Automatic Feeding Line Maintenance Guide

In large-scale chicken farms, fully automatic feeding lines and feeding pans are core feeding equipment. Their operational status directly impacts the flock's feeding efficiency, growth uniformity, and economic profitability.

As the feeding terminal with which the chickens directly interact, the feeding pan is a key node in the feeder system's precise feeding. Proper routine maintenance and regular servicing of the feeding pan and the entire feeding line not only extends the equipment's service life but also provides a stable and hygienic feeding environment for the chickens, ultimately improving farm profitability.

1. Daily Feeding Pan Maintenance: Laying a Solid Foundation

Daily inspection and cleaning are paramount to maintaining efficient feeding pan operation. Dedicated personnel should be assigned daily to perform the following tasks:

1.1 Feeding Status Inspection: Check the remaining feed in the feeding pan twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, to ensure that the amount is within the appropriate range of "small excesses and frequent replenishment." This prevents moldy feed from accumulation and prevents feed shortages from causing competition among chickens. Observe the feeding behavior of the chickens around the feeding pans. If too few or too many chickens gather around individual feeding pans, adjust the feed line feed rate promptly to ensure even feeding across all feeding pans.

1.2 Cleaning and Disinfection: During daily breaks in the chicken house, use a soft-bristled brush to clean feed residue from the edges and bottom of the feeding pans to prevent it from clumping and breeding bacteria. Weekly, as part of the overall chicken house disinfection, thoroughly wipe the inside and outside of the feeding pans with a neutral disinfectant, focusing on the feed spout and the gaps between the feed troughs to ensure thorough disinfection. Avoid using corrosive disinfectants to prevent damage to the plastic or metal parts of the feeding pans.

1.3 Component Integrity Inspection: Inspect the feeding pan base, feed bucket, adjustment plate, and other components for damage or deformation. If the feeding pan base is cracked, replace it immediately to prevent leakage and contamination of the chicken house floor. If the adjustment plate is loose, tighten the screws to ensure it accurately controls the feed discharge rate.

2. Regular Feeding Pan Maintenance: Enhance Equipment Efficiency

In addition to routine maintenance, special feeding pan maintenance should be performed monthly, along with a comprehensive overhaul of the feed line system:

2.1 Feeding Accuracy Calibration: After starting the feed line system, observe the discharge speed and volume of each feeding pan. Use specialized tools to adjust the feed opening size of each feeding pan to ensure that the feed accuracy of all feeding pans in the same area is within 5%. For feeding pans that have been in use for more than six months, inspect the internal feed channel to see if it has expanded due to feed wear. If this problem exists, replace the feeding pan or related components promptly to ensure feeding accuracy.

2.2 Lubrication of Rotating Components: Some linked feeding pans have rotating shafts or gears. These rotating components should be lubricated monthly with food-grade lubricant to reduce mechanical wear. Before application, clean any dust and debris from the component surfaces to ensure even coverage. Avoid dripping lubricant into the feeding area of the feeding pan to prevent feed contamination.

2.3 Sealing Test: Check the sealing rubber ring at the connection between the feed drum and the base of the feed pan for signs of aging. If the rubber ring loses its elasticity or develops cracks, replace it immediately to prevent rainwater or condensation from the house from seeping into the feed pan, causing the feed to become damp and clumping. For feed pans in outdoor or semi-outdoor houses, additionally check the sealing of the rain cover on the top to prevent rainwater from directly entering the feed pan.3. Feed Line System Integration Maintenance: Considering Both the Overall and Detailed Operations

The efficient operation of a feed pan depends on the coordinated operation of the fully automated feed line. Maintenance should consider both the overall system and the specific feed pans:

3.1 Ensuring Feed Line Stability: Monthly inspect the feed line's core components, including the feed pipe, auger, and drive motor, to ensure smooth feed flow without jams or cuts. If uneven feed flow occurs, first check the feed pipe for blockage and then adjust the feed line speed to ensure a stable feed supply to each feed pan.

3.2 Check the compatibility of feeding trays and feed lines: Regularly check whether the model of the feeding tray matches the feeding capacity of the feed line. If the feed demand of the feeding tray changes due to expansion of the farm or change of flock breeds, promptly replace the feeding tray with an appropriate model or adjust the feeding parameters of the feed line to avoid insufficient feed or waste due to improper compatibility.

3.3 Fault Handling: If the feed line system shuts down, immediately shut off the feed discharge switch of the feeding tray to prevent feed from accumulating. After the fault is corrected, check the feed status of each feeding tray one by one and remove the accumulated feed caused by the shutdown. Only after confirming that all feeding trays are discharging normally can the feed line system be restored.

4. Emergency Handling of Feeding Tray Failures: Rapid Response and Loss Mitigation

An emergency plan for feeding tray failures should be developed in advance during the farming process to address unexpected issues:

4.1 Handling Feed Leakage: If a feeding tray is leaking, immediately suspend feed supply to the corresponding feed line and inspect the leaking source. If the base is damaged, replace the feeder tray with a spare one. If the feed outlet is not properly sealed, temporarily seal it with food-grade sealing tape and replace it completely after purchasing a new part.

4.2 Troubleshooting Blockages: If the feeder tray outlet is blocked, first shut off the feed line and gently clear the outlet channel with a thin wire, avoiding damage to the inner wall of the channel by applying excessive force. After clearing, test the feed for smooth discharge and check whether the feed particle size is compatible with the feeder tray outlet. Adjust the feed particle size if necessary.

4.3 Troubleshooting Adjustment Failures: If the feeder tray's adjustment baffle fails to control the feed rate, disassemble the baffle assembly, clean out any feed residue and foreign matter inside, and inspect the baffle for signs of wear and tear. If it still fails to function properly after cleaning, replace the adjustment baffle immediately to ensure the feeder tray can respond to the feed line's feed commands promptly.

5. Feeding Pan Maintenance Precautions: Avoiding Operational Risks

5.1 Safety Operation Standards: When maintaining feeding pans, first turn off the power to the feed lines in the corresponding area. Avoid disassembly or adjustment while the equipment is running. When climbing to inspect elevated feeding pans, use stable climbing equipment and employ safety precautions to prevent falls.

5.2 Spare Parts Management Requirements: Establish a feeding pan spare parts library with a sufficient supply of vulnerable parts, such as chassis, adjustment baffles, and sealing rubber rings. Label the spare part model and applicable feeding pan type to ensure rapid replacement in the event of a malfunction, minimizing equipment downtime.

5.3 Record and Traceability Management: Establish a feeding pan maintenance log, detailing the time, content, replaced part model, and operator of each maintenance session. Feeding pans with repeated malfunctions should be specifically marked and the cause of the malfunction analyzed. If the malfunction is due to equipment aging, replace them in batches promptly. If the malfunction is due to operational issues, strengthen personnel training.

Fully automated feed lines and feeding pans are the lifeblood of large-scale chicken farms. As critical equipment directly serving the flock, the quality of their maintenance directly impacts farming success. Only by meticulous daily maintenance, thorough regular maintenance, and prompt troubleshooting can each feeding pan remain in optimal operating condition, ensuring consistent and stable feeding for the flock and ultimately helping poultry companies achieve standardized and efficient farming practices.