FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of feeding systems for poultry.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the present disclosure, the following ter s are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Intelligent Feed Hopper (IFH) - The term“Intelligent Feed Hopper” hereinafter refers to at least one hopper used for supplying feed into pan assemblies of birds. Each of the IFH is capable of controlling the amount of feed being fed into each of the pan assemblies.

Intelligent Feed Hopper station (IFH-station) - The term“Intelligent Feed Hopper station” hereinafter refers to a location on a bird rearing floor where the feed for the birds/poultry is being fed into respective pan assemblies. The IFH-station comprises at least one IFH. The pan assemblies are moved through the IFH-station for re-filling purpose.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Various feeding systems are known in the art, which are used to feed poultry. In a conventional conveyor type feeding system, a conveyor is placed in a feeding trough and the feed from a stationary hopper is circulated in the conveyor. The commonly used conveyors are drag chain, flat chain, rope with disc or auger. These conveyor type feeding systems are used in both cage batteries and floor rearing of birds. In a rotating auger/screw/spiral conveyor, a spiral type feeder is fitted in a pipe with openings at regular intervals. Feed pans are mounted on the pipe at the openings. The auger rotates or moves forward like chain conveyors as and when the feed is required in the pans. A trolley type feeding system is used for birds reared in cages. Normally rails are mounted on cage frames and a trolley with hoppers travel along the cage length to distribute the feed in the feed troughs fixed in front of the cages. Normally it is pulled by a horizontal motorized rope loop. The hopper openings open up in a smaller receiver which acts as a leveler. This feed receiver is independent of the hopper and rests in the feed trough. The receiver is dragged along the hopper while travelling from one end of the cage to another end. However, the aforementioned conventional systems cannot quantify or measure the feed dispensed in the pan or feed trough accurately and fails to dispense the feed equivalent to each bird’s requirement. In the conventional feeding systems, every individual bird does not get a totally secluded space for feeding which is non- accessible by neighboring birds in the vicinity. The area of feeding space provided by the conventional systems cannot be adjusted and readjusted as per the varying number of birds in the house accurately.

Therefore, there is felt a need of a feeding system for poultry that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system for poultry.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system that facilitates controlled food distribution in each and every pan assembly in terms of feed quantum per secluded feed slot and number of such secluded slots. Based on the age, performance and number of birds available in the poultry house after deducting daily mortality, the quantity of feed per male and female bird including total number of required slots and its location is redefined and feed is dispensed accordingly.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide male and/or first pan assemblies on the same circuit of feeding system with possibility of accurately filling separate feed formulation in respective pan assemblies for male or female birds.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide male and/or first pan assemblies on the same circuit of feeding system at desired location like either at equal distance or separately on either side of the circuit or even only female and/or second pan assemblies on the same circuit. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system that facilitates precise food distribution.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system that prevents overfeeding.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding system that prevents mixing of food of a male bird and a female bird.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a feeding system for poultry. The feeding system comprises a conveyor that routed along a floor, a plurality of first pan assemblies and a plurality of second pan assemblies that are removably secured to the conveyor, a drive arrangement for driving the conveyor, a refilling station (IFH-station).

The second pan assemblies are configured operatively higher than the first pan assemblies. The conveyor moves the pan assemblies simultaneously through the IFH-station.

In an embodiment, an Intelligent Feed Hopper station (IFH-station) is configured to fill the pan assemblies as each of the pan assemblies moves through the IFH-station.

In an embodiment, provision of anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring to each first (male) pan.

In another embodiment, the drive arrangement includes at least one drive motor that is coupled to the conveyor. The drive motor is configured to power the conveyor.

In yet another embodiment, the first pan assemblies are configured to feed male birds while second pan assemblies are configured to feed female birds.

In an embodiment, to control the feed window size, an adjustable grill and ring structure is provided to each second (female) pan for discouraging male bird from accessing feed from the female pan.

In an embodiment, a grill structure is provided with anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring to each second (female) pan. In an embodiment, the IFH-station comprises a first IFH configured to supply feed into each of the first pan assemblies and a second IFH configured to supply feed into each of the second pan assemblies.

In an embodiment, a first anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring is provided in each of the first pan assemblies to avoid feed spillage by bird during eating.

In an embodiment, a second anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring is provided in each of the second pan assemblies to avoid feed spillage by bird during eating.

In an embodiment, the first and second anti spillage cum neck-comfort rings avoid feed spillage during refilling of the pan assemblies at the IFH-station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

A feeding system, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of first a pan assembly of the feeding system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the first pan assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3a shows a side view of the first pan assembly of Figure 2;

Figures 3b and 3c show a top view and a bottom view of the first pan assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a front view of a second pan assembly; Figure 5a shows a side view of a second pan assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 5b shows a side view of a second pan assembly, wherein the height of the opening to feeding chamber is reduced;

Figure 6a shows a top view of the second pan assembly of Figure 4;

Figure 6b shows a bottom view of the second pan assembly of Figure 4; Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a first feeding circuit 11 la, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a second feeding circuit 11 lb, in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure; Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a third feeding circuit 11 lc, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the third feeding circuit 11 lc of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the fourth feeding circuit 11 ld.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

105 - Main drive unit consisting of combination of prime mover/s and push belt drive (hereafter also referred as“main drive unit 105”)

110 - Conveyor

11 la - First feeding circuit 11 lb - Second feeding circuit

11 lc - Third feeding circuit

11 ld - Fourth feeding circuit

140 - First pan assembly

141 - First anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring 142 - First secluded feeding chambers/slots

145 - First connecting feature 147 -Walls for first pan assemblies

146 - First feeding pan 149 - First bottom ring

150 - Second pan assembly

151 - Second anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring

152 - Second secluded feeding chambers/slots 155 - Second connecting feature

157 -Walls for second pan assemblies

158 - Throat piece

159 - Second bottom ring

160 -Height adjustment ring

163 - Grill structure

240 - Intelligent Feed Hopper station (IFH-station) 240a - First IFH

240b - Second IFH

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms“a”,“an” and“the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms“comprises”,“comprising”,“including” and“having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, operations, elements, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element is referred to as being“mounted on”,“engaged to”,“connected to”, “attached to”, or“coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another component, region, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure. Terms such as“inner”,“outer”,“beneath”,“below”,“lower ”,“above”,“upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

Breeding stock or commonly known as broiler parents are genetically engineered to produce very high meat yielding birds. Hence, genetically, they have a tendency to put on weight faster than their contemporaries. A healthy & vigorous parent (males and females) can only produce optimum quality and quantity of chicks/hatching eggs. To ensure this, it is very important to control the body weight of the parent stocks. To achieve this, every male and female has to be separately given a specially formulated rationed/controlled feed as per the bird’s sex, age and performance. The number of broiler parents housed in one building for birds reared on floor system can be around 15000 and on single premises and there can be multiple such buildings at one site. In a poultry industry, it is a common practice to theoretically calculate the required daily feed for males and females of each building and try to distribute the same separately throughout the building assuming that all birds will eat equally. This method is practiced for birds raised either on floor or in cage batteries. The feeding is done manually or is mechanized using any one of the conventional feeding systems explained in previous paragraphs. On floor type rearing, it is difficult to observe and recognize the problems associated to unequal feeding as birds are freely moving on the floor. The birds have easy access to feed of a neighboring bird. The stronger bird can easily eat feed rationed for other birds. Total quantity of feed is distributed throughout building assuming that each pan or linear feed trough is filled equally. All birds in the vicinity have access to the feed in pan or feed trough, and hence, there is absolutely no control on the quantity of feed each bird is eating. The total feeding space is calculated and provided as per full house capacity. But over a period, there is certain depletion and it is not possible in the linear feed distribution system to reduce the feeding space accordingly. In conventional pan type system, it is also not practical to exactly reduce the feeding space on daily basis, and hence, the feeding space is not proportionate to number of birds. Hence, it is not possible to have equal feed distribution bird wise and, in the end, there is unequal growth and variation in productivity. Conventional feeding systems for floor feeding of broiler breeders are inadequate and have limitation in offering equal feed to birds.

The present disclosure envisages additional embodiments of the feeding system disclosed in Indian patent application number 201821037601 filed on 4 ^th October 2018. One of the additional embodiments of the feeding system, of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 11.

In accordance with the additional embodiment, a first pan assembly 140 is shown in Figure 1 through Figure 3. The feeding system includes a plurality of such first pan assemblies 140 attached to a conveyor 110. A main drive unit consisting of combination of prime mover/s and push belt drive 105 (hereafter also referred as“main drive unit 105”) is provided for moving the conveyor 110. At least one drive motor is provided for driving the conveyor 110. The conveyor 110 helps the simultaneous movement of the pan assemblies that are attached to the conveyor.

The first pan assemblies 140 shown in Figure 1 are configured to provide feed for male birds. The first pan assemblies 140 comprises a first anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring 141, a first feeding pan 146, a plurality of first feeding chambers/slots 142, a plurality of walls 147 of the first pan assemblies 150, and a first connecting feature 145. The first feeding pan 146 is divided into a plurality of first feeding chambers/slots 142 by the plurality of walls 147 of the first pan assemblies 150. The first anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring 141 is provided with curved and smooth edges to protect the necks of male birds while feeding. Each of the first feeding chambers/slots 142 facilitates a single male bird to access the feed area at a time. Each pan of the first pan assemblies 140 is attached to the conveyor 110 via the first connecting feature 145. A plurality of hooks (no seen in figures) is used to attach the first pan assemblies 140 to the conveyor 110.

In an embodiment, a plurality of second pan assemblies 150 is attached to the conveyor 110 for providing ration for female birds. A second connecting feature 155 is configured on each of the second pan assemblies 150. Each pan of the second pan assemblies 150 is attached to the conveyor 110 via the second connecting feature 155. A plurality of hooks (no seen in figures) is used to attach each pan of the first pan assemblies 150 to the conveyor 110.

An IFFl-station 240 is provided on the floor for refilling ration/feed into each of the first 140 and second pan assemblies 150 as each of the pan assembly move through the IFH-station 240. The IFH-station 240 includes a first IFH 240a and a second IFH 240b. The first IFH 240a is configured to supply ration into the first pan assemblies 140, while the second IFH 240b is configured to supply ration to the second pan assemblies 150. In an embodiment, the first IFH 240a supplies ration for male birds and the second IFF! 240b supplies ration for female birds.

The first feeding pan 146 is configured to receive feed from a first IFH 240a and store the feed therein. The first feeding pan 146 has a circular profile. The first feeding pan assembly 140 includes a plurality of first feeding chambers/slots 142 defining eating spaces in the first feeding pan 146. The first feeding chambers/slots 142 are separated from each other via walls 147 of the first pan assemblies 150. Thus, the first feeding chambers/slots 142, more specifically, the eating spaces are secluded from each other. The first feeding chambers/slots 142 are configured to store feed therein. The first feeding chambers/slots 142 are configured circumferentially on each of the first feeding pan 146. The advantage of providing secluded first feeding chambers/slots 142 is that a bird cannot easily access the feed of a neighboring bird, unless the neighboring bird moves out. Further, the walls 147 of the first pan assemblies 150 prevent mixing of feed from neighboring first feeding chambers/slots 142. Based on the total number of birds on the floor and their sex, the first feeding chambers/slots 142 are filled with adequate amount of feed. The number of first feeding chambers/slots 142 is varied as per application requirement.

The number of first feeding chambers/slots 142 to be filled with the feed and amount of feed to be filled depend upon number of birds and/or their sex. For example, in a building, if there are total 630 pans with 16 first feeding chambers/slots 142 each, mean there are total 10080 first feeding chambers/slots 142 available. Thus, maximum 10080 birds can eat at a time. For any reason, if number of birds is reduced, then only that number of first feeding chambers/slots 142 will be programed to be refilled with exact quantity of feed and also ensuring that the feeding space available is equal to the number of birds in the building (or on the floor).

Typically, the first pan assemblies 140 are used to feed male birds and have secluded first feeding chambers/slots 142 to provide each male bird its own feeding space, whereas a plurality of second pan assemblies 150 is used to feed female birds. Each pan of the second pan assemblies 150 also have secluded second feeding chambers/ slots 152 that provide each female bird its own feeding space.

For feeding only male birds, the second pan assemblies 150 are connected to a conveyor 110. In accordance with an embodiment, after filling the feed in the second pan assemblies 150, the height of a portion of the conveyor 110 is adjusted such that only male bird can eat through it.

In an embodiment, the IFH-station 240 of the system is configured to dispense an exact amount and type of feed into the respective first and second pan assemblies (140 and 150).

The other components of the system as disclosed in the Indian patent application number 201821037601 filed on 4 ^th October 2018 cooperate with the pan assembly 150 in similar fashion as that with the pan assembly disclosed in the Indian patent application number 201821037601.

Figure 3 to Figure 6 illustrate various configurations of the feeding system disclosed in the present disclosure and in the Indian patent application number 201821037601 filed on 4th October 2018.

In accordance with an embodiment, the feeding system comprises both first and second pan assemblies (140 and 150) attached to the conveyor 110. In this system, the configuration of the first and second pan assemblies and their positions are interchangeable. Flence, it is possible to place all first pan assemblies on one side of the conveyor circuit with required height difference and thus enabling two distinct feeding areas around the same conveyor circuit. Male and female birds have two distinguished differences. Male birds are taller than female birds and male birds have remarkably large comb and wattles. Both these characteristics are considered in designing the present feeding system to ensure that male and female birds are fed separately formulated feed for better livability and productivity.

With the implementation of the present feeding system, the male and female birds will not be able to eat each other’s ration/feed. The heights of the conveyor can be adjusted to a required difference so that a female bird cannot accesses ration/ feed of male birds.

Figure 4 shows the second pan assembly 150 for feeding female birds. The second pan assembly 150 has secluded second feeding chambers/slots 152 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the second pan assemblies 150 is provided with a grill structure 163. The grill structure 163 is configured to increase or decrease the width and height the opening of each of the second feeding chambers/slots 152. The male birds will not be able to access the female feed from the openings of the grill structure 163 of the second pan assemblies 150 due to their large comb and wattles. Height adjustment of the openings in the second pan assemblies 150 is done by placing and locking a height adjustment-ring 160 in four different positions and similarly widthwise adjustment is done by placing and locking the grill structure 163 in four different positions. Similary to the first anti-spillage cum neck-comfort ring 141, a second anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring 151 is provided in each of the second pan assemblies 150.

A second protector grill structure is provided with anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring to each second (female) pan.

Figures 5a and 5b show the side views of the second pan assembly 150 of Figure 1 at different height settings of the opening. The height adjustment-ring 160 in Figure 5b can be seen at a relatively lower height as compared to Figure 5a. The numbers of height and width settings will depend on the size of the second pan assembly 150 and the number of birds being fed therein.

Figure 6a shows a top view of the second pan assembly 150 of Figure 4. Figure 6b shows a bottom view of the second pan assembly 150 of Figure 4.

The openings in the second pan assemblies 150 can be done from any one position of the building as the second pan assemblies 150 move along the conveyor 110 and each second pan assembly 150 can be brought to one location for readjustment. Similarly, each of the second pan assembly 150 can be brought to one location for emptying left over feed if any. This also enables cleaning, washing and disinfection of the pan assemblies at a single location. Further, this feature also enables the possibility of adopting auto washing system.

Drains are provided in both the first 140 and the second pan assemblies 150. The drain/s in each of the first 140 and second pan assemblies 150 is covered by first bottom rings 149 and second bottom ring 159, respectively.

A plurality of walls 157 is provided in the second pan assemblies 150 for secluding the feeding space for each female bird.

A first feeding circuit 111a shown in Figure 7 includes only first pan assemblies 140 along with a first IFF! 240a.

A second feeding circuit 11 lb shown in Figure 8 includes only second pan assemblies 150 along with a second IFH 240b. A third feeding circuit l l lc shown in Figure 9 includes both first pan assemblies 140 and second pan assemblies 150 along with the first IFH 240a and the second IFF! 240b.

A fourth feeding circuit 11 ld shown in Figure 11 has the first pan assemblies 140 on one side with raised conveyor height as well as the second pan assemblies 150 on the lowered portion of the conveyor 110.

In an embodiment, the material of the first 141 and the second anti spillage cum neck-comfort ring 151 is selected from the group of materials consisting of plastic and steel.

The advantage of the system of the present disclosure is that male birds do not need to rush to one side of a floor as the same conveyor has male as well as first pan assemblies.

A throat piece 158 is provided in each of the second pan assemblies 150. The throat piece 158 acts as a supply of feed in each of the second pan assemblies 150.

It should be noted that the circuit 1, 2, 3 and 4 are only for exemplary purposes, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Any other arrangement and number of the first pan assemblies 140 and the second pan assemblies 150 is well within the scope and ambit of the present disclosure.

In another embodiment, only first pan assemblies 140 or only second pan assemblies 150 are connected to the conveyor 110.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a feeding system that:

• facilitates controlled food distribution;

• facilitates precise food distribution;

• facilitates control over feeding space and at required location;

• facilitates mounting of both first and second pan assemblies on the same conveyor and at desired locations; prevents overfeeding; and • prevents mixing of food of a male bird and a female bird.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The use of the expression“at least” or“at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application. The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.