally go over or through the flexible panel, and be attached to the flexible panel, the support rods, or the shoulder strap. Optionally, a single shoulder strap can be used in place of the dual straps. The shoulder straps can be permanently attached or detachable.

Abstract: The subject invention provides artificial diet compositions for rearing mites, insects, and other beneficial organisms. These artificial diets are particularly advantageous because they make it possible to raise organisms efficiently and economically.

Abstract: This invention is a trap to collect worms or fly larvae to be used as feed or fowl. Putrid meat is placed inside a a box on top of a metal screen. It is desired to have flies be attracted to the putrid meat and lay their eggs on it. Underneath the meat on top of the screens, warm, wet humus or newspaper is placed and serves as nourishment for the worms when they are hatched. When the larvae are feeding, the screen can be removed in a way to keep the larvae on top and serve as feed for poultry.

Abstract: The present invention teaches method for culturing nematode pesticidal compositions, to produce at a high yield, and generate biotic compositions that are effective as insecticides with high pesticidal activity and preventive effects.

Abstract: An ant habitat includes an outer transparent member which is vacuum-formed from a plastic sheet of material to have a through opening with an outer flexible perimeter wall. An inner transparent member having an inner flexible perimeter wall is connected through a flange to the outer transparent member to provide a space between the inner and outer flexible perimeter walls for receiving particulate material that will permit ants to burrow therethrough. The outer transparent member has a retainer lip extending above the inner transparent member to prevent the egress of ants.

Abstract: A method for the establishment and maintenance of colonies of Lepidoptera which are free of contamination with protozoa is provided. The colonies consists of individuals capable of breeding and producing viable, noncontaminated butterflies.

Abstract: A portable feed carrier with a central feed chamber for roughage and an integral hanger attachment for attaching a pail for holding grain. The central feed chamber is formed by a flexible panel. The hanger attachment detachably attaches to a feed pail. The hanger attachment uses the weight of the pail to secure the central feed chamber in the closed position such that the roughage is not visible to the livestock. Shoulder straps are attached to the proximal and distal ends to allow a user to carry the device hands-free. Removable support rods are inserted into sleeves at the proximal and distal ends of the carrier to hold the ends of the flexible panel in alignment, and retain the shape of the carrier. The hanger strap can optionally go over or through the flexible panel, and be attached to the flexible panel, the support rods, or the shoulder strap. Optionally, a single shoulder strap can be used in place of the dual straps. The shoulder straps can be permanently attached or detachable.

Abstract: An affordable means of protecting a barn against fly infestation by trapping in a novel trap design predatory arthropods such as Carcinops pumilio and Macrocheles muscaedomesticae from another barn having a mature predator population, and transferring the traps to accumulations of manure which are underpopulated with the predatory arthropods. The predators self-release onto the predator-free manure and establish themselves, preventing fly infestations which would normally occur. The trap of the invention is a box-like structure, having a filter surface on one side which has openings large enough to admit Hister beetles and Macrochelid mites, but small enough to prevent the entry of hide beetles and litter beetle pests. Inside the box is an appropriate bait material which will attract the desired predatory beetles or mites, such as a slurry of housefly eggs in water spread on absorbent material. The traps are spread across a mature manure pile.

Abstract: A combination bag closure and scoop is disclosed for use with flat closing bags, such as for dog kibble or coffee. The combined closure and scoop has a long, split handle attached to a cup for scooping out the contents of the bag. The split handle is used to seal the top of the bag after use by clamping around opposite sides of the bag. One side of the split handle is provided with a J-shaped portion on its distal end and the other side is provided with a flattened portion. The J-shaped and flattened portions are fastened together by slidable engagement to releasably close the bag after each use.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel product and method for isolating ectoparasite saliva proteins, and a novel product and method for detecting and/or treating allergic dermatitis in an animal. The present invention includes a saliva protein collection apparatus capable of collecting ectoparasite saliva proteins substantially free of contaminating material. The present invention also relates to ectoparasite saliva proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins and to use such proteins to identify animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins and their use to treat animals susceptible to or having allergic dermatitis.

Abstract: The compositions of the invention are the in-situ prepared spray coated beneficial insects, which may be the beneficial insect alone, or within the confines of a host. The method of making the compositions of this invention relates to the mixing of a binder solution with a predertermined quantity of a beneficial pest for either direct delivery onto a plant or the collection thereof onto a substrate for strategic relocation in futuro. All of these activities can be carried out by introducing the beneficial insects into a hopper, metering the addition thereof into an airstream using a spur gear or other limiting device, introducing mucilage or some other non-lethal binder onto the moving insects and ejecting the binder coated insects into an airstream for delivery to a target, a specific plant, or to a piece of paper or other stratum.

Abstract: An improved artificial diet or growth medium for rearing the insect parasitoid Catolaccus grandis is disclosed. The growth medium is composed of amino acid, mineral, vitamin, lipid, and carbohydrate fractions which are present in amounts and proportions effective to support growth of Catolaccus grandis, and the amino acid fraction includes alanine, glutamic acid, histidine and proline at concentrations of about 3.0-5.0%, 8.4-9.4%, 10.0-15.1% and 11.7-12.8%, by weight, respectively. The growth medium is suitable for mass propagation of C. grandis from egg to adult for their subsequent release as biocontrol agents. Alternatively, the growth medium may be used to support growth of adult female wasps of C. grandis for use as breeding stock for continued mass propagation.

Abstract: A feed saving insert is described that is positionable on the surface of feed within a feed bucket. The insert includes a sheet formed into a disk that is sized to be loosely received through the bucket top opening and to rest against feed within the bucket. Access apertures are formed through the disk and are uniformly spaced about the disk to permit limited access to feed under the disk. The disk and access apertures are sized such that access to the feed within the bucket is limited and so the disk will float on the feed within the bucket and will change in elevation within the bucket in response to removal of feed during feeding. A guide shaft is provided, projecting downwardly from the disk and through an opening in the bucket bottom to hold the disk substantially parallel to the bucket bottom and guide the disk in its downward movement responsive to removal of feed from the bucket.

Abstract: In a front-opened box-shaped main casing, an underground passage forming member is provided which has a front-opened underground passage portion formed like a nest-hole. A transparent front panel is detachably attached to a front opening of the main casing so as to close the front opening thereof as well as the front-opened underground passage portion. As a result, a small pet animal, such as a hamster, can be observed while it maintains a more natural life style.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bioassay system for retaining hematophagous arthropods, such as, but not limited to, fleas, ticks and flies, in a microenvironment which mimics the natural conditions of unconfined hematophagous arthropods feeding on an animal. The bioassay system of the present invention comprises a container and an attachment means capable of maintaining hematophagous arthropods under conditions such that the fecundity of the retained hematophagous arthropods is substantially equivalent to the fecundity of unconfined hematophagous arthropods. The container is attached to an animal by an attachment means capable of immobilizing the container to the animal in such a manner that hematophagous arthropods can feed undisturbed from the animal through the container. In one embodiment, hematophagous arthropods are retained in a container comprising a retaining means penetrable by the mouth parts of hematophagous arthropods and a gas exchange means.

Abstract: A tray suitable for use in mass raising insect larva, particularly flys (flies), in and artificial environment from incubation through hatching and growth and including a smooth bottom and four upwardly extending sides being open about fifty percent (50%) of the total height to provide sufficient ventilation to maintain a predetermined temperature to satisfy the developing process. The trays are stackable and have ribs at their corners to provide structural strength.

Abstract: A soil-less habitat medium, especially for ants, allows the sustained viability of an ant or ant colony without the provision of additional nutrients. The medium comprises the combination of a culture medium and a chemical agent to reduce or prevent microbial contamination of the culture medium. The medium is preferably in the form of a clear or tinted gel, and allows the ants to be observed throughout the medium. The medium is of particular value for use in an ant vivaria.

Abstract: A variety of beneficial insects, from the egg stage to adult stage, have been successfully reared on a defined insect culture medium with a supplement containing poultry egg yolk, ground liver and glutamine. The medium contains no insect components. The medium is encapsulated to facilitate feeding and where applicable oviposition.

Abstract: Small lumps of foamed plastic may be used as a shelter for rearing or transporting entomophagous insects. Also disclosed is a container for keeping entomophagous insects, which comprises a hollow body containing small lumps of foamed plastic and provided with one or more holes on its upper surface, the holes being of a size such that the entomophagous insects can pass through them but the small lumps of foamed plastic can not pass through them. This arrangement prevents the entomophagous insects from preying on each other, making it possible to efficiently rear or transport the entomophagous insects, particularly predatory insects such as lacewings, lady beetles and predatory bugs, for use in controlling insects that are harmful to field crops.

Abstract: A self-contained observatory making it possible for a child or other observer to view in an enlarged scale a farm of tiny insects confined within a transparent cartridge. The housing of the observatory includes an inlet to receive the cartridge which is illuminated by a light source mounted within the housing. Also mounted within the housing is a concave mirror and a lens adapted to project a real image of the illuminated farm onto the contoured surface of the mirror. The placement of the concave mirror and its radius of curvature are such as to project onto a free space in advance of the contoured surface an upright and magnified three-dimensional virtual image of the farm of living insects whereby the observer is then better able to see the physical form of each insect and to observe its activities.

Abstract: A novel entomopathogenic nematode of the genus Steinernema, which is effective as a biopesticide for the control of insects, and particularly the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, and the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. This nematode has been identified as Steinernema riobravis.

Abstract: A collapsible bucket having a flexible, rectangular body for containing horse feed, grain or the like and having a pair of support straps with skirts engaging the side walls of the body and further having an adjustable carrying strap attached to the support strap.