Adjustable feeder with brood gate

A feeder for poultry and the like adapted to receive feed from a conveyor and to present feed to poultry, the feeder comprising, in combination, pan means for retaining and presenting delivered feed, drop tube means adapted to extend from the conveyor to a distal end above the pan means, shoulder means defined on the drop tube means, and collar means affixed above the pan means and surrounding the drop tube means above the drop tube shoulder means so as to permit limited axial movement of the drop tube means relative to the collar means, the drop tube means, when axially lowered through the collar means to a first non-pan-carrying position, having its drop tube distal end engaging the pan means to inhibit feed flow past the drop tube means distal end and into the pan means, the drop tube means, when axially raised through the collar means to a second pan-carrying position, having its drop tube distal end located proximate to but spaced above the pan means, the drop tube means distal end and pan means thereby together defining a first feed gate for controlling feed flow from the drop tube means past the drop tube means distal end and into the pan means for consumption by poultry.

A feeder for poultry and the like which is adapted to receive and present feed delivered by a conveyor, the feeder including, in combination, pan means for retaining and presenting delivered feed, hollow drop tube means adapted to extend from the conveyor to a distal end adjacent the pan means to define, with the pan means, a first feed gate through which feed can pass to an inner pan area for consumption by relatively mature poultry, a brood gate opening being defined in the drop tube means above the drop tube means distal end for permitting feed flow from the conveyor through at least part of the drop tube means and out the brood gate opening to outer pan means for consumption by relatively immature poultry.

A feeder for poultry and the like adapted to receive feed from a conveyor and to present the feed, alternatively, to immature poultry and to mature poultry, the feeder comprising, in combination, pan means for retaining and presenting delivered feed, drop tube means adapted to extend from the conveyor to a distal end above the pan means, at least one brood gate opening being defined in the drop tube means above the distal end, and means for alternatively masking and exposing the brood gate opening so as to permit feed flow, when the brood gate opening is exposed, from the conveyor through an upper interior portion of the drop tube means, thence out through the brood gate opening, and thence down the outside of the drop tube means to an outer pan means area so as to provide a feed pile visible to and accessible for consumption by relatively immature poultry.

A feeder for poultry and the like which is adapted to receive and present feed delivered by a conveyor, the feeder including, in combination, pan means having a low rim for retaining and presenting delivered feed, hollow drop tube means adapted to extend from the conveyor to a distal end adjacent the pan means to define, with the pan means, a first feed gate through which feed can pass to an inner pan area for consumption by relatively mature poultry, a brood gate opening being defined in the drop tube means above the drop tube means distal end for permitting feed flow from the conveyor through at least part of the drop tube means and out the brood gate opening to form a feed pile in outer pan means so as to be visible to and consumed by relatively immature poultry.