Scientific Journal of KubSAU

Constructive-technological parameters of a hopper feeder have been established. They help to synchronize feeder’s flow and feed consumption by animals. Synchronization of these factors eliminates the initial cause of feed loss during fattening. It was found out that the main influence on feed loss is exerted by shape and geometrical parameters of feedstuff fill at the bottom of feeder, which depend on their physical and mechanical properties and on the feedstuff level in a hopper feeder. The fill balance condition at the bottom of a feeder is provided by compensation of feedstuff weight pressure inside a hopper due to the weight of a surcharge layer. The thickness of layer is proportional to the height of feedstuff volume inside a hopper and does not depend on technological gap between discharging feed line and the bottom of a feeder. It is found out that the discharging feedstuff is distributed throughout the bottom of a feeder. There is a central nonmoving area in the cone shape in alignment with the axis of the discharging feed line. This area functions as a shutter, which reduces the effective area of discharging channel. It is determined that the flow of feedstuff is set by adjusting the technological gap between discharging feed line and its bottom within defined limits. In accordance with physical and mechanical properties of feed this dependence of feedstuff flow allows to determine corresponding functional parameters of discharging feed line in order to meet the needs of a group of fattening animals