Automatic feeder

 

The most sophisticated hopper is the Parsons Automatic Feeder, from Bristol. Although more generally used for duck flight ponds, it can work equally well for pheasants. It is particularly useful for part-time keepers because it will reproduce hand -feeding at regular intervals, which is so important for reared pheasantsafter release. Regular feeding can be a great problem for the amateur keeper.

The Parsons Feeder has an electrically driven spinner, the power being supplied by an 80-amp. car battery, which can normally be expected to have a 4 -5 month operating life before re-charging. The electric motor is controlled by a clockwork time clock, which need only be rewound every 14 days. The clock has a number of settings so that the spinner can be made to operate several times a day, if desired, and at predetermined times. The amount of food delivered at each spin can be varied over a big range of settings from 21 lb. to 90 lb. (9z kg. to 404 kg.). The hopper capacity is normally 24 Cwt. (1144 kg.), but larger models are available.

An automatic hooter or bell can be used if the birds are accustomed to being called to their feed by this method. Among users there seems to be a preference for the bell, and it is said to work especially well with poults. A popular way of protecting the battery from the weather seems to be a covering of old fertiliser bags, but a wooden box with a lid is considered to be even better. Bad weather also makes it difficult to feed pellets. They tend to 'mush' in these conditions. Clean grain will give the least trouble; but if only tail corn is available, the functioning of the hopper may have to be checked daily.

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