GB2463572A

GB2463572A - Young animal feeder.

Info

Publication number: GB2463572A
Application number: GB0916263A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Forster
Original assignee: Foerster Technik GmbH
Current assignee: Foerster Technik GmbH
Priority date: 2008-09-17
Filing date: 2009-09-16
Publication date: 2010-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-16
Also published as: GB2463572B; DE102008047754C5; DE102008047754B3; GB0916263D0

Abstract

A device and a method for supplying animals with feeds are provided for an existing automatic feeder (17, fig 5). The device for supplying animals with feeds 14 has a mixer container 2 which is connected to an extraction/withdrawal device 15. The mixer container is further connected to another extraction/withdrawal device 15.1-15.3 by means of a delivery device 11.1-11.3. The delivery device is capable of measuring the amount of feed delivered to the extraction device. A method is claimed for supplying animals with feeds from the mixer container to the extraction devices, wherein at least two extraction devices are supplied with feed and the quantity of feed of at least one extraction device is sensed by the delivery device . The method and the device are provided for retrofitting to existing automatic feeders to cover, for example, peaks of demand when, for seasonal reasons, very many young animals have to be fed, without a second automatic feeder having to be procured in addition to the existing one.

Description

FOrster Technik GmbH Gerwigstr. 25 DE-78234 Engen Device and method for supplying animals with feeds The invention relates to a device for supplying animals with feeds from a mixer container which is connected to an extraction device, a method for supplying animals with feed from a mixer container and extraction devices and a delivery device for supplying feed at an extraction device, and also to a method for calibrating an automatic feeder.

PRIOR ART

In the rearing of animals, in particular young animals such as calves, lambs, etc., a mixture of water and a milk powder is often used for rearing instead of the mother's milk, for commercial and hygiene reasons. In the simplest case this mixture is blended by hand in pails separately for each young animal and is brought to the animal. This manual method is particularly prone to error with regard to precise and constant delivery, mixing and temperature control.

Furthermore, this manual method makes it very complicated to document and monitor individual feeding.

To solve this problem, what are known as automatic feeders have been developed, such as those disclosed, for example, in EP 0 792 580 Bi. These enable a predetermined quantity of feed to be precisely delivered, mixed, temperature-controlled and documented for each young animal individually.

These automatic feeders essentially have a storage container for the feed to be mixed, an entry line for a liquid and a mixer container 2 (see Figure 12) in which the feed to be mixed is mixed with the appropriate liquid. The mixer container has two connection lines, each of which is provided with a corresponding delivery device 7 in the form of a valve, with which the quantity of feed to be delivered is controlled. For this purpose the automatic feeder has an appropriate controller which controls the precise quantity to be fed to the relevant animal, and has storage facilities for documenting the feed given.

In the case of automatic feeders having a mixer container, the animals are fed, in the order in which they come to be fed, by means of what is known as a priority controller, which controls the valve delivery devices. That is to say, the young animal which is the first to come to be fed at one of the two extraction devices is fed first from the mixer container. A young animal waiting at the second extraction device has to wait until the animal that came to be fed first has consumed the quantity of feed to which it is entitled. Here the quantity is sensed in that the quantity of feed (e.g. 2 litres) to which the animal is currently entitled is divided into smaller blended portions (e.g. 0.5 I) and then allotted.

Following actuation of the empty level message sensor of the blending container, which generally has a maximum mixing volume of 0.5 I, a further blended portion is prepared. This is repeated until the quantity of feed to which the animal is entitled is delivered.

This priority controller has some disadvantages. As already mentioned above, where there are two extraction devices one young animal always has to wait until the animal that came to be fed earlier has finished feeding, irrespective of how quickly or how slowly feed intake occurs. This can have a negative impact, particularly in the learning phase, during which the young animals are accustomed to the automatic feeder, since the time delay between sucking and being supplied with feed can delay the accustoming process at the automatic feeder. This in turn necessitates re-accustoming, with the deployment of human resources and corresponding costs.

Another disadvantage of the automatic feeder based on a priority controller is that the mixing capacity of the automatic feeder is not fully utilised. The mixing capacity of an automatic feeder can, for example, be up to 4 1/mm. Four extraction devices can be operated at one automatic feeder of this kind. The average feeding rate of a calf is approximately 1 1/mm. If calves are waiting at all four extraction devices, only one can ever be supplied. With this automatic feeder therefore, only approximately 25% of the mixing capacity of the automatic feeder is ever accessed. The capacity of an automatic feeder is therefore restricted to a maximum of 80 calves, since otherwise the waiting times at the extraction devices would be too long. If more than 80 calves are to be supplied at each automatic feeder, a further automatic feeder will therefore have to be obtained, and that is expensive.

One problem is that when dry powder, for example milk replacer, is mixed with liquid, for example water, the dry powder added does not give rise to additional volume in a ratio of 1:1. For example, 1000 g water and 120 g milk replacer can yield a volume in the range from approximately 1040 to 1100 ml, depending on the proportion of soluble substances and solids in the milk replacer.

This non-proportional increase in volume cannot be sensed by the sensors of the mixer container, since the sensors are spaced too far apart and are also intended only to indicate the filling level of the mixer container. Consequently, more liquid feed may be dispensed than is provided for under the liquid feeding regimen.

Problem One problem addressed by the invention is therefore that of providing a device and a method for supplying feed to animals, with which method a plurality of extraction devices can be simultaneously supplied using the same automatic feeder.

Another problem addressed by the invention is that of providing simultaneous extraction in parallel at least at two extraction devices, with simultaneous quantity sensing for each extraction device.

Yet another problem addressed by the invention is that of retrofitting existing automatic feeders simply and inexpensively.

Still yet another problem addressed by the invention is that of avoiding the problems arising with the variation in volume when dry powder and liquid are mixed.

SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The solution to the problem is provided by a device in which the mixer container is connected to a further extraction device by means of a delivery device which can convey, measure and/or limit, a method in which at least two extraction devices are supplied with feed and the quantity of feed of at least one extraction device is sensed by a delivery device, and/or a delivery device in which a connection line is provided for retrofitting to an automatic feeder, and also a method for calibrating an automatic feeder.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention have the advantages described below.

The method and the device are intended for original equipment and for retrofitting to existing automatic feeders, thus making it possible, for example, to cover peaks of demand and/or to compensate for unfavourable arrangements of the individual groups of young animals relative to the automatic feeder. It is not therefore necessary to procure an additional automatic feeder if the extraction points provided at the automatic feeder are not sufficient to supply all the animals.

The accustoming of the young animals can take place in parallel at a plurality of extraction devices, thus enabling a saving of time and hence labour costs to be achieved and the efficiency of the automatic feeder to be thereby increased.

For very young animals and young animals which have poor suction or are sick, feed intake is made much easier by the active transport of feed using hose pumps. The suction of the young animals to be fed is also assisted by the device according to the invention. That is to say, if the second, third or fourth extraction device is too far away from the automatic feeder, with the result that the young animals cannot feed themselves by sucking on the extraction device, usually a teat, the device according to the invention can assistingly intervene.

The feed for feeding the young animals is always freshly prepared in small individual portions of between 250 ml and 500 ml in dependence upon the quantity of feed required by the young animals coming to be fed. Freshly prepared, absolutely hygienic feed is thus always available to the young animal.

The parallel dispensing of feed has a positive effect on group dynamics. Thus, young animals stimulate each other to feed. This manifests itself positively in faster accustoming, particularly in very young animals, and additionally in a better feed intake among fatteners.

With regard to group size, there is a noticeable market trend towards smaller groups of animals per extraction device. This is simply and inexpensively achievable with the new device by increasing the number of extraction devices per automatic feeder.

The parallel dispensing of feed also has advantages when feeding peaks occur, e.g. at the first feed in the morning. The calves can take their feeds more quickly and more calmly, which benefits low-ranking calves in particular.

Where automatic feeders have more than two extraction devices, in many cases the extraction devices are several metres distant from the automatic feeder. The extraction devices that are supplied by means of pumps make it possible for the young animal's feed intake to be additionally actively assisted, so even extraction devices arranged at a distance of up to 8 m from the automatic feeder can be supplied (see Figure 7).

The sucking activity and speed of the calves' feed intake can be allowed for according to the age of the calf by regulating the rate of flow at extraction points that are supplied by means of pumps. For this purpose there can be stored in the memory of the automatic feeder an age-dependent regimen which is used by the controller of the automatic feeder for controlling the relevant pump.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention also offer the possibility of supplying each animal, where necessary, with individual feed mixes, for example by adding additives such as medicinal products, vitamins, etc., to the feed mixture. However, the only animals supplied are those entitled to the special additives, so there may be a switchover from a parallel supply to a priority supply, that is to say the only extraction points that are enabled are those at which animals entitled to additives are coming to be fed.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention and of the method according to the invention is that both the device and the method can be retrofitted to existing automatic feeders as required. That is to say, if a plurality of extraction points are needed, further delivery devices can, for example, be simply retrofitted, yet the existing delivery devices can continue to be used. The controller of the automatic feeder can be programmed such that the feeder either directly controls the retrofitted delivery devices or detects them by means of its controller and integrates them into the system of the automatic feeder using the plug and play principle.

The retrofitted delivery devices are preferably hose pumps, which allow the feed to be conveyed, the quantity of feed conveyed to be measured, and the lines for supplying the feed to be limited, that is to say blocked. These individual functions of the hose pump can also be performed by separate devices such as a pump, a flow measurement device and a valve. Not all the functions of the hose pump are, however, necessary for the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. What is essential is that the feed delivered can be measured.

The hose pump or the devices functionally equivalent thereto can each have a separate controller, or they are controlled by the controller of the automatic feeder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will emerge from the following descriptions of preferred example embodiments and also with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1.1 is a diagrammatic view of a device according to the invention for supplying feeds for animals, although the extraction devices are not shown, Figure 1.2 shows the device of Figure 1.1, with the distribution of a feed shown

by way of example,

Figure 2 is a development of the device shown in Figure 1.1, Figure 3 is a development of the device shown in Figure 1.1, Figure 4 shows a liquid feeding regimen for feeding bull calves and heifer calves, Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of an automatic feeder of the device according to the invention, Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a quantity sensing and delivery device of the device according to the invention, Figure 7 shows a practical example of the method according to the invention and of the device according to the invention, Figure 8 is a comparative table in which possible example embodiments of the device according to the invention and a prior art automatic feeder are compared with one other, Figure 9 is a graph in which the number of calves per automatic feeder is compared with the number of extraction devices per automatic feeder, Figure 10 shows another example embodiment of the device according to the invention for supplying feeds for animals, again without extraction devices, Figure 11 is a development of the example embodiment shown in Figure 10, and Figure 12 shows a prior art device for supplying feeds for animals.

Figure 1 to Figure 3 and Figure 10 and Figure ii show different embodiments of a device according to the invention for supplying feed for animals. These embodiments have different delivery devices 7, 11, that is to say a valve delivery device 7 without separate quantity sensing, which is provided on an already existing automatic feeder 17 (see Figure 5) and allows only imprecise quantity sensing by means of the filling level sensors in the mixer container, and a delivery device 11 with separate quantity sensing, which is associated with the automatic feeder.

The delivery device shown in Figures ito 3 is a hose pump 11.1, 11.2, which can convey, measure and limit. It is also possible for functionally equivalent individual devices to be used as an alternative to the hose pump in the device according to the invention, as shown by way of example in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 10 shows a possible arrangement of functionally equivalent individual devices. A pump 5, a flow measurement device 34 and a valve 7 for conveying, measuring and blocking the line 9.2 are shown. The pump 5 can be omitted if the discharge line 8.1 to an extraction device 15.1 is short enough for the suction of an animal sucking on the extraction device to suffice for feed intake.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention which does without the above-mentioned hose pump 11.2 [sic -recte 11.1] and 11.2 or the separate pump 5. Instead of the hose pump there are shown separate components which, on their own, perform the individual functions of the hose pump, that is to say a pump 5, a valve 7 and a flow measurement device 34.

The pump 5 can conceivably be any fluid energy machine in which the energy inherent in the fluid (feed) is increased by the application of mechanical work, and which is suitable for conveying a feed pulp of differing consistency. The valve 7 can conceivably be any currently commercially available blocking devices which allow adequate blocking of the supply line and are suitable for feeds. The flow measurement device can likewise conceivably be any currently available flowmeters, as long as the measurement principle used therein is suitable for feeds. Conceivable flowmeters are, for example, those that operate on a mechanical and volumetric, differential pressure, acoustic, magnetic induction, thermal, optical or gyroscopic principle.

As is apparent from Figure 1.1, there is shown a mixer device 1 having a mixer container 2, a mixer rotor 3, a rotor drive 4 for the mixer rotor and two connection lines 9.1 and 9.2. Provided on the connection line 9.2 in series are a pump device 5 and a valve delivery device 7, which controls the supply of feeds to a discharge line 8 leading to an extraction device 15.2, and a valve 13 which controls the outflow of detergent from a flush line 6 for cleaning and flushing the mixer device 1. These elements are already provided on the automatic feeder 17. The mixer container 2 with the two connection lines 9.1, 9.2 thereof is likewise provided in the automatic feeder 17 and is used by the device according to the invention.

The number of connection lines 9.1 and 9.2 can be greater than two, as shown by way of example in the embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in Figure 11. This embodiment is also intended to illustrate that the delivery devices, which can be in the form of either a hose pump 11.1, 11.2 or the individual device 5, 7, 34 functionally equivalent thereto, can thus also be arranged in parallel and not just in series. This also illustrates that, in the device according to the invention, with n delivery devices (15.1 to 15.n) there have to be only n-i devices allowing measurement of the flow in the connection lines 9.1 to 9.n. It should also be noted that, for the device according to the invention, it is not necessary to provide a separate pump 5 for each connection line, as shown by way of example with the connection lines 9.3 and 9.n. The connection line 9.n shown as broken lines and the devices 34.n-1 and 7.n arranged thereon are intended to suggest that, in practice, a plurality of delivery devices I 5.n can be retrofitted with the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention.

The device according to the invention as shown in Figures 1.1 and 1.2 allows a parallel supply to all three extraction devices 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 via the same mixer container 2, with simultaneous sensing of the quantity of feed delivered per extraction device.

In a preferred embodiment the delivery devices 11.1-11.3, which allow parallel delivery and direct quantity sensing, are in the form of hose pumps. Each hose pump has a connection (without a reference sign) for a branch-off line 10.1-10.3 from the connection line 9.1, and a discharge line 12.1-12.3 to an extraction device 15.1, 15.3 (see Figure 7) of a feeder 33. In a preferred embodiment the extraction device is a teat (not shown) for extracting a liquid feed. The extraction device 15.1-15.3 can, however, conceivably also be any other suction and/or supply device suitable for feed intake for young animals, in particular calves.

Figure 1.2 again shows the hose pump delivery devices 11.1 and 11.2 and the valve delivery device 7 from Figure 1.1, also showing by way of example the distribution of a feed 14 in each of the connection lines 9.1 and 9.2 for supplying the corresponding extraction device 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3. Feed of a predetermined quantity, which can be varied from 250 ml to 500 ml, is already mixed in the mixer container 2 and is distributed to the appropriate distribution lines (connection lines 9.1, 9.2). The valve 7 is shown in an open position, and feed is supplied, for example, to the extraction device 15.2, which is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7 and is connected to the discharge line 8. The mixed feed 14 is available at the hose pump delivery devices 11.1 and 11.2, which can be actuated in parallel or independently of each other, as required, in order to supply the extraction devices 15.1, 15.3, which are connected by means of the connection lines 12.1, 12.2, with feed from the mixer container 2.

The mode of operation of the present invention will now be described.

The device according to the invention shown in Figure 1.2 enables at least three animals to be fed in parallel, with simultaneous quantity sensing. The hose pumps 11.1 and 11.2 enable feed to be precisely and accurately delivered and sensed. The two hose pumps 11.1 and 11.2 can be operated in parallel with simultaneous quantity sensing. Since the quantity of feed delivered by means of the hose pumps and the quantity of feed made available in the mixer container 2 are known, the quantity delivered at the valve delivery device 7 can be established by means of a theoretical differential equation (without the milk replacer volume factor) as follows.

If, for example, a 150 ml feed quantity V1110E has been delivered by means of the hose pump 11.1, a 200 ml feed quantity V11.2DE has been delivered at the hose pump 11.2 and a 500 ml feed quantity VMIX has been blended in the mixer container 2, then assuming complete emptying of the mixer container 2 the quantity of feed delivered by means of the valve delivery device 7 is: VVMET= VMIX -V11 1..DE -V11 = 500ml -l5Oml -200ml = 150 ml.

In a generalised form this theoretical differential equation is as follows: VVMET= VMIX -(V11.1DE + V11.2DE+ + V11flDE) [1] where n is the number of hose pumps or delivery devices.

In practice, however, this theoretical differential equation is applicable only if the ingredients to be mixed, such as dry powder and additives, would dissolve optimally in the added liquid without any variation in volume. When dry feed powders are mixed with liquid, the quantity of feed to be dispensed is usually supplied in dependence upon mass as the unit of measure, that is to say grams, whereas the prepared liquid feed is measured by volume as the unit of measure, that is to say ml. Owing to the difference in grain sizes and ingredients of the dry powder, as well as the addition of additives, the solubility of the dry powder in the liquid varies and is not really predictable. That is to say, the addition of a specific number of grams of dry powder and a specific volumetric quantity of liquid can lead to different mixing volumes. This difference in the resulting volumes is compensated using the calibration method according to the invention, which is described in more detail later.

In the prior art mixer device shown in Figure 12 the volume blended in the mixer container 2 is sensed by means of essentially three sensors (not shown), that is to say one sensor which indicates the maximum quantity (0.5 I), one sensor which indicates the half-full level (0.25 I), and one sensor which indicates the empty level (0 I). This sensor device therefore enables only the approximate filling level of the mixer container 2 to be established. If another dry powder is used or if special additives such as medicines are added, solubility and thus the variation in volume can vary when a liquid is added. This occurs particularly if animals require different concentrations of milk powder in the liquid by virtue of their feeding regimen. For example, the milk powder concentration can fluctuate between 20 g/l and 240 gIl according to requirements.

With the device according to the invention, this variation in volume can be allowed for by means of an additional calibration step in the method according to the invention. This involves the enabling of one of the delivery devices 15.1, 15.3, 15.n with which feed can be supplied and quantity sensing can simultaneously be carried out, for example the delivery devices 15.1 and 15.3 in Figure 2, each of which is provided with a hose pump, or the delivery devices 15.1 and 15.3 in Figure 11, both of which are provided with flow measurement devices. Thus, the delivery of the volumetric quantity Vmjx of the mixer container 2 at one of these delivery points makes it possible for the true volume Vmixtrue to be determined by means of the flow rate measured. The feed is delivered at the specific delivery point until the empty level sensor of the mixer container emits a signal. From the flow rate thus established it is possible to establish what is known as a milk replacer volume factor, which can compensate for the variations in volume.

The variation in volume can be calculated as follows: m = VMIXtrue I VMIX, where m is the milk replacer volume factor, VMIX is the volume assumed to be in the mixer container 2, and Vmixtrue is the volume measured.

This yields the following calibrated differential equation for the volume delivered at the delivery device without quantity sensing: VVMETtrUe VMIX * m -(V111DE + V11.2..DE+ .., + V11flDE) [2] The calibration explained above can take place while a calf is being fed.

Preferably this calibration takes place at least twice with the same calf and at the same extraction point 15.1, 15.3. It is, however, also possible to carry out this calibration without feeding if the feed produced is discharged automatically or manually. This is conditional upon the supply line of the extraction point having a flow measurement device 34, 34.1, 34.2, 34n-1. The function of the flow measurement device 34 can also be performed by a hose pump.

Calibration is preferably carried out daily, since otherwise the delivery points without volume sensing may be supplied with too much feed, the lack of volume sensing being compensated by means of differential equation [2] according to the invention.

The automatic feeder can be recalibrated, that is to say the milk replacer volume factor can be re-established, whenever the dry powder concentration in the liquid is varied. For example, the milk replacer volume factor for concentrations of 20 g/l to 240 gIl can be stored in 20 g/l steps.

Calibrated differential equation [2] can be relatively easily integrated into the existing controller of the automatic feeder. In particular, the establishment of the milk replacer volume factor can prevent incorrect quantities from being established.

Conventionally, as already mentioned above, the mixer containers are provided only with sensors for sensing the filling level, that is to say empty or filled. It is therefore at least possible to detect whether the entire content of the mixer container has been consumed by the animals, and this can also be documented by the controller 16 of the automatic feeder 17.

Figures 2 and 3 show further example embodiments of the device according to the invention. As is apparent from Figure 2, two valve delivery devices 7 and 7.2 and two hose pumps 11.1 and 11.2 are provided. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 2 it is possible for three distribution points, 15.1, 15.3 with either 15.5 or 15.2, to be simultaneously supplied and for there to be simultaneous quantity sensing. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 3, however, it is even possible for four distribution points 15.1, 15.3, 15.4 and 15.2 to be simultaneously supplied and for there to be simultaneous quantity sensing. The reason is that in the example embodiment of Figure 2 the valve delivery devices 7 and 7.2 can be actuated only in succession, whereas both hose pumps can be operated in parallel with one of the valve delivery devices 7 or 7.2. Moreover, the quantity of feed delivered by the hose pumps is detected by the controller 27 thereof to allow precise quantity sensing according to the above differential equation [2]. This controller 27 can also be provided for the individual devices functionally equivalent to the hose pump, separately or together for each individual device.

The example embodiment of the device according to the invention shown in Figure 2 is used in the practical example shown in Figure 7. Four groups of calves A.1, A.2, B.1 and B2 are shown in Figure 7. Groups A.1 and A.2 represent heifer calves, and groups B.1 and B.2 represent bull calves. The extraction devices 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 and 15.4 for the individual groups are each provided with teats for supplying the calves with feed. The number of calves shown in each group is not representative. In practice, each group can comprise up to 40 animals. Groups Al and A.2 are supplied by means of the valve delivery devices 7, 7.2 which are already in existence on the automatic feeder 17 and which are controlled via the automatic feeder controller 16 by means of a priority method. That is to say, the calf in group A.1 which is the first to stand at the extraction device 15.2 and is sensed there has priority over the calf in group A.2 which comes to be fed at the extraction device 15.5 later than the calf in group Al. That is to say, the valve delivery device 7 is switched to open for the calf in group Al, while the valve delivery device 7.2 remains closed for the group A2 calf until the Al calf has finished sucking its feed intake. At the extraction devices 15.2 and 15.5, feed extraction is therefore possible only in succession.

The considerable flexibility of the inventive device can also be explained with reference to Figure 7. Assuming that a cattle breeder has provided the automatic feeder 17 only for supplying heifer calves in groups A.1, A.2, then without the inventive device the cattle breeder would have to procure an additional automatic feeder if the bull calves in groups B.l, B.2 are also to be supplied. The reason is that, given the position of the pens for the individual groups as shown in Figure 7, the pens for the bull calves are arranged too far away from the automatic feeder, since the bull calves are not helped to suck and have to feed through correspondingly long lines. This problem can be solved with the device according to the invention by retrofitting the existing automatic feeder 17. This is done by virtue of the fact that, on the existing automatic feeder 17, the hose pumps 11.1 and 11.2 are connectable, by means of the controller 27 associated therewith, to the controller 16 of the automatic feeder using the plug and play principle. The hose pumps can bridge the distance to the automatic feeder, and they also allow a parallel supply to the extraction device 15.1 and 15.3 using the same mixer container 2 of the automatic feeder 17.

At the extraction devices 15.1 and 15.3 for groups B.1 and B.2, the feed is conveyed from the mixer container 2 by means of the hose pumps 11.1 and 11.2. This also means that, first, a parallel supply to the extraction points is possible and, second, calf feeding can be assisted. The advantage of this is that both B groups can be supplied in parallel and that, on the basis of the rate of flow of each hose pump, the calves can be supplied irrespective of how well they suck. That is to say, the extraction devices 15.1 and 15.3 do not have to be arranged directly at the automatic feeder 17. Furthermore, the signals of a suction sensing device 28 can be processed using the hose pump 11.1 and 11.2 and the controller 27 thereof. The time spent by the calves at the extraction point 15.1, 15.3 can therefore be speeded up according to how well the individual calf sucks, in that the hose pump can provide assistance in the case of animals with poor suction, i.e. able to suck less than 1 I/mm, by increasing the rate of flow of the pump. Furthermore, owing to the pump action of the hose pumps the extraction points 15.1 and 15.3 can be arranged at a distance of up to 8 m from the automatic feeder 17, and greater distances can also be spanned if the hose pumps are of an appropriate design or by the arrangement of appropriate additional pumps.

Figure 4 shows a liquid feeding regimen used, for example, for bull calves in group B and for heifer calves in group A. This liquid feeding regimen can be programmed into the automatic feeder 17. Over a plurality of feeding days the bull calves are given a larger quantity of feed per day than the heifer calves, so they gain weight more quickly. In the case of the heifer calves, an increased quantity of liquid feed over a few days is followed by a weaning phase in which the intention is to accustom them to feed concentrates and grass feed.

Figure 3 shows a third variant of the device according to the invention in which parallel distribution at all four extraction devices is possible, since three hose pumps 11.1 to 11.3 and just one valve delivery device 7 are provided. As the hose pumps 11.1 to 11.3 each allow precise quantity sensing, the quantity delivered at the valve delivery device 7 can again be deduced from the quantity in the mixer container less the three quantities conveyed by the hose pumps.

This example embodiment shows that the delivery device present on the existing automatic feeder can be almost wholly replaced by retrofitted hose pumps. Generally speaking, all the extraction points can be supplied by means of hose pumps, with the automatic feeder preparing only the feed to be fed.

The number of hose pumps is not restricted to four. More than four hose pumps can also be connected to the automatic feeder 17, for example five, six or seven, with the maximum number of additional hose pumps being unlimited.

Figures 8 and 9 show that this modification can considerably increase the efficiency of an automatic feeder. As is apparent from the table in Figure 8, the use of hose pumps in the device according to the invention enables the calves to be supplied more quickly at each automatic feeder 17 by virtue of the resultant parallel supply of the extraction points 15.1-15.5. This is apparent, in particular from the last column, which indicates by way of example how long it takes to supply all the animals with, for example, 6 litres of feed. With regard to the theoretical delivery capacity, for the sake of clarity it should be mentioned that a calf can, on average, suck approximately 1 1/mm. The table also shows that each combination of valve delivery device and hose pump delivery device enables a corresponding number of calves per automatic feeder 17 to be supplied. The table shows that, if more hose pumps are deployed, more calves can be supplied in a shorter time by only one automatic feeder.

This increase in the number of calves that can be supplied by each automatic feeder 17 with the inventive device is clarified in the graph in Figure 9. There the number of calves per automatic feeder is compared with the number of extraction devices per automatic feeder 17, shown separately for automatic feeders with a parallel supply, that is to say having hose pumps and having a valve as delivery device, and without a parallel supply, that is to say only with valves as delivery device, from the same mixer container 2.

It is apparent from the graph that, upwards of three extraction devices per automatic feeder, the hose pump delivery device is superior to the valve delivery device in terms of both the possible time gain (see Figure 8) and the number of calves that can be supplied. As the last two columns of the graph [sic -recte table] show, fewer calves can be supplied (30 and 60 respectively) using an automatic feeder only having valves V1 and it takes 180 and 360 mm respectively to supply all the calves with 6 litres of feed. In the case of an automatic feeder having three hose pumps H and one valve V, up to 120 calves can be supplied with 6 litres of feed in only 180 mm because a parallel supply is possible by means of the hose pumps. An automatic feeder having only one valve manages to supply only 30 calves with 6 litres of feed each over the same period.

The table [sic -recte graph] in Figure 9 shows that, with one automatic feeder having three extraction devices 15.1-15.3 supplied only using the priority method, just 70 calves per automatic feeder can be effectively fed, owing to the waiting times. By contrast, an automatic feeder 17 controlled using the parallel delivery method according to the invention or having the inventive device can supply 90 calves with three extraction devices, since the hose pumps allow a parallel supply and the waiting time can thereby be reduced overall at the extraction points. This means that, in this case, 20 more calves can be supplied using the device according to the invention, the costs being otherwise equal.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the automatic feeder, which is suitable both for the priority method -supplying the extraction points in succession -and for the parallel method -a parallel supply to more than one extraction point. The automatic feeder 17 has a feed storage container 18 which is preferably filled with dry powder such as, for example, milk powder. The automatic feeder 17 also has a mixer device 1, which is controlled by a controller 16 (not shown) of the automatic feeder. Moreover, this controller 16 likewise controls the addition of feed, via a feed supply in the form of a hopper 20, by means of a rationing device 19 on the feed store 18, and controls the addition of liquid 25 and of additives and/or admixtures 26 to the mixer container 2, and the mixing and temperature control thereof. The programming of the controller 16 of the automatic feeder 17 can be examined from an input device 22 by means of the display section 23 thereof, for example an LCD display, and can be programmed via the input section 24 thereof, for example a touch-sensitive keyboard. Other interfaces for transmitting data for programming the controller 16 of the automatic feeder 17 such as, for example, CAN interfaces, interfaces for storage media such as USB memory sticks, may also be provided. The controller 16 has a master processor unit for controlling the individual elements of the automatic feeder 17.

As is apparent from Figure 6, a hose pump 11.1-11.3 having a casing (without a reference sign) is shown at a hose pump controller 27. The casing of the controller 27 is provided with interfaces for the power supply 31, for a CAN link 32 and for a device 30 for accustoming the animals to taking a liquid feed, and also with interfaces for a device 28 for suction sensing at the extraction devices 15.1-15.5 and a device 29 for detecting the animal present at the relevant extraction device. Suitable sensors are accordingly used for the devices 28 and 29, and the signals of these sensors are processed by a central unit of the controller 27. The operation of the controller 27 of the hose pump is synchronised with the control of the automatic feeder 17 via the CAN link, although other types of link such as a LAN link, WLAN link, etc., are also conceivable. It should be noted that the controllers of the hose pumps are designed such that they are connectable to the controller of the automatic feeder using the plug and play principle. That is to say, the controller 27 of the hose pump logs into the automatic feeder 17 and is automatically integrated into the controller 16 of the automatic feeder 17. This is simplified by quantity sensing using the differential equation principle described above.

The device for accustoming the calves is a pushbutton device 30 with which the hose pump 11 connected thereto can be set in motion so that feed is supplied to the extraction device 15.1-15.5.

The method steps that are possible with the method according to the invention for supplying feed are explained briefly below.

The inventive method for controlling an automatic feeder for supplying feeds for animals makes it possible to supply feed from the mixer container 2 to individual extraction devices 15.1-15.5 in parallel, with simultaneous sensing of the quantity of feed extracted from each extraction device. The method according to the invention allows for just one of the extraction devices 15.1-15.5 to be actuated, and in this case the quantity of feed extracted can be sensed from the content extracted from the mixer container.

In the case of parallel feed extraction at least at two extraction devices, with the method according to the invention the quantities of feed delivered are sensed at least at one of the extraction devices. The quantity of feed delivered at the one extraction device without quantity sensing can thus be calculated at least from the content of the mixer container less the sensed quantity of feed delivered, for example as in the above differential equation [2] which, according to the invention, can allow for possible variations in volume by means of the milk replacer volume factor. In a preferred example embodiment this delivery device is a hose pump. The delivery device can, however, also conceivably be other devices, provided that the delivery device per se or the individual devices thereof can convey, measure or block.

The delivery devices, that is to say the hose pump 11.1-11.3 or the valve delivery device 7, 7.2, are preferably activated by an animal sucking at the relevant delivery point, with only one valve 7, 7.2 being activatable at any one time, although a plurality of hose pumps can be operated in parallel.

In the method according to the invention, moreover, the animal coming to feed at the extraction device 15.1-15.5 is sensed prior to preparation of the feed to check whether, according to its individual liquid feeding regimen, this animal still has a right to be fed. If the animal has a right to be fed, feed will be supplied to the relevant extraction device 15.1-15.5 in that, via the controller 16 of the automatic feeder, the appropriate delivery device will be actuated for delivering feed.

It is also possible to add additives to the feed prepared in the mixer container 2, according to the requirements of the animal sensed. The additives can be medicinal products, anabolics, minerals and/or vitamins, etc. With the method according to the invention, however, only selected animals are given these additives, for example on account of a disease or the like.

The quantity of feed extracted by each individual animal is also sensed and stored, so it is possible for each animal to be supplied with feed according to a programmable liquid feeding regimen. The liquid feeding regimen can be individually adapted to each animal. One example of a liquid feeding regimen is shown in Figure 4. The liquid feeding regimen in Figure 4 shows a liquid feeding regimen for fattening (bull calves) and for weaning (heifer calves).

The following numbered paragraphs describe aspects of the invention.

1. A device for supplying animals with feeds (14) from a mixer container (2) which is connected to an extraction device (15.2), characterised in that the mixer container (2) is connected to a further extraction device (15.1-15.3) by means of a delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) which can convey, measure and/or limit.

2. A device according to paragraph 1, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is connected to the controller (16) of an automatic feeder (17).

3. A device according to one of paragraphs 1 or 2, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is a separate module and is connectable to the automatic feeder (17).

4. A device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, characterised in that the delivery device (11.1-11.3) has a separate controller (27) which is connected to the controller (16) of the automatic feeder (17) via a link for data exchange.

5. A device according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is controlled by the controller (16) of the automatic feeder (17) via a link for data exchange.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterised in that a suction sensing device (28) and/or an animal sensing device (29) is or are provided for detecting animals coming to feed.

7. A device according to one of paragraphs 4 and 6, characterised in that the controller (27) of the delivery device (11) has a connection for the suction sensing device (18) and a connection for the animal sensing device (29).

8. A device according to paragraph 7, characterised in that the controller (27) has a master processor for processing the signals from the suction sensing device (28) and/or the animal sensing device (29).

9. A device according to at least one of paragraphs 2 to 7, characterised in that each of the delivery devices (11.1-11.3) has a hose pump.

10. A device according to at least one of paragraphs 2 to 7, characterised in that the delivery device (7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n) has a device for measuring flow (34, 34.2-34.n) and/or a device for limiting (7, 7.2, 7.n).

11 A device according to paragraph 10, characterised in that the delivery device has a pump device (5).

12. A device according to paragraph 10 or 11, characterised in that the device for measuring flow is a flowmeter which operates on a magnetic induction, thermal or optical principle, the device for pumping being a pump (5) and the device for limiting being a valve (7, 7.2, 7.n).

13. A device according to paragraph 9, characterised in that the hose pump has a branch-off line (10.1-10.3) which is connected to the mixer container (2), and a discharge line (12.1-12.3) which leads to an extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4).

14. A device according to any one of paragraphs 4-13, characterised in that the rate of flow of the delivery device is variable by means of the controller (27).

15. A device according to any one of paragraphs 4 to 7, characterised in that the controller (16, 27) has a connection for an aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30).

16. A device according to paragraph 15, characterised in that the aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30) has an actuator, such as a pushbutton, for manually activating and deactivating the hose pump (11).

17. A device according to at least one of the preceding paragraphs 1 to 16, characterised in that a second delivery device (5, 7.2-7.n, 34.2-34.n, 11.2) is, parallel or in series with the first delivery device (5, 7.1, 34.1, 11.1), connectable to a connection line (9.1, 9.3, 9.n) via a branch-off line (10.2) and is controllable parallel with the first delivery device.

18. A device according to at least one of paragraphs 1 to 17, characterised in that each delivery device (11.3, 5, 7.n, 34.n) further to the preceding delivery device (5, 7.1, 7.2, 34.1, 34.2, 11.1, 11.2) is connectable to the connection line (9.1) of the first delivery device and is controllable parallel with the first and each further delivery device.

19. A device according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterised in that there is provided upstream of the extraction device (15.2) a valve delivery device (7).

20. A device according to paragraph 19, characterised in that a pump device (5) is provided upstream or downstream of the valve delivery device (7) and is connected to the mixer container (2) by means of a connection line (9.2).

21. A device according to paragraph 19 or 20, characterised in that at least one further valve delivery device (7.2) is associated with the valve delivery device (7).

22. A method for supplying animals with feeds from a mixer container (2) and extraction devices (15.1-15.5), characterised in that at least two extraction devices (15.1, 15.2) are simultaneously supplied with feed (14) and the quantity of feed of at least one extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4) is sensed by a delivery device (11.1-11.3; 34, 34.2, 34.n-1).

23. A method according to paragraph 22, characterised in that the quantity of feed extracted is calculated from the extracted content of the mixer container (2) and from the value established by the delivery device (11.1-11.3; 34, 34.2, 34.n-1).

24. A method according to paragraph 23, characterised in that, when the quantity of feed is calculated, to compensate for any volumetric variation in the quantity of feed a milk replacer volume factor is established by comparing the volume sensor values of the mixer container and the flow measurement values of a flow measurement device (34, 34.1-34.n-1; 11.1, 11.2).

25. A method according to paragraph 24, characterised in that the automatic feeder is calibrated using the milk replacer volume factor.

26. A method according to paragraph 24 or 25, characterised in that the milk replacer volume factor is applied to the measured content of the mixer container, such that the true content of the mixer container is obtained.

27. A method according to paragraph 26, characterised in that, on the basis of the difference between the measured extracted quantity of feed and the true content of the mixer container, the extraction at extraction devices (15.2, 15.5) is established without establishing quantity.

28. A method according to any one of the preceding paragraphs 22 to 27, characterised in that the quantity of feed extracted by each individual animal is sensed and stored.

29. A delivery device for supplying feed for animals at an extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4), characterised in that a connection line (9.1) is provided for retrofitting to an automatic feeder (17).

30. A delivery device according to paragraph 29, characterised in that at least one hose pump (11.1 to 11.4) connects to the connection line (9.1).

31. A delivery device according to paragraph 29 or 30, characterised in that at least one pump (5), one valve (7, 7.2, 7.n) and/or one flow measurement device (34, 34.1, 34.2. 34.n) connects to the connection line (9.1).

32. A delivery device according to paragraph 30, characterised in that the hose pump (11.1 to 11.4) having a controller (27) is connectable to a controller (16) of the automatic feeder.

33. A delivery device according to paragraph 31, characterised in that the pump (5), the valve (7, 7.2, 7.n) and/or the flow measurement device (34, 34.1, 34.2, 34.n) has a controller (27) which is connectable to a controller (16) of the automatic feeder.

34. A delivery device according to paragraph 32 or 33, characterised in that the controller (27) has a plurality of interfaces for signal reception (32, 30, 28, 29) and for the supply of energy (31).

35. A delivery device according to any one of paragraphs 32 to 34, characterised in that the controller (27) has a master processor for processing the signals from the interfaces (28, 29, 30, 32).

36. A delivery device according to paragraph 35, characterised in that a suction sensing device (28), an animal sensing device (29), an aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30) and/or a link (32) to the automatic feeder is or are connectable to the interfaces for signal reception.

37. A delivery device according to paragraph 36, characterised in that the link to the automatic feeder is a LAN link or a WLAN link.

38. A delivery device according to paragraph 37, characterised in that the LAN link is a CAN link (32).

39. A method for calibrating an automatic feeder, characterised in that the volumetric content (VMIXTrue) of the mixer container (2) is measured by a delivery device (15.1, 15.3, 15.n) which is capable of measuring the flow rate, a milk replacer volume factor being calculated from the assumed volumetric content (VMIX) of the mixer container (2) and the measured volumetric content (VMIXtrue).

40. A method according to paragraph 39, characterised in that the calibration takes place while an animal is being fed.

41. A method according to paragraph 39 or 40, characterised in that a recalibration of the milk replacer volume factor is initiated whenever the concentration of the feed is varied.

42. A method according to paragraph 41, wherein the milk replacer volume factor is established at defined intervals.

Reference: P 3857 Date: 19.08.2008 List of reference signs 1 Mixer device 34 Flow measurement device 67 ____________ 2 Mixer container 35 _______________________ 68 ____________ 3 Mixer rotor 36 ____________________ 69 __________ 4 Rotor drive 37 _______________________ 70 ____________ Pump device/pump 38 _______________________ 71 ____________ 6 Flush line 39 _________________________ 72 _____________ 7, 7.2 Valve/valve delivery device 40 ________________________ 73 ____________ 8 Discharge line 41 _______________________ 74 ____________ 9.1,9.2 Connection line 42 ______________________ 75 ___________ 10.1, Branch-off line 43 76 10.2 ______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ ____________ 11.1-Hose pump delivery device 44 77 11.3 ____________________ _____ _____________________ ______ ___________ 12 Discharge line 45 _______________________ 78 ____________ 13 Flush line valve 46 ______________________ 79 ___________ 14 Feed 47 ____________________ ______ __________ 15.1-Extraction device 48 15.5 ______________________ ______ _______________________ ______ ____________ 16 Automatic feeder controller 49 _______________________ ______ ____________ 17 Automatic feeder 50 ________________________ _______ ____________ 18 Feed storage container 51 ________________________ _______ ____________ 19 Rationing device 52 ________________________ _______ ____________ Supply hopper 53 _______________________ ______ ____________ 21 54 22 Input device 55 ________________________ _______ _____________ 23 Display section 56 ________________________ _______ _____________ 24 Input section 57 ________________________ _______ _____________ Liquid 58 _______________________ ______ ____________ 26 Additive/admixture 59 ________________________ _______ _____________ 27 Delivery device controller 60 ________________________ _______ _____________ 28 Suction sensing device 61 _________________________ _______ _____________ 29 Animal sensing device 62 ________________________ _______ _____________ Aid for accustoming 63 animals to taking a liquid ______ feed ______ _________________________ _______ _____________ 31 Power supply 64 _______________________ ______ ____________ 32 CAN link 65 _______________________ ______ ____________ 33 Feeder 66 _______________________ ______ ____________

Claims

Claims 1. A device for supplying animals with feeds (14) from a mixer container (2) which is connected to an extraction device (15.2), characterised in that the mixer container (2) is connected to a further extraction device (15.1-1 5.3) by means of a delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) which can convey, measure and/or limit.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is connected to the controller (16) of an automatic feeder (17).
3. A device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is a separate module and is connectable to the automatic feeder (17).
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the delivery device (11.1-11.3) has a separate controller (27) which is connected to the controller (16) of the automatic feeder (17) via a link for data exchange.
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the delivery device (5, 7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n; 11.1-11.3) is controlled by the controller (16) of the automatic feeder (17) via a link for data exchange.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a suction sensing device (28) and/or an animal sensing device (29) is or are provided for detecting animals coming to feed.
7. A device according to one of claims 4 and 6, characterised in that the controller (27) of the delivery device (11) has a connection for the suction sensing device (18) and a connection for the animal sensing device (29).
8. A device according to claim 7, characterised in that the controller (27) has a master processor for processing the signals from the suction sensing device (28) and/or the animal sensing device (29).
9. A device according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that each of the delivery devices (11.1-11.3) has a hose pump.
10. A device according to at least one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the delivery device (7, 7.2-7.n, 34, 34.2-34.n) has a device for measuring flow (34, 34.2-34.n) and/or a device for limiting (7, 7.2, Tn).
11, A device according to claim 10, characterised in that the delivery device has a pump device (5).
12. A device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the device for measuring flow is a flowmeter which operates on a magnetic induction, thermal or optical principle, the device for pumping being a pump (5) and the device for limiting being a valve (7, 7.2, 7.n).
13. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the hose pump has a branch-off line (10.1-1 0.3) which is connected to the mixer container (2), and a discharge line (12.1-12.3) which leads to an extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4).
14. A device according to any one of claims 4-13, characterised in that the rate of flow of the delivery device is variable by means of the controller (27).
15. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the controller (16, 27) has a connection for an aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30).
16. A device according to claim 15, characterised in that the aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30) has an actuator, such as a pushbutton, for manually activating and deactivating the hose pump (11).
17. A device according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 16, characterised in that a second delivery device (5, 7.2-7.n, 34.2-34.n, 11.2) is, parallel or in series with the first delivery device (5, 7.1, 34.1, 11.1), connectable to a connection line (9.1, 9.3, 9.n) via a branch-off line (10.2) and is controllable parallel with the first delivery device.
18. A device according to at least one of claims ito 17, characterised in that each delivery device (11.3, 5, 7.n, 34.n) further to the preceding delivery device (5, 7.1, 7.2, 34.1, 34.2, 11.1, 11.2) is connectable to the connection line (9.1) of the first delivery device and is controllable parallel with the first and each further delivery device.
19. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is provided upstream of the extraction device (15.2) a valve delivery device (7).
20. A device according to claim 19, characterised in that a pump device (5) is provided upstream or downstream of the valve delivery device (7) and is connected to the mixer container (2) by means of a connection line (9.2).
21. A device according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that at least one further valve delivery device (7.2) is associated with the valve delivery device (7).
22. A method for supplying animals with feeds from a mixer container (2) and extraction devices (15.1-1 5.5), characterised in that at least two extraction devices (15.1, 15.2) are simultaneously supplied with feed (14) and the quantity of feed of at least one extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4) is sensed by a delivery device (11.1-11.3; 34, 34.2, 34.n-1).
23. A method according to claim 22, characterised in that the quantity of feed extracted is calculated from the extracted content of the mixer container (2) and from the value established by the delivery device (11.1-11.3; 34, 34.2, 34.n-1).
24. A method according to claim 23, characterised in that, when the quantity of feed is calculated, to compensate for any volumetric variation in the quantity of feed a milk replacer volume factor is established by comparing the volume sensor values of the mixer container and the flow measurement values of a flow measurement device (34, 34.1-34.n-1; 11.1, 11.2).
25. A method according to claim 24, characterised in that the automatic feeder is calibrated using the milk replacer volume factor.
26. A method according to claim 24 or 25, characterised in that the milk replacer volume factor is applied to the measured content of the mixer container, such that the true content of the mixer container is obtained.
27. A method according to claim 26, characterised in that, on the basis of the difference between the measured extracted quantity of feed and the true content of the mixer container, the extraction at extraction devices (15.2, 15.5) is established without establishing quantity.
28. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 27, characterised in that the quantity of feed extracted by each individual animal is sensed and stored.
29. A delivery device for supplying feed for animals at an extraction device (15.1, 15.3, 15.4), characterised in that a connection line (9.1) is provided for retrofitting to an automatic feeder (17).
30. A delivery device according to claim 29, characterised in that at least one hose pump (11.1 to 11.4) connects to the connection line (9.1).
31. A delivery device according to claim 29 or 30, characterised in that at least one pump (5), one valve (7, 7.2, 7.n) and/or one flow measurement device (34, 34.1, 34.2. 34.n) connects to the connection line (9.1).
32. A delivery device according to claim 30, characterised in that the hose pump (11.1 to 11.4) having a controller (27)is connectable to a controller (16) of the automatic feeder.
33. A delivery device according to claim 31, characterised in that the pump (5), the valve (7, 7.2, 7.n) and/or the flow measurement device (34, 34.1, 34.2, 34.n) has a controller (27) which is connectable to a controller (16) of the automatic feeder.
34. A delivery device according to claim 32 or 33, characterised in that the controller (27) has a plurality of interfaces for signal reception (32, 30, 28, 29) and for the supply of energy (31).
35. A delivery device according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterised in that the controller (27) has a master processor for processing the signals from the interfaces (28, 29, 30, 32).
36. A delivery device according to claim 35, characterised in that a suction sensing device (28), an animal sensing device (29), an aid for accustoming animals to taking a liquid feed (30) and/or a link (32) to the automatic feeder is or are connectable to the interfaces for signal reception.
37. A delivery device according to claim 36, characterised in that the link to the automatic feeder is a LAN link or a WLAN link.
38. A delivery device according to claim 37, characterised in that the LAN link is a CAN link (32).
39. A method for calibrating an automatic feeder, characterised in that the volumetric content (VMIXTWe) of the mixer container (2) is measured by a delivery device (15.1, 15.3, 15.n) which is capable of measuring the flow rate, a milk replacer volume factor being calculated from the assumed volumetric content (VMIX) of the mixer container (2) and the measured volumetric content (VMIXtrue).
40. A method according to claim 39, characterised in that the calibration takes place while an animal is being fed.
41. A method according to claim 39 or 40, characterised in that a recalibration of the milk replacer volume factor is initiated whenever the concentration of the feed is varied.
42. A method according to claim 41, wherein the milk replacer volume factor is established at defined intervals.