Polygonal Poultry Feeder Reducing Weight Variance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry feeders result in excessive variance in bird weights due to competition for food, uneven feed distribution, and inefficient use of space, leading to inconsistent product weights and increased resource costs.
Innovation Solution
A polygonal poultry feeder with a pyramidal base and central supply tube, featuring a feed cone with radial strakes and multiple holes for even feed distribution, and a support system allowing adjustable feed flow and easy cleaning, which reduces competition and optimizes feed access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional circular feeders are used, then poultry can congregate around the feeder, but excessive competition for food occurs resulting in high weight variance
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder is divided into multiple independent feeding stations arranged around the periphery, each with its own feed outlet. This segmentation distributes poultry across multiple stations rather than having them congregate in one location, reducing competition and weight variance while maintaining adequate feed access for the flock.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder provides different feeding zones at different locations around the periphery. Each feeding station has optimized feed flow characteristics, and the polygonal shape creates distinct angular sections that allow poultry to feed simultaneously in multiple locations with reduced competition, improving weight consistency.
2Productivity
If feed delivery rate is increased to meet production demands, then feed supply meets requirements, but weight consistency deteriorates due to overfeeding and competition
Solution Approach 1:
The total feed delivery is segmented across multiple independent feeding stations rather than one large centralized feed source. This allows the system to maintain high overall productivity by serving multiple birds simultaneously while each station delivers controlled portions, preventing overfeeding and maintaining weight consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder design provides sufficient feed capacity to meet high production demands through multiple stations, but controls the actual feed intake at each station to appropriate levels. This partial action approach ensures adequate total supply while preventing individual overfeeding that would harm weight consistency.
3Quantity of substance
If feeder size is increased to provide more feeding space, then more poultry can feed simultaneously, but floor space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder transitions from a traditional horizontal floor-based design to a vertical suspended configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension and suspending the feeder from overhead structures, the design provides large feeding capacity for multiple poultry simultaneously while occupying minimal floor space, as the feeding stations are arranged in three-dimensional space around the periphery.
4Productivity
If feed apertures are made large to allow high feed flow, then feed supply is adequate, but poultry can enter and defecate in feed causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The feed delivery system is segmented into controlled outlets at each feeding station rather than one large open aperture. This segmentation maintains adequate feed flow rate through multiple smaller controlled openings while preventing poultry from entering the feed supply mechanism, as each outlet is designed to deliver feed directly to the feeding pan without creating access points for birds.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polygonal feeder design minimizes weight variance, increases feeding space, and reduces competition, resulting in more consistent bird weights and improved resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the base is inclined towards the centre of the feeder to direct feed towards the side walls
Data Source
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AI summary
A feeder is provided, in particular for feeding poultry, comprising a polygonal feeding pan defined by a base and a plurality of side walls depending from the base. The side walls define an outer peripheral edge of the feeder having a plurality of substantially straight outer edges. The feeder provides increased feeding space and feed volume with respect to a circular feeder having a radius equal to the apothem of the polygonal feeding pan.