An automatic feeding device for free-range chickens

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens. It utilizes the chickens' natural instinct to seek food, feeding them at set times via a feeder that circulates along a predetermined track, thus driving continuous movement and improving the meat quality. The device is characterized by a feed bin located directly above the track, with power units positioned near the bottom at both ends. Each power unit has wheels at both ends, which are in contact with the sides of the track. The feed bin consists of an upper and lower section. The upper section is hollow, while the lower section contains a storage slot where a battery pack is placed. A flow divider is located within the upper section, extending downwards to connect with the top of the lower section. The flow divider's thickness increases from top to bottom. A control box is positioned on top of the power units and is fixed to the feed bin. A feeding hopper is located at the opening of the feed bin and is connected to the interior of the feed bin.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens, belonging to the field of poultry farming equipment. In particular, it relates to an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens that utilizes the chickens' instinct to seek food, feeding them at regular intervals by having the feeder move cyclically along a predetermined track, thereby driving the chickens to move continuously and improving the meat quality of the chickens. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the agricultural and livestock breeding industry, free-range chickens have a wide breeding population due to their delicious taste and short slaughter time. Traditionally, free-range chickens are usually fed manually. However, the large breeding area of ​​farms makes manual feeding too slow. At the same time, in order to avoid overeating, the amount of feed must be strictly controlled. Manual feeding is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Existing automatic feeding devices can only play a simple feeding role and cannot use the free-range chickens' instinct to chase food to encourage them to move more, which affects the meat quality of free-range chickens.

[0003] Publication No. CN209135117U discloses an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens; it includes a feed bin, a delayed feeder, and a gravity control switch; the feed bin includes a feed hopper with a leakage hole; the delayed feeder includes a limiting sleeve, a temporary feed hopper, a flexible connection, an automatic reset feed stop device, and a spring; the limiting sleeve is fixed to the feed hopper; the upper end of the temporary feed hopper has a retaining ring and the temporary feed hopper is inserted into the limiting sleeve; one end of the flexible connection is connected to the feed hopper and the other end is connected to the temporary feed hopper; the automatic reset feed stop device is located at the lower end of the temporary feed hopper; the spring is sleeved on the temporary feed hopper and clamped between the retaining ring and the limiting sleeve; the gravity control switch is located on the base plate and acts on the automatic reset feed stop device. This device is used to feed free-range chickens, but it cannot stimulate the free-range chickens to move and cannot improve the meat quality of the free-range chickens.

[0004] Publication No. CN107711593A discloses an automatic poultry feeding device, including a support device and a feeding device; a feed storage cylinder is inserted and disposed on the upper left side of a horizontal plate; a stirring plate has uniformly distributed through holes on its upper surface; a feed hopper is disposed at the lower end of the feed storage cylinder, and a first solenoid valve is disposed on the upper surface of the feed hopper; a water storage cylinder is inserted and disposed on the upper right side of the horizontal plate; a second solenoid valve is disposed on the upper surface of the water pipe; a feeding trough is fixedly disposed on the upper surface of a base plate; a placement frame is disposed at the upper right end of the horizontal plate; and a hook is fixedly disposed on the upper right side of a column. This device has a single function and cannot promote movement of free-range chickens during feeding. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To improve the above situation, the present invention provides an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens. This device utilizes the chickens' natural instinct to seek food, and feeds them at regular intervals by having a feeder move cyclically along a predetermined track. This keeps the chickens moving and improves the meat quality of the chickens.

[0006] The present invention discloses an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens, which is implemented as follows: The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens includes a feeder and a track. The feeder circulates on the predetermined track, utilizing the free-range chickens' instinct to seek food, thereby driving them to move continuously and improving the meat quality of the free-range chickens. The feeder consists of a mimicry insect, a feeding hopper, a control box, wheels, a power box, a feeding trough, a guide sleeve, a storage box, a first baffle, a battery pack, a first cylinder, a diverter plate, a second cylinder, a second baffle, and a metering chamber. The storage box is located directly above the track, with its two ends near... Near the bottom, there are power boxes, and at both ends of the power boxes are wheels. The wheels fit snugly against the sides of the track. The storage tank is divided into an upper and a lower body. The upper body is hollow, and the lower body has a slot for placing the battery pack. A current divider is placed in the upper body, extending downwards to connect with the top of the lower body. The current divider's thickness increases from top to bottom. The control box is located on top of the power boxes and is fixed to the storage tank. A feeding hopper is located at the opening of the storage tank and is connected to the inside of the storage tank. The feeding hopper has a wide inlet. The opening is narrow, with two feeding troughs located on either side of the storage box, connected internally. Two No. 1 cylinders are located in the lower box, connected to a No. 1 baffle. The No. 1 baffle extends slidably into the wall of the feeding trough. Two No. 2 cylinders are also located in the lower box, connected to a No. 2 baffle. The No. 2 baffle extends slidably into the wall of the feeding trough. The two No. 2 baffles are located between the two No. 1 baffles. The metering chamber is located between the No. 1 and No. 2 baffles. Multiple guide sleeves are equidistantly placed on both sides of the storage box, and the mimic insect is fitted with the guide sleeves. The insect-like structure has a built-in tension sensor, a control box containing a control board, a signal converter, a data processor, and a controller. The signal converter is connected to the tension sensor via a data transmission line, the data processor is connected to the signal converter via a data transmission line, the controller is connected to the data processor via a signal conversion line, and the controller is connected to the hydraulic cylinder via a signal transmission line. The track has a T-shaped vertical cross-section, and the height of the insect-like structure above the track is between 20 and 30 cm.

[0007] Beneficial effects.

[0008] First, it can utilize the free-range chickens' instinct to chase food, and use a feeder that moves in a cyclical manner on a predetermined track to keep the free-range chickens moving, thereby improving the meat quality of free-range chickens.

[0009] Second, it can achieve quantitative feeding of free-range chickens to ensure effective management of their feeding.

[0010] Third, the device can automatically feed the animals at set times, saving manpower. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first baffle of an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic feeding device for free-range chickens in use according to the present invention.

[0015] In the attached diagram

[0016] The components are: 1. Imitation insect (1), hopper (2), control box (3), walking wheel (4), power box (5), track (6), feeding trough (7), guide sleeve (8), storage box (9), first baffle (10), battery pack (11), first cylinder (12), diverter plate (13), second cylinder (14), second baffle (15), metering chamber (16), and feeder (17). Detailed implementation method:

[0017] The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens of the present invention is implemented as follows: The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens of the present invention includes a feeder (17) and a track (6). The feeder (17) moves cyclically on a predetermined track (6). Utilizing the free-range chickens' instinct to chase food, it can drive the free-range chickens to move continuously, thereby improving the meat quality of the free-range chickens. The feeder (17) is composed of a mimicry insect (1), a feeding hopper (2), a control box (3), wheels (4), a power box (5), a feeding trough (7), a guide sleeve (8), a storage box (9), a first baffle (10), a battery pack (11), a first cylinder (12), a diverter plate (13), a second cylinder (14), a second baffle (15), and a metering chamber (16). The storage box (9) is positioned... Above the track (6), power boxes (5) are placed near the bottom at both ends of the storage box (9). Wheels (4) are placed at both ends of the power boxes (5). The wheels (4) at both ends of the power boxes (5) are in contact with the sides of the track (6). The storage box (9) is divided into an upper box and a lower box. The upper box is hollow, and a placement slot is opened inside the lower box. The battery pack (11) is placed in the placement slot. A diverter plate (13) is placed inside the upper box. The bottom of the diverter plate (13) extends downwards to connect with the top of the lower box. The thickness of the diverter plate (13) increases from top to bottom. A control box (3) is placed on top of the power box (5). The control box (3) and the storage box (9) are fixed together. A feeding hopper (2) is placed at the opening of the storage box (9). The feeding hopper (2) and the storage box (9) are connected. The material bin (9) is internally connected. The feeding hopper (2) has a wide inlet and a narrow outlet. Two feeding troughs (7) are respectively placed on both sides of the storage bin (9). The feeding troughs (7) and the storage bin (9) are internally connected. Two No. 1 cylinders (12) are placed in the lower box. No. 1 baffle (10) is connected to No. 1 cylinder (12). No. 1 baffle (10) can slide to the groove wall of the feeding trough (7). Two No. 2 cylinders (14) are placed in the lower box. No. 2 baffle (15) is connected to No. 2 cylinder (14). No. 2 baffle (15) can slide to the groove wall of the feeding trough (7). The two No. 2 baffles (15) are located between the two No. 1 baffles (10). The metering chamber (16) is placed between the No. 1 baffle (10) and the No. 2 baffle (14). Between 5), multiple guide sleeves (8) are placed at equal intervals on both sides of the storage box (9). The mimicry insect (1) and the guide sleeves (8) are connected together. The mimicry insect (1) has a built-in tension sensor. The control box (3) has a built-in control board. The control board has a signal converter, a data processor, and a controller. The signal converter is connected to the tension sensor signal through a data transmission line. The data processor is connected to the signal converter signal through a data transmission line. The controller is connected to the data processor signal through a signal conversion line. The controller is connected to the hydraulic cylinder signal through a signal transmission line. The vertical section of the track (6) is T-shaped. The height of the mimicry insect (1) from the track (6) is between 20 and 30 cm.

[0018] The tensile sensor can receive tensile strength signals and perform signal conversion;

[0019] The data processor and signal converter interact with each other. The data processor stores a computer program that, when executed, performs the following steps:

[0020] The tensile strength signal transmitted by the signal converter is received and the data is processed to obtain the tensile strength data of the current mimicry insect (1), and the processed tensile strength value is compared with the preset value in the data processor.

[0021] The controller and the data processor interact with each other and execute the instructions issued by the data processor, which can control the extension and retraction of cylinder 1 (12) and cylinder 2 (14);

[0022] The battery pack (11) provides power to the hydraulic cylinder. The battery pack (11) may include a power management system, one or at least two power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing and distributing power to the data processing device.

[0023] When in use, a track (6) is first set up in the free-range chicken farm so that the feeder (17) can move in a cycle on the track (6). When the feeder (17) is feeding, it will stop for a period of time after moving a certain distance quickly, so that the free-range chickens can catch up with the feeder (17). During the movement of the feeder (17), the free-range chickens can be attracted by the mimicry insects (1) at both ends of the feeder (17) and then chase the feeder (17), thus realizing the movement of the free-range chickens.

[0024] When the feeder (17) stops, the free-range chickens can peck and pull the mimicry insect (1). The tension sensor on the mimicry insect (1) senses the tension intensity signal of the free-range chickens and transmits the detected tension intensity data to the data processor. The data processor processes and judges the data. When the value exceeds the preset value, the data processor controls the first cylinder (12) to contract through the controller, so that the first cylinder (12) drops and the metered food in the metering chamber (16) is thrown out from the feeding trough (7), thereby realizing the feeding of the free-range chickens.

[0025] When the feeder (17) is restarted, the free-range chickens release the pull on the mimicry insect (1). The tension sensor on the mimicry insect (1) senses the signal of the change in tension intensity and transmits the detected tension intensity data to the data processor. The data processor processes and judges the data. When the value is lower than the preset value, the data processor controls the first cylinder (12) to drive the first baffle (10) to rise through the controller, and then controls the second cylinder (14) to drive the second baffle (15) to fall, so that the food in the storage box (9) flows into the quantitative chamber (16). After the second cylinder (14) drives the second baffle (15) to fall for a preset time, the controller controls the second cylinder (14) to drive the second baffle (15) to rise, cut off the feed inlet, and realize the filling of the quantitative chamber (16). By controlling the movement of the first cylinder (12) and the second cylinder (14) to drive the first baffle (10) and the second baffle (15), quantitative feeding is realized.

[0026] The design of the diversion plate (13) with increasing thickness from top to bottom allows the diversion plate (13) to guide and divert the feed when the chicken feed is poured into the storage box (9), dividing the feed into two feeding troughs (7) for quantitative feeding.

[0027] The track (6) has a T-shaped vertical cross section, which can guide the feeder (17) so that the feeder (17) can reciprocate on the predetermined track (6);

[0028] The feeding hopper (2) is designed with a wide inlet and a narrow outlet to facilitate the feeding of chicken feed;

[0029] The design of the mimicry insect (1) being 20-30cm above the track (6) avoids being too high and inconvenient for free-range chickens to reach, while also avoiding being too low and easily chased by free-range chickens, thus affecting the attraction to free-range chickens and thus avoiding affecting the movement of free-range chickens.

[0030] The feeder (17) is designed in conjunction with the track (6) so that the feeder (17) can move back and forth on the track (6), which can use the chicken's instinct to chase food to drive the movement of free-range chickens and improve the meat quality of free-range chickens.

[0031] The design of the No. 1 cylinder (12) and No. 2 cylinder (14) in conjunction with the No. 1 baffle (10) and No. 2 baffle (15) allows the No. 1 baffle (10) and No. 2 baffle (15) to be extended and retracted by the No. 1 cylinder (12) and No. 2 cylinder (14) respectively, so as to realize quantitative control of the feed for free-range chickens and to feed them in a quantitative manner.

[0032] Start the feeder (17), the feeder (17) moves along the track (6), the mimicry insect (1) on the feeder (17) attracts the free-range chickens to chase and move. The feeder (17) stops moving after a period of time. The free-range chickens can peck at the mimicry insect (1). The tension sensor detects the signal and transmits it to the data processor through the signal converter. After the data processor judges it, it controls the first cylinder (12) to contract through the controller, so that the first cylinder (12) descends and throws the metered food in the metering chamber (16) out of the feeding trough (7), which can realize the feeding of free-range chickens.

[0033] The goal is to utilize the free-range chickens' instinct to chase food, and to feed them regularly by having the feeder (17) move around on a predetermined track (6) to drive the free-range chickens to move continuously and improve the meat quality of the free-range chickens.

[0034] The above embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention; that is, all equivalent modifications made in accordance with the present invention should be covered by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding device for free-range chickens, comprising a feeder and a track, characterized in that... The feeder circulates along a predetermined track, utilizing the free-range chickens' instinct to chase food, thus driving them to move continuously and improving the meat quality. The feeder consists of a mimicry insect, a feeding hopper, a control box, wheels, a power unit, a feeding trough, a guide sleeve, a storage box, a first baffle, a battery pack, a first cylinder, a diverter plate, a second cylinder, a second baffle, and a metering chamber. The storage box is located directly above the track, with power units positioned near the bottom at both ends. Wheels are mounted at both ends of each power unit, fitting snugly against the sides of the track. The storage box is divided into an upper body and a lower body. The battery pack is placed in a slot within the lower housing, which is a hollow upper housing. A current divider plate is located within the upper housing, extending downwards to connect with the top of the lower housing. A control box is located on top of the power housing and is fixed to the storage tank. A feeding hopper is positioned at the opening of the storage tank and is connected to its interior. Two feeding troughs are located on either side of the storage tank and are also connected to its interior. Two No. 1 cylinders are located within the lower housing, connected to a No. 1 baffle plate that slidably extends into the wall of the feeding trough. Two No. 2 cylinders are located within the lower housing. The second baffle is connected to the second cylinder. The second baffle extends slidably into the wall of the feeding trough. The two second baffles are located between the two first baffles. The metering chamber is placed between the first and second baffles. Multiple guide sleeves are evenly spaced on both sides of the storage box. The mimicry insect is fitted with the guide sleeves. The mimicry insect has a built-in tension sensor. The control box contains a control board with a signal converter, a data processor, and a controller. The signal converter is connected to the tension sensor signal via a data transmission line, and the data processor is connected via a data transmission line. The controller is connected to the signal converter and the data processor via a signal conversion line. The controller is also connected to the hydraulic cylinder via a signal transmission line. The feeder moves along the track, and the mimicry insects on the feeder attract free-range chickens to chase and move. The feeder stops after moving for a period of time, allowing the free-range chickens to peck at the mimicry insects. The tension sensor detects the signal and transmits it to the data processor via the signal converter. After the data processor makes a judgment, it controls the first cylinder to contract via the controller, causing the first cylinder to descend and dispensing the metered food from the feeding trough from the metering chamber, thus enabling the feeding of free-range chickens.

2. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The tension sensor can receive tension intensity signals and perform signal conversion; the data processor and the signal converter interact with each other, and the data processor stores a computer program. When the program is executed, it performs the following steps: receiving the tension intensity signal transmitted by the signal converter, performing data processing to obtain the tension intensity data currently experienced by the mimicry insect, and comparing the processed tension intensity value with a preset value in the data processor; the controller interacts with the data processor and executes the instructions issued by the data processor, which can control the extension and retraction of cylinders one and two.

3. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The battery pack provides power to the hydraulic cylinder and may include a power management system, one or at least two power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to the data processing device.

4. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The thickness of the diverter plate increases from top to bottom.

5. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The feeding hopper has a wide inlet and a narrow outlet.

6. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The track has a T-shaped vertical cross-section.

7. The automatic feeding device for free-range chickens according to claim 1, characterized in that... The height of the mimicry insect above the track is between 20 and 30 cm, which avoids it being too high for free-range chickens to reach, and also avoids it being too low for free-range chickens to easily chase after, thus affecting its attraction to the chickens and thus avoiding hindering their movement.

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