An instrumentation system for studying feeding and drinking behavior of individual poultry

This article describes an instrumentation system that was developed to stud y the dynamic feeding and drinking behavior of individual birds. The system , consisting of 24 feeding and drinking stations interfaced via an RS 485 c ommunication network to a central PC, provides continuous recording of feed ing and drinking events. Each feeding/drinking station includes a precision electronic balance (1210-g capacity and 0.1-g resolution) for the feeder a nd a temperature-controlled drinking water reservoir (1500-mL capacity and 1000- to 1500-mL operating range) whose height and thus volume was sensed w ith a differential pressure transducer (0-2.5 VDC output). The system was t ested using growing broiler chickens subjected to constant or cyclic therma l conditions. Sample data are presented to demonstrate how researchers can use the system to examine and understand the effects of environmental modif ication on feeding and drinking behavior of individual birds. A series of s ubsequent studies have been planned that will use the system to investigate the interactive effects of environmental and dietary nutrition manipulatio ns on ingestion behavior and poultry performance.