GB2187073A

GB2187073A - Method and apparatus for feeding livestock

Info

Publication number: GB2187073A
Application number: GB08604908A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Fovargue
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-27
Filing date: 1986-02-27
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2006-02-27
Also published as: GB2187073B; GB8604908D0

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for controlling the operation of a livestock feed conveyor, such as a poultry feed conveyor, monitors the depth of livestock feed on the conveyor as the latter is driven at spaced intervals of time. If the monitored depth of feed on the conveyor is sufficient, the electrical control circuit is arranged to allow the drive to cease after the predetermined drive period. If not, the circuit causes the drive to continue for a further period of time until the feedstuff's depth has reached the required level. Apparatus (10) monitors the feedstuff's depth by means of a feeler member (18) actuating a microswitch (16). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and Apparatus for Feeding Livestock This invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding livestock such as poultry. The invention may also be applicable to feeding other livestock, but is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to a method and apparatus for use in feeding poultry whereby chickens, starting as day old chicks, are reared to maturity in a relatively short period, such as six weeks.

In the rearing of poultry in this manner, in a relatively short time, it is particularly important that the arrangements for the provision of food for the growing poultry are well adapted to their varying needs.

Conventionally, there is provided a supply of foodstuff, such as in a hopper, which is delivered to feeding apparatus comprising conveyor means which conveys the food to a feeding area. For example, the conveyor means may be arranged in a path such as a loop extending around a poultry house. The poultry have access to the conveyor and can eat the feedstuff provided thereon. At intervals, the conveyor is driven so as to bring a fresh supply of feedstuff for consumption by the poultry.

One of the problems which arises in such a system is that it is quite difficult to adapt the control of the supply of feedstuff to the poultry in accordance with their varying needs. Usually, the control of the conveyor is by means of a manually operated control system which drives the conveyor at intervals and for periods chosen by the poultry farmer according to his best judgement of the poultry's current requirements. Such a system performs adequately where there is close supervision of the apparatus and skilled judgement in the setting of the control apparatus. Otherwise, the operation of the system falls seriously short of meeting the poultry's feed requirements. In those circumstances it is common forthe poultry to empty portions of the feed conveyor so that there is no food for them to consume. This seriously affects their steady rate of growth.In addition, in the situation where the setting of the apparatus is such that an over-supply of feedstuff is provided, what happens is that the depth of feedstuff on the conveyor is too great and the growing chickens tend to waste it by their head action during feeding whereby feedstuff pellets and the like are flicked out of the conveyor and are wasted on the floor of the poultry house. Very significant amounts of wastage can occur in this manner whereby the financial viability of the operation is seriously impaired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for feeding livestock, such as poultry, offering improvements in relation to one or more of the matters discussed above, or generally.

According to the invention there is provided a method of feeding livestock comprising providing a feed conveyor, periodically driving the feed conveyor for at least a short interval, monitoring the amount of feed on the conveyor, and causing further operation of the drive of the conveyor after said interval where the amount of feed on the conveyor is less than a predetermined amount.

Preferably, the further operation of the conveyor drive forms a continuation of said interval. Said further operation of the drive may continue until the amount of feed on the conveyor reaches a preset level. The further operation of the drive may continue until a preset interval after reaching said preset level of feed on the conveyor.

The method may further comprise the step of monitoring the time interval during which said further operation of the drive for the conveyor continues, and providing a signal (for example operation of an alarm device) if the operation continues beyond a second predetermined interval (having a relationship for example to the time taken for the feed conveyorto make a complete circuit from a livestock feeding area to a feedstuff reservoir and back to the livestock area).

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for feeding livestock, such as poultry, comprising a feedstuff conveyor, means to periodically drive the feedstuff conveyor for at least a short interval, monitoring means to monitorthe amount of feedstuff on the conveyor, and means to cause further operation of a drive for the conveyor after said interval if the monitored amount of conveyor falls below a preset level.

Preferably, said means to cause further operation of the feedstuff conveyor drive is arranged to cause said further operation as a continuation of said interval. The arrangement may be such that the further operation of the drive continues until the amount of feedstuff on the conveyor reaches said preset level. Alternatively, the drive may continue until a preset interval after reaching said preset level.

Means may be provided to monitor the time interval during which said further operation of the drive continues and to provide a signal (for example operation of an alarm device) if the operation of the drive continues beyond a second predetermined interval (having a relationship for example to the time taken for the feed conveyor means to make a complete circuit from the livestock feed area to a feedstuff reservoir and back again).

The means to monitor the amount of feed on the conveyor may comprise a feeler member. The feeler member may be arranged in trailing relationship to the feedstuff conveyor. The feeler member may be pivoted. The feeler member may preferably be arranged directly to actuate switch means to control the feedstuff conveyor drive. The apparatus may be arranged to be mounted on the feedstuff conveyor.

The feeler member may be height adjustable with respect to the feed conveyor.

The invention also provides a method and apparatus for livestock feeding comprising any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a side elevation view of control apparatus for a livestock feedstuff conveyor; Fig. 2 shows an elevation view of a feeler member or depth control arm forming part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an end elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, the direction of viewing being indicated by arrow Ill in Fig. 1; and this drawing also showing a feedstuff conveyor over which the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 is mounted; Fig. 4 shows an opposite end elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, the direction of viewing being that indicated by arrow IV in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 shows a side elevation view, corresponding to that of Fig. 1, showing the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the feeler member removed; and Fig. 6 shows a side elevation view from the opposite side, and corresponding to Fig. 5.

As shown in the drawings, apparatus 10 is for controlling the operation of a livestock feed conveyor, such as a poultry feed conveyor. Such conveyors are well known and it is deemed unnecessary to describe or illustrate the structure in detail. Suffice it to say that such a conveyor may be of the chain and slat scraper conveyor kind in which the chains and scraper bars operate in a channel through which the feedstuff is moved by the conveying motion of the chains and scraper bars.

The channel section itself is seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A simple mechanical drive system is provided for the conveyor, and it is usual practice to provide a control system for the drive whereby the latter is operable under manual control. For example, it may be provided that the conveyor drive is arranged to operate at preset time intervals and for preset periods of time at those intervals, these intervals and the periods of time being adjustable by the operator.

The apparatus 10 may be provided as an add-on kit to modify the operation of such an existing livestock feeder so as to provide a degree of automatic control of the feeder. Broadly speaking, the apparatus 10 serves to monitor the depth of livestock feed on the conveyor as the latter is driven at spaced intervals of time. Such intervals may vary considerably. However, by way of example,the intervals of time between successive operations of the conveyor drive may be five minutes, and the conveyor drive may be arranged to operate merely for a short time, such as a time sufficient for the conveyor to move one or two metres.If the monitored depth of feed on the conveyor is sufficient, the electrical control circuit is arranged to allow the drive to cease at that point If not, the circuit is arranged to cause the drive to continue for a further period of time until the feedstuff depth has reached the required level, or for a short period thereafter.

For the above purposes, the apparatus 10 is constructed so as to be used as an adaptation kit for an existing poultry feedstuff conveyor, and comprises a generally channel shaped main body 12 to fit over the generally channel shaped conveyor trough of the poultryfeedstuffs conveyor, and having an upstanding flange 14 on which a microswitch 16 is mounted. A feeler member 18 is pivotally mounted about an axis 20 at one end of main body 12 for actuation of switch 16. The feeler member is movable in an arc 22 about axis 20.

Micro-switch 16 operates an electrical control circuit for the motor driving the feedstuff conveyor, through control wires 24.

As shown in Fig. 2, feeler member 18 comprises an arm 26 having an upturned end 28 at one end and a switch-operating flange 30 at the other. Arm 26 is generally flat in form, being formed from mild steel and extending across the full width of the main body 12, but being freely movable therein.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, main body 12 comprises side flanges 32, 34 linked by a top plate 36, and formed as a mild steel fabrication. At one end, a screw threaded adjuster member 38 is provided to co-operate with the inturned flanges 40 of the channel-section poultry feedstuff conveyor member 42 whereby the height of the apparatus 10 relative to the poultry feedstuff conveyor is adjustable. As can be seen from Fig. 1, adjuster 38 is provided at the same end as the upturned sensing end 28 of feeler member 18, since it is only necessary to adjust the height of that end of the apparatus 10 for the purpose concerned.

Figs. and 6 show opposite side views of the apparatus, indicating the provision of an adjustable mounting for the micro-switch 16 and comprising a pivot aperture 44 and a slotted adjustment aperture 46 formed in plate 14 whereby the attitude of the micro-switch and hence its actuation point relative to feeler member 18 can be adjusted by means of its mounting bolts and their associated nuts.

Operation of apparatus 10 is substantially as described above. The poultry feedstuff scraper conveyor is positioned in the bottom of trough 42 and scrapes the feedstuff through the trough when its motor is driven. Feeler member 18 has its upturned end 28 lightly resting on the top of the feedstuff in a trailing attitude and monitoring the height thereof. As the height changes, the feeler member pivots about axis 20, thereby actuating micro-switch 16, opening and closing the latter, and thereby controlling the conveyor drive motor through the control wires 24.

The embodiment described above provides the advantages of simplicity of construction, rugged form, and relatively inexpensive nature from the point of view of original equipment manufacture. It is simple to operate. Once set, by means of the micro-switch adjustment and the adjuster member 38, it will control the depth of feed in the conveyor trough 42 at all times whereby supervision of the operation of the feedstuff conveyor is hardly needed. The increasing needs of the poultry as they grow up are automatically catered for. Each time the time clock which operates the feedstuff conveyor at intervals is energised, the sensing action of the feeler member 18 causes the necessary amount of additionai feedstuff (if any) to be added to the feedstuff conveyor.

Many modifications could be made in the above embodiment, including the exact form of the mounting structure of apparatus 10, and of the feeler member, and indeed of the arrangement and structure of the micro-switch 16. Obviously, the time intervals at which the feedstuff conveyor is periodically energised can be varied considerably from an average interval of about five minutes. It is only necessary to drive that conveyor for an interval long enough for reasonable sensing action by the feeler member over a respectable proportion of the part of the conveyor from which the poultry has been feeding. The signal thus generated can be processed in various ways. It can be arranged to cause the conveyor drive motor to continue immediately, if necessary.Alternatively, it could be arranged to cause the motor to re-energise at an intermediate period before the next programme energisation, or whatever may suit the requirements of the particular operation. The apparatus may be sold as a kit of parts for adapting an existing feed conveyor, or may be sold as original equipment incorporating the conveyor and its drive motor, together with a timer for operating same and the associated control equipment.

Among other modifications in the above embodiment is the provision of an alarm system.

The control circuit may include time monitoring means to monitor the period during which the above apparatus causes additional operation of the feedstuff conveyor. The monitoring apparatus may be arranged to provide a warning signal when the operation continues beyond a predetermined period. Such warning can be in audible or visual form and indicative of some malfunction, for the blockage of a feedstuff supply from a feedstuff hopper to the feedstuff conveyor. This warning arrangement operates on the principle that the operation of the feedstuff conveyor beyond a certain interval is indicative of such a fault since when the apparatus is operating properly the conveyor will switch off when the depth of feedstuff on it has reached the required level.

Claims

1. A method of feeding livestock comprising providing a feed conveyor, periodically driving the feed conveyor for at least a short interval, monitoring the amount of feed on the conveyor, and causing further operation of the drive of the conveyor after said interval where the amount of feed on the conveyor is less than a predetermined amount.

2. Apparatus for feeding livestock, such as poultry, comprising a feedstuff conveyor, means to periodically drive the feedstuff conveyor for at least a short interval, monitoring means to monitor the amount of feedstuff on the conveyor, and means to cause further operation of a drive for the conveyor after said interval if the monitored amount of feedstuff on the conveyor falls below a preset level.

3. A method of feeding livestock substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. Apparatus for feeding livestock, such as poultry, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.