WO2020161745A1

WO2020161745A1 - Green fodder cum salt block feeder for sheep and/or goat

Info

Publication number: WO2020161745A1
Application number: PCT/IN2020/050119
Authority: WO
Inventors: L.C. Ranga
Original assignee: Ranga Lc
Priority date: 2019-02-06
Filing date: 2020-02-06
Publication date: 2020-08-13

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of stall-feeding unit for small ruminants. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a feeder that contains fodder with mineral block for sheep and goat. The feeder (100) comprises a mesh frame (1). The mesh frame (1) has a base (2) and at least one sidewall (3). The base (2) defines a salt block space (5). The salt block space (5) is configured for retaining a salt block. The at least one sidewall (3) defines at least one opening (33) for receiving a head of the ruminants. The base (2) and sidewalls (3) define a receptacle for receiving the fodder. The base (2) of the feeder (100) is configured for positioning away from the ground surface.

Description

“GREEN FODDER CUM SALT BLOCK FEEDER FOR SHEEP AND/OR

GOAT”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of stall-feeding unit for small ruminants. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a feeder that contains fodder with mineral block for sheep and goat.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a land prepares to produce a green fodder. Mostly, the green fodder provides to sheep and goat to eat. The green fodder contains essential nutrition for sheep and goat. The sheep and goat eat green fodder by leaving them on the land openly. Among with this, a mineral block, referred as salt block, also provides to sheep and goat for nutrition. The sheep and goat get nutrition by licking the salt block. The salt block is solid salt piece that hangs on a ladder for licking. The green fodder and salt block are essential for sheep and goat to have good health and to grow. However, one problem is associated with these methods of feeding that a land is required to produce green fodder and leaving the sheep and goat on the said land for eating in routines. Accordingly, said area can’t use for production of any other crop or plant, making it uneconomical.

Another limitation of the conventional method of feeding is the wastage of green fodder due to non-availability of any effective system or method to keep the green fodder fresh.

Therefore, there is an immense need in the art of a green fodder cum salt block feeder that contains a large quantity of green fodder with a salt block for feeding and overcomes the one or more shortcomings associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY

One or more drawbacks of conventional method of feedings to small ruminants such as sheep and goat, as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through a green fodder cum salt block feeder as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a green fodder cum salt block feeder for small ruminants. The green fodder cum salt block hereinafter referred to as a feeder. The feeder comprises a mesh frame. The mesh frame has a base and at least one sidewall. The base defines a salt block space. The salt block space is configured for retaining a salt block. The at least one sidewall defines at least one opening for receiving a head of the ruminants. The base and sidewalls define a receptacle for receiving the fodder. The base of the feeder is configured for positioning away from the ground surface.

In an embodiment, the salt block space is defined by a railing on the base of the mesh frame, the railing corresponding to the shape of the salt block.

In an embodiment, the railing is placed at periphery of the salt block space.

In an embodiment, the salt block space is positioned adjacent to the at least one opening of the at least one sidewall.

In an embodiment, the base is horizontally oriented and the at least one sidewall forms an obtuse angle with the base.

In an embodiment, the mesh frame comprises one or more legs configured for supporting the feeder away from the ground surface.

In an embodiment, a top of the one or more legs is attached to the base of the mesh frame.

In an embodiment, the base is positioned at least 1 foot away from the ground surface.

In an embodiment, the mesh frame is made by joining of a plurality of pipes and nets. In an embodiment, the feeder is inverse trapezoidal in shape.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent with reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the perspective view of the green fodder cum salt block feeder in accordance with the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates the top view of the green fodder cum salt block feeder of figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the green fodder cum salt block feeder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein. PET ATT, ED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.

The terms“comprises”,“comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or device proceeded by“comprises a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or apparatus.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide green fodder cum salt block feeder that is economical and has simple construction.

Another aim of the present disclosure is to develop a green fodder cum salt block feeder that prevents wastage of the green fodder.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a green fodder cum salt block feeder for small ruminants. The green fodder cum salt block feeder is hereinafter referred to as the feeder. The feeder is configured to contain a green fodder and a salt block for feeding to a sheep and/or goat. The feeder may be made from cast iron material. The feeder may inverse trapezoidal in shape.

As shown in figures 1 to 3, a green fodder cum salt block feeder (100) is provided. The feeder (100) has a mesh frame (1). The mesh frame (1) may be made by joining a plurality of pipes and nets. The plurality of pipes is jointed through welding process. Each pipe may have diameter of 3-inch. The mesh frame (1) may have 54-inch height, 56-inch width and 99-inch length. The mesh frame (1) may have four legs (6) to support the feeder (100). Each leg has a flat surface (66) at its bottom which provides better stability. Each flat surface (66) may have 6-inch length and 6-inch width. The height of each leg may be 18-inch. Said four legs (6) may be positioned in such a way each leg defines each corner of the rectangle.

As shown in figure 1, the mesh frame has a base (2) and sidewalls (3). The base (2) has four side arms defining a rectangle. The corners of the base (2) are attached with upper ends of each of the four legs (6). The base (2) is horizontally oriented. The base (2) further has a mesh (4) covering the area of the rectangle. The mesh (4) allows air to pass through. In an embodiment, the base (2) may have 93 -inch length and 38-inch width.

In one embodiment, a clearance is provided in between the ground surface and the base

(2). The clearance allows air pass through to keep the green fodder fresh for a long time even in warm and/or humid weather. A space created below the base (2) which provides shadow when the green fodder cum salt block feeder (100) is loaded. The clearance may size of at least 1 foot, preferably, the size of the clearance is 18-inch.

As shown in figure 2, the feeder (100) has a salt block space (5). The salt block space (5) is provided on the base (2) of the feeder (100). The salt block space (5) is defined by a railing (55) that defines a periphery of the salt block space (5). The railing (55) corresponding to the shape of the salt block. The railing (55) is attached to the mesh (4) of the base (2). The small area for salt block may have a rectangular shape and located at any one corner of the rectangle. Preferably, the salt block is positioned adjacent to the at least one opening (33) of the at least one sidewall (3). In an embodiment, the small area for salt block may have 12-inch length and 12-inch width.

As shown in figure 3, the mesh frame (1) further includes four sidewalls (3). The sidewalls

(3) form an obtuse angle with the base (2). In an embodiment, two parallel sides may be inclined and other two sides may be straight. Each sidewall has four side arms defining its boundary. Each sidewall has the mesh (4) defining its surface. The sidewalls (3) have a rectangle at its top defining upper rectangle and a rectangle at its bottom defining lower rectangle. The upper rectangle is larger than lower rectangle. In one embodiment, a plurality of openings (33) is provided on the mesh (4) of the sidewalls (3). The base (2) and the sidewalls (3) define a receptacle for containing the green fodder. The plurality of openings (33) allows small ruminants to insert their head inside the green fodder cum salt block feeder (100) to eat green fodder as well as for licking salt block, as illustrated in figure 1. Each opening may have rectangular shape. Each opening has 12-inch length and 6-inch width.

As shown in figure 1, the feeder (100) has a plate (7). The plate (7) may locate at outer surface of any sidewall (3). The plate (7) may use to indicate identity of the feeder (100).

Advantages:

The feeder may contain approximately 700 kg green fodder and one or more salt block. Said quantity of green fodder may be sufficient for 40-50 sheep and/or goat. The feeder provides grazing surface from all sides. The 40-50 sheep and/or goat may be accommodated simultaneously for nibbling. If the number of sheep and/or goat are more than 50, one or more feeder may use simultaneously to avoid stampede. The wastage of the green fodder due to sheep and/or goat’s urination and defecation or moving over the green fodder may prevent. The feeder reduces the chances of putrefaction of green fodder. The feeder may save nutritive value of the green fodder up to at least 3 days even in hot or humid weather. The feeder may keep the green fodder hygienic. The green fodder utilization may increase up to 90%. The feeder may shift one place to another place easily. The feeder may use for stall feeding, thereby no manpower required to handle sheep and goat. The feeder has a strong structure. The feeder has no consumable part. The green fodder moves down through gravity as it consumes. The green fodder may be provided in the natural form for example - unchopped green fodder like: burseem, oats, gaur, Chinese cabbage, cowpea etc. The feeder may also contain pruned tree twigs and hay/dry fodder. List of Reference Numerals

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as“open” terms (e.g., the term“having” should be interpreted as“having at least,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases“at least one” and“one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles“a” or“an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as“a” or“an” (e.g.,“a” and/or“an” should typically be interpreted to mean“at least one” or“one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of“two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase“A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of“A” or“B” or“A and B.”

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

The Claims:

1. A feeder (100) for ruminants, the feeder (100) comprising:

a mesh frame (1) having:

a base (2) defining a salt block space (5) configured for retaining a salt block; at least one sidewall (3), the at least one sidewall (3) defining at least one opening (33) for receiving a head of the ruminants;

wherein the base (2) and sidewalls (33) define a receptacle for receiving the fodder; and

wherein the base (2) of the feeder (100) is configured for positioning away from the ground surface.

2. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the salt block space (5) is defined by a railing (55) on the base (2) of the mesh frame (1), the railing (55) corresponding to the shape of the salt block.

3. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the railing (55) is placed at periphery of the salt block space (5).

4. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the salt block space (5) is positioned adjacent to the at least one opening (33) of the at least one sidewall (3).

5. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (2) is horizontally oriented and the at least one sidewall (3) forms an obtuse angle with the base (2).

6. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh frame (1) comprises one or more legs (6) configured for supporting the feeder (100) away from the ground surface.

7. The feeder (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 6, wherein a top of the one or more legs (6) is attached to the base (2) of the mesh frame (1).

8. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (2) is positioned at least 1 foot away from the ground surface.

9. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh frame (1) is made by joining of a plurality of pipes and nets.

10. The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeder (100) is inverse trapezoidal in shape.