Equipment for raising animals such as pigs

Abstract

The invention is entitled "Device for the breeding of animals such as pigs". The invention relates to a device (100) for the breeding of animals, said device having a trough (104), a distribution system (106), an identification system (108), a database and a control unit (110) which, once the animal has been identified, allows the measurement of the time "t" which has elapsed since the time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of said animal, the calculation of a new value of the credit feed weight MC using the formula #imgabs0# and the distribution of a series of feed portions to said trough (104) until said animal is full or until a zero or negative credit feed weight MC is obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for raising animals such as pigs, and to a method for managing such an apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In farming facilities, animals, especially pigs, are free to feed themselves from dedicated dispensers that deliver feed rations.

[0003] Typically, the device comprises one or more dispensers and each dispenser is equipped with an identification system, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, which allows identification of an identification element (RFID chip) carried by the pigs and present in front of the dispenser.

[0004] The information captured by the identification system is transmitted to the control unit.

[0005] The dispenser further comprises a trough and a dispensing system which is commanded by the control unit to dispense feed into the trough when the animal is visibly identified by the identification system.

[0006] However, such devices have disadvantages, since a competitive atmosphere is created between the pigs regarding access to the trough, which may to some extent lead to aggressive behavior by the pigs.

[0007] It is therefore necessary to find a management method and culture equipment that limits competition with respect to access to the trough. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a breeding device for managing animals rushing to a trough.

[0009] To this end, a device for breeding animals is provided, each animal carrying an identification element, the device comprising:

[0010] - a tank equipped with sensors allowing to detect the presence or absence of feed in said tank,

[0011] - a distribution system arranged to distribute portions of the feed to the tanks,

[0012] - an identification system allowing the retrieval of identification information stored in said identification element,

[0013] a database containing, for each animal, the upper limit feed weight MP allowed for said animal within a given period ΔT, the minimum weight of the ration MM, the credit feed weight MC and the time "T0" corresponding to the last time said animal received feed, and

[0014] - a control unit communicating with the sensors of the tank, the distribution system, the identification system and the database, the control unit comprising:

[0015] - identification and waiting means allowing the control unit to detect an animal on the basis of information delivered by the identification system, to identify the presence of the animal and to retrieve from the database data relating to the identified animal,

[0016] - measurement means allowing said control unit to measure the time "t" elapsed since said time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of said animal,

[0017] - first calculation means allowing the control unit to use the formula Calculate the new value of the credit feed weight MC, where MC0 is the credit feed weight still to be consumed at the time T0,

[0018] - a third testing member allowing the control unit to compare the credit feed weight MC with the minimum weight MM,

[0019] - allocation means allowing the control unit to command the allocation system so that it allocates a portion of the feed to the tank, if the credit feed weight MC is higher than the minimum weight MM,

[0020] - second calculation means allowing the control unit to calculate a new value of the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion, and

[0021] - Updating means allowing the control unit to update the value of the time T0 corresponding to the last meal with the value of the time "t" and to assign to the latter the value "T0+t".

[0022] Therefore, for each animal, dispensing could not start before a certain time after the previous meal and the animal self-regulated.

[0023] Advantageously, the control unit further comprises:

[0024] - a fourth testing member allowing the control unit to determine, on the basis of the information delivered by the sensor, whether feed material is present in the tank,

[0025] a fifth test member allowing the control unit to verify, on the basis of the information delivered by the identification system, whether an animal is present in the trough and in front of the identification system, and

[0026] - a sixth testing member allowing said control unit to test said value of said credit feed weight MC relative to zero.

[0027] Advantageously, the control unit further comprises a first testing member allowing the control unit to compare the elapsed time "t" with the given period ΔT and a first coordination member allowing the control unit to assign a value of ΔT to the elapsed time "t" when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period ΔT.

[0028] Advantageously, the control unit further comprises a second testing member and a second coordinating member, the second testing member allowing the control unit to compare the credit feed weight MC with the upper limit feed weight MP, the second coordinating member allowing the control unit to assign the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC when the credit feed weight MC is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP.

[0029] According to one of the aforementioned variants, the invention also provides a method of distribution, implemented in a device according to one of the aforementioned variants, comprising:

[0030] - an identification and waiting routine, in which the control unit detects the presence of an animal, identifies the animal and retrieves data relating to the identified animal from the database,

[0031] - a measurement step in which the control unit measures the time "t" that has passed since the time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of the animal,

[0032] - a first calculation step, in which the control unit uses the formula Calculate the new value of the credit feed weight MC, where MC0 is the credit feed weight still to be consumed at the time T0,

[0033] - a third test step, in which the control unit compares the credit feed weight MC thus calculated with the minimum weight MM,

[0034] - a stopping step in case the credit feed weight MC is lower than the minimum weight MM,

[0035] a distribution step, in case the credit feed weight MC is higher than the minimum weight MM and in which the control unit commands the distribution system so that it distributes a portion of the feed to the tank,

[0036] - a second calculation step in which the control unit calculates a new value of the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion,

[0037] - an updating step in which the control unit updates the value of the time T0 corresponding to the last meal with the value of the time "t" and assigns to the latter the value "T0+t", and

[0038] - a loop routine in which the dispensing method loops to the dispensing step if the animal is present, there is no feed in the trough and the credit feed weight MC is positive.

[0039] Advantageously, after said updating step, said loop routine comprises:

[0040] - a fourth test step, in which the control unit determines whether there is feed in the tank,

[0041] - in case of feed in the trough, the loop routine continues with a fifth test step in which the control unit verifies whether the animal is still present in the trough and in front of the identification system,

[0042] - in the event that the animal is no longer present, the loop routine continues to a stop step,

[0043] - in the presence of said animal, said loop routine loops to said fourth test step,

[0044] - in the absence of feed in the tank, the loop routine continues with a sixth test step in which the control unit tests the value of the credit feed weight MC relative to 0,

[0045] - in case the credit feed weight MC is negative or zero, the loop routine continues to a stop step, and

[0046] - In case the credit feed weight MC is positive, the loop routine loops to the dispensing step.

[0047] Advantageously, after the measuring step, the allocation method comprises a first testing step and a first coordination step, in which the control unit compares the elapsed time "t" with the given period ΔT, and in the first coordination step, when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period ΔT, the control unit assigns the value of ΔT to the elapsed time "t", and thereby, when the elapsed time "t" is less than the given period ΔT or after the first coordination step, the allocation method proceeds to the first calculation step.

[0048] Advantageously, after the first calculation step, the allocation method comprises a second testing step and a second coordination step, in which the control unit compares the credit feed weight MC with the upper limit feed weight MP, and in the second coordination step, when the credit feed weight MC is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP, the control unit assigns the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC, and thereby, when the credit feed weight MC is lower than the upper limit feed weight MP or after the second coordination step, the allocation method proceeds to the third testing step. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, which description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] Figure 1 The farming equipment according to the present invention is shown,

[0051] Figure 2 An example of the hardware architecture of the control unit of the farming equipment according to the present invention is schematically shown.

[0052] Figure 3 Schematically illustrates an algorithm of a method according to the invention for managing an installation for breeding animals,

[0053] Figure 4 A timing diagram showing the distribution of feed to a first animal is shown, and

[0054] Figure 5 A timing diagram showing the distribution of feed to a second animal is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The device for raising animals according to the invention allows a plurality of animals, in particular pigs, to be fed.

[0056] Figure 1A device 100 is shown, comprising a feed distributor 102 dedicated to feeding animals and comprising a trough 104 and a distribution system 106, which distributes portions of feed to the trough 104, the trough being equipped with a sensor allowing the presence or absence of feed in the trough 104 to be detected; the sensor can be of any known type and, for example, a sensor such as a capacitive sensor.

[0057] The device 100 also comprises an identification system 108 which allows to retrieve identification information stored in an identification element fastened to the animal. The identification system 108 is for example an RFID system and the identification element is for example an RFID chip fastened to the animal and which in this way makes the animal unique on the farm.

[0058] The device 100 comprises a control unit 110 which communicates with the identification system 108 and receives identification information transmitted by the identification system 108. On the basis of the received identification information, the control unit 110 identifies the animal present in front of the dispenser 102.

[0059] The control unit 110 also communicates with the dispensing system 106 to command it to dispense feedstock to the tank 104 , and communicates with sensors of the tank 104 to know whether feedstock is present in the tank 104 .

[0060] This type of device is conventional in terms of the operation of the dispenser, and in particular of the dispensing system 106 and the identification system 108. These systems will not be described in greater detail, as they may take various forms known to those skilled in the art. In the same way, the communication between the control unit 110 and the dispensing system 106 on the one hand and the identification system 108 on the other hand is also a matter known to those skilled in the art and may take the form of wired or wireless communication.

[0061] The device 100 further comprises a database in communication with the control unit 110 , and the database may be stored directly in the memory of the control unit 110 or in a memory external to the control unit 110 .

[0062] Figure 2 An example of the hardware architecture of the control unit 110 is schematically shown.

[0063] The control unit 110 then comprises: a processor or central processing unit (CPU) 201; a RAM 202; a ROM 203; a storage unit 204 or a storage medium reader, such as a hard disk drive (HDD); a communication interface 205, which allows the various components of the device 100 to communicate with the user and a user interface (UI) 206 allowing the control unit 110 to interact with the user, in particular in order to configure the device 100.

[0064] The processor 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded from the ROM 203, external memory, storage medium or communication network into the RAM 202. When the device 100 is turned on, the processor 201 is capable of reading instructions from the RAM 202 and executing the instructions. These instructions form a computer program that causes all or part of the algorithms and steps described herein with respect to the device 100 to be implemented by the processor 201.

[0065] All or part of the algorithms and steps described below with respect to the apparatus 100 may thus be implemented in software by executing instruction sets by a programmable machine (such as a DSP or processor), or in hardware by a machine or specialized components (such as an FPGA or ASIC).

[0066] Information related to each animal is stored in the database, and the database is managed by the user.

[0067] The information stored in the database for each animal relates to:

[0068] the upper limit of the feed weight MP allowed for the animal in a given period ΔT, that is to say the total weight of feed that the animal can receive in a given period ΔT (which is usually 24 hours),

[0069] - the minimum weight MM of the dosing, that is to say the weight of the feed above which the feed distribution is permitted,

[0070] - the credit feed weight MC, that is, the weight of feed that the animal is still entitled to eat, and

[0071] - The last time "T0" the animal received a feed.

[0072] The allocation principle is based on a time-linear calculation of the credit feed weight MC and allows allocation if the credit feed weight MC is above a minimum weight MM.

[0073] Figure 4 An example is shown in which a first animal consumes its entire daily ration in a single feeding, and Figure 5 An example is shown where the second animal consumes its daily ration over multiple feedings.

[0074] The allocation method can be viewed as a time window of duration equal to a given period ΔT, which moves each time the animal eats.

[0075] exist Figure 4 In the case of , there is a window extending from T0 to T0+ΔT.

[0076] exist Figure 5 In the case of , there are three windows, and the next window of the window will be passed at each meal. The first window starts at T0, the second window starts at the first meal T1=T0+t1, and the third window starts at the second meal T2=T0+t2.

[0077] exist Figure 5 In the example, each time a meal is eaten, the last eating time is updated, and thus becomes T0, T1, and T2 in sequence.

[0078] The coordinate system shows the credit feed weight MC as a function of time within a given period ΔT (here 24 hours), that is to say between two consecutive feedings at T0 and T0+ΔT.

[0079] The upper weight limit MP corresponds to the total weight of feed that the animal can receive within a given period ΔT.

[0080] The minimum weight MM is the lowest weight below which no feed can be dispensed to the animals.

[0081] Line 402 represents the credit feed weight MC, which is given by the formula: A linear function of time giving the slope.

[0082] The credit feed weight that has not been consumed in the previous period, that is, the credit feed weight that remains to be consumed at time T0 will be referred to as MC0.

[0083] exist Figure 4 In this case, MC0 is equal to 0.

[0084] exist Figure 5 In the case of , MC0 is equal to 0 at T0 and is different from 0 at T1 and T2 when it corresponds to no weight delivered at T1 and T2.

[0085] Therefore, at each meal T0, the equation of each straight line 402 is modified and its equation is given by the formula: Given.

[0086] Then the time t that has passed since the last meal T0 and corresponds to the minimum weight MM MM It is given by the following formula:

[0087]

[0088] That is, if the time t that has passed since the last meal (T0) MM Less than Then no distribution is needed and the animals leave without eating.

[0089] Gradually, each animal will adapt its eating pattern according to its minimum weight MM and the time that has passed since its last meal, and will not forage until the minimum weight MM is reached.

[0090] Figure 3 An algorithm of the allocation method according to the present invention is shown.

[0091] The allocation method comprises an identification and waiting routine 302, 303, in which the control unit 110 detects the presence of an animal, identifies the animal and retrieves data relating to the identified animal from a database.

[0092] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the waiting routine comprises a waiting step 302 and an identification step 303 .

[0093] In a waiting step 302 , the control unit 110 tests whether an animal is present in front of the trough 104 and the identification system 108 .

[0094] If the animal is not present, the allocation method loops to the wait step 302 .

[0095] When the animal is present, the allocation method continues with an identification step 303 in which the control unit 110 retrieves the identifier of the animal by analyzing the data transmitted by the identification system 108 and comparing it with the database data.

[0096] On the basis of this identification code, the control unit 110 queries the database to retrieve the time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of the animal, the upper limit feed weight MP of the animal, the credit feed weight MC0 not consumed in the previous period and the minimum weight MM of the ration.

[0097] During initialization of the device 100, for example, the time T0 for each animal is set to 0, and all other data is stored in the database by the user.

[0098] The dispensing method continues with a measuring step 304 in which the control unit 110 measures the time "t" that has passed since the time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of the animal.

[0099] The allocation method continues with a first calculation step 310, in which the control unit 110 calculates Calculate a new value for the credit feed weight MC.

[0100] The allocation method continues with a third test step 316 in which the control unit 110 compares the credit feed weight MC thus calculated with the minimum weight MM.

[0101] In case the credit feed weight MC is below the minimum weight MM, the dispensing method continues to a stop step 318 where no feed is dispensed.

[0102] In case the credit feed weight MC is above the minimum weight MM, the dispensing method continues to a dispensing step 320 in which the control unit 110 commands the dispensing system 106 so that it dispenses a portion of feed to the slot 104. The dispensing system 106 is arranged to deliver portions of small weight (about 100 g) and thus delivers the credit feed weight possibly in a plurality of portions.

[0103] The dispensing system 106 will deliver multiple portions in sequence, with the animal eating each portion in succession until it is full and as little feed as possible is left in the trough 104. Specifically, the effect of delivering too large a portion may be that the animal is unable to eat all of the portion and a large portion is left in the trough 104, resulting in a corresponding error in the amount of feed that is believed to be received. The following steps implement this principle of delivering portions in sequence.

[0104] The dispensing method continues with a second calculation step 322 in which the control unit 110 calculates a new value for the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion.

[0105] The allocation method continues to an updating step 324 in which the control unit 110 updates the value of the time T0 corresponding to the last meal with the value of time "t" and then assigns to the latter the value "T0+t", which becomes the new time T0 corresponding to the last meal.

[0106] The dispensing method continues to loop routines 326, 338 and 332 where, if an animal is present, there is no feed in trough 104 (ie, trough 104 is empty), and the credit feed weight MC is a positive number, the dispensing method loops to dispensing step 320.

[0107] Such an allocation method then allows for better management of the presence of the animals at the troughs 104, since each animal knows when it can appear.

[0108] The control unit 110 thus comprises:

[0109] an identification and waiting component allowing the control unit 110 to detect the presence of an animal, identify the animal and retrieve data relating to the identified animal from the database on the basis of the information delivered by the identification system 108,

[0110] - measurement means allowing said control unit 110 to measure the time "t" elapsed since said time T0 corresponding to the last feeding of said animal,

[0111] - a first calculation means which allows the control unit 110 to use the formula Calculate the new value of the credit feed weight MC,

[0112] a third testing means allowing the control unit 110 to compare the credit feed weight MC with the minimum weight MM,

[0113] - allocation means allowing the control unit 110 to command the allocation system 106 to allocate a portion of the feed to the tank 104, if the credit feed weight MC is higher than the minimum weight MM,

[0114] - second calculation means allowing the control unit 110 to calculate a new value of the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion, and

[0115] - Updating means allowing the control unit 110 to update the value of the time T0 corresponding to the last meal with the value of the time "t" and to assign to the latter the value "T0+t".

[0116] In the embodiment of the invention presented here, after the updating step 324 , the loop routine comprises a fourth testing step 326 in which the control unit 110 determines whether there is feed in the tank 104 on the basis of the information received from the sensor of the tank 104 .

[0117] In the case where there is feed in the trough 104 (that is, the trough 104 is not empty), the loop routine continues to a fifth test step 328 in which the control unit 110 verifies whether the animal is still present in the trough 104 and in front of the identification system 108 by analyzing the data transmitted by the identification system 108.

[0118] In the event that the animal is no longer present, the loop routine continues to stop step 330 .

[0119] In the event that the animal is present, the loop routine loops to the fourth test step 326 .

[0120] In the case where there is no feed in the tank 104 (that is, the tank 104 is empty), the loop routine continues to a sixth test step 332 in which the control unit tests the value of the credit feed weight MC relative to zero.

[0121] In case the credit feed weight MC is negative or zero, this means that the animal has received all the credit feed weight MC it is entitled to receive and the loop routine continues to a stop step 334 .

[0122] In case the credit feed weight MC is positive, this means that the animal has not yet received all the credit feed weight MC to which it is entitled and the loop routine loops back to the allocating step 320 .

[0123] The loop routine can be implemented in various ways. For example, various test steps can be interleaved with different organizations.

[0124] For example, after the update step 324, the loop routine continues in sequence with the fifth test step 328, which is to test the presence of an animal, then the fourth test step 326, which is to test the presence or absence of feed in the trough 104, and finally the sixth test step 332, which is to test the credit feed weight.

[0125] The transition from the fifth test step 328 to the fourth test step 326 occurs when an animal is present, and the transition from the fourth test step 326 to the sixth test step 302 occurs when there is no longer any feed in the tank 104, that is, when the tank is empty.

[0126] When the animal is no longer present, the fifth test step 328 continues to the stop step 330. If there is feed in the tank 104, the fourth test step 326 loops to the fifth test step 328. If the credit feed weight MC is positive, the sixth test step 332 loops to the dispense step 320.

[0127] In this embodiment, the control unit 110 further comprises:

[0128] a fourth test member allowing the control unit 110 to determine, on the basis of the information delivered by the sensor, whether feed material is present in the tank 104 ,

[0129] a fifth test member which allows the control unit 110 to verify, on the basis of the information delivered by the identification system 108 , whether an animal is present in the trough 104 and in front of the identification system 108 , and

[0130] - a sixth testing means allowing said control unit 110 to test said value of said credit feed weight MC relative to zero.

[0131] According to a particular embodiment, it is necessary to make provision for the fact that the animal may have to wait longer than a given period ΔT to eat. To this end, after the measuring step 304, the allocation method comprises a first test step 306, in which the control unit 110 compares the elapsed time "t" with the given period ΔT, and a first coordination step 308, in which the control unit 110 assigns the value of ΔT to the elapsed time "t" when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period ΔT, and the allocation method continues to the first calculation step 310 when the elapsed time "t" is less than the given period ΔT or after the first coordination step.

[0132] In this embodiment, the control unit 110 further comprises a first testing component allowing the control unit 110 to compare the elapsed time "t" with the given period ΔT and a first coordination component allowing the control unit 110 to assign a value of ΔT to the elapsed time "t" when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period ΔT.

[0133] According to a specific embodiment, it is necessary to make provision for the fact that the animal may have eaten some unconsumed residual feed and wait for a given period ΔT before eating. To this end, after the first calculation step 310, the allocation method includes a second test step 312 and a second coordination step 314, in which the control unit 110 compares the credit feed weight MC thus calculated with the upper limit feed weight MP, and in the second coordination step, when the credit feed weight MC thus calculated is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP, the control unit 110 assigns the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC, and when the credit feed weight MC is lower than the upper limit feed weight MP or after the second coordination step 314, the allocation method continues to the third test step 316.

[0134] In this embodiment, the control unit 110 further includes a second testing component and a second coordination component, wherein the second testing component allows the control unit 110 to compare the credit feed weight MC with the upper limit feed weight MP, and the second coordination component allows the control unit 110 to assign the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC when the credit feed weight MC is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP.

[0135] The elapsed time is measured, for example, by a routine implemented in the control unit 110 and employing means, such as a timer, for measuring the elapsed time.

Claims

1. A device (100) for breeding animals, each animal carrying an identification element, the device (100) comprising: - a tank (104) equipped with a sensor allowing the presence or absence of feed in said tank (104) to be detected, a distribution system (106) arranged to distribute portions of the feed to the tank (104), - an identification system (108) which allows the retrieval of identification information stored in the identification element, a database containing, for each animal, the upper limit feed weight MP allowed for said animal within a given period "ΔT", the minimum weight of the ration MM, the credit feed weight MC and the time "T0" corresponding to the last time said animal received feed, and a control unit (110) communicating with the sensors of the tank (104), the distribution system (106), the identification system (108) and the database, the control unit (110) comprising: - identification and waiting means allowing the control unit (110) to detect the presence of an animal, to identify the animal and to retrieve data relating to the identified animal from the database on the basis of information delivered by the identification system (108), - measuring means allowing the control unit (110) to measure the time "t" elapsed since the time "T0" corresponding to the last feeding of the animal, - first calculation means allowing the control unit (110) to use the formula Calculate the new value of the credit feed weight MC, where MC0 is the credit feed weight still to be consumed at the time "T0", - a third testing member allowing the control unit (110) to compare the credit feed weight MC with the minimum weight MM, - allocation means allowing the control unit (110) to command the allocation system (106) to allocate a portion of the feed to the tank (104) if the credit feed weight MC is higher than the minimum weight MM, - second calculation means allowing the control unit (110) to calculate a new value of the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion, and - Updating means allowing the control unit (110) to update the value of the time "T0" corresponding to the last meal with the value of the time "t" and to assign to the latter the value "T0+t".

2. The device (100) for breeding animals according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) further comprises: - a fourth testing member allowing the control unit (110) to determine, on the basis of the information delivered by the sensor, whether feed material is present in the tank (104), a fifth test member which allows the control unit (110) to verify, on the basis of the information delivered by the identification system (108), whether an animal is present in front of the trough (104) and the identification system (108), and - a sixth testing member allowing the control unit (110) to test the value of the credit feed weight MC relative to zero.

3. The device (100) for breeding animals according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (110) further comprises a first testing component and a first coordination component, wherein the first testing component allows the control unit (110) to compare the elapsed time "t" with the given period "ΔT", and the first coordination component allows the control unit (110) to assign a value of "ΔT" to the elapsed time "t" when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period "ΔT".

4. The device (100) for breeding animals according to claim 3, wherein the control unit (110) further comprises a second testing component and a second coordination component, the second testing component allowing the control unit (110) to compare the credit feed weight MC with the upper limit feed weight MP, and the second coordination component allowing the control unit (110) to assign the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC when the credit feed weight MC is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP.

5. A distribution method, implemented in the device (100) according to claim 1, comprising: - an identification and waiting routine, in which the control unit (110) detects the presence of an animal, identifies the animal and retrieves data related to the identified animal from the database, - a measuring step (304) in which the control unit (110) measures the time "t" that has passed since the time "T0" corresponding to the last feeding of the animal, - a first calculation step (310), in which the control unit (110) uses the formula Calculate the new value of the credit feed weight MC, where MC0 is the credit feed weight still to be consumed at the time "T0", - a third test step (316) in which the control unit (110) compares the credit feed weight MC thus calculated with the minimum weight MM, - a first stopping step (318) in case the credit feed weight MC is lower than the minimum weight MM, a dispensing step (320) in which the control unit (110) commands the dispensing system (106) to dispense a portion of the feed to the tank (104), if the credit feed weight MC is higher than the minimum weight MM, - a second calculation step (322) in which the control unit (110) calculates a new value of the credit feed weight MC by subtracting the weight of the dispensed portion in the dispensing step (320) from the credit feed weight MC, - an updating step (324) in which the control unit (110) updates the value of the time "T0" corresponding to the last meal with the value of the time "t" and assigns to the latter the value "T0+t", and - a loop routine in which the dispensing method loops to the dispensing step (320) if the animal is present, there is no feed in the trough (104) and the credit feed weight MC is positive.

6. The allocation method according to claim 5, wherein after the updating step (324), the loop routine comprises: - a fourth test step (326), in which the control unit (110) determines whether there is feed in the tank (104), - in the case of feed in the trough (104), the loop routine continues with a fifth test step (328) in which the control unit (110) verifies whether the animal is still present in the trough (104) and in front of the identification system (108), - in the event that the animal is no longer present, the loop routine continues with a second stop step (330), - in the presence of said animal, said loop routine loops to said fourth test step (326), - in the absence of feed in the tank (104), the loop routine continues with a sixth test step (332) in which the control unit tests the value of the credit feed weight MC relative to 0, - In case the credit feed weight MC is negative or zero, the loop routine continues to a third stop step (334), and - In case the credit feed weight MC is positive, the loop routine loops to the allocating step (320).

7. The allocation method according to claim 5, wherein after the measuring step (304), the allocation method comprises a first testing step (306) and a first coordination step (308), in which the control unit (110) compares the elapsed time "t" with the given period "ΔT", and in the first coordination step, when the elapsed time "t" is greater than the given period "ΔT", the control unit (110) assigns the value of "ΔT" to the elapsed time "t", and thereby, when the elapsed time "t" is less than the given period "ΔT" or after the first coordination step (308), the allocation method continues to the first calculation step (310).

8. The allocation method according to claim 7, wherein after the first calculation step (310), the allocation method includes a second test step (312) and a second coordination step (314), in which the control unit (110) compares the credit feed weight MC with the upper limit feed weight MP, and in the second coordination step, when the credit feed weight MC is higher than the upper limit feed weight MP, the control unit (110) assigns the value of the upper limit feed weight MP to the credit feed weight MC, and thus, when the credit feed weight MC is lower than the upper limit feed weight MP or after the second coordination step (314), the allocation method continues to the third test step (316).

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