GB2332614A

GB2332614A - Preparation of cereals for animal feed

Info

Publication number: GB2332614A
Application number: GB9825702A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claude Rabaud
Original assignee: Rabaud SAS
Current assignee: Rabaud SAS
Priority date: 1997-12-23
Filing date: 1998-11-25
Publication date: 1999-06-30
Also published as: BE1012827A5; FR2772559B1; FR2772559A1; GB9825702D0

Abstract

A method for the preparation of cereals intended to feed stock animals consists of incorporating water in the cereals such that the moisture level of the latter is between 15 and 22%, storing the moist cereals for a period of between 2 and 24 hours, and finally flattening the moist cereals before giving them to the animals to eat. An apparatus for carrying out the method comprises a hopper (1), the lower aperture (10) of which can be shut, which is intended to contain the cereals with the water added, and which opens onto a pair of contra-rotating rollers (2) for flattening the cereals.

Description

2332614 R1620:W PREPARATION QF CEREALS The present invention relates to a

method for the preparation of cereals intended to feed stock animals, and a device for carrying out the method.- The food ration of a stock animal which is destined for the production of meat or milk generally comprises cereals such as wheat or maize, amongst other ingredients.

The cereals are generally crushed, in order to be incorporated in the other 10 ingredients which constitute the food ration.

However, it has been found that crushed cereals are badly digested by these animals, and have side effects, in particular acidosis liable to give rise to limping, and reduced ingestion of the ration necessary, owing to poor functioning of the liver.

is The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for the preparation of cereals intended to feed stock animals, which make it possible to eliminate or at least reduce the above-described disadvantages.

The method which is the subject of the present invention is characterised substantially in that it consists of incorporating water in the cereals, such that the level of hygrometry of the latter is between 15 and 22%, then of storing the moist cereals for a period of between 2 and 24 hours, and finally of flattening the moist cereals before giving RICO:CP them to the animals to eat.

It has been found that cereals treated in accordance with the method according to the invention are more easily digested by the animals, resulting in increased ingestion, which, owing to the enhanced value of the energy contribution, leads to an increase in the production of milk or meat.

The device which permits implementation of the method according to the invention is characterised substantially in that it comprises a hopper, the lower aperture of which can be shut, which is destined to contain the cereals with water added, and which opens onto a means for flattening the cereals.

According to a preferred feature of the device, the flattening means comprises two rollers which roll in directions opposite to one another, and between which the moist cereals pass.

According to a further preferred feature of the device, the hopper and the flattening means are mounted on a raised frame, which makes it possible to place a mixing bucket beneath the flattening means.

According to a further preferred feature of the device, the mixing bucket is integral with the frame and comprises a three-point attachment which allows the assembly to be picked up by agricultural machinery such as a tractor.

RICO:CP -3 According to a further preferred feature of the device, the hopper is supplied with cereals by a transfer means which is integral with the hopper.

According to a further preferred feature of the device, the transfer means takes the 5 cereals from a storage means which is integral with the frame.

The advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, provided with reference to the attached drawings, which represent several non-limiting embodiments of it and in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic elevated view of a device which permits implementation of the method according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a variant of the same device; and Figure 3 represents a perspective view of another variant of the same device.

With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that a device which permits implementation of the method according to the invention comprises a hopper 1, the lower aperture 10 of which can be shut by means of a flap 11, and which opens onto a flattener 2 comprising two rollers 20 and 21, which roll against one another, driven in opposite senses, with the possibility of modifying the relative positions of the rollers 20 and 21 by means of an adjustment means 22.

The assembly is integral with a frame 3 which is supported on feet 30, which makes it possible to place beneath the flattener 2 a means of transport for the flattened cereals, or a RICO:CP mixer bucket (not shown) which permits incorporation of other ingredients.

It can also be seen on this figure that the hopper is supplied by a transfer means 4, in this case a tube provided with a worm (not shown) which is plunged into a storage trough 5 40 intended to contain cereals.

In practice, the transfer means 4 raises the cereals from the trough 40, and pours them into the hopper 1, whereas the water is incorporated in the hopper by appropriate means, such as a water supply which is disposed at the upper end of the transfer means 4.

With reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that according to a variant, the trough 40 and the transfer means 4 are integral with the frame 3, the assembly thus having increased compactness.

is With reference to Figure 3, it can be seen that according to another variant, a mixer bucket 5 is rendered integral with the frame 3, beneath the flattener 2.

This mixer bucket 5 comprises firstly a three-point attachment 50, which allows the assembly to be picked up by agricultural machinery of the tractor type, and secondly a 20 pouring means 5 1 In addition, the frame 3 comprises sleeves 3 1, by means of which integral feet (not shown) can be integrally fitted to the assembly to support it on the ground.

RICO:CP It should be noted that all the moving components, ie the flattener 2, the transfer means 4, the mixer bucket 5 and the pouring means 51, are driven by respective hydraulic motors 23, 42, 52, and 53, supplied by the hydraulic system of the machinery to which the mixer bucket 5 is secured, although other drive means can be provided.

R1620:W

Claims

1 A method for the preparation of cereals intended to feed stock animals comprising: incorporating water in the cereals such that the level of hygrometry of the latter is 5 between 15 and 22%, then of storing the moist cereals for a period of between 2 and 24 hours, and finally of flattening the moist cereals before giving them to the animals to eat.

2. A device which permits implementation of the method according to Claim 1, comprising:

a hopper (1) having a lower aperture (10) which can be shut, which is adapted to contain the cereals with water added, and which opens onto a means (2) for flattening the cereals.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the flattening means comprises two rollers (20,21) which roll in senses opposite to one another, and between which the moist cereals pass.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the hopper (1) and the flattening means (2) are mounted on a raised frame (3), which makes it possible to place a mixing bucket beneath the flattening means.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the mixing bucket (5) is integral with the frame (3) and comprises a three-point attachment (50) which allows the assembly to be R1620:CP picked up by agricultural machinery.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the hopper (1) is supplied with cereals by a transfer means (4) which is integral with the hopper (1).

7. A device according to Claim 6, wherein the transfer means (4) takes the cereals from a storage means (40) which is integral with the frame (3).

8. A device for preparing cereals substantially as described herein, with reference to 10 the accompanying drawings.