Sow gestation tube feeder

摘要

A plug insert matingly fits into the open lower end of a feed tube in a gilt or sow stall. The plug includes an inlet for receiving feed from the tube and an outlet for discharging feed onto the floor of the stall. The inlet and outlet are offset from one another. An axle extends through the plug, with spokes on the lower outer end of the axle, an anti-bridge bar on the upper end of the axle, and one or more fins on the central portion of the axle. Discharge of the seed is controlled by the gilt or sow as she rotates the spokes on the forward end of the plug, thereby rotating the fins or spiral flighting to carry feed from the inlet to the outlet. This self-feeding system eliminates or minimizes feed waste while providing an appropriate feeding program for the gilt or sow.

主权项

1. A self-feeding device for only one swine in gestation stall, comprising:
a feed tube extending from a feed hopper, the tube having a lower end extending at a non-vertical angle into the stall to deposit feed from the hopper into the stall; a plug in the open end of the tube; a feed inlet in an upstream end of the plug to introduce feed from the tube into the plug; a feed outlet in a downstream end of the plug to discharge the feed from the plug into the gestation stall; and a rotatable member in the plug to carry the feed in the plug to the outlet for discharge into the stall only upon rotation of the member by the swine in the stall and for consumption only by the swine in the stall; wherein the rotatable member includes a central axle with fins extending radially outwardly from the axle, a stirring member upstream from the inlet to inhibit bridging of feed in the tube adjacent the inlet and a plurality of spokes adjacent the outlet, said plurality of spokes are adapted to be nudged by the swine's nose to rotate the member.