WO2018058232A1 - Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux - Google Patents

Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018058232A1
WO2018058232A1 PCT/CA2016/051144 CA2016051144W WO2018058232A1 WO 2018058232 A1 WO2018058232 A1 WO 2018058232A1 CA 2016051144 W CA2016051144 W CA 2016051144W WO 2018058232 A1 WO2018058232 A1 WO 2018058232A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
animal
feed
feeding
compartment
door
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2016/051144
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Jacob ZUIDHOF
Mark Vernon Fedorak
Christopher Charles Kirchen
Edmond Hok Ming Lou
Christopher Anton OUELLETTE
Irene Isabel WENGER
Original Assignee
Precisionzx Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Precisionzx Inc. filed Critical Precisionzx Inc.
Priority to NZ752569A priority Critical patent/NZ752569A/en
Priority to CA3038393A priority patent/CA3038393C/fr
Priority to PCT/CA2016/051144 priority patent/WO2018058232A1/fr
Priority to AU2016425292A priority patent/AU2016425292B2/en
Priority to EP16917019.8A priority patent/EP3518663A4/fr
Publication of WO2018058232A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018058232A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
    • A01K1/0209—Feeding pens for pigs or cattle
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K39/00—Feeding or drinking appliances for poultry or other birds
    • A01K39/01—Feeding devices, e.g. chainfeeders
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K45/00—Other aviculture appliances, e.g. devices for determining whether a bird is about to lay
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
    • A01K5/02—Automatic devices
    • A01K5/0275—Automatic devices with mechanisms for delivery of measured doses
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01G19/52—Weighing apparatus combined with other objects, e.g. furniture
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01G—WEIGHING
    • G01G17/00—Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property
    • G01G17/08—Apparatus for or methods of weighing material of special form or property for weighing livestock

Definitions

  • TITLE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FEEDING ANIMALS
  • the present disclosure is related to the field of providing the right quantity of feed to individual animals, in particular, meat-type poultry breeding stock that are intended to follow a predetermined body weight profile, or pets to prevent or treat obesity.
  • Meat type chicken parent (broiler breeders), grandparent, great grandparent and pedigree stock have the genetic potential for accelerated growth due to selection for growth rate, meat yield, and feed efficiency since the 1940's (Havenstein et al., 1994a; 1994b; 2003a, 2003b; Zuidhof et al. 2014).
  • These breeding stocks must be maintained using strict feed rationing to control body weight because even moderate overfeeding reduces reproductive performance (Robinson et al. 1998). Each year, the problem becomes greater due to increasing incongruity between the body weight required for reproductive success and the genetic potential of their offspring.
  • pet feeding devices are similar, but like the systems for pigs and dairy cattle, they require programming a feed dosage or feeding duration rather than relying on direct feedback in the form of real-time body weight data (e.g. McKeown, 2007; Stanchev et al., 2005; Wu et al., 2009).
  • the duty cycle of the mechanical parts of feeding stations is high. Mechanical failure may cause feed interruptions and undesirable behaviours, particularly once the stations return to function after repair.
  • the design must facilitate rapid and easy repairs by farmers and technicians. Doors and ejectors must operate smoothly, allow and exclude access reliably, and prevent injury when moving. Scales must be accurate and free of vibration.
  • the feeder must be reliable and minimize spillage.
  • a system and method can be provided for precisely providing the right quantity of feed to individual animals.
  • the animals do not need to be housed individually, thus the scope extends to free run and free range housing.
  • the invention can be particularly suited to meat-type poultry breeding stock that are intended to follow a predetermined body weight profile, or pets to prevent or treat obesity.
  • the system can be able to collect high volumes of information of value for managing feed intake and body weight, for research, and for characterizing traits important for genetic selection programs.
  • the system can operate with the aid of at least one feeding station equipped with an integrated scale.
  • the system and method can use real-time feedback about each bird's body weight to determine the feed allocation.
  • the system can eliminate the labour component from animal weighing.
  • the system can enable precise control and measurement of feed intake that facilitates body weight control but can also facilitate measures of efficiency in response to any combination of nutrients supplied from 4 different feeders.
  • the system presented herein does not calculate an amount of feed but, rather, can allow access to feed for a brief period of time, and can then subsequently eject the animal from the feeding area.
  • the system can also protect the animal that is feeding from interference from other animals during the time feed is provided.
  • the system can be prone to errors due to theoretical calculations not matching the actual required amount of feed, or feed measurement errors.
  • the system can comprise a reliable body weight scale to measure the body weight of an animal, and can allow only minor incremental increases in body weight by providing small meals more frequently.
  • Precision feeding involves feeding the right animal the right amount of feed of the right composition at the right time.
  • the system and method presented herein is unique from many existing prior art systems in that it can precisely achieve a pre-programmed target body weight, such as those employed by the breeding sector of the poultry meat industry.
  • the system and method controls and monitors body weight and feed intake.
  • the system and method can have identical functionality for other small livestock, as well as pets such as cats, dogs, birds and rodents.
  • the system can comprise a sequential feeding station that can be used to control feed intake according to any criteria that can be programmed into the system.
  • the system can provide body weight feedback to enable precise body weight control of poultry breeding stock.
  • CV standard deviation / mean x 100%
  • the system can serve both as a data acquisition system for animal research, and as a commercial feeding system, designed particularly for broiler breeders.
  • each feeding station of the system can allow only one animal to enter at a time.
  • an optional radio frequency identification system can be provided to identify the individual animal occupying the feeding station. This can allow a system user to relate feeding station usage as well as body weight and feed intake data of each individual animal.
  • the system can include a body weight scale to record the weight of the animal in real time while in a feeding station.
  • the decision whether or not to feed the animal can be software driven, and can use real time feedback (for example, the animal's body weight), or any other decision criteria that can be programmed into the system, such as matching the feed intake of another individual animal, or any specified feed intake pattern. If the animal meets the criteria, the system can allow it access to feed. If the animal does not meet the decision criteria for feeding, it can be ejected from the feeding station. Feed can be provided in a tray that can be optionally suspended on a load cell. A small door can be opened with an actuator to provide access to the feed. The system can measure the rate at which feed disappears from the feeder, and can calculate the total feed intake of each individual animal during each feeding bout.
  • a precise amount of feed can be provided in the feeder prior to opening the feed door. Access duration can be controlled by a software setting, which can regulate the quantity of feed an individual animal can consume in one feeding bout.
  • the system and method can provide feed to individual animals in free run systems.
  • the system does not simply monitor feed intake of individual animals, but can control feed intake by allowing or disallowing access to the feeder based on any criteria. For research, this can improve the statistical power of experimental designs because every free run animal can be considered an experimental unit. This is an important consideration for reducing the number of animals required for research.
  • the system can meet societal demands to reduce housing constraints imposed on animals used for breeding, research or food production.
  • the system and method presented herein can provide a sequential feeding system, meaning that one animal at a time can enter at least one station.
  • Each feeding station can weigh the animal that enters, and can either prevent or allow access to feed based on its body weight relative to a desired body weight at a certain age. Age is normally calculated from the birth or hatch date of an individual or group of individuals.
  • An onboard computer can calculate desired weight from any starting date. Desired or pre-set body weight targets can be entered by a user.
  • each feeding station can protect individual animals from interference from other animals while eating. Each station can gently eject the animal from the feeding station immediately if the animal should not be fed, or after the user- specified duration of access to feed expires. Time stamped data pertinent to each visit to the station, as well as the decision made (to feed or not to feed), can written to a data file.
  • a system for feeding an animal, comprising: a frame; a feeding compartment operatively coupled to the frame, further comprising a first entry door configured to control access and ingress into the feeding compartment by the animal, and further comprising at least one first exit door configured to provide egress from the feeding compartment by the animal; a feed delivery system operatively coupled to the feeding compartment and configured to dispense feed to the animal in the feeding compartment; and at least one controller configured to operatively control at least one or more of the first entry door, the at least one first exit door and the feed delivery system.
  • the system can further comprise a sorting compartment operatively coupled to the frame and to the first entry door, the sorting compartment further comprising a second entry door configured to control access and ingress into the sorting compartment by the animal, and further comprising at least one second exit door configured to provide egress from the sorting compartment by the animal, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to operatively control one or both of the second entry door and the at least one second exit door.
  • the feeding compartment can further comprise a first ejection mechanism configured to eject the animal from the feeding compartment, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to operatively control the first ejection mechanism.
  • the sorting compartment can further comprise a second ejection mechanism configured to eject the animal from the sorting compartment, and wherein the at least one controller is further configured to operatively control the second ejection mechanism.
  • the first ejection mechanism can comprise a first panel configured to push the animal out of feeding compartment through the at least one first exit door.
  • the second ejection mechanism can comprise a second panel configured to push the animal out of sorting compartment through the at least one second exit door.
  • one or both of the first ejection mechanism and the second ejection mechanism can comprise one or more of a group comprising an air knife, an audio system configured to reproduce startling sounds to the animal, a video system configured to display startling images to the animal, an electric shock system and a heating system configured to dielectrically heat the animal.
  • one or both of the first entry door and the second entry door can comprise a restriction mechanism configured to restrict a size of the animal passing therethrough.
  • one or both of the sorting compartment and the feeding compartment can comprise a scale configured to weigh the animal.
  • one or both of the sorting compartment and the feeding compartment can comprise a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) antenna operatively coupled to the at least one controller, the RFID antenna configured to detect an RFID tag disposed on the animal.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • the feed delivery system can comprise at least one storage bin configured to store the feed, and further comprises a feed dispensing mechanism configured to dispense the feed from the at least one storage bin.
  • the feeding compartment can comprise at least one feed receptacle operatively coupled to the feed dispensing mechanism and configured to receive the feed from the at least one storage bin, and wherein each of the at least one feed receptacle further comprises a feed receptacle door configured to restrict access thereto.
  • the feeding compartment can comprise a marking system configured to mark an unidentified animal.
  • a method for feeding an animal, the method comprising the steps of: opening a first entry door to a feeding compartment to provide access and ingress into the feeding compartment by the animal, wherein the feeding compartment is operatively coupled to a frame, and wherein the first entry door is operatively controlled by a controller; dispensing feed from a feed delivery system into the feeding compartment if the animal meets at least one predetermined criteria for receiving the feed, the feed delivery system operatively controlled by the controller; and ejecting the animal from the feeding compartment through a first exit door disposed in the feeding compartment if: i) the animal has eaten at least some of the dispensed feed, ii) a predetermined period of time for feeding has expired, or iii) the animal does not meet the at least one predetermined criteria for receiving the feed, wherein the first exit door is operatively controlled by the controller.
  • the method can further comprise the step of restricting access and ingress into the feeding compartment if the animal exceeds a predetermined size.
  • the method can further comprise the step of weighing the animal when the animal is in the feeding compartment.
  • the method can further comprise the step of detecting whether the animal has a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag and identifying the animal if does.
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • the method can further comprise the step of marking the animal if the animal cannot be identified.
  • the method can further comprise the step of opening a second entry door to a sorting compartment operatively coupled to the frame and to the first entry door to provide access and ingress into the sorting compartment by the animal, wherein the second entry door is operatively controlled by the controller.
  • the method can further comprise the step of ejecting the animal from the sorting compartment through a second exit door disposed in the sorting compartment if the animal does not meet the at least one predetermined criteria for receiving the feed.
  • the method can further comprise the step of restricting access and ingress into the sorting compartment if the animal exceeds the predetermined size.
  • the method can further comprise the step of identifying the animal when the animal is in the sorting compartment.
  • the method can further comprise the step of weighing the animal when the animal is in the sorting compartment.
  • Figure 1A is a perspective view depicting a complete feeding station with a single feed delivery system.
  • Figure 1 B is a perspective view depicting a complete feeding station with multiple feed delivery systems, in this particular embodiment there are four delivery systems.
  • Figure 2A is a front elevation view for a first embodiment of an entry door mechanism depicting an entry door mechanism using a linear actuator in the open position with an animal entering.
  • Figure 2B is a front elevation view for a first embodiment of an entry door mechanism depicting an entry door mechanism using a linear actuator in the obstructed position.
  • Figure 2C is a front elevation view for a first embodiment of an entry door mechanism depicting an entry door mechanism using a linear actuator in the closed position.
  • Figure 2D is a top view depicting the loose coupling and entry door blocked mechanism for a first embodiment of an entry door mechanism utilizing a linear actuator and linear potentiometer.
  • Figure 2E is a perspective view depicting a second embodiment of an ejector mechanism utilizing a motor driven leadscrew coupled to the door panels.
  • Figure 2F is a perspective view depicting a third embodiment of an ejector mechanism utilizing a motor driven sprocket, chain, and axles drive mechanism which is then coupled to the door panels.
  • Figure 3A is a top front view depicting a first embodiment of an ejector mechanism utilizing two leadscrews coupled to the ejector panel via bushings and a frame showing the linkage via a chain from the first leadscrew to the second leadscrew.
  • Figure 3B is a top rear view depicting a first embodiment of an ejector mechanism utilizing two leadscrews coupled to the ejector panel via bushings and a frame showing the motor linkage via a chain to the first leadscrew.
  • Figure 3C is a bottom rear view depicting a first embodiment of an ejector mechanism utilizing two leadscrews coupled to the ejector panel via bushings and a frame showing the linkage via a chain from the first leadscrew to the second leadscrew.
  • Figure 3D is a bottom view depicting a second embodiment of an animal ejector mechanism using only a single leadscrew coupled to a motor via a chain drive and incorporating rails to prevent twisting of the ejector panel.
  • Figure 3E is a top view depicting a second embodiment of an animal ejector mechanism using only a single leadscrew coupled to a motor via a chain drive and incorporating rails to prevent twisting of the ejector panel.
  • Figure 4A is a perspective view depicting a scale platform with RFID antenna underneath.
  • Figure 4B is a perspective exploded view depicting a scale platform with RFID antenna.
  • Figure 5A is a perspective view depicting a feed storage and delivery mechanism with a single hopper.
  • Figure 5B is a cut away view depicting a feed storage and delivery mechanism with a single hopper and the internal components thereof.
  • Figure 6A is a front and rear view depicting a feeder mechanism with the feed door in the open position.
  • Figure 6B is a front and rear view depicting a feeder mechanism with the feed door in the closed position.
  • Figure 7 is an X-Y chart depicting an example of body weight curves for female and male chickens.
  • Figure 8 is a flowchart depicting a feeding process of an animal passing through the feeding station.
  • Figure 9 is a flowchart depicting a potential training sequence to wean animals onto the station as their sole source of food.
  • Figure 10 is a block diagram depicting one embodiment of the electronics, data storage method, and flow of data, in the system.
  • feeding station (100) can comprise of the following constituent parts:
  • a sorting stage or compartment (101 ) which can comprise an entry door (103), restrictor plate (106) ejection mechanism, at least one exit door (104), scale (105) and radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna (404) contained within it.
  • Sorting compartment (101 ) can provide the ability to quickly and easily eject animals that do not qualify for a meal while another animal is eating.
  • a feeding stage or compartment (102) which can comprise an entry door (107), ejection mechanism, at least one exit door (108), scale (109), RFID antenna (404), a bird marking system and feed receptacle (1 10) with door (124) that can restrict access to feed receptacle (1 10). This is where an animal that qualifies for a meal will be located while it eats.
  • a feed delivery system consisting of storage bin or hopper (1 1 1 ), which can optionally comprise mixer (502) or agitator inside or affixed to the outside thereof, feed conveyance mechanism (1 13) such as a conveyer belt or an auger which can be of the rigid or flex style, feed pan (1 12) which can optionally be removable and/or connected to a scale (603), feed passageway or funnel (1 14) to connect conveyance mechanism (1 13) to feed pan (1 12), removable spilled feed collection tray and a mechanism to raise and lower the feeder.
  • the feeder delivery system can ensure feed is available in feed pan (1 12) for those animals that qualify for a meal.
  • An electronics control panel (120) which can comprise one or more controllers (1000) with a plurality of analog and digital inputs and outputs, as well as communication network (1010) interface (1001 ) that can further comprise using a plurality of technologies such as Ethernet, Fiber, RS232/485, WiFi, USB, and any wireless communication technology which can include, but is not limited to Bluetooth or ZigBee wherein one or several motor controllers (1002), which can comprise of a plurality of levels of complexity ranging from simple H-Bridge relay banks to complex servo controllers, power supplies, RFID reader electronics (1003), equipment mounting hardware such as DIN rail, terminal blocks, other specialized electronic modules including, actuators, sensors, lighting controllers (1005) and connectors or cable glands, to connect to the various electronics, which can comprise sensors, motors, lights, and actuators (1004, 1006) situated around the feeding station(100) to the control panel (120).
  • control panel (120) can control all aspects of operation of the feeding station (100).
  • Frame (121 ) and covers (122) that can provide the ability to connect and support all of the constituent parts together and provide cover and guarding of the internal mechanisms which, if left unprotected, may cause injury to both birds and the technicians operating and maintaining the feeding stations.
  • the guarding may also be designed to provide shielding to improve performance of an equipped RFID reader (1003) and antenna (404) systems.
  • the system can provide each animal with the right amount of food at the right time in an individual setting so that each and every animal will grow in accordance with best practices for that animal.
  • entry doors (201 ) for both sorting compartment (101 ) and feeding compartment (102) can be configured in such a way as to limit entry to the station compartments to individual loose housed animals, and can comprise of a piece of plastic or light weight metal such as aluminum or thin stainless steel with opening (202) large enough for the type of bird or animal to be fed to pass through.
  • door (201 ) can be coupled (203) to drive mechanism (206), which can be driven via a linear actuator (204).
  • drive mechanism (201 ) can be coupled to motor (220) via leadscrew (221 ).
  • door (201 ) can be coupled to motor (222) via a drive mechanism consisting of one or many pulleys or sprockets (224), axels (225) and belts or chains (223). All three of these embodiments will, when actuated, move door (201 ) in a vertical direction upwards to provide access into the compartment as shown in figure 2A, and downwards to prevent access to the compartment as shown in Figure 2C.
  • the door panel can ride inside guides or slots (207) to keep the door aligned and to limit motion to a vertical direction only.
  • the motor (220, 222) or linear actuator (204) can be either direct drive, or have a gear box, and the actuator can be electric, pneumatic or hydraulic.
  • Switches can be used to detect the position of the door and both provide partial door opening ability and prevent over travel of the door.
  • the coupling (203) between the door panel (201 ) and the drive mechanism (203) can be a loose coupling such that if door panel (201 ) becomes blocked as shown in figure 2B, no more than the weight of a single door panel (201 ) is driven down onto the animal (210).
  • Door panel (201 ), coupling mechanism (203) or the door frame can have sensors (21 1 , 212) that can allow for detection if the door way is blocked by either an animal or debris.
  • the door itself can comprise a pressure detection sensor on the bottom edge that can activate when it detects an object in the way.
  • the system can comprise switches (21 1 ) on coupling mechanism (203) that when door panel (201 ) stops moving, door panel (201 ) can lift from coupling mechanism (203), and switch (21 1 ) can then actuate and detect that door panel (201 ) is obstructed (210) as shown in Figure 2B.
  • the system can comprise an optical sensor on one side of the door and an optical emitter on the other side of the door and when an object breaks the link between the emitter and the sensor, the bird is detected.
  • the system can comprise more than one door panel (201 ) to prevent the animal from entering an area where it may get caught during ejection.
  • the system can comprise additional doors panels (201 ) in the middle to detect if an animal is trapped between the two sides.
  • restrictor plate or multiple restrictor plates (106) can be added to the outside front panel of sorting compartment (101 ) entry door (103) to limit the entry size, both in the vertical and horizontal direction. These can be changed from time to time as required as the animals grow towards maturity. It should also be noted that these restrictor plates (106) may only be required to limit size in the horizontal direction as entry door (200) can be adjustable to allow the opening height to be limited to anywhere between fully open ( Figure 2A) and fully closed ( Figure 2C) and, thus, limit the size of the vertical opening. Some embodiments can also comprise an RFID antenna around door opening (202) to provide a mechanism for individual bird identification.
  • ejection mechanism (300, 350) can comprise an actuator coupled through a drive mechanism to a large panel (307) that moves from one side of sorting compartments (101 ) and feeding compartments (102) to the other side to gently but assertively push an animal out of station (100) in the case it does not qualify for feed, or it has reached the end of its feeding bout.
  • the actuator can comprise of electrical linear actuator or motor (301 ), or a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.
  • motor (301 ) can be disposed in the center, which can be coupled via sprockets, two threaded rods (304) or screws riding on bearings (bearings (302) can be contained into mounting blocks (303) via retaining rings) disposed on each side of the unit to evenly distribute the load which are then both coupled through precision bronze nuts (305) on each to ejector panel coupling mechanism (306) that can be, in turn, connected to ejector panel (307).
  • Motor (301 ) can drive sprocket (312) that can be connected to chain (313) that can also be connected to sprocket (314) affixed to one end of threaded rods (304).
  • Threaded rod (304) can be another sprocket (315) that can be used to properly tension chain (313).
  • the other end of threaded rod (304) can comprise sprocket (308) also attached that can then be coupled via chain (310) to the other threaded rod (304) via sprocket (316) affixed to it.
  • This double threaded rod (304) solution can provide the ability to drive ejector panel (307) from both sides for a balanced loading on the drive components.
  • Base plate (309) and blocks (303) at both ends of threaded rods (304) can provide structural integrity, alignment and mounting locations for all of the parts to the whole mechanism, allowing for the entire ejector mechanism (300) to be easily removed and replaced as needed for servicing.
  • motor (301 ) rotates, both of threaded rods (304) can move precision bronze nuts (305) in the same direction, which in turn through ejector panel coupling (306), can move ejector panels (307) in the same horizontal direction.
  • ejector panel (307) can comprise a small gap between the bottom of the panel and the scale platform (105, 109) to ensure that ejector panel (307) does not come in contact with and damage the scale (400) or cause excess weight to be applied to the scale (400).
  • ejector panels (307) can comprise a gap on the side to prevent the animal's head from being trapped and potentially causing serious injury. To prevent the bird from being able to squeeze between ejector panel (307) and the side wall of the station and potentially get a non- approved meal, the gap between ejector panel (307) and the side wall can be filled with a brush like material (319) that can prevent the bird from seeing the gap and also provide significant resistance.
  • the ejector (300) can be configured to eject animals in only a single direction, or eject out either side of the sorting and feeding stations.
  • the threaded rods can comprise ball screws and the precession drive nut can comprise bearing balls to transfer the load between the screw and the nut.
  • belts can be used instead of chains with no loss of function. It is also possible to build ejector mechanism (350) such that only a single threaded rod (351 ) is required, see Figure 3E.
  • the ejector may not actually make physical contact with the animal to be ejected and, instead, can make use of other stimuli to make the animal uncomfortable and leave on its own accord. Examples of this can include: a strong air blast using air knife technology to encourage the bird to leave; using sounds or images to startle the animals; small non-injuring electric shocks; or using 95 Ghz directed- energy beams to dielectrically heat the animals skin to cause discomfort and to encourage the animal to leave on its own accord.
  • the ejection mechanism (300, 350) can comprise an actuator raising one side of the weighing platform (105, 109 to cause the animal to slide out of the side of the compartment (101 , 102). Exit doors
  • exit doors (108, 104) which may be located on both sides of the station (100) for both the feeding compartment (102) and sorting compartments (101 ) and thus comprising a total of four exit doors (108, 104) can be configured such that they can be self-closing using either a spring mechanism or a gravity self-closing hinge to shut the exit door (104, 108).
  • the exit doors (104, 108) can only open in a single direction to prevent birds from entering via exit doors (108, 104).
  • Exit doors (108, 104) can also be configured to be light enough for even the smallest, youngest animals to easily open the doors and to ensure that there is little chance of an animal being trapped.
  • scale (400) (as shown in Figure 4) can comprise of platform (105, 109) that can be rigidly affixed via mounting frame (401 ) to one or several weight sensors (402).
  • sensors (402) can comprise strain gauge or piezoresistive load cells but in other applications, other technologies such as electromagnetic force restoration sensors can be used.
  • the edges of platform (105, 109) near exit doors (104, 108) can be slightly angled to limit the amount of space between the edge of scale (400) and the edge of ejector panels (307) and, thus, prevent any ledges for the animals to grab onto or get caught on as they are ejected from sorting compartment (101 ) and feeding compartment (102).
  • the system can comprise RFID antenna (404) disposed underneath of scale platform (105, 109) to provide a mechanism for individual bird identification.
  • a non-metallic platform material must be selected.
  • scale platform (105, 109) itself can be easily removable for cleaning and maintenance of sensor (402).
  • the system can comprise analog conditioning in order to condition, filter, and amplify the measured scale values received from scale sensors (both feed (603) and body weight (402)) to get a signal with a good signal to noise ratio to be transferred to the controller (1000) and read in by the analog to digital converters.
  • This analog conditioning can be done inside of control panel (120), or outside of control panel (120) in sensor conditioning box (403) depending on the induced signal noise due to the ambient electrical noise into the scale sensor (402) cable.
  • the analog conditioning described can comprise one or more of low pass, high pass and band pass filtering via various passive and integrated circuits interconnected together as well as the use of operational amplifiers and instrumentation amplifiers to get the required level of signal gain.
  • controller (1000) can be configured to do signal processing on the scale sensor values to increase the accuracy of the measurements, and to attempt to remove animal motion artifacts.
  • signal processing can include, but is not limited to, averaging, removal of outlier values, Fast Fourier transformation to do various filtering, and more complex analyses as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the feed system can comprise of two parts that can be independent from each other: the first part can comprise storage and delivery mechanism (500) shown in Figures 5A and 5B; and the second part can comprise feeder mechanism (600) shown in Figures 6A and 6B.
  • the animal can feed through an opening on the side wall of the feeding compartment (102) as shown in Figure 1A.
  • Feeding compartment side wall (127) with feed receptacle (1 10) can have provisions for mounting feeder reducing plate (126), which can decrease the accessible opening size of feed receptacle (1 10) to prevent small birds from entering into feed pan (1 12).
  • Feeder reducing plate (126) can comprise of only vertical opening limitations to prevent birds from being injured during feed door (124) movement by being pinched between feed door (124) edge and the top of feeder reducing plate (126) opening.
  • feed door (124) mechanism can be attached to feed mechanism (600) as depicted in Figures 6A and 6B, or attached to the side panel of feeding compartment (102).
  • Feed mechanism (600) can provide the ability to prevent access to feed pan (1 12) for the animal inside of feeding compartment (102); it can also have a secondary role of assisting with containing feed spillage during the refilling of feed pan (1 12).
  • Feed door (124) mechanism can first comprise of a piece of plastic or light weight metal such as aluminum or thin stainless steel with a hole large enough for the type of bird or animal to be fed to pass its head through and access feed pan (1 12) that can act as the door.
  • the door can be coupled (602) to actuator (601 ) that can further be electric, pneumatic or hydraulic.
  • the door can be coupled (602) to linear electric actuator (601 ) with an appropriate amount of stroke length to move the door from fully open, as shown in Figure 6A, to fully closed, as shown in Figure 6B.
  • Other embodiments can comprise a drive mechanism that can further comprise a chain or belt driven system.
  • feed door (124) mechanism can have no feedback available to controller (1000) of the position of door (124), and the door opening and closing can be based solely on having motor or actuator (601 ) run in the correct direction for a predetermined length of time.
  • switch (604) can confirm that the door is fully open, and/or another switch (607) to confirm the door is fully closed, wherein these switches (604, 607) can be actuated by cams, trip dogs or other features built into or attached to feed door (124) or features built into coupling mechanism (602) between the door (124) and actuator or motor (601 ) as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • a precise feedback mechanism such as a linear potentiometer or a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), can be attached to feed door (124), or to feed door to actuator coupler (602).
  • LVDT linear variable differential transformer
  • feed pan (1 12) can be rigidly affixed to one or several weight sensors (603).
  • these sensors can comprise strain gauge or piezoresistive load cells (603) but in other applications, other technologies such as electromagnetic force restoration sensors can be used, as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • Feed supply system can comprise strain gauge or piezoresistive load cells (603) but in other applications, other technologies such as electromagnetic force restoration sensors can be used, as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • station (100) can be equipped with one or more feed storage hoppers (111).
  • feed hoppers (111) can be located above station (100).
  • feed hoppers (111) can be kept off station (100) and connected to station (100) through either a hard pipe or a hose with some mechanism to move feed from hopper (111) to top of feeder mechanism (600) through feed entry aperture (609) in small enough increments to meet the requirements of precision feeding.
  • the system can comprise mixer (502) or agitator connected to feed hopper (111) to prevent feed clumping and bridging inside of hopper (111).
  • This agitator can comprise a vibrational agitator affixed to the outside of the hopper (111) that can use vibration to loosen the feed inside of hopper (111).
  • the agitator can comprise paddle wheel (502) disposed inside of hopper (111), where paddle wheel (502) can be connected to motor (128) that can break up the feed when running.
  • paddle wheel (502) can be linked to its own motor, which can run at a predefined interval.
  • hopper paddle (502) can be linked to the same motor (128) that runs feed auger (113) so that mixing happens every time feed is dispensed.
  • a single feed hopper (111) can be located above station (100). At the bottom of feed hopper (111), there can be a solid or flex type auger (113) capable of moving slow enough to move feed out through auger spout (504) and down through feed funnel (114) and into feed pipe (505) that can then fall into feed pan (112) in a controlled and metered pace.
  • Feed pan (112) can comprise cone or skirt (605) therearound to prevent spillage of feed outside of feed pan (1 12).
  • feed door (124) can be closed during the feed fill operation to ensure that no feed is spilled onto the top of bird scale platform (109) or into other parts of station (100).
  • removable spilled feed collection tray can be disposed underneath of feed pans (1 12) at the bottom of station (100) to collect any feed that may have gotten through the gaps around feed pans (1 12).
  • auger (1 13) can be pulsed to dispense only small amounts of feed each time through auger spout (504) and into feed funnel (1 14).
  • a plurality of feed hoppers (1 1 1 ) can be disposed on top of station (100) with a corresponding number of feeder mechanisms (600) allowing birds access to a plurality of different feeds depending on their weight, body curve treatment, RFID or any other parameter as set by the station operator.
  • each mechanism (600) can be coupled to an associated hopper (1 1 1 ), and each hopper (1 1 1 ) can be of a different configuration and volume to allow a larger volume of feed to be available for those feeds that are used more often and smaller volumes of feed to be available for those rarely used feeds.
  • feeding compartment side wall (127) can comprise a number of openings (1 10) and feed door (124) systems corresponding to the number of hoppers (1 1 1 ) and feed mechanisms (600).
  • Each feed door (124) and opening (1 10) can comprise the same capabilities as its single feed source equivalent.
  • a single or plurality of hoppers (1 1 1 ) or drop tubes can supply feed to each feed pan (1 12), none of which must be suspended on a load cell (603).
  • the feeders in this embodiment can be configured as a self-feeder that the animal inside station (100) will receive access to by actuating feed door (124) when the desired feeding conditions are met.
  • entire feeder mechanism (600) can be lowered and raised as the age of the birds increases to provide the bird with proper access and overall a more comfortable eating experience.
  • feed mechanism (600) can be raised and lowered by hand, and then click into notches at several different spots along the way or perhaps further adjustability could be provided by using a bolt or wing nut to lock feed mechanism (600) at the height desired by the technician.
  • the system can have the mechanism to raise and lower the feeder further comprise a screw that is coupled to feed mechanism (600) and, thus, by turning the screw, feeding pans (1 12) can be raised or lowered.
  • the mechanism can have the screw coupled to a motor that is, in turn, controlled by the controller (1000) wherein the feeder mechanism (600) can be automatically raised and lowered depending on the age of the birds.
  • this automated feeder position system can have position feedback being provided to the controller (1000), which can be through various limit switches, or some kind of other analog or digital feedback system such as a linear potentiometer or a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • LVDT linear variable differential transformer
  • hoppers (1 1 1 ) can comprise one or more feed level sensors (506) to indicate the current level of feed in hopper (1 1 1 ). These level sensors can be set by controller (1000) to trigger an alarm to the operator that a station (100) has either run out of, or is running out of, feed. In addition, level sensors (506) can be used to trigger a central feed distribution system to fill feed hopper (1 1 1 ) and then shut off the system when hopper (1 1 1 ) is full. In some embodiments, hoppers (1 1 1 ) can be connected to a facility's central feed distribution system to ensure that hopper (1 1 1 ) is always kept at the desired fill level.
  • controller (1000) can provide feedback to the operator through server (1020) of how often hoppers (1 1 1 ) are running empty, or the number of fills that are required from the central feed distribution system.
  • the entire feeding system can support multiple different types of dry feed, which can include mash, crumbles, pellets, whole grains and powders among others.
  • Animal marking system can include mash, crumbles, pellets, whole grains and powders among others.
  • the marking system can consist of a micro droplet dispenser attached to the feeder station entry door (107), or at the feed receptacle (1 10) which will attach a small amount of animal safe dye to the animal each time it enters the feeding compartment (102) or is by the feed receptacle (1 10).
  • Another embodiment might have a more active and selecting marking system that can mark animals for any number of other reasons such as that it has reached its sale weight, or perhaps to identify the bird as potentially having an illness, or requiring any type of individual attention in a research or breeding setting.
  • the system can comprise other sensors to measure various other aspects of the bird or environment, as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • Environmental sensors can include sensors configured to detect temperature, humidity, light colour temperature, light intensity, and air quality (for example dust, 0 2 , C0 2 , H 2 S and NH 3 levels).
  • bird sensors can include infrared (IR) sensors configured to measure animal body temperature or accelerometers to measure nature of activity for the determination of the onset of illness or infection, as well as visual analysis systems configured to gauge animal structure and gait as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • IR infrared
  • the system can comprise a water intake measurement device that can allow the animals to take in water, and that data can be attributed to the particular animal and stored in the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software system and database (1020, 1021 ).
  • SCADA supervisory control and data acquisition
  • Some embodiments might also provide extra ventilation to increase the animals comfort and health in the form of a fan, heater, or cooling apparatus in either or both of the feeding compartment (102) and sorting compartment (101 ). This ventilation can either be controlled by its own standalone controller or be controlled by the station (100) controller (1000) and other ancillary sensors.
  • control panel (120) can comprise control and power supply electronics required to run the system.
  • Control panel (120) can comprise a mechanism for connection to a central mains power distribution system and battery or generator back-up for fail safe shutdown or continued operation.
  • This connection can be through some kind of pluggable supply cord, or hard connected through some kind of conduit or Teck cable type connection.
  • the incoming supply connection can be a plurality of different combinations of voltage and frequency, therefore, it is important for all internal circuitry to be configured to work seamlessly for a plurality of locations and jurisdictions.
  • the incoming power can first pass through some kind of current limiting device, such as a fuse or circuit breaker, and then a surge protector to protect the supply wiring and internal circuitry from over current and over voltage conditions.
  • all controllers, motors, actuators, and sensors can use and/or operate using a single control voltage of 24VDC, that can require the use of an AC to DC power supply to provide a suitable amount of 24VDC power to the system.
  • all control panels can be sealed to a NEMA® 4X rating.
  • all electrical connections to the sensors, switches, lights, motors, and actuators (1004, 1006) from the control panel (120) can, where possible, be configured to allow for easy disconnection using connectors sealed to at least IP65 and, where possible, to IP67 sealed connectors to allow for quick repair of damaged or defective components.
  • wires can be passed through cable glands that can allow for at least IP65 and, where possible, IP67 sealing around the cable.
  • Controller (1000) can comprise of an electronic device consisting of one or several integrated circuits (IC) such as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) or a microcontroller unit (MCU), short term memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static random access memory (SRAM), storage which can include FLASH, EEPROM or a hard drive, a printed circuit board (PCB), one or more network interfaces (1001 ) often implemented in integrated circuits such as but not limited to I2C, SPI, UART/RS232, USB, Bluetooth®, WiFi, Fiber Optic, or Ethernet, analog to digital converters, opto-couplers, digital to analog converters, and associated voltage regulators.
  • IC integrated circuits
  • IC integrated circuits
  • CPU central processing unit
  • MCU microcontroller unit
  • DRAM dynamic random access memory
  • SRAM static random access memory
  • PCB printed circuit board
  • network interfaces (1001 ) often implemented in integrated circuits such as but not limited to I2C, SPI, UART/RS
  • Controller can also comprise interfaces, motors and actuator controllers
  • motor/actuator controller (1002) to provide control of various motors and actuators ranges from a simple H-Bridge relay control through the use of one single-pole single-throw (SPST) relay, and a dual-pole dual-throw (DPDT) relay of direct current (DC) servo motors and linear actuators in which only the direction and on/off are important.
  • SPST single-pole single-throw
  • DPDT dual-pole dual-throw
  • DC direct current
  • solid state relays or motor controller application specific integrated circuits (ASIC) can be used to implement this same functionality.
  • Specific applications may require more complex configurations such as advanced servo motor control using encoder feedback and profiled acceleration ramp up and ramp down of the servo speed. These can be accomplished through using much more complex commercially available servo driver motor controllers (1002), as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • station (100) can comprise one or more protective covers (122, 125) to prevent the bird from accessing feed from the hopper (1 1 1 ) or falling into the hopper (1 1 1 ) and getting injured as a result.
  • These covers (122, 125) can also prevent the birds from roosting on top of station (100), and potentially getting caught in other mechanisms inside of the station (100).
  • each station (100) can be equipped with multiple emergency stop switches (123) that can prevent motor actuation while in emergency stop. Some of these emergency stop switches (123) can be triggered by the removal of covers or guarding such as the removal of feed hopper lid (125).
  • controller (1000) can contain firmware that can implement the application code required to implement the functionality necessary to operate the feeding station. Controller (1000) can be field updated to provide enhanced functionality and correction of programming defects.
  • controller (1000) can run an operating system (OS) such as Linux, Windows Embedded® , or Open BSD®, a real time OS such as QNX Neutrino®, or VxWorks® with the control code running on top of those operating systems in the form of an application or as a PLC application.
  • OS operating system
  • the control application can be custom designed from the bottom up to incorporate both the operating system functionality and the controller functionality together into a single application as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • controller (1000) can host a web page that can be used to view and change feeding station's (100) current configuration, view the error and activity log, help with diagnosing electromechanical issues, change the machine run state, upload and refresh body weight curves (701 , 702) and set the associated animal age for example hatch date, add or modify bird identification tags and information, and set various communication parameters as required.
  • the controller (1000) can communicate with a central SCADA system (1020) that can provide the controller (1000) with the information it needs to be able to process bird feeding decisions and store the activity, exception information and bird feeding data (body weights and feed intake) into a database.
  • SCADA server (1020) and database server (1021 ) can be comprised in the same computer or on different computers.
  • data servers (1021 ) can be on different networks in separate locations, or be located in a cloud based data centre (1032) or data warehouse such as Microsoft® Azure®, or Amazon Web Services® where they can be used as a central data warehouse for potentially a very large number of SCADA servers (1020) each of which are connected to a very large number of feeding stations (100) through the Internet (1090).
  • the data can be stored in a relational database management system such as Oracle or MS-SQL for future use by technicians and researchers.
  • Datasets can be queried from the larger database and used with programs such as Matlab, SPSS, SAS, or custom applications to do statistical analysis and provide visual or other feedback of a plurality of individual traits and aspects about their birds behavior and bird growth patterns which can be used to improve the productivity of current and future flocks or other individual or groups of animals.
  • the SCADA application can comprise a Microsoft® Windows® application, a web application or some combination of the two, and the various SCADA server (1020) and database servers (1021 ) can be configured for remote access and management either through a remote desktop type of application, web portal, or through some other proprietary interface from a Remote Control Terminal (1031 ).
  • communication between the SCADA system (1020) and the controller (1000) can be through communications network (1010), and can be implemented through any number of different technologies and protocols depending on the implementation of controller (1000) and SCADA system (1020).
  • controller (1000) comprises a standard commercial PLC
  • MODBUS®, MODBUS® TCP/IP, EthernetIP® or PROFIBUS can be used.
  • an Ethernet connection and a standard TCP or UDP socket connection using a protocol like HTTP and encoding the data as XML and potentially encrypting the traffic using SSL or TLS can be used for communication.
  • several Ethernet devices can be connected together inside of control panel (120) using an Ethernet switch.
  • the device can be in a secure environment and, as such, a network security appliance such as a router with integrated firewall may be required to act as a gateway between local area network
  • control panel (1001 ) inside of control panel (120) to larger wide area network (1010).
  • FIG. 8 depicts a high level sequence of events for feeding a single bird.
  • each step can comprise many sub steps, and many steps can be done in different order and additional steps may be required based on the individual requirements of the animal and application.
  • the bird can enter precision feeding station (100) through entry door (103) of sorting compartment (101 ).
  • controller (1000) can detect the bird's presence and can start to close entry door (103) of sorting compartment (101 ).
  • other occupancy type sensors can be used to determine if a bird or multiple birds have entered sorting compartment (101 ). These sensors can include an infrared or visual camera, a short range RADAR or LIDAR system, or one of many other motion detection sensors and technologies as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • controller (1000) can stop the downward motion of door (201 ).
  • controller (1000) can either wait until door blocked switches (21 1 ) become open again and then resume motion or immediately reverse the direction of door (201 ) either back to fully open or to a short distance wait for a short period of time for the bird to move forward and attempt to close the door (201 ) again.
  • controller (1000) If after a configurable number of attempts controller (1000) is still unable to close the door (201 ), which can be caused by debris, mechanism failure, or the bird refusing to move, then controller (1000) will inform server (1020) of an error condition. In some embodiments, station (100) can automatically reset after several minutes and attempt to close door (201 ) again, this is to prevent prolonged downtime due to error conditions.
  • controller (1000) can take a weight measurement of the bird. If controller (1000) detects that there are two birds on scale platform (105), controller (1000) can eject the birds by moving ejector panel (307) from one side of station (100) to the other thus forcing the birds out of station (100) through exit doors (104). For cases in which the body weight curves (701 , 702) (an example of which are shown in Figure 7) are hard coded into controller (1000), controller(I OOO) can look up on body weight curve (701 , 702) based on the animal's age since hatch or birth what the currently expected body weight for the bird is.
  • server (1020, 1021 ) can update periodically the current target bird body weight from body weight curve data (700).
  • the body weight curve data (700) stored on controller (1000) or on server (1020) can be a table of target weights and age, or may be a mathematical formula.
  • the system can have a highest possible current target weight for the bird regularly updated in the controller, which can be used to determine when there are more than one bird in the station or to determine if the bird is overweight wherein both are conditions on which the birds can be ejected from sorting compartment (101 ). If the bird weight is below the highest target body weight for the bird at the bird's current age, station (100) can take an RFID tag reading using RFID reader (1003) and RFID antenna (404). In some embodiments, RFID reader (1003) can take RFID readings until a tag is successfully read. In other embodiments, controller (1000) may require several successive matching successful RFID tag reads before being able to identify the bird based on the bird RFID tag.
  • controller (1000) can inform the server (1020) that the bird in station (100) was unable to be identified (this can be through interference or lost tags) and then controller (1000) can eject the bird from the station using ejector mechanism (300).
  • animals can be fed according to target body weight or other criteria alone, without taking an RFID reading.
  • a station (100) can have body weight curve data (700) permanently encoded into the on board controller (1000) and that using a simple interface, as an example, an onboard human machine interface (1004) such as a touch screen LCD, or a wireless or wired connection to a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, the station (100) can be configured so that it can run as an independent unit which does not require any communication with a server (1020).
  • station (100) can be initially set up with the hatch date of the birds, the current date, and the sex of the birds to be fed at which point the station has all of the information necessary to feed the birds to the desired body weight curve (701 , 702).
  • controller (1000) can then look up on the body weight curve data (700) based on the bird's age since hatch what the currently expected body weight for the bird is.
  • server (1020) can update periodically the currently expected bird body weight. If the bird's weight is above or equal to the target body weight on the curve at the birds particular age, then the bird will be ejected from station (100). If the bird's weight is below the body weight curve for the sex of the bird (701 , 702), then the bird will be permitted access to feed.
  • Some embodiments may have a plurality of different target body weight curves in the same group of animals, and every animal can potentially have its own target body weight curve data. Animals can be moved from one target body weight curve to another at any time during its lifetime.
  • Body weight curves (701 , 702) can be defined with bird value increments made on an hourly, daily, weekly, or any other temporal basis depending on the operators desired granularity and uniformity requirements.
  • the bird's weight will be used to determine which body weight curve (male (701 ) or female (702)) the bird is on and then a feed decision can be made either in controller (1000) or in server (1020).
  • controller (1000) or server (1020) can raise both male and female birds together without the need for RFID tags by evaluating each bird's entry weight against both body growth curves (male (701 ) and female (702)) and selecting the sex and therefore the target body weight based on which curve the birds weight is closest to.
  • the male body weight curve (701 ) will be heavier than the female body weight curve (702), and it is this fact that can be used to differentiate the bird's sex and ensure the proper body target weight is used to make the feed decision.
  • every bird will be given access to feed, and as this data has value in most scenarios the feed and body weights, and RFID tag number, of the birds can be stored in the server (1020, 1021 ) to monitor bird growth and feed intake. In embodiments where no RFID tag is required, the data can still be stored in the server (1020, 1021 ) without identifying individual birds.
  • controller (1000) can hold the bird in sorting compartment (101 ) until feeding compartment (102) becomes available as the previous bird leaves station (100).
  • entry door (107) of feeding compartment (102) can open and the bird will be given an operator selected period of time to move from sorting compartment (101 ) to feeding compartment (102). If the bird does not move from sorting compartment (101 ) to feeding compartment (102) within the operator selected period of time, entry doors (107) of feeding compartment (102) can close and the bird can be ejected from station (100). In order to prevent the animal from being trapped in station (100), the bird can be free to leave out of sorting compartment (101 ) or feeding compartment (102) exit doors (108, 104) at any time.
  • controller (1000) can detect the bird's presence and can close main entry door (103). If door (201 ) strikes bird (210) when closing, the door blocked switches (21 1 ) can depress and controller (1000) can stop the downward motion of door (201 ) and, depending on the settings in controller (1000), either wait until door blocked switches (21 1 ) become open again and then resume motion or to reverse the direction of door (201 ) either back to fully open or to a short distance and then wait for a short period of time for the bird to move forward and attempt to close door (201 ) again.
  • entry door (103) of sorting compartment (101 ) can open and the system will wait for the next bird to enter sorting compartment (101 ).
  • controller (1000) can fill feed pan (1 12) back up to the desired level as selected by the user and wait for the next feeding bout to begin.
  • station (100) can comprise feed door (124) that can be actuated to block the bird from the feed at the end of a feeding bout.
  • Feed door (124) also can be used to prevent feed from spilling out onto feeding scale platform (109) during filling of feed pan (1 12).
  • a feed aperture reducer (126) can be added to the feed receptacle (1 10) to prevent birds from jumping into feed pan (1 12).
  • Feed pan (1 12) can be directly coupled to a scale mechanism (603) such as, but not limited to, a 500g strain gauge load cell to provide feedback to the controller (1000) of how much feed is in the feed pan (1 12).
  • station (100) can comprise one or more lights, these lights can be in a plurality of locations including but not limited to the feed mechanism LEDs (608). These lights will often be chosen to be of a singular wavelength or range of wavelengths in order to allow birds to see, but prevent the birds from being photo stimulated. It is also possible that in some embodiments, the operator may want to adjust the colour, intensity, and duration of the lights throughout the day.
  • the lights can be comprised of light emitting diodes, but can also comprise neon, florescent, compact florescent, incandescent, or other lighting technologies as well known to those skilled in the art.
  • station (100) operation can be modified during different phases of the animal's life. There can be juvenile and adult modes that can change the way station (100) is controlled, and can further make trade-offs in accuracy while in a juvenile mode to ensure that animal safety is properly accounted for.
  • the station can provide different feeding bout lengths or alter the amount of feed supplied in feed pan (1 12), based on age or any other criteria.
  • one role of SCADA application and server (1020) is to continuously analyze the feeding data and identify animals that have not eaten within a certain amount of time and flag this for the technician to intervene and evaluate the animal's health and check for injury, illness, or a case of failure to thrive. This information can also help to identify animals with illness and provide an additional way to isolate and treat animals before the illness is spread to the rest of the flock.
  • controller (1000) can implement several different training modes.
  • One embodiment of a training protocol is shown in Figure 9 and is described as follows.
  • the feeding station can be placed in training mode.
  • exit doors (108, 104) can be removed, and entrance doors (103, 107) and feed door (124) can be retained in the open position.
  • the animals can then have ad libitum access to feed inside feed pan (1 12) and, additionally, in supplemental feeders inside station (100) on scale platforms (105, 109), and near entrance (103) or on ramp (130).
  • the feed outside station (100) can be removed, so that animals learn that they can eat inside station (100).
  • the supplemental feeders inside station (100) can be removed.
  • the animals can acclimate to the movement of doors by closing and opening feed door (124) periodically at a time interval set by the technician, and topping up feed pan (1 12) to a desired amount (also set by the user). Measuring the weight of feed pan (1 12) at the start and end of these intervals can provide a means of recording the feed intake of the animals as a group. After a period of approximately 5 to 14 days, exit doors (108, 104) can be re-installed and entrance doors (103, 107) can be operated to feed birds individually.
  • the stations (100) may require maintenance.
  • the system can have special modes that can provide the technician with the ability to complete certain function such as open and close entrance doors (103, 107), open and close the feed door (124), run the ejectors (300), or empty feed hopper (1 1 1 ), among others. Additional modes can provide access to individual motors and actuators (1006) to help debug very specific operational issues.
  • the feeding station frame (121 ) can provide for provisions to simplify the movement and placement of the station (100) such as mounting holes for the placement of casters, lift point hooks, fork lift slots, carry handles, cam operated locking wheels, among others.
  • feeding station (100) can comprise provisions for raising and lowering the entire station, or different height platforms might be added to increase and decrease the height.
  • Feeding stations (100) disposed at the opening of entry door (103) of sorting compartment (101 ) can allow for the attachment of a ramp (130), or for a perch which animals waiting for access to station (100) can use to queue up for entry.
  • stations (100) can be capable of being washed down with a hose and disinfectant, as such all surfaces of the machine must be compatible with commercially available disinfectant products, and can further be sealed from unwanted water or cleaning ingress. In some embodiments, this can mean sealing all surfaces to an IP65 to IP67 rating. The added benefit of this is that it can protect the station from dust ingress as bird and other livestock rearing facilities are often very high in particulate matter and dust.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Birds (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'alimentation destiné à permettre l'entrée successive à des animaux, un à la fois, dans un poste d'alimentation qui pèse l'animal, puis accorde ou empêche l'accès à la nourriture sur la base du poids corporel ou d'autres critères. Il fait sortir chaque animal si aucune nourriture ne doit être fournie, ou après l'alimentation pendant une période de temps spécifiée. Le système s'adapte à des animaux logés dans des groupes, et permet à des animaux individuels d'être alimentés précisément avec un apport minimal de main d'œuvre. La consommation de nourriture par des animaux individuels est limitée par la durée pendant laquelle ils restent dans la zone d'alimentation du poste et par la quantité de nourriture qui leur est fournie. Le système permet le recueil continu de données concernant la croissance des animaux et commande et surveille l'apport de nourriture et le poids corporel.
PCT/CA2016/051144 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux WO2018058232A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ752569A NZ752569A (en) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 System and method for feeding animals
CA3038393A CA3038393C (fr) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Systeme et procede pour alimenter des animaux
PCT/CA2016/051144 WO2018058232A1 (fr) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux
AU2016425292A AU2016425292B2 (en) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 System and method for feeding animals
EP16917019.8A EP3518663A4 (fr) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CA2016/051144 WO2018058232A1 (fr) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018058232A1 true WO2018058232A1 (fr) 2018-04-05

Family

ID=61762453

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CA2016/051144 WO2018058232A1 (fr) 2016-09-30 2016-09-30 Système et procédé pour alimenter des animaux

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3518663A4 (fr)
AU (1) AU2016425292B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA3038393C (fr)
NZ (1) NZ752569A (fr)
WO (1) WO2018058232A1 (fr)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN109247255A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-22 天津市康婷生物工程有限公司 实验动物精细喂养自动调节饲养系统
CN110175669A (zh) * 2019-05-07 2019-08-27 安徽瑞佰创物联科技有限公司 一种猪圈用生猪数量统计装置
FR3080000A1 (fr) * 2018-04-16 2019-10-18 Specialites Pet Food Dispositif de suivi de la consommation d'aliments par un animal tel qu'un mammifere, par exemple un chat
CN111179502A (zh) * 2020-02-14 2020-05-19 龙泉市起超医疗器械有限公司 一种免费供应一次性口罩并回收口罩的回收箱
CN111903567A (zh) * 2020-08-18 2020-11-10 中国农业科学院北京畜牧兽医研究所 一种家禽自动记录系统及饲料转化率测定的方法
CN112161683A (zh) * 2020-09-23 2021-01-01 赵淑芳 一种牲畜定点定轨迹智能称重器
CN112493149A (zh) * 2020-10-28 2021-03-16 王绪明 一种无菌饲养箱及使用方法
US11375689B2 (en) * 2019-12-04 2022-07-05 Beijing Kitten&Puppy Technology Co., Ltd. Double-shockproof spring mechanism, cam ejection mechanism and single-side guide rail ejection bin
CN115005154A (zh) * 2022-03-31 2022-09-06 中国农业科学院北京畜牧兽医研究所 生长肥育猪智能饲喂方法以及相关设备
CN115245137A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-10-28 宿迁学院 生鲜物流保鲜配送装置及其方法
US11684038B2 (en) 2018-11-08 2023-06-27 Dave Klocke Swine activated feeder with actuation sensor
CN116326501A (zh) * 2023-05-09 2023-06-27 安徽农业大学 一种黑毛猪养殖用防践踏饮水设备及方法
CN118628279A (zh) * 2024-08-12 2024-09-10 山东省鼎立农牧科技有限公司 一种云端智能称重养殖管理系统

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2715387A (en) 1953-10-05 1955-08-16 Alvin A Marmet Poultry separating device
EP0163515A2 (fr) 1984-06-01 1985-12-04 National Research Development Corporation Séparateur d'animaux
US4617876A (en) * 1984-11-28 1986-10-21 Hayes Norman J Animal identification and control system
DE3701864A1 (de) 1987-01-23 1988-08-04 Buschhoff Th Ag Einrichtung zur abruffuetterung von schweinen
CA2241206A1 (fr) * 1998-06-19 1999-12-19 Frank Abrams Trieur de porcs
US6901885B1 (en) * 2004-01-29 2005-06-07 Crystal Spring Colony Farms Ltd. Apparatus for applying a tattoo to a hog prior to market
DE202007007052U1 (de) 2007-05-15 2008-09-25 Big Dutchman Pig Equipment Gmbh Automatische, tierindividuelle Fütterung von Schweinen in Gruppenhaltung
FR2998135A1 (fr) 2012-11-19 2014-05-23 Agronomique Inst Nat Rech Installation pour le suivi de la quantite d'aliments ingeres par des animaux, notamment des canards
CN205455272U (zh) 2016-01-26 2016-08-17 焦鉴 多功能智能养殖饲育系统

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5826538A (en) * 1996-02-20 1998-10-27 Never Late, Inc. Animal feeder
US6664897B2 (en) * 1998-03-09 2003-12-16 William R. Pape Method and system for livestock data collection and management
US6868804B1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2005-03-22 Growsafe Systems Ltd. Animal management system
WO2005096808A1 (fr) * 2004-04-08 2005-10-20 Mckeown Daniel B Procédé et système pour l'alimentation automatique d'animaux
US7444961B1 (en) * 2005-04-11 2008-11-04 Ellis James S Animal sorting and grading system using an internal evaluation to predict maximum value
US8584619B2 (en) * 2010-08-26 2013-11-19 Osborne Industries, Inc. Electronic livestock feeding station with integral scale assembly
US8683946B2 (en) * 2011-04-28 2014-04-01 Technologies Holdings Corp. System and method of attaching cups to a dairy animal
KR101557077B1 (ko) * 2013-10-10 2015-10-19 대한민국 군집형 축사의 급이 관리 장치 및 방법

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2715387A (en) 1953-10-05 1955-08-16 Alvin A Marmet Poultry separating device
EP0163515A2 (fr) 1984-06-01 1985-12-04 National Research Development Corporation Séparateur d'animaux
US4617876A (en) * 1984-11-28 1986-10-21 Hayes Norman J Animal identification and control system
DE3701864A1 (de) 1987-01-23 1988-08-04 Buschhoff Th Ag Einrichtung zur abruffuetterung von schweinen
CA2241206A1 (fr) * 1998-06-19 1999-12-19 Frank Abrams Trieur de porcs
US6901885B1 (en) * 2004-01-29 2005-06-07 Crystal Spring Colony Farms Ltd. Apparatus for applying a tattoo to a hog prior to market
DE202007007052U1 (de) 2007-05-15 2008-09-25 Big Dutchman Pig Equipment Gmbh Automatische, tierindividuelle Fütterung von Schweinen in Gruppenhaltung
FR2998135A1 (fr) 2012-11-19 2014-05-23 Agronomique Inst Nat Rech Installation pour le suivi de la quantite d'aliments ingeres par des animaux, notamment des canards
CN205455272U (zh) 2016-01-26 2016-08-17 焦鉴 多功能智能养殖饲育系统

Non-Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AVIAGEN, AVIAGEN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: COMMERCIAL FCR SELECTION, 4 August 2014 (2014-08-04), Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://en.aviagen.com/research-development>
HAVENSTEIN, G. B.P. R. FERKETM. A. QURESHI: "Carcass composition and yield of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets", POULT. SCI., vol. 82, 2003, pages 1509 - 1518
HAVENSTEIN, G. B.P. R. FERKETM. A. QURESHI: "Growth, livability, and feed conversion of 1957 versus 2001 broilers when fed representative 1957 and 2001 broiler diets", POULT. SCI., vol. 82, 2003, pages 1500 - 1508
HAVENSTEIN, G. B.P. R. FERKETS. E. SCHEIDELERB. T. LARSON: "Growth, livability, and feed conversion of 1957 vs 1991 broilers when fed typical 1957 and 1991 broiler diets", POULT. SCI., vol. 73, 1994, pages 1785 - 1794
HAVENSTEIN, G. B.P. R. FERKETS. E. SCHEIDELERD. V. RIVES: "Carcass composition and yield of 1991 vs 1957 broilers when fed typical 1957 and 1991 broiler diets", POULT. SCI., vol. 73, 1994, pages 1795 - 1804
ROBINSON, F. E.R. A. RENEMAL. BOUVIERJ. J. R. FEDDESM. J. ZUIDHOFJ. L. WILSONM. NEWCOMBER. I. MCKAY: "Effects of photostimulatory lighting and feed allocation in female broiler breeders. 2. Egg and chick production characteristics", CAN. J. ANIM. SCI., vol. 78, 1998, pages 615 - 623
ZUIDHOF, M. J.B. L. SCHNEIDERV. L. CARNEYD. R. KORVERF. E. ROBINSON: "Growth, efficiency, and yield of commercial broilers from 1957, 1978, and 2005", POULT. SCI., vol. 93, 2014, pages 2970 - 2982
ZUIDHOF, M. J.D. E. HOLMR. A. RENEMAM. A. JALALF. E. ROBINSON: "2015. Effects of broiler breeder management on pullet body weight and carcass uniformity", POULT. SCI., vol. 94, pages 1389 - 1397

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3080000A1 (fr) * 2018-04-16 2019-10-18 Specialites Pet Food Dispositif de suivi de la consommation d'aliments par un animal tel qu'un mammifere, par exemple un chat
WO2019201927A1 (fr) * 2018-04-16 2019-10-24 Specialites Pet Food Dispositif de suivi de la consommation d'aliments par un animal tel qu'un mammifère, par exemple un chat
CN109247255A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-22 天津市康婷生物工程有限公司 实验动物精细喂养自动调节饲养系统
US11684038B2 (en) 2018-11-08 2023-06-27 Dave Klocke Swine activated feeder with actuation sensor
CN110175669B (zh) * 2019-05-07 2022-12-27 安徽瑞佰创物联科技有限公司 一种猪圈用生猪数量统计装置
CN110175669A (zh) * 2019-05-07 2019-08-27 安徽瑞佰创物联科技有限公司 一种猪圈用生猪数量统计装置
US11375689B2 (en) * 2019-12-04 2022-07-05 Beijing Kitten&Puppy Technology Co., Ltd. Double-shockproof spring mechanism, cam ejection mechanism and single-side guide rail ejection bin
CN111179502A (zh) * 2020-02-14 2020-05-19 龙泉市起超医疗器械有限公司 一种免费供应一次性口罩并回收口罩的回收箱
CN111179502B (zh) * 2020-02-14 2020-12-01 安徽省华腾农业科技有限公司经开区分公司 一种免费供应一次性口罩并回收口罩的回收箱
CN111903567A (zh) * 2020-08-18 2020-11-10 中国农业科学院北京畜牧兽医研究所 一种家禽自动记录系统及饲料转化率测定的方法
CN112161683A (zh) * 2020-09-23 2021-01-01 赵淑芳 一种牲畜定点定轨迹智能称重器
CN112493149A (zh) * 2020-10-28 2021-03-16 王绪明 一种无菌饲养箱及使用方法
CN115245137A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-10-28 宿迁学院 生鲜物流保鲜配送装置及其方法
CN115005154B (zh) * 2022-03-31 2022-12-02 中国农业科学院北京畜牧兽医研究所 生长肥育猪智能饲喂方法以及相关设备
CN115005154A (zh) * 2022-03-31 2022-09-06 中国农业科学院北京畜牧兽医研究所 生长肥育猪智能饲喂方法以及相关设备
CN116326501A (zh) * 2023-05-09 2023-06-27 安徽农业大学 一种黑毛猪养殖用防践踏饮水设备及方法
CN116326501B (zh) * 2023-05-09 2024-05-10 安徽农业大学 一种黑毛猪养殖用防践踏饮水设备及方法
CN118628279A (zh) * 2024-08-12 2024-09-10 山东省鼎立农牧科技有限公司 一种云端智能称重养殖管理系统

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA3038393A1 (fr) 2018-04-05
EP3518663A4 (fr) 2020-07-01
EP3518663A1 (fr) 2019-08-07
AU2016425292B2 (en) 2022-02-10
NZ752569A (en) 2022-01-28
AU2016425292A1 (en) 2019-05-02
CA3038393C (fr) 2020-07-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10506793B2 (en) System and method for feeding animals
AU2016425292B2 (en) System and method for feeding animals
AU2017208058B2 (en) Highly automated system and method of using the same to measure, monitor manage and control grazing environment and animals
US9408369B2 (en) Device, system and method for livestock feeding
CA2356931C (fr) Agencement permettant d&#39;alimenter individuellement des animaux en liberte
US20120048206A1 (en) Electronic livestock feeding station with integral scale assembly
CN106857271B (zh) 一种禽畜饲养设备和方法
CA2822475A1 (fr) Distributeur automatique d&#39;aliments pour animaux
Buis Development and application of a precision feeding program using electronic sow feeders and effect on gestating primiparous sow performance
KR101985661B1 (ko) 원형볏짚 자동 급이장치
WO2009090250A1 (fr) Système d&#39;alimentation pour animaux d&#39;élevage
WO2020020423A1 (fr) Système de supplémentation précise en minéraux pour animaux
EP3027014A1 (fr) Dispositif, système et procédé d&#39;alimentation du bétail
CN209002580U (zh) 一种畜牧用饲料添加装置
CA3112174C (fr) Systeme ameliore d&#39;alimentation des animaux
US11903368B2 (en) System for feeding animals
DE102013102568A1 (de) System und Vorrichtung zum Füttern von Ferkeln
CN217523561U (zh) 一种可自动加料的畜牧养殖用便于清理的喂食槽
JPS6125427A (ja) 家畜および家禽の体重自動測定システム
AU2012213087A1 (en) Device, system and method for livestock feeding

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 16917019

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 3038393

Country of ref document: CA

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2016425292

Country of ref document: AU

Date of ref document: 20160930

Kind code of ref document: A

ENP Entry into the national phase

Ref document number: 2016917019

Country of ref document: EP

Effective date: 20190430