GB2570894A

GB2570894A - Fodder feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2570894A
Application number: GB1802046.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Harris Peter; Ann Harris Jeanette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-02-08
Filing date: 2018-02-08
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Also published as: GB201802046D0

Abstract

A fodder enclosure comprising an inclined or sloped surface or panel 5, meeting an upright or vertical surface 1 and some bars 2 forming an aperture which may be interchangeable 5 and a hinged opening may be utilised for access to renew the fodder either on the top, sides 4, front 1 or rear 7 of the enclosure. A hinged loader 13 or assisting device 8 may be included to reduce physical effort in reloading. The enclosure may also contain eyelets, brackets, or some other means of towing the enclosure to another location, or a base which would enable a fork lift to manoeuver the enclosure onto a vehicle for transportation.

Description

When forage, such as hay, is fed to livestock (such as horses, cattle, large zoo animals) the simplest method of doing so is to deposit the material on the ground. This is can be unsatisfactory as contamination can take place, the fodder can be trodden on, and, if outside, is exposed to the weather or blown away. Hay nets or hay racks can be used but these require frequent replenishment and, if outside, are exposed to the weather. Hay racks and nets are usually mounted in an elevated position that can cause an unnatural feeding posture and lead to hay seeds and dust entering livestock’s eyes. There can be a considerable amount of waste.

Statement of Invention

The invention consists of an enclosure, most likely - but not necessarily - cuboid shaped. The width of the feeder would be sufficient to accept the width of one or more small bales of forage. These would be placed on an inclined panel which would be fixed inside the enclosure, and would slide down this inclined panel so as to come into contact with a series of apertures incorporated in the lower portion of one or more of the walls of the enclosure, which would be vertical or approximately so.

The animals would have access to the forage through the apertures and the bale would continue to slide down until all was eaten.

Advantages

The feeder would give protected access to the fodder and this, combined with the quantity of fodder that can be loaded, would give greater confidence over the availability of edible fodder for an extended period of time, potentially reducing the frequency of and extending the period between fodder replenishment, and reducing the risk of the livestock running out of fodder, particularly with feeders containing more than one bale and/or the deployment of more than one feeder. The forage would be protected from the elements and kept dry. The amount of waste would be significantly reduced.

Introduction to Drawings and Description

Three examples of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings:

Example A is described with reference to Figure 1

Example B is described with reference to Figure 2.

Example C is described with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views.

Figure 1 shows a cuboid shaped version according to the invention, Example A, in which the apertures are formed by a series of vertical bars. The bale 6 can be seen on the inclined panel 5 with the end of the bale against the bars 2.

Figure 2 shows Example B, a version according to the invention with a hinged front 1 and this would be replenished through the front. Some means (e.g. a form of mechanical stop 8) would be necessary to prevent the bale sliding out before securing the front in the closed position, whereupon some form of mechanical linkage could be incorporated to move this stop.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show Example C, a version according to the invention designed such that the feeder can be replenished with significant reduction in the physical effort required. It would be loaded through the back 7 which would be either hinged so that it could be opened, or removable. The back 7 could comprise one or more sections. The inclined panel would be in two parts, the rear or upper part 11 hinged onto the lower fixed part 5 at pivot point 14 so that it could be lowered to position shown in Figure 3. A frame or shelf 12 with lifting handle 13 would be attached at right angles or approximately right angles as shown in Figure 5. The bale 6 would be loaded into the initial position as shown in figure 3, then raised by means of the lifting handle 13, through position shown in figure 2, and finally to position shown in figure 5, and retained in this position by a mechanical means. In the course of this loading process, the bale would slide down the slope to contact the aperture bars, whereupon the fodder bale strings would be cut and removed and the back panel 7 replaced. With this version, Example C, the physical effort required to raise the bale would be a fraction of the weight of the bale due to the relative positions shown in Figure 4 of the lifting handle 13, the centre of gravity 15 of the bale 6 and the pivot point 14.

Other versions of the feeder could be designed to be loaded through one or both sides and/or the top. These panels would be removable or hinged and each panel could comprise one or more sections. The top panel could be designed so that rain water runs off.

The version with rear loading provision could form part of the fence or boundary of the animal compound, so that there would be no need for personnel to go in with the animals to reload the feeder. This could be an advantage, for instance where there is a risk of injury e.g. with aggressive livestock.

The feeder could be fitted with towing eyelets at the base to facilitate moving, for instance to a different location, lifting onto a vehicle or lashing down during transport or in situ.

The feeder could be designed to enable lifting with a fork lift.

The accessibility and thus the rate of consumption could be controlled by the aperture size or shape. This could be altered by a design whereby the aperture panel is removable and easily swapped for a different one. Alternatively, fixings could be mounted to enable a second aperture filter, for instance hay net material, to be fitted behind the aperture panel.

Claims

1. A fabricated enclosure with an internal inclined surface on which is placed one or more bales of fodder, or a quantity of loose fodder, that would slide down the sloping surface, the angle of which would ensure the fodder comes into contact with a vertical or approximately vertical surface incorporating a series of apertures through which the animals would access the fodder until all is consumed.

2. A fabricated enclosure according to Claim 1, which would be replenished from the top, front, sides or back by a design whereby one or more of these parts is hinged or removable.

3. A fabricated enclosure according to Claim 1, which is replenished from the back and the sloping panel is in two parts, the upper part being hinged to the lower fixed part so that it can be lowered, loaded and raised, the leverage effect resulting in a much reduced physical effort.

4. A fabricated enclosure according to any of the preceding claims which has a removable aperture section that could be changed for one with different apertures for instance to enable the consumption rate to be adjusted or for a different animal species or fodder types.

5. A fabricated enclosure according to any of the preceding claims which incorporates towing eyelets, brackets or some other means to facilitate moving to a fresh location.

6. A fabricated enclosure according to any of the preceding claims but with the base designed to enable lifting with a fork lift to facilitate moving or loading onto a vehicle.