Patent ID: 6182606
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
An automated feeding system for feeding livestock in a plurality of pens, said system comprising:a plurality of feeders, with one feeder in each of a first subset of said plurality of pens, each feeder including a hopper with an outlet opening at a lower end thereof, a dispenser coupled to said hopper at the lower end thereof beneath said outlet opening for dispensing a predetermined quantity of feed from said hopper, and an actuator coupled to said dispenser for actuating said dispenser to dispense feed;a single programmable controller for controlling the operation of said actuators; andcommunication means for communication from said controller to said actuators to operate said dispensers, said communicating means being operable to communicate with said actuators when said feeders are in said first subset of said plurality of pens and also when said feeders are in a second subset of said pens whereby said feeders can be used with said first subset of pens and then moved to said second subset of said pens and controlled by said single controller for operation of said actuators.