Self-metering feed dispensing system

A feed dispensing system for dispensing feed for livestock, the system comprising:

• a feed supply hopper having an interior for receiving feed, the feed supply hopper having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the feed supply hopper extending over the lower portion;
• a feed delivery tube extending downwardly from the feed supply hopper. the feed delivery tube having an upper end being in fluid communication with the interior of the feed supply hopper, the feed delivery tube having a lower end;
• wherein the lower portion of the feed supply hopper comprises a pair of hopper sections. each of the hopper sections terminating at a bottom of the lower portion in an outlet with an opening;
• wherein the hopper sections are substantially tubular at the outlet.

The A feed dispensing system for dispensing feed for livestock the system comprising:

• a feed supply hopper having an interior for receiving feed, the feed supply hopper having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the feed supply hopper extending over the lower portion;
• a feed delivery tube extending downwardly from the feed supply hopper, the feed delivery tube having an upper end being in fluid communication with the interior of the feed supply hopper, the feed delivery tube having a lower end;
• a support assembly for supporting the feed supply hopper in an elevated position above a ground surface;
• wherein the support assembly comprises:
• a pair of spaced legs depending downwardly from the feed supply hopper, each of the spaced legs having an upper end mounted on one end of the feed supply hopper;
• and
• a pen fence extending between the spaced legs, the feed delivery tube being mounted on the pen fence.

A feed dispensing system for dispensing feed for livestock, the system comprising:

• a feed supply hopper having an interior for receiving feed, the feed supply hopper having an upper portion and a lower portion, a beltline extending along a juncture between the upper and lower portions, the beltline forming a substantially rectangular perimeter in a horizontal plane;
• wherein the upper portion extends over the lower portion, the upper portion having a peak, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extending between the peak and the beltline, the pair of side walls extending downwardly and outwardly from the peak, the pair of end walls extending downwardly and outwardly from ends of the peak, the side walls and the end walls forming a continuous lid wall above the lower portion;
• wherein the lower portion has a top and bottom, the top of the lower portion being substantially open, the lower portion comprising a pair of hopper sections, each of the hopper sections terminating at the bottom of the lower portion in an outlet with an opening, the hopper sections being substantially tubular at the outlet, each of the hopper sections having a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall comprising a plurality of wall panels, the wall panels of each perimeter wall converging together toward the bottom of the lower portion and diverging toward the top of the lower portion, the
• plurality of wall panels including four wall panels, each of the wall panels lying in planes oriented at angles of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal;
• a feed delivery tube extending downwardly from the feed supply hopper, the feed delivery tube having an upper end being in fluid communication with the interior of the feed supply hopper, the upper end being mounted on the outlet of one of the hopper sections, the feed delivery tube having a lower end, the feed delivery tube being a cylindrical tube;
• a feed trough for holding feed delivered by the feed delivery tube for consumption by livestock, the feed trough being positioned below the feed delivery tube, the feed trough defining a channel having an upper lip positioned on opposite sides of the channel, the upper lip defining a plane, the lower end of the feed delivery tube being positioned in the channel of the feed trough, the feed delivery tube extending through the plane such that the lower end of the feed delivery tube is positioned below the plane;
• a support assembly for supporting the feed supply hopper in an elevated position above a ground surface, the support assembly comprising:
• a pair of spaced legs depending downwardly from the feed supply hopper, each of the spaced legs having an upper end mounted on one end of the feed supply hopper;
• and
• a pen fence extending between the spaced legs, the feed delivery tube being mounted on the pen fence, the pen wall having a pair of end members, each of the end members being positioned adjacent to one of the legs, an upper member extending between the end members, a plurality of upright members positioned between the end members.