Abstract: A cleaning system for a livestock feeding device which unclogs blockage without the need for a workman to enter the feed dispensing area. The system includes at least two swiping arms which are positioned at a lower area of the feed system. The system is environmentally advantageous since workman entry into a hazardous area is reduced. The swiping arms are activated by an external motor which is turned on upon sensing of a clogged or blocked condition of the feed. The system applies to the feeding of hogs, livestock or other dispensing mechanisms.

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.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.

Abstract: An improved animal feeding device for storing and dispensing feed includes a trough and a hopper located above the trough and having opposite sides, opposite ends, an open bottom, and an open top. A downwardly sloping baffle is disposed within the hopper and having a base secured to the trough. A first slide is moveably connected to the hopper and positioned adjacent the base of the baffle, which prevents rain and other moisture from entering the hopper and saturating the feed. A second slide is moveably connected to the hopper and positioned in spaced alignment to the first slide to provide protection from the elements. An animal feeding facility also is provided for housing the animal feeding device.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: An animal feeder includes a hopper above a shelf onto which feed can fall to be taken by the animal or dropped into a trough below the shelf. The height of the shelf is adjustable to change the width of the opening through which the feed passes to control feed rate. The shelf is carried on straps which extend along the end walls of the hopper and are movable by an adjustment linkage defined by a plate carried on the end wall and a manually adjustable lever mounted for pivotal movement on the plate. The plate has an arcuate outer edge which is serrated to define an arcuate row of saw teeth and the lever is formed by a flat of sheet material which lies in a plane parallel to and slides over the plate and includes a portion thereof which is bent out of a plane of the lever into the plane of the plate which is also serrated with a row of saw teeth shaped to mesh with the saw teeth of the arcuate portion.

Abstract: A feed dispensing apparatus for use with a conventional container. The feed dispensing apparatus may include a dispensing member attachable to the container adjacent to the bottom thereof. The dispensing member may have a perimeter with at least one access opening therethrough. The dispensing member may be clamped to the container or be configured to removably support the container thereon. A leg assembly for supporting the container above a surface or the ground may also be provided. An adjustable drop tube may be provided to adjust the rate of feed that is flows through a hole in the bottom of the container onto a bottom tray of the dispensing member.

Abstract: A livestock feeding assembly including a hopper and a manger interconnected by a frame, the manger being divided into a central area for dry feed and two lateral areas for water, the three transversal areas being separated by two transversal partitions, the central area having raised portion with a stepped edge, at least the lowest step having a slightly concave section.

Abstract: A bird feeder having a container, a selector, and a base is disclosed. The selector has at least one large opening and at least one small opening. The base includes at least one feeding port. When one of the openings is aligned with the feeding port, the other opening is covered by a perimeter wall of the base. In preferred embodiments, the base includes a rain guard above the feeding ports.

Abstract: An animal feeding device (25) is disclosed comprising a hopper (34) for storing a volume of flowable animal food particulate and having a discharge aperture (38). A directing structure (47) is arranged substantially inside of the hopper (34) to create a void or urging area (62) around the discharge aperture (38) into which the food particulate is inhibited from freely flowing. An urging member (63, 64, 65, 66, or 67) is adapted to movably engage and urge food adjacent the urging area (62), into the urging area (62), and into the discharge aperture (38) wherein gravity urges the food to exit the hopper (34) and travel through a conveying structure (40) to a receptacle (46) from which an animal may feed. The inventive device for, and method of, dispensing the food to an animal provides superior resistance to bridging, pinched, jammed, or crushed of the food and, therefore, provides trustworthy economical operation.

Abstract: A poultry feeder having an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the relative positions between the feeder tower and the feeder bowl to control the amount of feed entering the bowl that is readily adjustable, and, at the same time, enables the feeder bowl, the grill and the adjustment collar to freely rotate relative to the feeder tower to prevent damage to the adjustment mechanism when the grill and/or the bowl is contacted by the feeding birds. A lower edge of an adjusting collar rests on a shoulder portion of the feeder tower when the poultry feeder is suspended above floor level. The relative positions between a bottom of the feeder tower and the feeder bowl is adjustable in a plurality of discreet positions. Each of the plurality of discreet positions provides a different clearance between the bottom of the feeder tower and the bowl, thus controlling the amount of feed which may enter the bowl from the feeder tower.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging feed from a hopper. Feed is introduced into a bin with a gate or valve positioned beneath the discharge opening in a lower portion of the bin to inhibit discharge of feed. Feed is intermittently discharged from the opening by selectively moving the gate or valve at least partially away from the opening to permit feed to flow through the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel feeder that is used to attract agricultural animals to the feeder to enhance the animals' feeding behavior by providing a non-reflective feeder that is integrally formed with a plurality of reflective particles that attract the attention of the animals. Once the animals notice the reflective particles, the animals are drawn toward the feeder, thus encouraging them to find and eat the food in the feeder.

Abstract: A feedbox for breeding poultry is described, of the type comprising at least one main protection grate mounted on a feed storage tub and with dividing plates and openings to allow the poultry access to the feed. Besides, the feedbox comprises an auxiliary grate slidingly or rotationally joined to the main protection grate, the auxiliary grate being equipped with a plurality of peripheral tips and arranged so that the tips do not interfere with said openings of the main protection grate in at least a first relative position of the auxiliary grate with respect to the main grate and, vice versa, at least partially obstruct one or more of the openings in at least a second relative position of the auxiliary grate with respect to the main grate.

Abstract: An animal feeder for delivery of feed to at least one animal. The animal feeder includes a pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and a pair of opposed endwalls coupled to the opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls. The pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls and the pair of endwalls defining an opening. A dust cover covers at least a portion of the opening, such that opposed peripheral edges of the dust cover are supported by contact with opposed inside surfaces of the pair of opposed, downwardly sloping sidewalls, such that the dust cover reduces airborne particulates generated by receiving feed through the opening.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A poultry feeder includes a drop tube which attaches to a horizontal feed distribution or conveyor tube enclosing an auger driven by a motor and gear reducer unit. The feeder includes a feed pan and grill assembly mounted on the drop tube for relative vertical movement, and an annular feed level control member is supported above the feed pan for relative vertical movement by an actuator sleeve. A feed conveyor control unit includes a base housing recessed within a center portion of the pan and supports a spring biased inverted cone member covered by a flexible diaphragm for sensing the weight of feed supported within the center portion of the feeder. The cone has a center plunger or stem which carries an adjustable metal actuator screw positioned to actuate an inductive type proximity switch or sensor connected to control the drive motor for the auger drive unit.

Abstract: A poultry feeder includes a drop tube which attaches to a horizontal feed distribution or conveyor tube enclosing an auger driven by a motor and gear reducer unit. The feeder includes a feed pan and grill assembly mounted on the drop tube for relative vertical movement, and an annular feed level control member is supported above the feed pan for relative vertical movement by an actuator sleeve. A feed conveyor control unit includes a base housing recessed within a center portion of the pan and supports a spring biased inverted cone member covered by a flexible diaphragm for sensing the weight of feed supported within the center portion of the feeder. The cone has a center plunger or stem which carries an adjustable metal actuator screw positioned to actuate an inductive type proximity switch or sensor connected to control the drive motor for the auger drive unit.

Abstract: The bird feeder of the present invention includes a dispenser suitable for receiving, holding and dispensing bird feed into a receptacle suspended below the dispenser. At least one of the dispenser and receptacle is at least partially collapsible to form a lower profile for storage or packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing consumables such as feed and water to animals, such as cows, which comprises a framework, on which a plurality of troughs are disposed, and a weighing device. The weighing device is provided with at least one weighing unit for selectively weighing the troughs and thus the amount of consumables in each trough. The weighing unit is movable around a central axis along a guide. A drive unit is provided for the weighing unit which may be a stepper motor. The weighing unit also includes a weighing sensor such as a load cell or a strain gauge. An identification sensor identifies the animal at the feeding trough and the weighing device is moved thereto which may weigh the trough to determine the amount of feed or water therein before the animal begins to eat or drink which is taken into account in metering further feed or water to the relevant trough. The weighing device may continue to weigh the feed or drink before, during and/or after the animal eats or drinks from the relevant trough.

Abstract: Pet owners in multi-pet households often find it difficult to ensure that each of their pets eats an dequate, but not excessive, amount of food each day. In addition, in those households where less than all of the pets are on a special diet, and/or where a number of the pets are on different special diets, pet owners must often resort to monitored feedings to ensure that each pet eats only the food which is intended for that pet. Monitored feedings are not only inconvenient and time consuming, they can often lead to behavioral problems in the pet, such as anorexia and competitive eating syndrome. The present invention addresses these problems by providing a pet feeding system which allows only the intended pet to have access to food stored in the dish intended for that pet, and prevents all pets in the household from eating food which is not intended for them.

Abstract: A feed metering device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for distributing fodder and/or drink in metered portions to an animal. The feed metering device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) is provided with a feed unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) for containing fodder and/or drink. An entrance opening (11, 21, 31, 41, 51) gives access to the feed unit. A feed supplying device (13, 23, 33, 43) supplies an amount of fodder and/or drink to the feed unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50). There are provided means for weighing the fodder and/or drink present in the feed unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), the feed unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) being pivotably and/or rotatably OFF fastened to the feed metering device (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,) for the purpose of co-operating with the weighing means. There are further provided means for deterring an animal that visits the feed unit from taking fodder and/or drink.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin. The improved feeder is provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate. The animal feeder is provided with improvements that aid in the cleaning and sterilization of the equipment.

Abstract: An outdoor feeder for game birds and the like in which the feeder pan extends below and beyond the body of the feeder. A shield which is fastened to the body by a unique and relatively rain-proof joint extends beyond the pan to protect it, and an adjustable ring on the bottom of the body of the feeder controls both the amount of feed in the pan and the space between the ring and the bottom of the pan. The pan is adjustably fastened to the body of the feeder to adapt the feeder to differing varieties of game birds.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing feed to livestock which includes a trough having a surface adapted to receive the feed thereon, and a hopper positioned above the trough surface. The hopper has a bottom with an aperture therethrough and a side wall. A feed wheel is rotatably mounted on the trough and includes a radially extending spoke engageable by livestock. A deflector cone having an upwardly tapering cross-sectional configuration is positioned in the hopper and includes a lower edge positioned above the hopper bottom and terminating inwardly of the hopper side wall and outwardly of the hopper bottom aperture. A sweep member is positioned below the deflector cone lower edge and adapted for sweeping feed in the hopper to the aperture. An adjustment mechanism is provided for suspending the deflector cone above the hopper bottom and adjusting a spacing between the lower edge of the deflector cone and the hopper bottom.

Abstract: The feedstuff metering device comprises a body connected at the top to a conveyor pipe, carrying the feedstuff from a centralized system of storage silos and which has an inner cover adjustable in position in order to vary the measured quantity, and also a rotatable rod to effect the blocking and unblocking of the discharge cover, characterized in that the metering device is provided with an upper cover detachable for maintenance purposes and in that the actuating rod of the discharge cover is linked to a driver for rotating the same by means of an intermediate engagement and disengagement device which makes it possible to disable as required the discharge of a specific feeder of a battery of feeders. The body of the metering device carries on its outer part a clamp for the attachment of index cards and the like.

Abstract: A pet food dispenser comprising a base, a bowl mounted on the base for retaining a quantity of a substance to be dispensed, a reservoir mounted adjacent one side of the base and operable to deliver a desired substance into the bowl, and a cover movable into and out of a position to cover the bowl.

Abstract: An automatic pet food dispenser at preset times and for a definite quantity includes a dispenser body, a food storing tank, a funnel-shaped receiver, a transporting mechanism. The transporting mechanism consists of a food pipe and a screw conveyer deposited in the food pipe and rotated by a motor for transporting pet food by the screw conveyer to let the food fall down from the storing tank, through the funnel-shaped receiver, and a timer for presetting times of start and stop and thus the period of operating time of the motor. The dispenser body has a food exit formed in a bottom wall and connected to the lower end of the food pipe, and a food trough movably provided in the bottom portion of the dispenser body to pulled out thereof to receive pet food falling down from the food exit.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are provided for the dispensing of particulate material from the gravitationally bottom discharge mouth of a hopper. In a presently preferred form, the particulate material moves downwardly first through a conically sided zone to a toroidally-configured aperture, and, after passage therethrough, moves downwardly through a cavity that preferably has a cross-sectionally circular perimeter. Centrally upstanding in the cavity is a body with preferably conically diverging sides over which the particulate material moves downwardly to a cover plate or deck which has a circumferentially extending discharge opening through which the particulate material is discharged. Most preferably, the body also extends upwardly through the aperture and through the conically sided zone. Particulate material downward movement and discharge is produced by shaking, preferably vibration, of the deck. A presently preferred particulate material is fish feed.

Abstract: Nutrition modeling of animal, poultry and marine animals is a critical component of the respective enterprise optimization and managed environment pollution control. The optimization accuracy depends on the description of utilization efficiency of nutrients in a population of animals. The current invention demonstrates that utilization efficiency of nutrients for meat production in a population should be described based on at least three component parts of nutrient utilization, i.e., maintenance, linear gain, and non-linear gain, instead of one only. Efficiencies for maintenance and linear gain are fixed value(s), but nutrient efficiency for non-linear gain is a result of intra-population variation and efficiency of linear gain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for dosing the components of a mixed fodder for feeding cattle. The straw feed is delivered onto a horizontal conveyor (6) for weighing its amount thereon. The flour is metered by means of metering mechanisms (7, M1-M4) controlled by a calculator (8a), which dose amounts of flour proportioned as desired to the amount of straw feed directly within the straw feed concurrently with the weighing thereof. The weighing result of a weighed component is reduced in real time on the basis of dosages received from the calculator (8a).

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling automatically the delivery of feed, such as hay flakes, to a feeding receptacle. The apparatus includes an housing having an upper feed receiving portion and a lower feed delivering portion, the lower portion having an opening for passage of feed into the receptacle. A first door is disposed in the housing between the upper feed receiving portion and the lower feed delivering portion, the door being movable between a closed condition preventing feed from entering the lower portion and an opened condition permitting feed to enter the lower portion. A second door disposed in the upper feed receiving portion enables delivery of feed thereto. A cable interconnects the first and second door to hold one door in a closed condition when the other door is opened. An electromagnet, coupled to an electrical timer, controls operation of the first door so that feed is delivered automatically to the receptacle at a predetermined time.

Abstract: A poultry feeder includes a drop tube which attaches to a horizontal feed distribution line, and a feed pan and grill assembly is mounted on the drop tube for vertical sliding movement. An annular flow control member is supported above the feed pan for relative vertical movement by an actuator sleeve and a set of racks and pinions to produce downward movement of the flow control member in response to upward movement of the drop tube with the feed distribution line. The flow control member may also be adjusted manually relative to the drop tube for selecting the maximum level of feed in the feed pan.

Abstract: An automatic feeding system includes a tag attached to a body of a pet; and an automatic feeding apparatus for automatically feeding the pet. The tag includes a receiving device for receiving an electromagnetic wave from the automatic feeding apparatus; an information memory device storing information on the feeding of the pet and outputting the information in response to an output from the receiving device; and a sending device for sending the information which is output from the information memory device to the automatic feeding apparatus using an electric wave.

Abstract: A two sided feeder for feeding animals while the animals grow from a first smaller size to a second larger size comprises a trough having two opposed outwardly inclined front walls over which the animals can reach for taking feed from the trough and a feed hopper for discharging feed downwardly into the trough. The height of each front wall is adjustable by a hinged or removable supplementary portion to accommodate the different size animals. A shelf is provided above the trough onto which the feed is deposited. The height of the shelf is also adjustable. The hopper includes two vertical side walls defining a lower neck each having a lowermost edge adjacent the shelf for controlling deposit of material onto the shelf so that it remains on the shelf unless moved to the trough by the animal. The neck is supplemented by a clamped insert portion when the shelf is moved to its lower height.

Abstract: A poultry feeder which includes a feeding tube secured to a delivery pipe of a feed delivery system by a retainer cap, a feed carrier holder suspended from the feeding tube, a feed carrier plate vertically adjustably coupled to the feed carrier holder by a coupling ring to receive feed from the feeding tube, an adjustment socket mounted around the feeding tube and vertically adjustably secured to the holder to control output flow rate of feed from the feeding tube.

Abstract: A poultry feeder (1) having a drop tube or main body (7) for receiving feed from a source of feed (FC). A feed pan (5) is carried by the drop tube which receives feed for consumption by poultry. The feed pan has an outer rim (11), an outer portion spaced inwardly of the rim and an inner portion between the drop tube and the outer portion. The drop tube (7) has at least one aperture (21a-21c) therein spaced above the feed pan through which all of the feed from the drop tube is discharged for delivery to the feed pan. A first feed path (FP1) has an inlet (57a-57c) for receiving feed discharged from the at least one aperture (21a-21c) and an outlet (the open bottom of cover 33) for discharging into the inner portion of the feed pan and a second feed path (FP2) having an inlet (53a-53c) for receiving feed discharged from the at least one aperture (21a-21c) and a second outlet (55a-55c) for discharging feed into the outer portion of the feed pan.

Abstract: An improved livestock feeder for use with an automatic feed delivery system having a feed drop tube operatively connected thereto for dispensing feed into a feed bin is disclosed. The improved feeder is provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a plurality of adjustable control levers which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to set the vertical height adjustment of the feed gates. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a drop tube assembly connected to a conveyor tube, a lower member slidably mounted to the drop tube assembly, a pan movably supported by a ring member and a grill assembly connected to the ring member. The drop tube assembly has two groups of ridges extending outwardly therefrom and a passage is defined between the two groups of the ridges. The grill assembly includes an upper ring and a lower ring with a plurality of ribs connected therebetween, the upper ring having a position member extending from an inner periphery thereof so that the drop tube assembly is adjustably positioned relative to the grill assembly by entering the position member between two adjacent ribs of the drop tube assembly.

Abstract: An electronic food distribution system for pets, particularly fish for feeding and maintaining fish in an aquarium. The system contains an electrical timing circuit for periodically distributing food stuffs contained in a hopper to the aquarium. The distribution is accomplished by an electric motor driving a gear box, the output of the gear box driving a cylinder that has a rough surface. The cylinder in cooperation with a pair of baffles sends a predetermined amount of food into the aquarium during the feeding time interval. This system maintains the feeding of fish during times when manual feeding is unavailable, i.e., absence, vacation, etc. The aesthetic nature of the food distribution system enhances the decor in the environment in which it is used, as well as performing the function for which it is intended.

Abstract: A self-standing livestock feeder for holding salt, minerals, grain, and the like. The livestock feeder includes a plurality of leg members constructed of a polymeric material, a circularly-shaped trough constructed of a polymeric material, and a feed storage bin constructed of a tubular polymeric material. The trough and the feed storage bin are supported on the legs by a polymeric support ring. The feed storage bin has at least one feed dispensing opening disposed through the feed storage bin at the lower end thereof to permit gravitational flow of feed from the feed storage bin into the trough via the feed dispensing openings whereby such feed is accessible to livestock.

Abstract: A feeder for pig-raising which can discharge a fixed quantity of food in a good condition at all time, which can adjust a discharge quantity of food relatively simply, and which can feed efficiently at all time in consideration of a habit of pigs. A suspension rod is suspended within a feeding tank formed at a lower end with a food outlet, and a food-quantity adjusting member is disposed below the suspension rod. The food-quantity adjusting member comprises a conical portion having an upper end smaller in diameter than the food outlet of said feeding tank, being gradually enlarged in diameter downward, and a lower end slightly larger in diameter than the food outlet, and a disk-like portion secured to the lower end of said conical portion. Food is supplied to a bottom plate from a gap between the food outlet of the feeding tank and an inclined peripheral surface of the food-quantity adjusting member.

Abstract: A bird feeder includes a cylindrical body having an open top and an open bottom for holding a supply of birdseed and a cap covering the open top. A feeding platform is disposed below the open bottom and has a diameter sufficiently large to permit birds to perch thereon and feed as if ground feeding. The platform defines with the open bottom a peripheral opening for the delivery of birdseed to the platform. The platform is also vertically adjustable with respect to the open bottom of the cylindrical body for varying the height of the peripheral opening to regulate birdseed flow therethrough. A conical member is centrally positioned on an upper surface of the platform and affixed thereto. The base of the conical member has a diameter marginally smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body and the cone member projects vertically into the open bottom for directing the birdseed from the interior of the body to the peripheral opening.

Abstract: A poultry breeder pan feeder system and method in which a feeder pan assembly having a grille with ribs defining openings for feeding pullets and the like is converted into a female breeder pan assembly by providing such pan assembly for feeding male poultry pullets and the like and inserting an outer grille over the inner grille. The outer grille has ribs that overlap the ribs of the inner grille and cover portions of the feeder openings of the inner grille. The outer grille is adjustable on the inner grille to adjust the size of the openings through which the birds feed. A linear slide valve is provided to adjust the amount of feed dropping into the pan of the feeder so that the feed dropped into the pans can be a preselected amount, can flood the pan, or can be entirely shut off.

Abstract: An improved gravity feeder for poultry and domestic animals which will dispense variable quantities of feed depending upon the dietary requirements of the particular fowl or animal is disclosed. The gravity feeder includes a generally cylindrical feed storage hopper having top and bottom openings mounted on an underlying circular feed tray having an upwardly projecting conical surface and an upwardly extending peripheral side wall wherein feed is dispensed for consumption. The feed tray includes a plurality of hopper support pads disposed at regular angular intervals about the conical surface of the tray coincident with a diameter of the hopper so as to provide adequate support for the same when disposed in functional relation to the feed tray.

Abstract: A poultry feeder system is described having a driven auger mounted in a distribution pipe. A plurality of poultry feeders depend from the distribution pipe and are supplied with poultry feed via the distribution pipe. To vary the flow of the poultry feed from the auger pipe to the feed pans of the poultry feeders, a flow variation device or insert is provided to control the flow of poultry feed through a poultry feeder tube of one or more feeders. The flow variation device comprises an elongate body connected to an engagement device to engage the flow variation device within the feeder tube. In one aspect, the elongate body is adapted to have a first diameter at one end and a second diameter at the other end, where the second diameter is larger than the first diameter. Preferably, the device has a conical shape. Alternatively, the engagement device comprises an annular ring at one end and the elongate body is substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: A feeding device for birds, in particular for breeders with a limited, predetermined daily ration of feed. The device has a dish-shaped pan with a bottom and upright peripheral wall, a drop tube with an open upper end which can be coupled to a feed supply system. The drop tube also has a lower end which is situated above the dish-shaped pan. The sum of the volume of the dish-shaped pan and the feed volume of the drop tube is at most equal to the volume of the sum of the daily rations of feed for the birds feeding at the device at the same time. A filling element may be provided in the drop tube, spaced from the inner wall of the drop tube.

Abstract: A self-standing livestock feeder for holding salt, minerals, grain, and the like. The livestock feeder includes a plurality of leg members constructed of a polymeric material, a circularly-shaped trough constructed of a polymeric material, and a feed storage bin constructed of a tubular polymeric material. The trough and the feed storage bin are supported on the legs by a polymeric support ring. The feed storage bin has at least one feed dispensing opening disposed through the feed storage bin at the lower end thereof to permit gravitational flow of feed from the feed storage bin into the trough via the feed dispensing openings whereby such feed is accessible to livestock.

Abstract: A feeding device for animals, such as poultry, is of a type which is designed to be supplied with feed by a conveyor tube (60) from which it is suspended. The device comprises a plate (10, 110) and a receptacle (20, 120). The inside area of the receptacle can, if desired, be in communication with the inside of the plate (10, 110). The conveyor tube (60) communicates with the inside area of the receptacle (20, 120). The level of feed in the plate (10, 110) can be adjusted when it is in communication with the inside area of the receptacle (20, 120), the plate (10, 110) functions as a trough.