FR2561068A1 - APPARATUS FOR FREQUENTLY FEEDING POULTRY INTO AT LEAST ONE ROW OF CAGES - Google Patents

Abstract

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING POULTRY WITH A "FREE CHOICE" OF TWO FOOD COMPONENTS TO PICK AT THEIR WISH. A FIRST GROUP OF COMPARTMENTS 19, 49, OFFERS THE FIRST FOOD COMPONENT WITH REGARD TO CAGES 12, 13, 42, 43 OF EACH ROW. A SECOND GROUP OF COMPARTMENTS 20, 50, IS PROVIDED AGAINST EACH CAGE FOR THE SECOND FOOD COMPONENT. A DETECTION SYSTEM SYSTEMATICALLY EXPLORES THE POWER SUPPLY COMPARTMENTS, TO DETERMINE THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN EMPTY. A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, SUBJECTED TO THE DETECTION SYSTEM, INCLUDES FOR EACH ROW OF CAGES, TWO MOBILE THIRDS 21, 22; 51, 52. EACH HOPPER CONTAINS A PROVISION OF ONE OF THE FOOD COMPONENTS, DELIVERED ON DEMAND BY A CHUTE 26, 27; 51, 57. THE AUTOMATIC OPERATION IS COMMANDED BY AN ELECTRONIC BLOCK, SLACED TO THE DETECTION SYSTEM, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE PHOTO-ELECTRONIC CELLS. APPLICATION TO POULTRY FEEDING.

Description

The present invention relates to a feeding apparatus

  tion, and in particular but not exclusively an apparatus for feeding, in a so-called free choice diet, poultry housed in at least one row of cages. The free-choice diet, as used in the following discussion, consists of providing birds with at least two food components, at least at the initial stage, so that each bird is free to feed by taking different proportions

of each component.

  Research from the East Scotland College of Agriculture has shown the value of such a free diet system.

  biologically, because the volatiles concerned are

  They can then dose their diet according to their nutrient needs. Since each bird has different nutritional requirements, feeding in a free choice diet is therefore advantageous for reducing the food consumption of a henhouse, for the same

  level of productivity, the proportion of food components

  are then determined on a case-by-case basis, for each

  tile. More specifically, it has been shown that chickens which were allowed free access to a large number of food substances chose a favorable diet for a good yield, their choice between these various substances being absolutely not random. Essentially, the chosen plan allows a return to be achieved

  potential, without excessive food intake, if possible.

  In summary, it can be considered that the food given to these mioes has two essential components. First, an energy component, which hens need to maintain their biological state (this first component also contains some nutrients, protein-based); then a supplement component, containing protein-based nutrients, which the hens need to provide the laying rate they

are able.

  In a population of laying hens, the ideal proportion of each of these two food components varies from one subject to another, and also varies for the same subject, from the beginning of a laying period. That is why,

  any fixed proportion adopted for the food components

  This is an optimum diet, at best, for only a small part of the population considered, and only for a small part of the spawning period of the subjects thus favored. As a result, if we decide to feed them by giving them the most economical simple food,

  most birds will be offered an excessive amount of

  sive of nutrients; however, other laying hens will be forced to absorb excessive rations of an energy component, thus seeking to consume more nutrients, to reach the egg-laying rate they are able to achieve. Most chickens in this second group will be able to achieve such a rate of laying, but in a costly way because they

  have had to do this to fatten and take an excess weight-

  sive; but it is obviously an operation of bad performance.

  It is therefore obviously desirable that the hens of the population considered have free access to each of the food components, so as not to be obliged

  to absorb excessive rations of a component. in search

  singing to compensate for a deficiency as to the other component.

  In practice, cereals, particularly in complete form, are normally used for the energetic component referred to above, in order to provide, in volume and cost, the food required for laying hens. The balancing nutrient ", protein-based, is generally

  in the form of granules, specially prepared for this purpose.

  If necessary, you can also use tablets of a kind

appropriate-

  Feeding poultry free choice with a component consisting of cereals in form

  complete, and with a balancing component, one can

  several advantages. First. the chosen scheme

  These volatiles result in a total consumption of

  ines about 2% lower than in the case of

  riture of the most economical uniform composition. Second-

  consumption, to a large extent

  cereals presented in complete form, that is,

  to say without treatment of preparation. Thirdly, the individual yield will be higher because no hen will suffer from an insufficient nutrient supply; fewer errors will be made in this respect, and birds will be able to rectify most of the possible mistakes themselves. Fourth, we will have reduced

  excess consumption of energy

  and therefore reduces the unnecessary fattening rate of

laying hens-.

  Experience shows that a free diet diet gives good results in stalls with deep stalls, and for breeding poultry (especially turkeys). In both cases, it is easy to adopt a diet of free choice, because the food distributed to animals reaches them at ground level, from hoppers where food is poured in bulk. On the other hand, diet in a free choice diet has hardly been used by producers

  eggs, which generally operate with poultry houses

  rows of cages. Under operating conditions

  the economic structure of an installation thus comprising tight rows of cages, where the space available is limited,

  it is indeed difficult to ensure the continuous supply of food

  i.uLiuLn must laying hens with two food components

  that at the same time must be brought within the

each volatile.

  Currently, the mixed feed distribution systems used in row hen houses are of two types. The first type has a large

  trough, profiled V arranged in front of each row of cages.

  Foods are deposited about 50 to 75 mm thick from a moving tremite. This system presents

  a serious disadvantage because it leads to considerable losses.

  rables of food, wasted by poultry, to a point now unacceptable. because of the constant price increase

of these foods.

  The second type of food distribution system

  for poultry. newer, operates more or less automatically, from a hopper arranged

  fixed station. according to various embodiments. The dis-

  tribution is provided by a chain bucket, which serves on demand the trough in front of each cage. With this system. there is normally very little food in the trough every moment, and the waste of food is reduced. But the two systems in question present the

  same disadvantage. Indeed, the two components of the

  riture are mixed up in predetermined proportions

  completed, which do not take into account the differences

  both between the particular needs of the various birds to feed, or various groups of birds. Therefore, the amounts of these food components that are consumed in the two systems in question do not necessarily correspond to the individual biological needs of the birds.

thus fed.

  The object of the invention is to provide a feeding system of the kind defined above, which avoids the disadvantages that have just been exposed, ensuring in an optimal manner the economic diet

birds to feed.

  According to a first aspect of the invention, the apparatus for feeding poultry housed in at least one row

  of cages. in the so-called free choice diet

  carries a first group of feed compartments,

  to provide a first food component for each

  tile, or to each group of birds; and a second group of feed compartments, for providing a second feed component to each bird, or group of birds; detection means, for exploring the feed compartments, and determining those which have been emptied completely, or emptied to a specified proportion; and means of distribution, to bring

  an appropriate amount of the food component correspon-

  to each compartment thus determined by the means

detection.

  According to another aspect or embodiment of the invention, the apparatus for feeding poultry housed in at least one row of cages, in the so-called free choice feeding regime, comprises a receptacle associated with a distribution system for providing each bird to each group of volatiles a mixture of two food components; a removal system, to put the aforementioned food mixture out of reach of each bird or each group of birds, before these birds have completely consumed one or other of the components of this mixture; a detection system, for determining the residual relative proportions of the two components in the food mixture thus evacuated; and an introduction system, controlled by the information developed by the detection system, for varying the flow rate of one or the other of the two food components in the distribution system in relative quantities or proportions,

  in order to bring the ratio of the proportions of the two

  food mixture has a predetermined value, or a value within a predetermined range, either for example to return the aforementioned ratio to its original value, or to change the value, according to the biological needs of the group of birds to feed,

  as indicated by the detection means.

  Advantageously, the food comes from two tanks, each containing a supply of each

food components.

  Preferably, the feed compartments provided

  its facing each cage are made of a material

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  low reflectivity, such as dark-colored material; the detection means then comprise a light detection device, which operates by reflection of light effect, and in particular visible light, on the surface of any clusters of food that may be contained in a compartment because the food n has not been consumed. Preferably, the detector detects light reflected from the food surface, this

  surface area is preferably above a reference level.

  fixed by presetting, in relation to the substance of the compartment

considered.

  Alternatively, the funds of the food compartments

  may have a reflecting power, and the detection means then comprise a device which operates by light reflection effect, in particular

  visible light. on the reflective funds of

  where these funds are in the open as a result of the consumption of food which

  contained in the compartments under consideration.

  According to another variant, the detection system

  may include a device that operates by discriminating

  between different wavelengths and / or different states of polarization of the light, and in particular the

  visible light, after reflecting this light to the over-

  the various foods in the feed compartments, whether they are compound feeds or

  food components presented separately.

  Advantageously, the detection means further comprise a detector intended for and capable of

  react in the presence of a marking mark of each

  part of feeding, to distinguish between two groups

  compartments, each group of compartments corresponds to

  to a food component, and the marking marks being located on the path traveled by the detector in

  look at the feed compartments.

  In the latter case, the detector advantageously comprises

  a mechanical or electronic system, to distinguish between the two groups of feed compartments

  according to the position of the detector on its aforesaid path.

  In one embodiment, the detection means

  used to determine the presence or absence of food

  in the feed compartments make it possible to know the position and / or the type of content of each feed compartment thus explored, for example by means of binary coded identification marks provided

on the edges of the compartments.

  But preferably, to distinguish between the

  odd-order power timers and compartments

  of even rank, the system has two electronic contactors

  proximity switches, actuated by position marks

  such as pins, arranged in two rows.

  For example, the two contactors may, in such an embodiment, be aligned with the two rows of position marks in the longitudinal direction, and aligned with the optical detectors in the transverse direction. As a variant, the system may conveniently comprise 2f two other proximity electronic contactors; one di; poin dlan; aligning a dispensing or filling chute for a feed compartment, and in alignment with a line of position marks; the other contactor being disposed in alignment with the filler neck of the other feed compartment, and in alignment with the other set of position marks. In a straightforward manner, the chutes are controlled by one or more control blocks, which receives or receives the indications of these additional contactors as to the position of the chutes with respect to the compartments.

I have it li li the ion.

  I ti; Optical sensors are advantageously mounted forward of the distribution chutes, with a delay

equal to one compartment.

  Alternatively, instead of containers such as

  hoppers for containing the food components to be distributed

  or in addition to these receptacles, the means of distribu-

  may include a conveyor system.

  According to another variant, instead of supply compartments arranged in a fixed position opposite the cages A serve. the feeding system may comprise a conveyor device animated with a continuous movement of

  scroll against the cages or a carrier or

  open voyeur, to allow every bird or every

  group of birds to have access to both food components

mentaires-

  We will now describe, by way of example only one embodiment of the invention, with reference to the

  attached figure. This is a partial perspective view-

  schematically a part of a free choice power system, according to the invention. The real scale

  is not respected in this figure-

  The free choice 1D power system has two rows of cages 12. 13. etc. and 42.43, etc. Each

  cage is provided to ioger for example three birds.

  The caged birds have access to two troughs 15, 45, arranged in front of each row of cages, and divided into compartments 17, 18, 19, 20, and so on. . and 47. 48. 49. 50, etc.,

  as seen in the figure. These compartments can be

  by means of two pairs of mobile hoppers 21. 22.

  and 51. 52. each of which contains one of the components of the food to be served to the birds. For example. the hoppers 21 and 51 thus contain grain to be distributed in the odd-numbered compartments 17, 19, and 47. 49. etc. The other two hoppers 22 and 52 contain a protein-based balancing food component. for example in granules, to be distributed in even-numbered compartments 18. 20. and 4B. 50. etc. Thus, the birds that come picturing in the troughs 15. 45. can also freely access the two categories of compartments.

  are the two food components.

  Vertical corridors 23. 24. etc-. are planned for

  fill the hoppers by gravity. and trays 29, 59.

are used to collect the eggs.

  Each mobile hopper 21, 22, and 51, 52, is provided with a distribution chute 26, 27 and 56, 57, to garnish

  the compartments o feed the birds in V dei

  both the contents of each hopper, by means of an internal mechanism. The flow mechanisms of each pair of necks are driven by a single, rotating electric motor

  permanently, and which operates each mechanism through

  associated with an electrically operated clutch.

  Each hopper carries a light detector device, associated with an opto-electronic block, and which is mounted in front of the front hopper of each pair of hoppers,

  with an offset corresponding to the length of a compartment

  is lying. Essentially, the opto-electronic detector

  has a light source and a photocell -

  cudgel. The source emits a narrow beam of light, which can be reflected on the surface of the food in a compartment, to be returned to the detector. The field opening angles of the light source and detector relative to the surface of the food are equal,

  and can be modified at the same time by a pre-setting

  lable. It is thus possible to adjust the limit distance with respect to the detector, beyond which no reflection can occur. Since the light beam has a finite width, and the detector is close enough to the surface of the food, the distance range

  o can occur a reflection is sufficient to allow

  detect the presence of food, above the "no reflection" point and up to the top of the compartment

considered.

  At the other end of the apparatus, it is provided with two rows of pins pins, arranged in the direction of the length of rows of cages. In one of these rows, each position line is aligned with the leading edge of an odd-rank compartment 17, 19, and 47,

  49, etc. Similarly, the pins in the other row are

  each run on the leading edge of an even rank compartment 16, 18. and 46. 48, etc. L2 presence or absence of these fiducial pins is

  detected by a detection system which includes a dito-

  contact electromechanical device, or a proximity detector device. The apparatus further comprises a control block for receiving the signals of the pin detectors.

  and light detectors, to check and adjust the posi-

  each distribution channel, and for

  internal mechanism, next to a compartment

  the full supply needs to be completed.

  We will now describe the operation of the

  reil that we have just described. The movable hoppers 21, 22, and 51, 52, are started periodically, to scroll at a constant speed above the compartments of the two feeding troughs 15, 45, over the entire length thereof. For this purpose, the two mobile hoppers are actuated by an automatic drive system (not shown), which is made by appropriate modification.

  Of a known drive system, as used, for example,

  for mobile hopper feeders of a standard type. The start of the two mobile hoppers

  21. 22, and 51, 52. is ordered by hand, or by a

delayed.

  When a compartment already contains food above a predetermined reference level, the light beam is reflected, and the light detector transmits a signal to the control block. But, opposite compartments empty or containing too little food, the light detector does not note any reflection effect, and sends no signal to the block of

  command. The light detector can thus distinguish,

  above the reference level determined by presetting,

  clumps of food only 6 mm in diameter.

  If the detector thus passes through a compartment that is almost empty, the reaction signal of the light detector is established and extinguished each time it finds out.

  the presence of a small pile of food on the bottom par-

  the compartment or compartment: It is important that the light detector can indicate

  thus a very low recovery rate from the bottom of a com-

  Partly, because it is not necessary that food stay too much. a long time in the compartments, where they undergo

  the hot and humid atmosphere of the henhouse.

  As the movable hoppers 21, 22 and 51, 52 progressively move, the position detectors signal, in passing, each pin aligned with the front edge of a

  compartment, by emitting an electrical signal

  who specifies in the order block whether it is a

  This position signal also triggers an electronic clock, to allow it to operate according to the indications of the optical detector.

  This comes next to the inside of the com

  considered together with the posi-

  tion, to be able to "explore" the compartment.

  This contains food above the reference level set by preset, the detector emits an electrical signal to allow the clock to continue counting Malis

  if the detector arrives at a location where there is no

  At least up to the reference level, the signal set by the detector is interrupted. as well as counting the clock, until the moment the detector

  find food above the reference level.

  Since the optical detector is capable of distinguishing small clusters of small surface foods, the count obtained at the moment when the detector reaches the end of a CnmparLimeit. corresponds substantially to the recovery rate dl f ind of the cumlipartiment - If the count thus obtained

  is less than a pre-set value, corresponding to

  pindlant at a low recovery rate is that it is necessary to fill the compartment considered. The corresondant information is then stored in the control block, until the arrival of the appropriate distribution chute, with its electromechanical or electronic position sensor, opposite the considered compartment and

  of his position pin. At the moment the gulottg of dio-

  tribution arrives at the desired point. the position sensor emits an electrical signal, to indicate to the command block

  this arrival at the correct position of the chute

  above the compartment to garnish, and to trigger at the same time the operation of the information already stored in order to operate for a predetermined period of time the electromagnetic clutch of the internal mechanism of the distribution chute-. This operating time of the dispensing mechanism is a function of the speed of advance of the chute. the length of the compartment in the direction of this advance, and the exit caliber of

the chute.

  When the photoelectric detector carried by the mobile hoppers 21, 22, for example, arrives opposite a

  compartment with food below the reference level

  established a priori. this detector no longer emits any signal.

  and counting the clock of the control block stops.

  If at the same time the position detector indicates that it is a compartment of even rank. the control unit reacts, if necessary, to first bring the hopper 22 above the empty compartment, and to then operate the mechanism of the dispensing chute 27. until the correct filling of the compartment in question, at its level normal. with protein-based granules. But if the position detector indicates that it is a compartment of odd rank, the control unit reacts to cause the arrival of the hopper 21 above the compartment to garnish, and then to operate the mechanism of the distrihutioi chute 26, until the filling compartment

its normal level, with grain.

  When any of the switches that are part of

  a detector, which serves to identify the status of a compartment

  is next to a position pin associated with a compartment. this detector emits a signal of a duration equal to the duration of scroll, along the length of the same compartment, of the so-called CSS detector. which serves to explore each compartment. This timed signal selects a register (A or B) in a group of two registers, and starts a counter that emits 100 pulses, during the time of activity of the timed signal. This impulse train is sent to a comparator, via a gate controlled by the signal emitted by the detector CSS. As long as the CSS sensor "sees", that is, finds the

  presence of food, the door remains open, and the impulse

  If the CSS sensor no longer finds a correct presence of food, its signal stops, the door closes,

  and the comparator stops absorbing the pulses of

  floor. These accumulate until the CSS sensor finds food in a compartment. It then causes the opening of the door again, and the pulses can penetrate again into the comparator A ila fin

  of the counting period, the system performs a comparison

  reason between the total number of pulses that are entered in the comparator, and the number displayed as a setting by the user, on the control block table. A total count of 100 corresponds to a compartment whose

  the bottom is completely covered, ie 100% coverage.

  With a display button associated with a graduated dial

  decimal values, a comparison can be made directly

  reason as a percentage of the rate of coverage of the

  each compartment. If the count exceeds the displayed value

  As a setting, the system enters a zero in the register that has been selected; but if the count is less than the value displayed by means of the adjustment button. it is a "filling order" which is introduced

in the register.

  Suppose the explored compartment belongs to group "A". As soon as the verification circuit of

  pleating of compartments A. circuit designated abbreviated as "CFI-IA", receives a corresponding characteristic signal

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  at a position pin A. it emits a pulse. That-

  it triggers a clock emitting a timed series of im-

  pulses, of 2 seconds duration, which are applied to a gate. The pulse of the CFI circuit also triggers the register, the contents of which are sent to the gate. If this content is equal to zero, the door does not open, and nothing happens in the food distribution system associated with compartments A. But if the content of the register corresponds to a filling order, the door is closed. 'opens, read and the series of impulses of 2 seconds, taken up by amplifiers, is sent to the clutch of the mechanism of

  the distribution chute A, for carrying out an operation

filling.

  Distribution chute B is located further back than chute A with respect to the CSS and CSI detectors. And it is therefore necessary for the register B to wait, for two pulses of the identification signal B (emitted by the detector CFI-B), before being able to actuate the clutch B. It is also necessary for the register to contain at each instant

  the comparative results of the exploration of two compartments

  each result is entered in the register.

  each time the CFI-B detector passes a B-position pin. A FHP motor (precise, but weak) is used to advance all two pairs of

  mobile hoppers 21, 22, and 51, 52, opposite the two rows of

  cages. There is also a drive motor FHP

  for the mechanism of each pair of distribution chutes

  associated with a pair of hoppers. By pressing the "On" button of the food distribution system, the contactor of this system is closed, and

  ] the detectors of the mechanisms of distribution chutes

  start up. At the same time, the elec-

  of the automatic control block are located in the

  low-voltage relays, and a timed relay trips, with a duration of 15 seconds, to ensure the stabilization of the electronic circuits, and the motors associated with them.

  Distribution channels' Ad after this time of 15 sec-

  The time relay activates the contactor of the feed motor of the two pairs of mobile hoppers. When the mobile hoppers have reached the end of the stroke, at the end of the two rows of cages a stop is actuating a limit switch. , to switch off the supply of the feed motor and the distribution motor contactors by actuating a second time relay. After 5 seconds, this relay operates the reverse switch, which turns the feed motor upside down, to return the moving hoppers to their starting position, where another stop actuates an end switch. race. This cuts power to the feed motor, and the entire system is ready to run again, waiting for a new "Run" command. During the return path of the mobile hoppers, the distribution motors and the electronics block are not powered. In parallel with the "lMarchea" button, a timed relay can be provided, to control the setting

* running the system at pre-specified time intervals

  to ensure automatic operation without over-

  veillance. Instead of proceeding as just indicated, to feed the birds housed in a row of cages, by means of supply compartments arranged in a fixed position, which one explores one after the other to fill them on demand, from a distribution system that periodically scrolls past the row of cages, one

  could also proceed by presenting the foods to

  tiles on an accessible treadmill and animated by a movement

continuously at low speed.

  I: dritx composanits of food for poultry

  they would then be placed on the conveyor belt by means of a mechanical distribution system making it possible to vary the proportions of these components. At the exit of the carpet, the remains of these foods would then pass

  in an appropriate measuring device, allowing measurement

  the residual proportions of these foods, after the free samples taken in passing by the volatilis housed in the cages. On the basis of these measurements, the proportions of feed components placed at the entrance of the treadmill by the distribution system would be dosed on demand. Thanks to this retro-action effect, applied to

  the feeds presented to the birds, they receive

  should have a diet exactly adapted to what they are looking for, as to the proportions of the components considered; and it would thus be possible to regulate the total quantity of food debited, and / or the total quantity of food remaining on the conveyor belt at the exit of this one, by varying

the speed of the treadmill.

  In such a system. the components of the food could be distributed as a mixture, to be spread out on the conveyor belt, from a hopper filled with

  two arrival chutes. Flow mechanisms for

  could each be driven by a variable speed motor.

  ble, or through clutches operated for varying durations on demand. We could settle

  the proportions of food components.

  To determine the proportions of the two components

  to get into the mix, you have to know the

  residual portions of these components at the exit of the carpet

  rolling. In practice, it is possible to use for this purpose a sepa-

  turning point, which works thanks to the difference of

  specific mass of the elementary parts of each

  health. From the treadmill, samples of the residual mixture would be sampled

  regular intervals, and for a fixed period.

  Clhauqin 'r: irnnti]] nn would be weighed, before separating the components

  mixture, and weigh one of these components: These

  measures would then serve to challenge the speed of

  distribution channels, or the duration of intermittent periods of operation of these chutes, to provide the birds exactly the proportion of

  every component they are looking for.

  To adjust the flow rate of the distribution channels of the components, one could resort to another method., Based on the different wavelengths of the luaiikye reflected by each component of the food. By means of an optical scan of the food remaining on the conveyor belt after the last stand, the desired indications for the setting in question could be obtained. Periodic residual food weighing results could be used to vary the speed of the treadmill accordingly, or to vary the flow rate of the distribution chutes, to minimize the

  quantity of food wasted and wasted.

  Of course, we can modify the dimensions of the system.

  which has just been described, without departing from the scope of the invention. However, in the case considered by way of example, it is convenient to give a height of 50 mm to the vertical partitions 25, 55.

  delimit the compartments of each feeding trough.

  Similarly, it is convenient to arrange these vertical partitions at an interval of 75 mm, to define at the same value the lonoueur compartments in the direction of advance of

  mobile distribution hoppers 21, 22, and 51 52: Government

  Flow hoppers of these hoppers can then be adjusted, to fill the compartments having the dimensions that have just been indicated, up to a height of the order of mm, for example, to prevent food losses by

  misuse of these.

  In another embodiment (not shown),

  instead of using a reflection effect of a light beam

  on food, to determine the amount of food

  in a compartment, an opto-sensor is used.

  electrically, comprising a light source associated with

  a photocell for detecting the reflected light

  shits on the bottom of the compartments to explore. To increase

  their reflective power. the funds of the compartments

  are made for example of polished stainless steel.

  or covered with a reflective metal band. In

  this case, when there is food on the bottom of the compartment

  the reflection of the light beam is interrupted,

  and the detector stops sending a signal to the corner block

  mande. But in places where the bottom of the compartment is not covered by food, the light detector reflects a reflection, and provides a signal in the form of a signal.

  output voltage. As in the previous case, the detection

  can distinguish small clusters of foods with a

diameter of 6 mm only.

Claims (7)

  1. Apparatus for feeding poultry housed in at least one row of cages (12.13; 42,43) in a diet   power supply says of free choice; apparatus (10) characterized   se in that it comprises a first group of compartments   (1718,1,9,20) to provide a first component   food for each bird or group of   volatile, and a second group of food compartments   (47? 48,49,50) to provide a second feed component   shut up each bird or group of birds; detection means, to explore the compartments   feed and determine which ones have been emptied   or emptied to a predetermined proportion; and distribution means (21,22; 23,24; 26,27) for supplying an appropriate quantity of the food component corresponding to each compartment thus determined by the detection means.   2. Apparatus according to claim 1o characterized in that the supply compartments are made of a material of low reflectivity, and in that the detection means comprise a light detection device which operates by light reflection effect, and in particular of light visible on the surface of any pile of food which can be contained in a compartment.   3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the light detection device operates by light reflection effect on the surface of a food cluster contained in a supply compartment when this surface is located above a level of   reference, fixed by presetting, in relation to the bottom of the com- partly considered.   4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized   in that the funds of the feed compartments pre-   have a reflective power, and in that the detection means comprise a device which operates by detection of light, in particular visible light, reflected on the reflective backgrounds of the feed compartments, when these funds are found in the open   as a result of the consumption of foods that were   bare in the compartment under consideration.   5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection means comprise a device   which operates by discrimination, between different   wavelengths and different states of polarization of the light, including visible light, after reflection of this light on the surface of the clusters of food contained in each feed compartment, whether food compounds, or food components presented separately.   6. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the detection means further comprises a detector, adapted to react in the presence of a marking mark of each compartment, to distinguish between two groups of feed compartments, each   group corresponding to a food component.   7. Apparatus for feeding poultry housed in at least one row of cages, in-diet said free choice, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle associated with a dispensing system, to provide volatile stock or to each group of volatiles a mixture of two food components; a removal system, to put the aforementioned food mixture out of reach of each bird or each group of   volatile, before these birds completely   summed one or other of the components of this mixture; a   detection system, to determine the proportions   two components in the feed mixture.   tairr, garlic, i, vacated; and an introduction system, slaved to the information developed by the detection system, for varying in relative amounts or proportions the flow rate of one or other of the two food components.   in the distribution system, in order to bring the propor-   of the two components of the food mixture at a predetermined ratio, or is included in a predetermined range.