GB2573541A

GB2573541A - Livestock feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2573541A
Application number: GB1807550.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lawson Adrian
Original assignee: Rattlerow Farms Ltd
Current assignee: Rattlerow Farms Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-09
Filing date: 2018-05-09
Publication date: 2019-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-09
Also published as: GB2573541B; GB201807550D0

Abstract

A combination livestock feeder and water apparatus 10 comprises a feeder body 18 having a hopper 32 for storing feed and a feeding chamber 20 disposed below the hopper 32, the feeding chamber 20 including a trough 26 and being arranged to receive feed from an outlet opening of the hopper 32 and having a front opening 22 to allow an animal to access the feeding chamber 20. The apparatus further comprises a water unit 14 having a reservoir 40 for storing water and a water outlet (44, Fig 5) for dispensing water from the reservoir 40, wherein the reservoir 40 is attached to a side of the feeder body 18 and the water outlet 44 extends through the side of the feeder body 18 such that the water outlet 44 is disposed in the feeding chamber 20. In another aspect, the feeder body 18 comprises an inclined partition 30 and a fist inclined surface 26d wherein the first inclined surface 26d and the inclined partition 30 diverge from one another towards the front opening 22 of the feeding chamber.

Description

LIVESTOCK FEEDER

FIELD OFTHE INVENTION

The present invention relates to livestock feeder apparatus. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to combination livestock feeder and waterer arrangements and to wet-dry shelf feeders.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

One common type of feeder for livestock animals, in particular pigs, swine or hogs, is known as a wet-dry shelf feeder. Such feeders include a trough and a shelf arranged above the trough. A hopper for storing dry feed is arranged above the shelf, so that dry feed drops from the hopper onto the shelf. A water outlet in the form of a drinker nipple is disposed within the trough, beneath the shelf. The drinker nipple includes a valve that is activated to release water when the nipple is chewed or pushed by the animal to release water into the trough or directly into the animal’s mouth.

With such feeders, the animal can eat the dry feed directly from the shelf, or can push the feed into the trough and wet the feed using the nipple. The animal can also drink from the feeder, so that no additional drinker apparatus is required.

Typically, such feeders are made from sheet metal, with the trough being formed by a curved or folded sheet that provides the lateral surfaces of the trough and that is affixed between two upstanding planar sheets that form ends of the trough. As a result, the corners of the trough, where the lateral surfaces meet the ends of the trough, are usually right-angled. These corners, and the joins between the sheets, can be difficult to clean and can become clogged with mud and stale feed.

The drinker nipple is typically connected to a supply pipe that carries water to the feeder from a water source. If available, the water may be drawn from a mains supply, but in more remote locations the water may be drawn from a central storage tank. A common problem with such arrangements is that the supply pipe,

-2and often the nipple itself, can freeze during cold weather, so that the livestock can no longer access fresh water. Freezing of supply pipes is also a problem in other livestock watering devices such as troughs and drinking bowls.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From a first aspect, the present invention resides in a combination livestock feeder and waterer apparatus comprising:

a feeder body having a hopper for storing feed and a feeding chamber disposed below the hopper, the feeding chamber including a trough and being arranged to receive feed from an outlet opening of the hopper and having a front opening to allow an animal to access the feeding chamber; and a waterer unit having a reservoir for storing water and a water outlet for dispensing water from the reservoir;

wherein:

the reservoir is attached to a side of the feeder body; and the water outlet extends through the side of the feeder body such that the water outlet is disposed in the feeding chamber.

With this arrangement, the water outlet in the feeding chamber can be connected directly to the reservoir with no exposed pipework. This considerably reduces the risk of water becoming unavailable due to freezing in low temperatures. Furthermore, the water outlet itself is protected from frost due to its position within the feeding chamber.

In addition, by attaching the reservoir to the feeder body, the weight of the apparatus in use is considerably higher than would be the case for a conventional livestock feeder, so that the apparatus is less vulnerable to being moved or knocked over by a feeding animal.

-3Preferably, the water outlet is disposed in the trough. The feeding chamber may include a feed shelf disposed below the outlet opening of the hopper and above the trough, so that the apparatus provides a wet-dry shelf feeder.

The feeding chamber is preferably at least partially double-skinned. In this way, the cavity between the skins provides thermal insulation in the region where the water outlet connects to the reservoir. This further reduces the likelihood of the water outlet freezing, and also helps to reduce the likelihood of water in the reservoir freezing at least on the side adjacent to the feeder body. In addition, the double skin provides extra strength and rigidity to the feeder body particularly in the region of the feeding chamber.

The trough (and, when present, the shelf) may be defined by a shaped inner skin of the feeding chamber. With this arrangement, the trough can be rounded or otherwise shaped to minimise sharp comers that are difficult to access for the animal and difficult to keep clean. For instance, the inner skin may be shaped such that radiused corners are formed between lateral surfaces of the trough and end surfaces of the trough.

In a preferred embodiment, the feeder body comprises an inclined partition defining a base of the hopper and a roof of the feeding chamber, and the outlet opening of the hopper is formed by an aperture in the inclined partition or by a gap between the inclined partition and a back wall of the feeding unit.

The feeder body may further comprise a first inclined surface forming a front wall of the trough. Preferably, the first inclined surface and the inclined partition diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber. In this way, the feeder body can be moulded using a tool or former that can be withdrawn from the front opening of the feeding chamber after moulding.

Similarly, the feeder body may comprise a second inclined surface forming a back wall of the trough, and the first and second inclined surfaces preferably diverge

-4from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber. A top edge of the second inclined surface may meet the shelf.

Preferably, a side wall of the reservoir is disposed adjacent to and abutting a side wall of the feeder body. At least one fastener may be provided for securing the reservoir to the feeder body. The fastener preferably extends through respective apertures in the abutting side walls. In a preferred embodiment, a fastener is provided to secure the reservoir to the feeder body in the region of the hopper, and the water outlet is arranged to secure the reservoir to the feeder body in the region of the feeding chamber. The side wall of the feeder body preferably comprises a side wall of the hopper and an outer wall of the feeding chamber.

The apparatus may include a cover for closing the front opening of the feeding chamber. Preferably, the cover can be displaced by a feeding animal to allow access to the feeding chamber. In one arrangement, the cover is hingedly attached to the feeder body at a top edge of the cover and is displaceable into the feeding chamber to allow access to the feeding chamber. The cover restricts access to the feed by birds and rodents, and further reduces the likelihood of the water outlet freezing.

The apparatus may include a lid for covering the top of the hopper. The lid is preferably inclined to direct rainwater towards a back of the feeder body, opposite the front opening of the feeding chamber, so that a feeding animal is not subjected to water run-off from the lid. A top of the reservoir may be similarly inclined.

The feeder body or the reservoir preferably comprises at least one recess for receiving a lifting strap. In this way, the strap can be used to lift the entire apparatus together. To help balance the apparatus during lifting, the recess may be provided in the reservoir and may be adjacent to the feeder body. The strap may be a steel strap, in which case the provision of a recess for the strap helps to avoid contact between the metal of the strap and electric fences as may be used in the vicinity of the apparatus.

-5The reservoir is preferably of an opaque plastics material. For example, the reservoir may be of a black material, so as to minimise the growth of algae in the reservoir. The material of the reservoir may include an anti-bacterial additive to supress bacterial growth in the water. The feeder body is also preferably of a plastics material, and may be of a translucent or transparent plastics material so that the amount of feed in the hopper can be easily seen.

The feeder body is preferably of unitary construction and is preferably formed as a single piece by rotational moulding. In this way, no welded or bolted joints are present in the feeder body and sharp angles between parts can be avoided, easing cleaning and maintenance of the feeder body.

The apparatus may further comprise a base plate upon which the feeder body and the waterer unit are supported. The base plate may extend forward of the feeding chamber to provide a standing platform for the livestock, such that the weight of the animal on the base plate helps to stabilise the apparatus during feeding. The base plate may be of a metal material such as steel.

The water outlet preferably comprises a nipple drinker. The nipple drinker preferably projects sideways into the feeding chamber, so that the nipple drinker can extend directly from the reservoir into the feeding chamber.

To further reduce the likelihood of freezing, the nipple drinker may comprise a heat sink that extends into the reservoir, so as to draw heat from the water in the reservoir. The heat sink may for example comprise an extended collar or pipe that is coupled to a body of the nipple drinker. Alternatively, or in addition, the nipple drinker or other water outlet may include a heating element.

Preferably, the apparatus includes least two electric fence connectors disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus. The electric fence connectors are preferably insulators. In this way, the apparatus can be installed along an electric fence line,

-6with the hopper and reservoir accessible from the back side (opposite the front opening) so that feed and water can be replenished without entering the livestock pen and so that space within the livestock pen can be maximised. Furthermore, no separate electric fence stakes are required. When the feeder body and reservoir are of plastics materials, no metal can come into contact with the electric fence so that the feeder does not become “live”.

The reservoir preferably includes a filling port in a top of the reservoir. In this way, the reservoir can be filled from a bowser or other water source. The reservoir may also be connected to a constant water supply, such as a mains water supply or other source, and a float valve or other valve means may be provided to avoid overfilling of the reservoir. The capacity of the reservoir is preferably sufficient to provide several days water supply even in the event that the constant water supply fails.

The hopper preferably also has a capacity sufficient to provide several days of feed, so that the apparatus can be used as an “ad lib” feeder (where the animal feeds on demand). Of course, the apparatus can also be used for restricted feeding by supplying only a limited amount of feed to the hopper over a given time period. The overall size of the apparatus can be scaled up or down for suitability for different livestock sizes.

From a second aspect, the present invention resides in a livestock feeder apparatus comprising:

a feeder body having a hopper for storing feed and a feeding chamber disposed below the hopper;

the feeding chamber including a trough and a shelf disposed above the trough, the shelf being arranged to receive feed from an outlet opening of the hopper;

the feeding chamber having a front opening to allow an animal to access the feeding chamber;

the feeder body comprising an inclined partition defining a base of

-7 the hopper and a roof of the feeding chamber, wherein the feeder body comprises a first inclined surface forming a front wall of the trough, and wherein the first inclined surface and the inclined partition diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber.

With this arrangement, the feeder body can be manufactured from a plastics material as a single piece by rotational moulding, with the tool or former for forming the interior shape of the feeding chamber being removable from the front opening of the feeding chamber after moulding.

The feeder body may comprise a second inclined surface forming a back wall of the trough, and wherein the first and second inclined surfaces diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber. Again, with this shape of trough, the tool or former can be easily removed after moulding.

Preferred and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention may also be used, alone or in combination, in the second aspect also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used for like features, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination livestock feeder and waterer apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on plane A-A of the apparatus of Figure 1; and

-8Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on plane B-B of the apparatus of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 to 3 show a perspective view, a front view and a side view respectively of a first embodiment of the invention comprising a combination livestock feeder and waterer apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 includes a feeder unit 12 and a waterer unit 14, arranged in a side-by-side relationship. Both the feeder unit 12 and the waterer unit 14 are supported on and attached to a base plate 16.

The feeder unit 12 comprises a feeder body 18, which is formed as a single part from a plastics material, preferably by rotational moulding. The feeder body 18 comprises a feeding chamber 20 that is open on a front side of the feeder body 18 to define a front opening 22 through which the feeding chamber 20 can be accessed by an animal. The base plate 16 is extended on the front side of the feeder body 18 to form a standing platform on which the animal can stand when feeding, thereby helping to stabilise the apparatus in use. The base plate 16 is preferably of a sheet steel material or other metal alloy for robustness, and to ensure that the centre of gravity of the apparatus 10 is low for stability.

Referring additionally to Figures 4 and 5, which are cross-sectional views of the apparatus 10, the feeder body 18 includes a double-walled or double-skinned portion at its base. An inner skin 24 of the double-skinned portion is shaped to define a trough 26 and a feed shelf 28 within the feeding chamber 20. The feed shelf 28 is disposed above the trough 26, in the manner of a conventional wet-dry shelf feeder. As can be best seen in Figure 5, the inner skin 24 is shaped so that radiused, curved comers 26a are provided where the lateral surfaces 26b of the trough 26 meet the vertical surfaces 26c at the ends of the trough 26, to avoid feed and detritus becoming trapped in the corners.

-ΘΑ front wall 26d of the trough 26 is formed by a first inclined surface that extends backwards and downwards from the front opening 22, and an upper back wall 26e of the trough is formed by a second inclined surface that extends backwards and downwards from a front edge of the feed shelf 28. A lower back wall 26f extends generally vertically from the base of the upper back wall 26e, and a base 26g of the trough connects the lower back wall 26f to the front wall 26d. The lateral surfaces 26b of the trough include the front wall 26d, the upper and lower back walls 26e, 26f and the base 26g.

The feeder body 18 includes an inclined partition 30 that separates the feeding chamber 20 from a hopper 32 that occupies a top part of the feeder unit 12. The hopper 32 can be filled with dry animal feed, and the feeder body 18 may be of a translucent or at least partially transparent material so that the amount of feed in the hopper 32 can be easily seen. The partition 30 slopes downwards towards the back wall of the feeder body 18. An aperture 34 at the back edge of the partition 30 (see Figure 4) allows feed to drop from the hopper 32 onto the shelf 28.

The inclined partition 30 and the first inclined surface (i.e. the front wall 26d) diverge from one another moving towards the front opening 22. The first and second inclined surfaces (i.e the front wall 26d and the upper back wall 26e) also diverge from one another moving towards the front opening 22. As a result, a moulding tool can be easily removed from the front opening 22 after rotational moulding of the feeder body 18, which would not be the case if either of these pairs of surfaces were to be converging or parallel.

The feeder unit 12 includes a lid 36 that covers the top of the hopper 32. The lid 36 is connected to the feeder body 18 by a hinge 38 at the front edge of the lid 36, so that the lid 36 can be opened from the rear of the apparatus 10. As can best be seen in Figure 4, the lid 36 slopes downwardly towards the rear, to deflect rainwater away from the feeding animal in use.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 5, the waterer unit 14 comprises a water tank or

-10reservoir 40 that is substantially the same height and depth as the feeder body 18. The reservoir is preferably of a plastics material that is opaque to prevent the growth of algae in the water, and the plastics material may include or be coated with an anti-bacterial additive. The reservoir 40 is attached to one side of the feeder body 18, so that a side wall 40a of the reservoir 40 abuts a side wall 18a of the feeder body 18 (see Figure 5). A fastener 42 extends through respective apertures in the side walls 18a, 40a in the region of the hopper 32 to secure the reservoir 40 to the feeder body 18.

A water outlet in the form of a drinker nipple 44 extends through respective apertures the side walls 18a, 40a in the region of the trough 26, so that the drinker nipple 44 emerges in the trough 26 of the feeding chamber 20, below the shelf 28. A heat sink in the form of an extended collar 46 extends from the drinker nipple 44 into the reservoir. The drinker nipple 44 is secured by suitable fasteners to the side walls 18a, 40a of the feeder body 18 and the reservoir 40, so that the drinker nipple acts to secure the reservoir 40 to the feeder body 18 in the region of the feeding chamber 20.

The semi-enclosed location of the drinker nipple 44 in the trough 26 helps to reduce the risk of the drinker nipple 44 freezing during cold weather. The doubleskinned wall of the feeder body 18 provides a degree of thermal insulation to the interior of the trough 26. Furthermore, because of the heat sink collar 46, some heat is transferred to the nipple 44 from the water in the reservoir 40, further reducing the risk of freezing. The water in the reservoir 40 is also at lower risk of freezing than would be the case for a stand-alone water tank, since the adjacent feeder body 18 provides some thermal insulation to the side of the reservoir 40.

To further shield the drinker nipple 44 from cold air, and to protect the feed within the feeding chamber 20 from birds and other pests, a cover (not shown) is provided to cover the front opening 22. The cover is attached to the top edge of the front opening 22 with a hinge, so that the cover can be pushed back into the feeding chamber 20 to allow access to the trough 26 and the shelf 28. The cover

-11 (and equivalently the front opening 22) is dimensioned so as to clear the shelf 28 when the cover is swung back into the feeding chamber 20.

The reservoir 40 includes a threaded cap 48 that can be removed to allow the reservoir 40 to be filled with water. The reservoir 40 may also be connected to a water supply pipe through a suitable inlet (not shown), with a suitable float valve or similar arrangement being provided to regulate the water level in the reservoir 40. It is also conceivable that the reservoir 40 could be pressurised, for example to water mains pressure, by use of a suitable supply and air vent.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the reservoir 40 is formed with a recess 50 that runs along the front, bottom, rear and top sides of the reservoir 40 adjacent to the feeder unit 18. The recess 50 accepts a lifting frame 52, preferably formed from steel sections, which extends around the front, bottom, and rear of the reservoir

40. The lifting frame may be affixed to the base plate 16. As can be seen most clearly from Figure 3, front and rear members of the lifting frame 52 extend upwardly from the top of the reservoir 40, and a lifting strap 54 is attached between the front and rear members. The lifting strap 54 allows the apparatus 10 to be easily moved using a telehandler or similar machinery, and the position of the recess 50 helps to balance the apparatus 10 during lifting. Furthermore, the risk of inadvertently electrifying the lifting frame 52 due to contact with an electric fence is minimised because the lifting frame 52 is set back in the recess 50. The lifting strap 54 may be a steel section or a reinforced fabric strap or webbing. In another arrangement, the lifting frame 52 and lifting strap 54 could be replaced by a reinforced fabric strap or webbing loop.

The outermost sides of the feeder body 18 and the reservoir 40 are provided with insulating electric fence connectors 56, with a pair of connectors 56 provided on each side of the apparatus 10 to accept upper and lower electric fence lines. These connectors 56 allow the apparatus 10 to be positioned along an electric fence line, so that the hopper 32 and the reservoir 40 can be replenished from behind the apparatus 10 without crossing the fence line (and therefore entering the

-12 livestock enclosure). The insulating connectors 56 and the plastics material of the feeder body 18 and the reservoir 40 ensure that the apparatus 10 does not become electrified. In comparison, traditional metal feeders must be positioned away from the fence line, wasting space behind the feeder and requiring the fence line to be crossed to replenish the feeder.

Several modifications and variations of the apparatus can be contemplated.

For example, the internal shape of the feeding chamber could differ from that shown. For instance, the shelf could be eliminated so that the feed is delivered directly to the trough. Any suitable type of water outlet could be provided, including drinker nipples that are activated by chewing or pushing, constant-flow outlets (together with a suitable overflow drain in the trough) or automatic filling valves.

To further reduce the risk of freezing, the drinker nipple or other water outlet could include a heating element. Conveniently, the heating element could be powered by the electric fence, using suitable electrical contacts attached to the electric fence connectors on each side of the apparatus.

The aperture in the partition could be adjustable to control the rate at which feed can drop onto the shelf. The aperture could be closeable to stop the release of feed entirely. Two or more apertures could be provided. In another arrangement, the or each aperture can be replaced by a gap between the partition and the back wall of the feeder body 18.

The feeder unit could be used without the waterer unit, where the benefits and advantages associated with the feeder unit would still be realised.

Further modifications and variations not explicitly described above can also be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination livestock feeder and waterer apparatus comprising:

a feeder body having a hopper for storing feed and a feeding chamber disposed below the hopper, the feeding chamber being arranged to receive feed from an outlet opening of the hopper and having a trough and a front opening to allow an animal to access the feeding chamber; and a waterer unit having a reservoir for storing water and a water outlet for dispensing water from the reservoir;

wherein:

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the water outlet is disposed in the trough.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the feeding chamber includes a feed shelf disposed below the outlet opening of the hopper and above the trough.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the feeding chamber is at least partially double-skinned, and the trough is defined by a shaped inner skin of the feeding chamber.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the inner skin is shaped such that radiused comers are formed between lateral surfaces of the trough and end surfaces of the trough.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the feeder body comprises an inclined partition defining a base of the hopper and a roof of the feeding chamber, and wherein the outlet opening of the hopper is

-14formed by an aperture in the inclined partition or by a gap between the inclined partition and a back wall of the feeding unit.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the feeder body comprises a first inclined surface forming a front wall of the trough, and wherein the first inclined surface and the inclined partition diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the feeder body comprises a second inclined surface forming a back wall of the trough, and wherein the first and second inclined surfaces diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a side wall of the reservoir is disposed adjacent to and abutting a side wall of the feeder body.

10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, comprising at least one fastener for securing the reservoir to the feeder body, wherein the fastener extends through respective apertures in the abutting side walls.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the side wall of the feeder body comprises a side wall of the hopper and an outer wall of the feeding chamber.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a cover for closing the front opening of the feeding chamber, wherein the cover can be displaced by a feeding animal to allow access to the feeding chamber.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the cover is hingedly attached to the feeder body at a top edge of the cover and is displaceable into the feeding chamber to allow access to the feeding chamber.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a lid for covering the top of the hopper, wherein the lid is inclined to direct rainwater towards a back of the feeder body, opposite the front opening of the feeding chamber.

15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the feeder body or the reservoir comprises at least one recess for receiving a lifting member.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the recess is provided in the reservoir and is adjacent to the feeder body.

17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the reservoir is of an opaque plastics material.

18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the feeder body is of unitary construction and is formed as a single piece by rotational moulding.

19. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a base plate upon which the feeder body and the waterer unit are supported, the base plate extending forward of the feeding chamber to provide a standing platform for the livestock.

20. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the water outlet comprises a nipple drinker.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the nipple drinker projects sideways into the feeding chamber.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 20 or Claim 21, wherein the nipple drinker comprises a heat sink that extends into the reservoir.

23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising at least two electric fence connectors disposed on opposite sides of the apparatus.

24. A livestock feeder apparatus comprising:

the feeder body comprising an inclined partition defining a base of the hopper and a roof of the feeding chamber, wherein the feeder body comprises a first inclined surface forming a front wall of the trough, and wherein the first inclined surface and the inclined partition diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber.

25. Apparatus according to Claim 24, wherein the feeder body comprises a second inclined surface forming a back wall of the trough, and wherein the first and second inclined surfaces diverge from one another towards the front opening of the feeding chamber.