A method of feeding donkeys in fixed quantities

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for quantitative feeding of donkeys applied in the field of animal husbandry. This method uses RFID identification technology to open feeding positions, achieving one feeding position per donkey. Based on this, the feeding time, feeding speed, and uneaten amount of each donkey are monitored, and the feeding amount for the next meal is dynamically adjusted. Compared with the prior art, this method can effectively achieve precise feeding of individual donkeys, avoiding feed waste caused by overeating or anorexia. At the same time, the one-donkey-one-feeding method effectively protects the weaker individuals in the donkey herd. Furthermore, by setting the feeding position as a semi-enclosed and independent area, it can not only effectively avoid mutual interference between donkeys during feeding, but also effectively prevent the dominant donkeys from taking the feeding positions of the weaker donkeys after they have finished eating. Physical means can be used to drive away the donkeys that are fighting for food. Compared with the prior art, this method can protect the weaker donkeys that need to be given extra nutrition or medication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of animal husbandry, and in particular to a method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding. Background Technology

[0002] In large-scale donkey herd farming, traditional long feeding troughs have serious drawbacks. Dominant individuals occupy the troughs and overeat, while weaker individuals do not eat enough, resulting in uneven growth of the group, feed waste, and easy fights and injuries.

[0003] To address the shortcomings of traditional feeding troughs, a quantitative feeding trough for donkey breeding, disclosed in CN212212326U, is described. It employs a rotating feeding frame, a push rod motor, and a feeding plate to provide quantitative feeding, meeting the feeding standards of different donkeys. A rotating bearing is used between the feeding frame and the rotating feeding frame to facilitate the rotation of the rotating feeding frame. The feeding frame uses a feeding box and a partition plate to feed donkeys separately, avoiding cross-feeding. However, it cannot monitor the amount of food consumed by each donkey and adjust the feeding for the next meal.

[0004] A livestock breeding management system and method, disclosed in CN117717006A, includes a monitoring module, a feeding control module, a feeding management module, and a pen control module. The monitoring module collects individual characteristic data of livestock, the feeding control module records individual feeding and drinking data, and the feeding management module processes the data. Based on the processed data, the system can determine whether the livestock are growing normally. Then, based on the livestock's growth status, the pen control module controls the opening and closing of the second weighing one-way entrance gate and the pen diversion one-way exit gate to separate and manage the livestock, reducing breeding operating costs, improving breeding efficiency, enabling refined feeding and management of livestock, and facilitating large-scale livestock breeding.

[0005] Although existing breeding methods can monitor each donkey and implement separate feeding based on the monitoring results, they cannot prevent individuals in the same pen from competing for food. Moreover, existing feeding troughs can only provide simple physical separation between individuals and cannot effectively drive away dominant donkeys that come to compete for food. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The core of this invention lies in its ability to automatically identify and open feeding spots, allowing each donkey to have its own designated feeding area. It also monitors and dynamically adjusts the feed intake of each individual donkey, resolving the problem of dominant donkeys competing for food with weaker donkeys in existing technologies. Furthermore, it can physically drive away donkeys that are vying for food.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0008] A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding includes the following steps: S1. Identity binding and filing: Each donkey is fitted with a unique RFID ear tag to establish an individual donkey information database, which records the donkey's breed, sex, date of birth, initial weight, and health information. S2. Identification and Data Collection: The intelligent feeding station identifies the individual's identity and performs the corresponding meal feeding. It monitors and records the individual's actual eating behavior data in real time, including the actual eating time, eating speed, and the amount left over after each meal. S3, Dynamic Feedback Correction: Automatically adjusts the amount of food given for the next meal based on actual feeding behavior data; The intelligent feeding station includes an individual identification module, a dynamic feeding module, a data acquisition module, and a central processing unit. It also includes a mounting base, multiple feeding troughs evenly spaced on both sides of the mounting base, a feeding chamber located on the side wall of the mounting base and connected to the feeding troughs, a conveyor belt installed inside the feeding chamber and extending into the feeding troughs, weighing sensors installed on both sides of the conveyor belts and connected to the data acquisition module, and an internal RFID reader installed on the mounting base directly above the feeding troughs and connected to the individual identification module. A screw conveyor is installed on the top of the mounting base, and multiple Y-shaped discharge pipes connected to the screw conveyor are installed inside the mounting base. The two lower ends of the Y-shaped discharge pipes are located above the two conveyor belts, and each lower end of the Y-shaped discharge pipe has a solenoid valve connected to the dynamic feeding module. A screw conveyor is installed below the feeding troughs, and the screw conveyor is connected to the bottom of each feeding trough.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting base is equipped with nutrient solution delivery pipes and medicine delivery pipes on both sides of the screw conveyor, and the inner wall of the discharge chamber above the conveyor belt is equipped with two spray heads that are respectively connected to the nutrient solution delivery pipes and medicine delivery pipes.

[0010] Furthermore, the intelligent feeding station also includes an anti-stealing module. The mounting base has slidably connected isolation plates on both sides of the inner RFID reader. The mounting base also has an electric telescopic rod with its output end fixedly connected to the isolation plates. The anti-stealing module is connected to the electric telescopic rod via a central processing unit.

[0011] Furthermore, an external RFID reader connected to the anti-stealing module is installed on the side wall between two adjacent feeding troughs of the mounting base, and LED flashlights connected to the external RFID reader are installed on the top and sides of the isolation plate.

[0012] Optionally, an insulating pad is fixedly connected to the side wall of the isolation plate away from the inner RFID reader, and multiple evenly distributed electric shock pads are fixedly embedded in the side wall of the insulating pad. A power supply line connected to the signal of the outer RFID reader is fixedly embedded inside the insulating pad, and the power supply line is connected to each electric shock pad through a wire.

[0013] Furthermore, a material-gathering frame is fixedly connected to the lower end of the Y-shaped material drop pipe and the side wall of the spray head, and the material-gathering frame is made of elastic material.

[0014] Optionally, the intelligent feeding station also includes a self-cleaning module, and a drainage hole is provided on the lower side wall of the feeding trough. A spray head connected to the self-cleaning module is installed on the lower inner wall of the feeding trough near the drainage hole.

[0015] Preferably, the intelligent feeding station also includes a food-grabbing individual marking module, which includes a food-grabbing frequency recording unit and a food-grabbing frequency analysis unit connected to an external RFID reader signal.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are: (1) This scheme uses RFID identification technology to open up feeding positions, so that each donkey has its own position. Based on this, the feeding time, feeding speed and the amount of food left over after each meal are monitored for each donkey. The amount of food to be fed in the next meal is dynamically adjusted. Compared with the existing technology, this scheme can effectively realize the precise distribution of food to each donkey, avoid feed waste caused by overeating or loss of appetite. At the same time, the one-donkey-one-position feeding method can effectively protect the vulnerable individuals in the donkey herd.

[0017] (2) By setting the feeding area as a semi-enclosed and independent area, it can not only effectively avoid mutual interference between donkeys when feeding, but also effectively prevent dominant individuals from taking over the feeding area of ​​weak individuals after they have finished eating. It can also drive away the donkeys that are fighting for food through physical means. Compared with the existing technology, it can protect the weak donkeys that need to be given more nutrition or medication. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the feeding method of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a diagram of the intelligent feeding system of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a partial sectional perspective view of the intelligent feeding station of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side cross-sectional view of the intelligent feeding station of the present invention before feeding; Figure 5 This is a side cross-sectional view of the intelligent feeding station of the present invention during feeding. Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the isolation plate of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a side cross-sectional view of the isolation plate of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of the conveyor belt of the present invention during self-cleaning.

[0019] Explanation of the labels in the diagram: 1 Mounting base, 101 Discharge chamber, 2 Feeding trough, 201 Drain hole, 3 Conveyor belt, 301 Material collection frame, 4 Weighing sensor, 5 Screw conveyor I, 6 Y-shaped discharge pipe, 7 Internal RFID reader, 8 Isolation plate, 9 Screw conveyor II, 10 Nutrient solution delivery pipe, 11 Medicine delivery pipe, 12 Spray head, 13 LED flashlight, 14 Insulating pad, 15 Electric shock pad, 16 Power supply line, 17 Water spray head, 18 External RFID reader. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] First implementation method: Please see Figure 1 A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding includes the following steps: S1. Identity binding and filing: Each donkey is fitted with a unique RFID ear tag to establish an individual donkey information database, which records the donkey's breed, sex, date of birth, initial weight, and health information. S2. Identification and Data Collection: The intelligent feeding station identifies the individual's identity and performs the corresponding meal feeding. It monitors and records the individual's actual eating behavior data in real time, including the actual eating time, eating speed, and the amount left over after each meal. S3, Dynamic Feedback Correction: Automatically adjusts the amount of food given for the next meal based on actual feeding behavior data; Please see Figures 2-5The intelligent feeding station includes an individual identification module, a dynamic feeding module, a data acquisition module, and a central processing unit. It also includes a mounting base 1, multiple feeding troughs 2 evenly spaced on both sides of the mounting base 1, a feeding chamber 101 located on the side wall of the mounting base 1 and communicating with the feeding troughs 2, a conveyor belt 3 installed inside the feeding chamber 101 and extending into the feeding troughs 2, weighing sensors 4 installed on both sides of the conveyor belt 3 and connected to the data acquisition module, and an internal RFID reader 7 installed on the mounting base 1 directly above the feeding troughs 2 and connected to the individual identification module. A screw conveyor 5 is mounted on the top of the mounting base 1, and multiple Y-shaped feed pipes 6 connected to the screw conveyor 5 are installed inside the mounting base 1. The two lower ends of the Y-shaped feed pipes 6 are located above the two conveyor belts 3, and each of the two lower ends of the Y-shaped feed pipes 6 is equipped with a solenoid valve connected to the dynamic feeding module. A screw conveyor 9 is mounted below the feeding trough 2, and the screw conveyor 9 is connected to the bottom of each feeding trough 2. During feeding, when an individual donkey walks to the intelligent feeding station, the individual identification module reads the information of the RFID ear tag through the internal RFID reader 7. The dynamic feeding module automatically dispenses feed based on the individual information it reads. During dispensing, the screw conveyor 5 delivers feed to all the feeding troughs 2, which are then distributed to each feeding trough 2 via the Y-shaped feed pipe 6. The feed falls onto the conveyor belt 3, and the weighing sensor 4 in the feeding chamber 101 weighs the feed. Once the feed weight reaches the specified amount, the dynamic feeding module closes the solenoid valve installed inside the Y-shaped feed pipe 6 to stop the feed from falling. Then, it starts the conveyor belt 3 to transport the feed into the feeding trough 2. At this point, the donkey can stand in front of the feeding trough 2 to eat. After the donkey finishes eating, the weighing sensor in the feeding trough 2... 4. The remaining feed is weighed, and the amount of feed consumed is calculated based on the difference between the two weighing sensors 4. At the same time, the data acquisition module calculates the feeding time and feeding speed of each donkey and inputs the above data into the archive as the basis for feeding amount of this donkey in the next meal, realizing dynamic adjustment of each donkey. After the amount of feed consumed is calculated, the conveyor belt 3 continues to rotate to unload the remaining feed into the screw conveyor 9 to complete the recycling of the remaining feed and avoid waste. In addition, the specific control logic and working principle of this module are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. It should be noted that the smart feeding station is only turned on during the set feeding time period. Even if the RFID ear tag can be identified during other time periods, the feeding will not be turned on. Moreover, each time the donkey finishes eating and leaves, the smart feeding station will automatically collect the feed as if it has finished eating. Even if the donkey comes again, it will not be fed again. The station will only be turned on for the next donkey that has not been fed. Please see Figure 4The mounting base 1 is located on both sides of the screw conveyor 5 and is equipped with nutrient solution delivery pipe 10 and medicine delivery pipe 11. The inner wall of the feeding chamber 101 above the conveyor belt 3 is equipped with two spray heads 12 that are respectively connected to the nutrient solution delivery pipe 10 and the medicine delivery pipe 11. When the individual identification module identifies a vulnerable individual, such as an old, weak, sick, or pregnant donkey, it is necessary to feed the vulnerable individual with nutrient solution or medicine. The nutrient solution and medicine are sprayed onto the feed through the spray heads 12. Compared with the manual feeding method in the existing technology, it can realize the automatic identification and automatic feeding of vulnerable individuals, effectively ensuring the nutritional balance and healthy growth of vulnerable individuals. Please see Figure 5 The conveyor belt 3 is also fixedly connected to the lower end of the Y-shaped feed pipe 6 and the side wall of the spray head 12. The feed collection frame 301 is made of elastic material (rubber is preferred, but other materials can be selected according to actual needs). When the donkey is eating, the licking action of the donkey's tongue will cause the feed on the conveyor belt 3 to spill down, which will cause errors when weighing after eating. Moreover, when feeding and weighing, the feed will not be concentrated above the weighing sensor 4, which will also cause errors. Therefore, the feed collection frame 301 is added to prevent the feed from spilling. This implementation method uses RFID identification technology to open feeding positions, achieving one feeding position per donkey. Based on this, it monitors the feeding time, feeding speed, and uneaten amount of each donkey, and dynamically adjusts the feeding amount for the next meal. Compared with existing technologies, it can effectively achieve precise feeding of individual donkeys, avoiding feed waste caused by overeating or anorexia. At the same time, the one-donkey-one-position feeding method effectively protects the vulnerable individuals in the donkey herd.

[0022] Second implementation method: Based on the first implementation method, measures to prevent food theft are added to prevent stronger individuals from stealing food from weaker individuals and to strengthen the protection of weaker individuals, while the rest remains the same as the first implementation method. Please see Figure 2 The intelligent feeding station also includes an anti-snatching module. The mounting base 1 has slidably connected isolation plates 8 on both sides of the inner RFID reader 7. The mounting base 1 also has an electric telescopic rod with its output end fixedly connected to the isolation plate 8. The anti-snatching module is connected to the electric telescopic rod via a central processor. After the inner RFID reader 7 identifies the RFID ear tag, the electric telescopic rod pushes the isolation plate 8 outward to form a barrier on both sides of the donkey's head, preventing other donkeys from snatching food and ensuring that each donkey has its own spot. At the same time, the isolation plate 8 can prevent the dominant donkey from staring at the donkey that is eating, thus effectively preventing the weaker donkey from being frightened. Please see Figure 2 , Figure 6The mounting base 1 is located on the side wall between two adjacent feeding troughs 2 and is equipped with an external RFID reader 18 that is connected to the anti-fed-stealing module. The upper and side sides of the isolation plate 8 are equipped with LED flashlights 13 that are connected to the external RFID reader 18. When other donkeys come over to steal food, the external RFID reader 18 will identify the RFID ear tag worn by the donkey, and then the external RFID reader 18 will activate the LED flashlights 13 to emit flashing lights, thereby driving away the donkeys that come to steal food. Please see Figure 6 , Figure 7 An insulating pad 14 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the isolation plate 8 away from the inner RFID reader 7. The side wall of the insulating pad 14 is fixedly embedded with multiple evenly distributed electric shock pads 15. The inside of the insulating pad 14 is fixedly embedded with a power supply line 16 that is connected to the signal of the outer RFID reader 18. The power supply line 16 is connected to each electric shock pad 15 through a wire. Simply relying on light to drive away some aggressive individuals is not effective. Therefore, when the LED flashlight 13 is activated, it also supplies power to the power supply line 16. The power supply line 16 further supplies power to the electric shock pads 15. When the donkey approaches, its body touches the electric shock pad 15 and it will retreat due to the electric shock. It should be noted that the power supply to the electric shock pad 15 is low voltage to ensure that it can shock and restrain the donkey without causing injury. Please see Figure 8 The intelligent feeding station also includes a self-cleaning module. The lower side wall of the feeding trough 2 is provided with a drainage hole 201, and a water spray head 17 connected to the self-cleaning module is installed on the lower inner wall of the feeding trough 2 near the drainage hole 201. Considering that long-term feeding work will cause the feed to stick to the conveyor belt 3, which is prone to bacteria growth and attracting flies in the summer high temperature, and that healthy donkeys may also ingest the medicine after applying the medicine, the conveyor belt 3 needs to be cleaned regularly. During cleaning, the conveyor belt 3 is started to rotate and the water spray head 17 is started to spray water to achieve cleaning. The wastewater after cleaning flows down along the drainage hole 201. The intelligent feeding station also includes a food-grabbing individual marking module, which includes a food-grabbing frequency recording unit and a food-grabbing frequency analysis unit connected to the external RFID reader 18. For donkeys that frequently engage in food-grabbing behavior, they pose a threat to the stability of the entire donkey herd. Therefore, by analyzing the number and frequency of food-grabbing, this donkey can be identified and marked as a food-grabbing individual. The feeder can then separate and feed this individual to prevent it from harming the donkey herd. This embodiment also sets the feeding area as a semi-enclosed, independent area, which can not only effectively avoid mutual interference between individual donkeys while feeding, but also effectively prevent dominant individuals from taking over the feeding area of ​​weaker individuals after they have finished eating. It can also use physical means to drive away donkeys that are fighting for food. Compared with the prior art, this can protect weaker donkeys that need to be given extra nutrition or medication.

[0023] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention; it encompasses all the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solutions and improved concepts of the present invention, should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1. Identity binding and filing: Each donkey is fitted with a unique RFID ear tag to establish an individual donkey information database, which records the donkey's breed, sex, date of birth, initial weight, and health information. S2. Identification and Data Collection: The intelligent feeding station identifies the individual's identity and performs the corresponding meal feeding. It monitors and records the individual's actual eating behavior data in real time, including the actual eating time, eating speed, and the amount left over after each meal. S3, Dynamic Feedback Correction: Automatically adjusts the amount of food given for the next meal based on actual feeding behavior data; The intelligent feeding station includes an individual identification module, a dynamic feeding module, a data acquisition module, and a central processing unit. It also includes a mounting base (1), multiple feeding troughs (2) evenly spaced on both sides of the mounting base (1), a feeding chamber (101) located on the side wall of the mounting base (1) and connected to the feeding troughs (2), a conveyor belt (3) installed inside the feeding chamber (101) and extending into the feeding troughs (2), weighing sensors (4) installed on both sides of the conveyor belt (3) and connected to the data acquisition module, and a system installed on the mounting base (1) located directly above the feeding troughs (2). An internal RFID reader (7) connected to the individual identification module is located above the mounting base (1). A screw conveyor (5) is installed on the top of the mounting base (1), and multiple Y-shaped discharge pipes (6) connected to the screw conveyor (5) are installed inside the mounting base (1). The two lower ends of the Y-shaped discharge pipes (6) are located above the two conveyor belts (3), and the two lower ends of the Y-shaped discharge pipes (6) are equipped with solenoid valves connected to the dynamic feeding module. A screw conveyor (9) is installed below the feeding trough (2), and the screw conveyor (9) is connected to the bottom of each feeding trough (2).

2. The method for quantitative feeding of donkeys according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting base (1) is located on both sides of the screw conveyor (5) and is equipped with a nutrient solution delivery pipe (10) and a medicine delivery pipe (11). The discharge chamber (101) is located on the inner wall above the conveyor belt (3) and is equipped with two spray heads (12) that are respectively connected to the nutrient solution delivery pipe (10) and the medicine delivery pipe (11).

3. The method for quantitative feeding of donkeys according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent feeding station also includes an anti-stealing module. The mounting base (1) is slidably connected to the side walls on both sides of the inner RFID reader (7) with isolation plates (8). An electric telescopic rod with its output end fixedly connected to the isolation plate (8) is installed inside the mounting base (1). The anti-stealing module is connected to the electric telescopic rod via a central processing unit.

4. The method for quantitative feeding of donkeys according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting base (1) is located on the side wall between two adjacent feeding troughs (2) and is equipped with an external RFID reader (18) that is connected to the anti-snatching module. The upper and side sides of the isolation plate (8) are equipped with LED flashlights (13) that are connected to the external RFID reader (18).

5. A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding according to claim 4, characterized in that: The isolation plate (8) is also fixedly connected to the side wall away from the inner RFID reader (7) with an insulating pad (14), and the side wall of the insulating pad (14) is fixedly inlaid with a plurality of evenly distributed electric shock pads (15). The inside of the insulating pad (14) is fixedly inlaid with a power supply line (16) that is connected to the signal of the outer RFID reader (18), and the power supply line (16) is connected to each electric shock pad (15) through a wire.

6. A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conveyor belt (3) is also fixedly connected to the lower end of the Y-shaped discharge pipe (6) and the side wall of the spray head (12) with a material gathering frame (301), and the material gathering frame (301) is made of elastic material.

7. The method for quantitative feeding of donkeys according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intelligent feeding station also includes a self-cleaning module. The lower side wall of the feeding trough (2) is also provided with a water leakage hole (201), and a spray head (17) connected to the self-cleaning module is installed on the lower inner wall of the feeding trough (2) near the water leakage hole (201).

8. A method for raising donkeys with quantitative feeding according to claim 4, characterized in that: The intelligent feeding station also includes a food-grabbing individual marking module, which includes a food-grabbing frequency recording unit and a food-grabbing frequency analysis unit that are connected to an external RFID reader (18).

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