Trough

Abstract

To provide a trough capable of stimulating curiosity of livestock animals and expecting early intake of feed.SOLUTION: A trough 3000 includes a container body 3001, a flange 3002 provided on an upper portion of the container body 3001, and a film member 3003 disposed above the flange 3002 in a front view. The container body 3001, the flange 3002, and the film member 3003 are colored in different colors. The film member 3003 functions as a recognition part (mark) that allows calves to recognize the position and presence of the trough 3000.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to feed troughs used for feeding livestock animals, such as calves. [Background technology]

[0002] Cows as livestock animals are raised in stalls made of a fence structure installed in a cowshed, and consume feed (feed) supplied in a feed trough suspended in the fence structure (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Feed for cows includes roughage that contains a lot of fiber, such as pasture grass, and concentrated feed that is mainly made of grains that contain a lot of starch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2939463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In most cases, newborn calves are unable to recognize feed as food, and it is not uncommon for some calves not to consume feed even after 20 days of age. Delayed intake of feed has a negative effect on growth, so it is important to get the calf to consume feed as early as possible. One possible solution is to stimulate the calf's curiosity about the feed trough and bring the calf closer to the feed provided in the feed trough. However, most feed troughs in conventional technology were simply molded from a single color plastic resin, and no effort was made to stimulate the calf's curiosity.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a feed trough that stimulates the curiosity of livestock animals and is expected to encourage them to consume feed early. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The feed trough of the present invention comprises a container body, a flange provided on the upper part of the container body, and a recognition part positioned above the flange when viewed from the front, and the container body, the flange, and the recognition part are each colored differently.

[0007] The feed trough of the present invention comprises a feed trough body and a plurality of panels arranged to cover the feeding surface of the feed trough body, each of the plurality of panels having a different surface color and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body so that the panels of different colors are adjacent to each other.

[0008] The feed trough of the present invention is a feed trough used for feeding livestock animals, and the feeding surface of the feed trough body constituting the feed trough has a plurality of areas of different colors separated along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to stimulate the curiosity of livestock animals and expect them to consume feed early. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cowshed in which a feed trough is installed according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a feed trough according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a feed trough according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a feed trough in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a feed trough (feed trough body) according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a front view and a side view of a feed trough according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a feed trough according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Embodiment 1) A feed trough in a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. In this embodiment, a calf C is taken as an example of a livestock animal. In this specification, the calf C refers to a cow that is less than one month old. Figure 1 shows an overview of a cowshed 1. The cowshed 1 includes a fence structure 2 that encloses it on all four sides, and a feed trough 3 that is suspended from the fence structure 2. Feed (food) 4 for the calves C is supplied to the feed trough 3.

[0012] The feed trough 3 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The feed trough 3 is mainly composed of a feed trough body 5 that extends in one direction. The feed trough body 5 has a shape obtained by cutting a cylinder along the longitudinal direction, and its inner peripheral surface 5a is curved. The inner peripheral surface 5a of the feed trough body 5 is a feeding surface to which the feed 4 is supplied.

[0013] Pairs of passage-forming portions 6 are provided at both sides of the outer circumferential surface 5b of the feed trough body 5. An opening is formed in the passage-forming portions 6, and a string 7 is inserted through the opening. The string 7 is wound around a predetermined location of the fence structure 2, so that the feed trough 3 is held in a suspended state on the fence structure 2. The attachment of the feed trough 3 to the fence structure 2 is not limited to that in the first embodiment, and is arbitrary.

[0014] A plurality of flexible panels 8a, 8b, 8c (three in this embodiment) are arranged on the inner peripheral surface 5a of the feed trough body 5 so as to cover the inner peripheral surface 5a. The panels 8 are made of, for example, resin, and bend to follow the curved shape of the inner peripheral surface 5a of the feed trough body 5. The panels 8 may be made of paper. Hereinafter, unless a specific panel is being specified, they will simply be referred to as "panel 8".

[0015] 3, both ends of the panel 8 bent along the inner peripheral surface 5a are chucked (sandwiched) together with both ends of the feed trough body 5 by substantially U-shaped chuck members 9, thereby fixing the panel 8 to the feed trough body 5. The chuck members 9 serve as fixing means for fixing the panel 8 to the feed trough body 5.

[0016] The multiple panels 8 each have a different color on the surface 10. Different hatching patterns in Fig. 2 indicate different colors. According to the applicant's knowledge and experience, it has been found that the use of blue or purple colors stimulates the interest and curiosity of the calves C more than other colors, and causes the calves C to bring their faces closer to the feed trough body 5 more frequently.

[0017] The multiple panels 8 are attached to the feed trough body 5 with opposing sides in contact with each other along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body 5. That is, the multiple panels 8 each have a surface 10 with a different color, and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body 5 so that the panels 8 with different colors are adjacent to each other.

[0018] When feeding, a keeper (not shown) supplies the feed 4 onto the surface 10 of the panel 8 fixed to the inner circumferential surface 5a of the feed trough body 5. The behavior of the calf C observed by the applicant after actually supplying the feed 4 will be described as follows: the calf C is interested in the color of the panel 8 (its curiosity is stimulated) and approaches the feed trough body 5. The calf C then brings its face close to the panel 8, and is frequently observed to touch the feed 4 directly supplied onto the panel 8 with its mouth and ingest it. This behavior is more noticeable than when the panel 8 is not provided on the feed trough body 5. In this way, the feed trough 3 in the first embodiment stimulates the curiosity of livestock animals, and early intake of feed can be expected.

[0019] Calf C has a strong tendency to be especially curious about blue and purple colors. Therefore, it is desirable that at least one of the panels 8 has a surface 10 that is blue or purple. It is also desirable to combine panels 8 of various colors, such as blue, purple, yellow, red, and black, rather than making all the panels 8 the same color.

[0020] Since the panels 8 are detachable from the feed trough body 5, it is possible to prepare panels 8 in various colors as described above in advance and search for the most suitable combination of panels 8 colors while observing the reaction of the calf C.

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a modified feed trough. The same components as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. In this modified example, feed trough body 50 constituting the feed trough has both ends bent into a substantially U-shape to provide latched portions 51, and both ends of panel 8 are latched to latched portions 51, thereby fixing panel 8 to feed trough body 50. In this modified example, latched portions 51 function as fixing means.

[0022] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The same components as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the feed trough body itself is colored.

[0023] As in the first embodiment, the feed trough 300 mainly comprises a feed trough body 500 extending in one direction. The feed trough body 5 has a shape obtained by cutting a cylinder along the longitudinal direction, and the inner peripheral surface 500a is curved. The inner peripheral surface 500a of the feed trough body 5 serves as a feeding surface to which the feed 4 is supplied.

[0024] The inner peripheral surface 500a is divided into a plurality of areas 500a1, 500a2, and 500a3 along the longitudinal direction. Each of the areas 500a1, 500a2, and 500a3 is colored differently. As described above, the colors to be used include blue, purple, yellow, red, and black. It is sufficient that the colors of at least adjacent areas are different.

[0025] Thus, the feed trough in the second embodiment is feed trough 300 used for feeding livestock animals such as calves C, and feed trough body 500 constituting feed trough 300 has a feeding surface (inner peripheral surface 500a) which has a plurality of areas (500a1, 500a2, 500a3) of different colors partitioned along the longitudinal direction of feed trough body 500. By configuring the feed trough body in this way, the same effect as feed trough 3 in the first embodiment can be expected. Note that different colors may also be applied to each area of ​​outer peripheral surface 500b.

[0026] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7. A feed trough 3000 in the third embodiment includes a bowl-shaped container body 3001. The container body 3001 has a bottom and can have any shape as long as it is open at the top.

[0027] A flange 3002 is formed along the circumferential direction on the upper portion (upper edge) of the container body 3001. The flange 3002 is formed on the container body 3001 so as to extend outward from the container body 3001 in a plan view. The flange 3002 has a predetermined thickness in a front view.

[0028] A thin film member (plate member) 3003 is partially erected on the flange 3002. The film member 3003 is, for example, a flexible plastic resin, and is curved to follow a part of the outer periphery of the flange 3002. When viewed from the front, the film member 3003 is disposed above the flange 3002. The film member 3003 functions as a recognition unit (marker) that allows the calf C to recognize the position and existence of the feed trough 3000.

[0029] The film member 3003 may be adhered to the container body 3001 using an adhesive tape (adhesive material) in a state where the film member 3003 is bent to conform to the inner peripheral surface of the container body 3001. In this case, the film member 3003 needs to be adhered to the container body 3001 so that a part of the film member 3003 is exposed from above the flange 3002.

[0030] The container body 3001, the flange 3002, and the film member 3003 are each colored differently. The difference in hatching shown in Figures 6 and 7 indicates different colors. The colors may be applied not only to the outer surfaces of the container body 3001, the flange 3002, and the film member 3003, but also to the inner surfaces.

[0031] Possible colors include blue, purple, yellow, red, black, etc., but the color of film member 3003 is preferably purple, which is believed to strongly stimulate the curiosity of calf C. Although a certain effect can be achieved by making at least container body 3001 and flange 3002, and flange 3002 and film member 3003 have different colors, it is more preferable to make container body 3001, flange 3002, and film member 3003 have different colors.

[0032] As a usage example, the support base 3004 is installed in the cowshed 1, and multiple feed troughs 3000 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the support base 3004. At this time, the feed troughs 3000 are arranged on the support base 3004 so that the film member 3003 is located on the rear side of the direction in which the calf C approaches (the direction of the arrow A), as shown in Fig. 7 .

[0033] According to a demonstration experiment by the applicant using the feed trough 3000, the calves C in the stalls of the cowshed 1 are attracted to the feed trough 3000, in which the container body 3001, the flange 3002, and the film member 3003 are each given different colors, and approach the feed trough 3000. When looking inside the container body 3001, the calves C's mouths are frequently seen to come into contact with the feed and to ingest it. This is more noticeable than when a feed trough made of a single-colored plastic resin is used.

[0034] As described above, the feed trough 3000 comprises a flange portion 3002 provided on the upper part of the container main body portion 3001, and a film member (recognition portion) arranged above the flange portion 3002 when viewed from the front, and the container main body portion 3001, the flange portion 3002, and the film member 3003 are each colored in a different color.

[0035] According to the feed trough 3000 of the third embodiment, the calf C's curiosity is stimulated, and early intake of feed is expected. In particular, by providing the feed trough 3000 with the film member 3003, the colored area becomes larger than that of a feed trough without the film member 3003, and the calf C can more easily recognize the feed trough 3000. If a plurality of feed troughs 3000 are arranged in a line and each of the plurality of feed troughs 3000 is colored in a different manner, the curiosity of the calf C is further stimulated, and early intake of feed is expected. The film member 3003 may be fixed to either the container body 3001 or the flange 3002, as long as at least a part of the film member 3003 is exposed above the flange 3002. The flange 3002 may be omitted.

[0036] The support base 3004 may have any structure, for example, a structure in which a ring-shaped holder supports the flange 3002 of the feed trough 3000 from below. In addition, multiple colors may be applied to the outer surface and / or inner surface of the container main body 3001. The same applies to the flange 3002 and the film member 3003.

[0037] The feed trough of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments 1, 2, and 3, and may be modified in design without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the surface 10 of one panel 8 may be colored in two or more colors. A holographically processed panel 8 may also be used. Furthermore, although the first, second, and third embodiments have been described with reference to a calf C, the present invention may be applied to a feed trough 3 used for other livestock, such as pigs. [Industrial Applicability]

[0038] According to the present invention, it is possible to stimulate the curiosity of livestock animals and expect them to consume feed early, which is particularly useful in the livestock industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 3,300,3000 Fish tank 4 Feed 5,50,500 Feeding trough body 5a,500a Inner surface (feeding surface) Panels 8a, 8b, 8c 9 Chuck member (fixing means) 3001 Container body 3002 Flange 3003 Film components (recognition section)

Claims

1. A container body; A flange portion provided on an upper portion of the container body; A recognition unit is disposed above the flange portion when viewed from the front, A feed trough, wherein the container body, the flange, and the recognition portion are each colored differently.

2. A feed trough body, A plurality of panels are arranged to cover the feeding surface of the feed trough body, The feed trough, wherein each of the plurality of panels has a different surface color and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body so that the panels of different colors are adjacent to each other.

3. 3. The feeding trough of claim 2, further comprising fastening means for fastening said panel to said feeding trough body.

4. A feed trough used for feeding livestock animals, comprising: A feed trough body constituting the feed trough has a feeding surface having a plurality of areas of different colors partitioned along the longitudinal direction of the feed trough body.

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