Feeding trough monitor and controller uses feed trough weight and animal identifier to close feed trough when feeding rate slows under individual set point and open at set times also closes with audible close warning e.g. if kicked

摘要

The feeding trough includes a clock and trough contents indicator (15) e.g. by weight and may also have an animal identification sensor. A shutter (7) closes the trough after audible warning and is opened at required times. The trough may be closed based solely on time or when the feeding rate or quantity in trough drops below a point set e.g. for a detected individual animal. The shutter has jamming indicator and will close on abuse, e.g. kicking. An Independent claim is also included for a feed metering machine with obstacle detector.