PH Poultry Feeding Line Auto Feeder Pan System

Feeding system

Broilers should be provided with sieved pellets or finer pellets for the first 10 days of rearing. Feed should be placed in feeder trays or on brooding paper for easy access. At least 80% of the brooding area should be covered with paper. Automatic feeders should be filled with feed when chicks are placed in the house so that chicks can easily access the feed. Before chicks are placed in the house, an estimated total amount of feed of about 40 grams per bird should be fed on the brooding paper. In order to stimulate feeding behavior, feed should be sprinkled on the brooding paper at regular intervals during the first 3-4 days.

After 4-5 days of age, chicks begin to show more and more interest in the conventional feeding system, and feeding should be gradually transitioned to the conventional feeding system. The transition to the conventional feeding system should be completed by 6-7 days of age, and all feeder trays should be removed by 7 days of age. After the transition to the conventional feeding system, the form of the feed should also be gradually changed from pellets or finer pellets to better quality pellets. Note that the flock should be fed with pellets (3-4 mm) only after 18 days of age.
The specific feed requirements for broilers depend on the broiler's market weight, feeding cycle, climate and broiler house type and equipment. Table 3.9 gives the recommended feeding position for each bird in different feeding systems. Insufficient feeding positions will reduce the growth rate and lower uniformity of broilers. The feeding position requirements of broilers basically depend on the market weight and the type of feeding system.
• Ensure that the flock has free access to water 24 hours a day
• Auxiliary drinkers should be provided 3 days before brooding.
• The ratio of water intake to feed intake of the flock should be checked every day to ensure that the flock has enough water.
• Ensure that the flock drinks enough water during high temperatures.
• Flush the water line at regular intervals during high temperature seasons to keep the water temperature as low as possible.
• Adjust the height of the drinking system every day.
• Provide enough drinking positions to ensure that all birds can drink water easily.
• Keep waterers in good repair
ROSS BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK: Provision of Feed and Water
Chapter 3
44 2018
ROSS BROILER MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK:
Table 3.9: Feeding position requirements for each bird in different feeding systems
Feeding system type Feeding position
Pan type 45-80 birds/pan (lower values ​​are suitable for large birds {over 3.5 kg})
Chain trough type 2.5 cm/bird (40 birds/m trough)
Bucket type 70 birds/bucket (bucket diameter 38 cm)
*Birds can feed from both sides of the trough
All feeding systems should be adjusted to minimize feed spillage and provide the best feed intake for the birds. The top edge of the trough or pan should be
at the same height as the chicken's chest (see Figure 3.5). The height of the pan and bucket should be adjusted individually. The height of the chain trough feeding system can be adjusted by the winch or
feeding system bracket.
Figure 3.5: Correct feeding system height

Incorrect feeding system height (too high or too low) can cause feed spillage. When this happens, there is an additional loss of economic benefits, inaccurate estimates of feed conversion, and the risk of bacterial infection from broilers eating spilled feed.

Feed should be evenly distributed throughout the feeding system to ensure that all birds can eat at the same time. Uneven feed distribution will reduce production performance and increase problems such as injuries and feed spillage due to competition for feed. In order to ensure that feed is evenly distributed, the feed volume setting should be consistent in each feed pan or bucket. Pan and bucket feeding systems need to be adjusted one by one. The feed level height in the trough of a chain feeding system is relatively easy to adjust by simply adjusting the feed level in the feed box. Chain feeding systems must be carefully maintained and managed to minimize leg injuries.

If pan and bucket feeding systems (if automatic) are managed properly, the advantage is that all pans can be filled with feed at the same time, allowing all broilers to eat at the same time. Automatic feeding systems should be checked regularly to ensure that the pans are filled correctly. If a chain trough feeding system is used, the feed distribution time is longer and not all birds can eat at the same time. In the early stages of broiler growth, the chain trough feeding system should be carefully monitored and the feeding system should be turned whenever the feed level in the trough is low (the trough is empty only when it is empty - see the following paragraph). As the flock grows and the feeding rate increases, the chain trough feeding system needs to be turned more frequently throughout the day to ensure that the feed is filled (Figure 3.6). The key to managing a chain trough feeding system well is to regularly observe the feed depth in the trough and the behavior of the flock.