Illuminated drinking system

Abstract

An improved drinking system having a water source capable of delivering water through water supply pipes, watering stations fluidly connected to the water supply pipes, and at least one light source optically connected to at least one of the watering stations. Also provided is a method for selectively distributing water to animals within a farm facility utilizing illuminated watering stations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for selectively distributing water to animals within a farm facility in order to modify the behavior of the animals, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing at least one watering station capable of being illuminated by a light source;   b) activating the light source, whereby the activation of the light source causes at least a portion of the watering station to illuminate; and   c) thereby modifying the behavior of the animals within the animal farm facility by causing the animals to drink from the watering station when the watering station is illuminated by the light source.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , whereby the modifying of the behavior of the animals influences the drinking behavior of the animals, thereby positively affecting the health and/or growth rate of the animals. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , whereby the modifying of the behavior of the animals influences the drinking behavior of the animals, thereby positively affecting the size and/or value of the animals. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the watering station is illuminated at desired times and for desired lengths of time so as to attract the animals to drink at specific times and for specific lengths of time. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the watering station is illuminated in connection with the administration of vitamins, medicines and/or other supplements provided through the drinking system. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the supplement is added to the water, the light source is activated, thereby illuminating the watering station and causing the animals to drink the supplemented water. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the watering station is illuminated by a specific color of light thereby attracting only a certain desired type of animal to the watering station. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the watering station is illuminated by a specific color of light thereby attracting only a certain desired type of animal to the watering station to be provided with a specific type of supplement. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , carried out on an animal drinking system comprising a water source capable of delivering water through water supply pipes, wherein:
 a) the at least one watering station is fluidly connected to the water supply pipes; and   b) the light source is capable of emitting light and illuminating the at least one watering station.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising an auxiliary clip, wherein the auxiliary clip is detachably connected to the water supply pipes at a first end and the at least one watering station at a second end, and wherein the light source passes through the auxiliary clip. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a means for selectively activating and deactivating the light source. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the at least one watering station comprises a water valve capable of delivery of water. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a timer for illuminating the at least one watering station at desired times and for desired lengths of time so as to attract the animals to drink at specific times and for specific lengths of time. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a hanger connected to the water supply pipes for suspending the water supply pipes. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the light source is supplied by at least one LED. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the light source is attached to the at least one watering station. 
     
     
         17 . A method for selectively distributing water to animals within a farm facility in order to modify the behavior of the animals, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing at least one watering station capable of being illuminated by a light source;   b) activating the light source, whereby the activation of the light source causes at least a portion of the watering station to illuminate, wherein the watering station is illuminated at desired times and for desired lengths of time so as to attract the animals to drink at specific times and for specific lengths of time, thereby modifying the behavior of the animals within the animal farm facility by causing the animals to drink from the watering station when the watering station is illuminated by the light source,   wherein the at least one watering station is fluidly connected to the water supply pipes and the light source is capable of emitting light and illuminating the at least one watering station.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , whereby the modifying of the behavior of the animals influences the drinking behavior of the animals, thereby positively affecting the health and/or growth rate of the animals. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the watering station is illuminated in connection with the administration of vitamins, medicines and/or other supplements provided through the drinking system. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising activating the light source using a timer, whereby the at least one watering station is illuminated at desired times and for desired lengths of time so as to attract the animals to drink at specific times and for specific lengths of time. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the light source is attached to the at least one watering station.