Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.

Abstract: A feed distribution system has a feed supply conduit and a feeder. The conduit is configured to move feed therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit defines a longitudinal axis. The feeder has a pan and first and second fill ports for receiving the feed moving through the conduit and for providing the feed to the pan. Each port defines a first opening at which feed flows into the port from the conduit and a second opening at which feed flows out of the port and onto the pan, wherein the first and second openings of each port define centers thereof. The center of the first opening of each port is provided along the axis of the conduit. The center of the second opening of each port is offset from the center of the first opening of each port and from the axis of the conduit.

Abstract: A watering disc for use in a nipple assembly of a watering line system has an outer rim portion and an upper surface extending inwardly from said outer rim portion to an aperture provided through a center of the watering disc. The upper surface defines a plurality of separators and a plurality of individual compartments in an alternating manner about a circumference of the watering disc. The plurality of separators generally extend from proximate the center of the watering disc to the outer rim portion in order to define each individual compartment between the outer rim portion and two adjacent separators. Each individual compartment is substantially formed in a concave manner and are configured to receive and retain water from the watering line system. The watering disc is formed of plastic and has reflective particles integrally formed therein for attracting poultry to the watering disc.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

Abstract: A method of managing feed flow within a feeder from a feed supply conduit to a pan of said feeder is provided. The method includes the step of providing a feeder including a pan and a drop tube assembly where the assembly is configured to receive feed from the conduit, and where the assembly defines a feed gate through an outer wall thereof such that feed received from the conduit flows through the feed gate and into the pan. The method further includes the step of regulating a position of the feed gate in the outer wall of the assembly such that feed flow into the pan can be substantially controlled, such that the feed flow can be substantially directed into selected areas and at selected levels within the pan, and/or such that the position of the feed gate is variable relative to a distal end of the assembly.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct (feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes an elongated pan member. The feeder assembly includes first and second fill ports for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. Each fill port provides feed to a separate portion of the base portion of the elongated pan member. The fill ports are defined through an outer grill member having an elongated rim member which is operatively associated with the pan member. First and second drop tube members are associated with the first and second fill ports to direct feed flowing through the fill ports through first and second lower feed gates and onto the pan member. The drop tube members may have brood gates provided therethrough for providing a raised level of feed in the pan member.

Abstract: A feeder assembly includes a pan and an outer grill which is operatively associated with the pan. The outer grill defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the pan. First and second inner grills can be rotated to partially mask the apertures through the outer grill in order to effectively change the width of the apertures. The inner grills are connected to one another by interlocking fingers such that rotation of one of the inner grills causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction. The inner grills are rotated by a dial member which is secured to the outer grill and which, upon rotation thereof between predetermined positions, causes rotation of the one inner grill, which in turn causes rotation of the other inner grill in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is used in a feed distribution system having a feed supply conduit. The feeder assembly includes a pan member, which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The feeder assembly also includes at least one fill port for receiving feed from the feed supply conduit and for providing feed onto a base portion of the pan member. The at least one fill port is defined through an outer grill member which is operatively associated with the pan member. Like the pan member, the outer grill member has a rim member which is preferably elongated in configuration, in a shape of two intersecting circles. The outer grill member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough through which birds can eat the feed presented on the base portion of the pan member.

Abstract: A watering disc for use in a nipple assembly of a watering line system has an outer rim portion and an upper surface extending inwardly from said outer rim portion to an aperture provided through a center of the watering disc. The upper surface defines a plurality of separators and a plurality of individual compartments in an alternating manner about a circumference of the watering disc. The plurality of separators generally extend from proximate the center of the watering disc to the outer rim portion in order to define each individual compartment between the outer rim portion and two adjacent separators. Each individual compartment is substantially formed in a concave manner and are configured to receive and retain water from the watering line system. The watering disc is formed of plastic and has reflective particles integrally formed therein for attracting poultry to the watering disc.

Abstract: A watering system for turkeys includes a channel assembly and a pipe assembly covered and supported by the channel assembly. A hangar is wrapped around the channel assembly and the pipe assembly and is secured to itself above the channel assembly. The hangar is secured to an assembly for raising of lowering the watering system. The hangar is also wrapped and secured around a previously installed anti-roost wire. Nipple assemblies are connected to the pipe assembly and provide the turkeys with access to the water within the pipe assembly when the birds trigger the nipple assemblies. Catch cup assemblies are secured to the channel assembly and have first and second catch basins. The first catch basin is provided below one of the nipple assemblies and the second catch basin is provided below an adjacent nipple assembly. The catch basins are thus positioned to catch water from the nipple assemblies.

Abstract: A grill member for use in a poultry feeder assembly has a generally curved rim member having an outward side surface which varies in radial distance relative to a center of the grill member and a top surface which varies in vertical height relative to a generally planar lower edge of the rim member without the need to adjust the grill member. The grill member also is configured to be rotated relative to a rotationally stable drop tube member in order to change both a position of a brood gate defined in the drop tube member relative to a base portion of a pan member and a height of a feed gate provided between a distal end of the drop tube member and the base portion of the pan member in order to control the flow of feed into the pan member through the brood gate and the feed gate.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for feeding birds of all kinds is provided in three separate embodiments. The feeder assembly of each embodiment is configured to provide for the welfare of birds as they feed from the feeder assembly by allowing the birds' breasts to conform to a rim member of the feeder assembly. The feeder assembly of two embodiments also provides for a lower feed gate to provide feed into a pan member of the feeder assembly. The lower feed gate is always open and can be raised or lowered as desired. The feeder assembly of one of the embodiments also provides for an upper feed gate to provide feed into the pan member of the feeder assembly. The upper feed gate can be opened or closed, and, when open, can adjust the height at which feed flows through the upper feed gate.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a size of a feed gate and a position of a brood gate of a feeder assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of increasing a size of a feed gate by increasing a distance between a distal end of a drop tube member and a pan member, and changing the position of a brood gate relative to the pan member by changing a distance between the brood gate and the pan member. These steps are achieved by either rotating only a grill member in a first direction relative to the drop tube member, or by manipulating only the grill member.