KR102637474B1 - Behavior enrichment food container imitating wild bird or small animal’s foraging activities - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feeder that provides behavioral enrichment by imitating the natural environment in which animals originally live as closely as possible. As an example, the present invention includes a housing having an internal space to contain animal food, and a feeder installed in the housing, which is used by animals. We present a behavior enrichment feeder that mimics the feeding activity of wild birds or small animals, which is breakable and includes an attachment part that secures a temporary screening member that covers the entrance area connected to the interior space.

Description

Behavior enrichment food container imitating wild bird or small animal’s foraging activities}

The present invention relates to a feeder that provides behavioral enrichment by imitating the natural environment in which animals originally live as closely as possible.

Most wild birds and small animals spend the rest of their day in the wild, excluding sleeping time, searching for food and consuming it.

On the other hand, farmed animals are provided with relatively abundant food in a narrow and simple breeding space, so unlike in the wild, the process of searching for food and consuming it is almost omitted.

A breeding environment that lacks effort to search for and consume food causes severe boredom and stress in wild animals that have evolved to specialize in spending most of their day in the wild searching for and consuming food. . This has long-term negative behavioral and veterinary effects on animals, including stereotypic behavior, decreased appetite, depression, obsession, and obesity.

Relatively recently, various nose works for dogs and cats have been introduced through broadcasts and have become widely known, and the consumption of related products such as food puzzles that take behavior enrichment into account is gradually increasing.

However, it is difficult to find such means for wild birds such as parrots or small animals such as squirrels that are kept as pets. Furthermore, it is difficult to identify and take action veterinarily for signs of disease in wild birds or small animals, and considering the value of a preventive veterinary approach through reducing stress in the breeding environment, it is necessary to enrich behavior through feeding activities. More needs are needed.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2023-0062729 (2023.05.09) Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model No. 20-0496768 (2023.04.17)

The present invention takes into account the habit of wild birds or small animals adapted to trees as a home base to peel off the bark to find food insects hidden in the trees, or to peel off the hard pericarp or seed coat to consume stone fruit, etc., and proposes a feeder that imitates this. I want to do it.

Other detailed purposes of the present invention will be clearly understood and understood by experts or researchers in this technical field through the detailed contents described below.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides, as an embodiment, a housing having an internal space for containing animal food, and a temporary shielding member installed in the housing, which can be damaged by animals and covers the entrance area connected to the internal space. We present a behavior enrichment feeder that imitates the feeding activity of wild birds or small animals, including an attachment for fixing the.

Here, the housing includes an internal space, a first case connected to the internal space and having an open entrance, and a second case that is separably coupled to the first case and forms the entrance in response to the entrance. Cases may be included. Furthermore, the second case may be configured to cover and cover the perimeter of the first case except for the entrance and the surface facing the entrance.

Additionally, the mounting portion may be composed of a recessed fitting groove around the entrance and a fitting groove facing each other, which is formed by covering the fitting groove with the entrance periphery of the second case.

Meanwhile, the second case has a pocket-shaped groove open toward the top, the first case descends from the top into the pocket groove and is coupled to the second case, and the upper ends of the assembled first and second cases are flat. It can be formed of cotton.

Furthermore, the temporary screening member may be one selected from the group of a plurality of tree branches placed side by side, reed stems, tree bark, wooden boards, dry leaves compressed into multiple layers, or a mixture of at least two or more of these.

Meanwhile, the temporary shielding member may be a tree branch or reed stem in which fibers are placed in the vertical direction and a plurality of fibers are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

In another embodiment, the mounting part is formed with opening holes facing each other with the inlet at the center, and the temporary shielding member is provided longer than the inlet, so that it can be coupled while sequentially passing through the opening hole. Furthermore, it may include a feeder that temporarily fixes the temporary shielding member or supplies it to the opening hole.

In another embodiment, the housing has a cylindrical shape with the inlet on the outer peripheral surface, the mounting part is rotatably mounted along the circumference of the housing, and the temporary shielding member is detachably coupled along the outer peripheral surface of the housing. Therefore, the temporary blocking member blocking the entrance may move as the mounting part rotates.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide conditions for reproducing wild food search activities, thereby bringing about emotional stability in captive animals due to behavioral enrichment. Additionally, activity can be increased by inducing food search activities such as digging up plant stems. This can improve the welfare of farmed animals.

Other effects of the present invention will be readily apparent and understood by experts or researchers in the technical field through the specific details described below or during the process of implementing the present invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the use state of the feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in isolation.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in use.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in Figure 4 in isolation.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the embodiment shown in Figure 4 along the transverse and longitudinal directions.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a feeder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a side view schematically showing a state of use of the embodiment shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a feeder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the embodiment shown in Figure 9 in isolation.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction of the embodiment shown in Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the transverse direction of the embodiment shown in Figure 9.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, the structure, function and operation of the behavior enrichment feeder that mimics the feeding activities of wild birds or small animals according to the present invention will be described. However, drawing numbers for identical or similar components throughout the drawings and embodiments shall be used uniformly as much as possible.

Additionally, in the following description, terms such as 'first' and 'second' are used to conveniently distinguish components whose technical meanings are within the same range. That is, any one configuration may be arbitrarily named 'first configuration' or 'second configuration'.

The attached drawings show applied embodiments of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention should not be construed as limited through the attached drawings. If, from the perspective of an expert in this technical field, it can be interpreted that part or all of the drawings are not in the shape, form, or order necessarily required for the practice of the invention, this does not limit the invention described in the claims.

1 to 3 relate to a feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The feeder 100 according to the first embodiment includes a housing 10 having an internal space (p) containing animal food (T), and is temporarily covered by being installed in addition to the housing (10) or forming a part of the housing. It includes a mounting portion 20 for fixing the member A. Here, the temporary screening members are long tree branches arranged side by side in the illustrated embodiment.

An inlet 121 connected to the internal space p is formed on the front of the housing 10. The size of the entrance 121 is larger than that allowing the animal to access the food T placed in the internal space p.

The temporary covering member (A) is broken and removed by the animal during the process of searching for food, and is used to temporarily cover the entrance (121). In order to fix the temporary shielding member (A) in front of the entrance 121, a mounting portion 20 provided in the housing is used.

In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 20 is provided at the upper and lower portions of the inlet 121 that opens toward the front, and has fitting grooves 21 facing each other. The upper and lower parts of the temporary covering member (A) enter each fitting groove (21), thereby covering the entrance (121) until the animal tears it off.

In Figure 2, the main components of the first embodiment are shown separately.

The housing 10 includes a first case 11 and a second case 12 that are separably coupled to each other. The first case 11 has a box shape with an internal space p, and the remaining surfaces are closed except for the entrance 111 that is open to the front.

At the upper and lower ends of the internal space (p), fitting grooves 113 are formed to form a step 112 inside the entrance. Here, the step 112 is formed at a position depressed inward from the entrance 111 to the inside of the internal space, and its depth corresponds to the thickness of the temporary shielding member.

Meanwhile, a partition wall 114 is provided in the center of the internal space (p) to divide the internal space (p) into upper and lower sections. Different types of food can be placed in the upper and lower spaces divided by the partition wall 114.

Two or more partition walls can be installed, and different types of food can be provided to the animals in each divided space. Foods that are difficult to mix together, such as wet food, dry food, or biological food, can be provided to the animals at the same time.

The second case 12 is detachably coupled to the first case 11, and an opening forming the entrance 121 is formed at a position corresponding to the entrance 111. In the illustrated embodiment, the second case 12 is box-shaped and substantially hexahedral and accommodates the first case 11 tightly.

Referring to FIG. 3, the vertical length of the entrance 121 formed in front of the second case 12 is shorter than the vertical width of the entrance 121 of the first case. When the first and second cases 11 and 12 are assembled, the upper and lower ends of the inlet 121 cover the front of the fitting groove 113 formed at the top and bottom of the first case 11, thereby forming the housing 10. Fitting grooves 21 facing each other are formed at the top and bottom. The upper and lower parts of the temporary shielding member (A) are restrained in the mounting portion 20 composed of upper and lower fitting grooves 21, so that the temporary shielding member (A) is mounted on the housing.

In the first embodiment, the first and second cases 11 and 12 are assembled in a direction perpendicular to the ground. Specifically, the second case 12 has a pocket groove 122 open toward the top, and the first case 11 is coupled to the pocket groove 122 while descending from the top.

The outer wall of the first case and the inner wall of the first case are slidingly coupled while making surface contact with each other. In addition, the food contained in the internal space, the weight of the temporary shielding member placed in front of the first case, and the weight of the first case itself are added together, making it difficult for the first case 11 to be lifted upward. This prevents the first and second cases from being easily separated by animals without a separate locking means.

Furthermore, the upper surface of the housing 10 completed by assembling the first and second cases 11 and 12, that is, the upper surface of the first and second cases 11 and 12, has no protrusions that an animal can grasp with its feet or beak. It is formed as a flat surface without ridges. This prevents the parrot, which is smart and uses its feet and beak well, from arbitrarily separating the first and second cases (11, 12).

On the other hand, the user can easily separate the first and second cases by pushing the first case 11 up with a finger or the like through the through hole 123 formed on the bottom of the second case 12.

Meanwhile, a locking portion 13 is provided on the back of the second case 12, and this locking portion 13 is coupled to the mounting portion 30 installed on the wall of the breeding cage 200, thereby forming the feeder 100. It is detachably installed in this cage (200).

The locking portion 13 may be provided as a grid-type bracket, and the mounting portion 30 has a mounting groove 30a into which the bracket is inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, a plate 31 and a spacer 32 having a certain thickness are overlapped to form a mounting groove open in the top and bottom, and after penetrating these plates and spacers, they are coupled to a bolt (b) extending outside the mesh of the cage. The washer (w) and wing nut (n) are shown.

By using two or more hanging parts 13 and mounting parts 30, the feeder 100 can be more firmly mounted on the wall of the cage 200.

This configuration of the hanging portion and the holding portion can be replaced with one of various known structures for fixing the feeder to a netted wall surface.

The first and second cases may be made of a transparent material such as transparent acrylic. Animals can visually check the food contained in the internal space, making it easier for animals to recognize that there is food in the feeder. Additionally, users can visually check how much food has disappeared.

The temporary screening member that temporarily blocks the entrance to the housing may vary depending on the type of animal, living habits, growth stage, etc.

For example, temporary screening members can be made of tree branches arranged side by side or intertwined, reed stems, one or more tree bark or planks, dry leaves compressed in multiple layers, or a mixture of at least two of these. You can become the chosen one. All of these are damaged by animals during the process of finding food, leaving the entrance open, and have woody fibers that animals can encounter in nature.

Specifically, tree branches can be prepared from tree species that are easily found in environments where wild birds such as parrots or small animals such as squirrels live. In particular, by selecting branches of trees that provide fruits or seeds to be placed in the feeder, or branches of trees that mainly inhabit the insects that are provided as food, the matching relationship between food and temporary blocking members (obstacles) can be implemented more realistically.

Considering that wild birds and small animals each prefer fruits and seeds, and make efforts to obtain them by searching the surrounding area, this method is effective in implementing the behavioral processes imprinted in the animals' genes at a high level. In addition, when conducting so-called rehabitation training in the process of returning to the wild, we imitate as much as possible the natural objects encountered in the wild and connect the bark with food that can be obtained by searching for/removing the bark in the wild. It also has significant significance in terms of improving the survivability of .

Additionally, temporary screening members can be replaced with industrial products such as wooden chopsticks.

You can choose branches that are relatively straight and arrange them side by side. The smell or sound of food can be exposed through gaps in tree branches. Alternatively, branches cut to a certain standard may be installed overlapping, requiring the animal to make considerable effort to secure the entrance.

Meanwhile, reed stems have the advantage of being easy to obtain in similar sizes and are a weaker material that breaks easily compared to tree branches, and well-dried reed stems have the characteristic of making a cheerful sound when broken. This makes it suitable for use on small objects, and has the advantage of being suitable for dissipating animal stress from breaking textures or sounds. In addition, since it can generally be obtained at a uniform thickness and very long, it is suitable as a temporary covering member in the third embodiment described later.

Tree bark can be collected from nature and processed to fit the size of the mounting part, or broken bark pieces glued together appropriately can be used. Tree bark can give animals the feeling of being in contact with a real tree. In particular, when used with the sound of insects in a feeder, it can provide animals with a realistic feeling close to the feeding environment in a natural environment.

Most animal feed provided in captivity is dead, frozen or dried, which is different from the actual food acquisition and predation environment in the wild. Even if it is live food, simply pick up the animals piled up in the feeder with your beak or foot. Considering that it is a simple activity of picking up food easily, there is an aspect that allows animals in captivity to feel a similar level of thrill as hunting and finding food in the wild, which is more exciting and tense. In this way, the process of finding food and breaking temporary covering materials to obtain that food, and the various sensations conveyed to the reared animals in the process, can provide a kind of catharsis and reduce the unnaturalness and stress caused by the rearing condition. .

In place of such tree bark, wood boards that have been processed to be thin enough to break or dried leaves that have been compressed into multiple layers to ensure sufficient thickness can be used as temporary covering members. Wooden boards and dry leaves have the advantage of being able to block the entrance with a thickness that matches the animal's power by varying the degree of overlap.

Furthermore, twigs, reed stems, tree bark, wooden boards, and dried leaves compressed into multiple layers can be used by mixing two or more together.

For example, half of the entrance can be covered with tree branches, and the rest can be covered with wooden boards or multiple layers of dry leaves. Alternatively, you can install a wooden board at the entrance and cover it with bark to double block the entrance. You can also install temporary screening members by intertwining tree branches and reed stems around the entrance so that the interior space is clearly visible through them, but tree branches or reed stems do not get in the way of your head or feet.

In addition to this, temporary screening members can be various components that temporarily cover the entrance and can be damaged and removed by animals during their feeding activities.

In the first embodiment, the temporary screening member (A) blocking the entrance is made of tree branches lined up in a vertical direction. When a parrot tears a tree branch with its beak, the wood fibers are torn in the vertical direction, which is the length of the tree branch. You lose. This is similar to the direction in which the wood fibers are torn when biting and tearing off a tree trunk, giving the parrot the feeling of tearing off an actual tree.

The beaks, feet, teeth, claws, and related musculoskeletons of most small animals, including birds, have all evolved to perform movements during hunting and food acquisition with high efficiency. The present invention proposes a method of reproducing the various activities involved in finding food in nature using natural objects that can be encountered during actual feeding activities. Through this, farmed animals can not only promote a high sense of achievement through realistic feeding activities, but also perform feeding activities similar to those specialized for the species in the natural wild. In particular, it can contribute to improving the success rate of animals participating in rewilding programs.

In this way, tree branches laid along the vertical direction can be replaced with upright reed stems whose fibers are also laid vertically.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the tip of the partition wall 114 formed at the mid-height of the internal space (p) reaches the center of the temporary screening member (A) erected at the entrance. In the case where the entrance 121 is formed to be long up and down, and a thin tree branch or thin reed stem is used as a temporary screening member (A), even if a parrot or the like presses the temporary screening member (A), the partition wall 114 ) supports the temporary screening member (A) that is about to bend so that the temporary screening member does not bend easily. As a result, the parrot can be forced to tear off the temporary covering member (A) in order to eat the food (T) contained in the internal space (p), thereby encouraging it to perform food intake activities that take place in an actual natural environment.

4 to 6 relate to a feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The feeder 100 according to the second embodiment includes a housing 10 having an internal space, and a mounting part 20 capable of fixing a temporary shielding member (A) to an entrance connected to the internal space. Within the scope that does not conflict with the content described below, the second embodiment may include the technical features of the previously described embodiment.

The housing 10 of the feeder 100 according to the second embodiment includes a first case 11 and a second case 12.

The first case 11 is hexahedral and is provided with an internal space (p) containing food, and an entrance 111 connected to the internal space (p) is formed to be open toward the top.

At both left and right ends of the internal space (p), fitting grooves 113 forming a step 112 are formed at a lower height than the entrance 111, and in the middle of the internal space (p) are formed to divide the internal space (p). A partition wall 114 is erected. The fitting groove portion 113 constitutes a mounting portion 20 that fixes the temporary shielding member (A), as will be described later, and the partition wall 114 allows different foods to be provided at once and serves as a temporary shielding member ( A) plays the role of supporting it so that it does not bend when pressed.

Both ends of the temporary covering member (A) are placed across both steps 112 formed by the fitting groove 113.

Meanwhile, the second case 12 is assembled by covering the first case 11. An entrance 121 is formed on the upper surface of the second case 12 to correspond to the entrance 111 of the first case 11. At this time, the left and right widths of the inlet 121 are narrower than the left and right widths of the entrance 111, so that the surroundings of both ends of the inlet 121 are assembled to cover the fitting groove 113. Accordingly, both steps 112 formed by the fitting grooves 113 become fitting grooves 21 that accommodate both ends of the temporary shielding member (A).

As the temporary covering member (A) is fixed through the mounting portion 20 composed of a pair of fitting grooves 21 facing each other, the temporary fixing member forms a surface in the horizontal direction.

The second case 12 is a structure that covers the first case 11, and the circumference of the first case 11 excluding the upper surface where the entrance 111 of the first case 11 is and the bottom surface opposing it. It is assembled in a form that surrounds the faces. As a result, the first and second cases are firmly assembled together, and the first case does not easily come off while the animal is handling the feeder.

Meanwhile, referring to Figures 5 and 6 (b), a locking portion 13 is provided on the rear side of the first case 11, and the lower part of the back plate 124 of the second case 12 has a locking portion ( 13), it is mounted on the mounting portion 30 installed on the wall of the cage.

The mounting portion 30 is provided with a mounting groove 30a into which the bracket of the locking portion 13 and the lower portion of the back plate of the second case 12 are overlapped. Ultimately, the first and second cases 11 and 12 are fitted together in the mounting groove 30a of the mounting portion 30, making the assembly structure of the first and second cases more robust.

The second embodiment, in which the entrance 121 and the temporary blocking member A covering it are installed facing upward, has a different entrance direction from the first embodiment where the entrance faces the front, and is a feeder for animals to find food. Provide diversity in the direction of approach. In other words, the food search process of animals can be diversified by installing the feeders according to the first and second embodiments simultaneously or changing them sequentially.

Meanwhile, Figures 7 and 8 relate to a feeder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The feeder 100 according to the third embodiment includes a housing 10 having an internal space (p), and a mounting part 20 capable of fixing a temporary shielding member (A) to the entrance 121 connected to the internal space. do. Within the scope that does not conflict with the content described below, the third embodiment may include the technical features of the previously described embodiments.

In the third embodiment, the housing 10 has a box shape with an inlet 121 that opens forward, and the mounting portion 20 is formed with opening holes 22 facing each other with the inlet 121 at the center. there is.

Here, the housing can be changed into various three-dimensional shapes. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the opening holes 22 forming the mounting portion 20 are shown as being located at the top and bottom of the inlet, but in other embodiments, they may be formed along the left and right directions of the inlet. Furthermore, the opening holes are formed to face each other around the entrance, but in other embodiments, only one opening hole may be provided. Additionally, the opening hole may be formed as a long hole or may be a plurality of holes arranged side by side.

At least one partition wall 114 is provided within the internal space (p) to divide it into a plurality of small spaces. By placing different food in each space, you can provide different types of food to animals at the same time.

Referring to FIG. 8, the housing 10 may be installed inside the cage through the locking portion 13 and the mounting portion 30 provided in the above-described embodiments or through known means.

The temporary screening member (A) is provided in a straight, straight form. For example, long hollow reed stems, long tree branches processed into rods or square shapes, or long processed wooden boards can be used as temporary screening members.

According to the position of the opening hole 22 of the feeder 100 installed inside the cage 200, the user can push the temporary shielding member (A) in from outside the cage 200. The temporary shielding member (A) that passes through the net and enters the cage passes through the upper and lower opening holes (22) in order, forming a wall that blocks the entrance (121) of the housing.

If the temporary screening member (A) is damaged during the process of the animal searching for food, the temporary screening member (A) can be further pushed in from above to form a new screening wall at the entrance 121.

As shown, when the temporary shielding member (A) is installed in a gradually downward direction while standing, there is a risk that the temporary shielding member (A) will fall arbitrarily due to gravity. In this case, the temporary shielding member can be temporarily fixed to prevent it from falling, or the feeder 25 can be used to allow the temporary shielding member to enter the entrance of the housing.

The feeder 25 is fixed to the cage to prevent the temporary shielding member A from freely falling and may be a clip or clamp that holds the temporary shielding member A.

Alternatively, the feeder 25 may include a pair of rollers 251 that hold a temporary blocking member provided as a length member, and an operating unit 252 that rotates the rollers 251. The roller 251 is surrounded by an elastic member, like a sponge, so that it can completely grip several tree branches or reed stems of different thicknesses placed side by side. Through the operating unit 252 that rotates the roller 251, the user can lower or conversely raise the temporary shielding member (A). Known technologies such as belts and gears are used to connect the operating unit 252 and the roller 251.

The temporary screening member (A) provided continuously in the third embodiment improves the convenience of management by allowing damaged temporary screening members to be easily replaced without taking the feeder out of the cage each time. In particular, this is important in situations where the entrance to the cage 200 cannot be easily opened because there is great concern about the escape of the captive animal or because the animal is sensitive to external stress, such as during the mating period.

9 to 12 relate to a feeder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The feeder 100 according to the fourth embodiment includes a housing 10 having an internal space, and a mounting part 20 capable of fixing a temporary shielding member (A) to an entrance connected to the internal space. Within the scope that does not conflict with the content described below, the fourth embodiment may include the technical features of the previously described embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment, the housing 10 with the internal space p is approximately cylindrical, and an inlet 121 accessible to the internal space p is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The housing 10 may be fixed to the bottom of the cage by a pedestal s mounted at the bottom.

The mounting portion 20 includes an upper plate 23 and a lower plate 24 rotatably contacting the upper and lower portions of the housing, and a plurality of connecting rods 241 that integrally connect the upper plate 23 and the lower plate 24. Includes.

The upper plate portion 23 is rotatably placed on the upper part of the housing in a donut-shaped or disk shape, and the lower plate portion 24 is ring-shaped and rotatably contacts the lower circumference of the housing.

The connecting rod 241 is installed along the circumference of the upper and lower plate portions 24 and binds the upper and lower plate portions 24 at upper and lower intervals corresponding to the height of the housing 10. The connecting rods 241 are arranged at regular intervals along the outer circumference of the housing, and after the ends pass through the upper and lower ends, the nuts are coupled.

Meanwhile, fitting grooves 21 facing each other are formed in the upper and lower plate portions 24. The upper and lower parts of the temporary covering member (A) cut to a size corresponding to the height of the housing enter the fitting grooves of the upper and lower plate portions 24 to form a wall around the housing 10.

A bar 231 rising upward is coupled to the center of the upper plate 23, and a handle 232 is coupled to the end of the bar 231. This handle 232 can be coupled to a rod raised outside the cage, and the user can rotate the mounting portion 20 outside the cage.

Some of the temporary shielding members provided in a cylindrical shape along the circumference of the mounting portion 20 block the entrance 121 of the housing, and the animal dismantles the temporary shielding member A blocking the entrance 121. do.

If the temporary blocking member (A) in front of the entrance 121 is damaged, the user can replace the temporary blocking member in front of the entrance by rotating the mounting part so that the temporary blocking member that is not yet damaged blocks the entrance. If the size of the entrance is sufficiently small, the front of the entrance can be blocked with a temporary blocking member by rotating the mounting part little by little several times.

In the feeder 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the temporary shielding member (A) has a cylindrical shape that most closely imitates a cylindrical thick tree trunk observed in nature.

Considering that most wild birds and rodents find food by destroying tree trunks or branches at the top of thick trees rather than at the base, it is better to destroy temporary screening members provided in a curved form rather than temporary temporary screening members in a flat form to find food. You can expect to show more natural behavior in the process of acquiring. In particular, thick tree stumps that appear flat at first glance indicate a high level of effort made by animals to obtain food, and thus can lead to a passive attitude toward feeding activities in the first place, so the arrangement of temporary screening members in a circular manner is a behavioral deterrent. Academically, it guarantees greater utility.

Feeders according to embodiments of the present invention satisfy the feeding habits of animals by replicating the food search activities in the wild in the monotonous lives of birds and small animals in captivity. This relieves stress and boredom in captivity, contributes to stabilizing the animal's psychology and emotions, and prevents stereotypical behavior, decreased appetite, depression and obsession, and obesity.

In addition, by encouraging them to dig up and gnaw plant stems before eating, they can contribute to improving their health by supplementing the amount of activity they lack in the confined space they live in, which is inevitably narrower than in the wild. In addition, by encouraging them to be active right before eating food, they can contribute to improving the quality of life of captive animals that are in poverty amidst abundance.

100: feeder
10: housing
11: first case p: internal space 111: entrance
112: Step 113: Fitting groove 114: Partition wall
12: Second case 121: Entrance 122: Pocket groove 123: Through hole 124: Back plate
13: Hook s: Stand
20: Mounting part
21: Fitting groove 22: Opening hole 23: Top plate 231: Rod 232: Handle
24: lower plate 241: connecting rod 25: feeder 251: roller 252: operating unit
30: Holder
30a: Mounting groove 31: Plate 32: Spacer b: Bolt w: Washer n: Wing nut
A: Temporary screening member
200: Cage T: Food

Claims (8)

In the feeder, which has a housing having an internal space for containing animal food, and a mounting part for fixing a temporary shielding member that is breakable by animals and covers the entrance area connected to the internal space,
The housing is
a first case connected to the interior space and having an open entrance;
A second case is detachably coupled to the first case and has an entrance formed in response to the entrance,

The mounting part
Fitting grooves facing each other are formed by recessed fitting grooves around the entrance and the entrance periphery of the second case covering the fitting grooves,
Both ends of the temporary shielding member are inserted into the fitting grooves to prevent the temporary shielding member from leaving,

In the interior space, a partition wall is erected toward the entrance to prevent the temporary shielding member against the entrance from bending into the interior space.
Behavioral enrichment feeders that mimic the feeding behavior of wild birds or small animals.
delete delete In paragraph 1:
The second case has a pocket-shaped groove open toward the top,
The first case descends from the top into the pocket-shaped groove and is coupled to the second case,
The upper portions of the assembled first and second cases are characterized in that they are formed with a flat surface.
Behavioral enrichment feeders that mimic the feeding behavior of wild birds or small animals.
In paragraph 1:
The temporary screening member is characterized in that it is selected from the group of tree branches, reed stems, tree bark, wooden boards, dry leaves compressed into multiple layers, or a mixture of at least two or more of these.
Behavioral enrichment feeders that mimic the feeding behavior of wild birds or small animals.
In paragraph 1:
The temporary screening member is characterized in that it is a tree branch or reed stem in which the fibers are placed in the vertical direction and a plurality of them are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.
Behavioral enrichment feeders that mimic the feeding behavior of wild birds or small animals.
delete delete

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