Electronic feeding

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On-demand feeding for calf concentrate on Haus Düsse

On- demand feeding is a method of animal feeding in agriculture that improves individual animal feeding . On-demand feeding is used in pig husbandry as well as in cattle and horse husbandry .

The method, also known as transponder feeding , is also used in the allocation of concentrated feed to dairy cows and is sometimes introduced in pension farms.

principle

The animals are not fed at certain times and at the same time, but are given computer-controlled access to the feed at all times.

In contrast to standard feeding, on-demand feeding with the help of a concentrate station has the advantage that each animal receives the amount of feed that it actually needs. In this way, it is prevented that the stronger animals eat away most of the feed, while the weaker animals receive the selected food residue, which is partly contaminated with saliva. In addition, a lot of feed can be saved, as the animals only ever get small portions.

construction

Cow with transponder collar, here at an ordinary feeding table

The principle of on-demand feeding is that feeding stations are located in different places in the barn. When an animal enters a feeding station, it is identified by the transponder and receives the intended feed ration. Pigs usually wear the transponder as an ear tag on their ear, milk cows usually as a collar. This works without batteries. Only after leaving the feeding station can this station be used again by other animals. However, if the animal re-enters the feeding station, although it has already eaten its food, the machine no longer gives any more food.

requirements

The prerequisite for intact on-demand feeding is that the animals can claim enough space, i.e. sufficient retreat options. This reduces the risk of injury. Rank battles are thereby reduced.

Furthermore, constant monitoring of the individual animals should be ensured so that the cows are optimally supplied with nutrients in the various stages of their life cycle.

Combination with milking robot

On- demand feeding is usually integrated in milking robots . Most of the time, the high-energy compensatory feed with a crude protein content of 30–40% is given there. Since this is very tasty, the on-demand feeding also serves as a lure to ensure a high daily milking frequency.

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