Patent ID: 6470826
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A poultry feeder comprising:a. a feed pan into which feed is deposited, said feed pan being movable between a deep position and a shallow position; b. a drop tube in communication with a source of feed for delivering feed to the feed pan; c. said drop tube being movable axially relative to the feed pan between a raised position and a lowered position with said drop tube being in said raised position when said feed pan is in its said shallow pan position and said drop tube being in its said lowered position when said feed pan is in its said deep pan position; d. said drop tube an inlet for said feed and an outlet for delivery of said feed to said feed pan with the space between the drop tube outlet and the feed pan defining a feed opening through which feed flows into the feed pan; e. said drop tube further having a control tube movable axially with respect to said drop tube, said control tube having a lower edge spaced from said feed tube with the spacing between said feed pan and said lower edge of said control tube defining a discharge opening for the discharge of feed from the drop tube into the feed pan; and f. a plurality of support members pivotally mounted to said drop tube body, said support members each having an upper edge adapted to be engaged by said control tube body and a lower edge adapted to be in engagement with said feed pan, said support members being movable relative to said feed pan and relative to said control tube between a flood position when said feed pan is in its said shallow pan position such that said lower edge of said control tube is spaced from said feed pan a distance such that feed dispensed from said drop tube will dispense sufficient feed into said feed pan so as to flood the feed pan with feed and another position when the feed pan is in its deep depth position such that the lower edge of said control tube is spaced closer to said feed pan such that feed dispensed into said feed pan will be less than such amount of feed required to flood said feed pan.