Animal husbandry – Feeding device – For aquatic animal; e.g. – a fish – etc.
Patent
1998-05-21
1999-12-14
Poon, Peter M.
Animal husbandry
Feeding device
For aquatic animal; e.g., a fish, etc.
A01K 6102
Patent
active
060003626
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a system for feeding cultured species, and in particular in relation to cultured fish species. The system is able to automatically regulate feed output for the cultured species.
Wild species of fish introduced to aquacultures, and indeed semi wild domesticated species, exhibit broad feeding cycles that reflect the very nature of the diversification of such species. Such feeding cycles are effected by exogenous and endogenous factors that impose variations to the broad pattern. Because of these variations, it is difficult to match feed output to the preferential feeding patterns of the cultured fish and thereby effect the ability to maximise the growth of the cultured fish. Such variations also effect the feeding efficiency resulting in feed wastage
Various systems are available that, to a certain extent regulate the feed provided to aquaculture systems Such systems may include detection devices which are able to shut off the supply of feed if an amount of feed is detected above a minimum value. Such systems generally are merely a "on/off" system and do not take into account the various exogenous and endogenous factors that may effect the feeding pattern. Accordingly, feed wastage still occurs, and indeed the fish may also not be fed to satiation.
It should however be appreciated that the system may have broader applications for use other than in the feeding of fish species, for example the feeding of cultured crustaceans or indeed non-aquatic species For convenience, it is appropriate to describe the invention in reference to aquaculture species in particular.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the difficulties associated with such systems.
The present invention resides in a feeding system for cultured species including: and with the sensor; and sample area; sensor and determine subsequent feed output based on algorithm parameters, said algorithm parameters regulate the instantaneous feed rate of the cultured species to adjust and match the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.
The invention is able to identify and adapt the macro and micro changes in feeding behaviour in order to increase the feeding efficiency of the cultured species. The system according to the invention is able to ensure that fish are fed to satiation (or below if required) while maintaining an efficient food conversion ratio.
The sensor of the present invention is able to detect a sample, or indeed the absolute amount of feed which passes through a population of species occupying a particular aquaculture system. The system may include an enclosure such as a net, pen, tank, pond or other enclosure suitable for aquaculture. The information obtained by the sensor may be used by the control unit to regulate subsequent feed output.
Generally, the control unit of the invention incorporates computer data storage media, interface circuitry, EPROM memory, RAM memory, battery backed real-time clock, control button, LCD display together with appropriate software. The system may also include a switched source of power for activating existing feed dispensers.
Accordingly, the present invention further resides in computer data storage media embodying computer software which functions according to the following steps: in a sample area; sample area; defined system; and the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.
The control unit is able to store the feeding history of the cultured species and to calculate an optimum feed regime based upon the stored history, and/or other parameters inputed by a user. The feed history may be mapped over a period of time by monitoring the feeding behaviour of the cultured species relative to the feed output and the amount of feed detected by the sensor.
The feed output is preferably controlled by the control unit. The control unit preferably has a learning ability to allow it to call on prior knowledge or memory to calculate appropriate instantaneous settings. This learning ab
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Blyth Peter John
Russell John Fabian
Abbott Yvonne R.
Aquasmart Pty Ltd
Poon Peter M.
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