For fuetterungseinrichtung in groups in a coop held in a department or concert pen livestock best

摘要

1,187,383. Animal husbandry. NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT CORP. 31 March, 1967 [21 April, 1966], No. 17531/66. Heading A1M. [Also in Divisions E2 and H4] In an animal husbandry system in which animals are penned in a group each animal carries passive identifying means which co-operates with a corresponding one of a plurality of barrier means. The barrier means can prevent or allow access to feed spaces each of which comprises a container 7A, Fig. 3, having an opening 11 controlled by a hinged flap 15 which is retained in a closed position by means of a lock the operating means of which can be actuated by detector means which responds to identification means carried by only one of the animals of the group. Each detector means includes an oscillator, Fig 5 (not shown), which is tuned to a particular frequency. At the close approach of passive resonance identification means carried by the appropriate animal the oscillator is damped sufficiently to go out of oscillation whereupon a relay is energized to close the switch of the lock solenoid which unlocks the lock and allows the animal to move the flap. Each oscillator is tuned to a different frequency to match the passive resonance identification means of one of the animals. In a modification, Fig. 6, the barrier means comprises a gate 107 which extends across a neck receiving slot 105 in a barrier 101 to prevent or allow the animal to get at food in receptacle 103. The barrier means may comprise a bright light, a sound or an electric shock. The barrier may lead from a communal paddock or field to another field and may comprise a double gate system so that passage of an unauthorised animal in close proximity to an authorised animal is prevented.