Operation; Initial Start-Up Of The Feeding System; To Operate; General Operation Of The Konavi® Pullet Feeders - Chore-Time Konavi Pullet Feeding System Installation And Operator's Manual

Konavi® Pullet Feeding System

Operation

This section provides you with valuable information concerning feeder operation and management. It is important
that you read this information and understand how the feeding system was designed to operate. Once you become
familiar with the system, you may custom operate it to fit your individual needs.

Initial Start-up of the Feeding System

The Feeding System should be operated prior to birds being housed to make sure the installation is correct, the
switches function properly, and to fill the feeder lines with feed.
It is common practice to use partial house brooding during the early days of Pullet production. For buildings that
have the feeder split in the center (center hopper set-up), normally only the Pullet Feeders that are in the brood area
are used during brood time. For buildings that have the hopper at one end, brooding can be done on the motor end
or an optional mid line control pan(s) can be placed on the feeder line.
The feeder tubes and auger are supplied from the factory with a protective oil coating that will cause the system to
deliver feed at a reduced rate. The oil coating will also create a larger load on the power unit (motor) until the system
has been initially purged with feed, and becomes broken in.

To operate

1.Lower the Feed System until the Flood Windows fully open. DO NOT let the Suspension Cables go slack.
2.Apply power to the feeder lines to check the operation. Allow to operate empty for 1-2 minutes.
NOTE: For feeder lines that have mid line controls, the recommended bypass switch(s) are wired into the
system for selection of partial or full house control. Select the switch so the mid line control is
functional. As the feeder operates, the feed will stop at the mid line Control Pan.
3.With the shut-off slide on the feed bin boot closed, energize the Flex-Auger® fill system. After operation of
approximately 1-2 minutes, open the boot slide 1/2 way to allow feed to be conveyed to the feeders.
4.Once feed begins to be dispensed into the feed hopper(s), manually shut-off the fill system.
5.Apply power again to the feeder lines. Operate the fill system manually to dispense approximately 50 lb.
[23 kg] increments of feed into the feed hopper(s). Allow the feed hopper to become empty for 30 seconds
between each increment to reduce load on the feeder motor. Continue this procedure until feed has been
dispensed to all the feeder pans. When the feed reaches the control pan, the feeder line will be shut-off.
6.Once the feeder lines have been initially filled with feed, manually dispensing feed in 50 lb. [23 kg] increments
will no longer be necessary. The shut-off slide on the Flex-Auger® fill system may be completely opened. Refer
to the Flex-Auger fill system Operator's Manual for information when multiple feed bins are used.
General Operation of the KONAVI
These recommendations are the guideline to aid producers with the use of the feeding system. With experience
a feeding program will be developed to enhance the feeding systems performance. Several factors such as feed
content, type of birds, climate, lighting programs, and etc. may dictate change from these recommendations.
®
The KONAVI Pullet Feeders have feed flood windows which allow the Feeder Pan, when lowered to the floor, to
be filled with feed for the brooding of young birds. Start young birds with the feeder line lowered so the feed pans
are resting on the floor and the feed flood windows are completely open. DO NOT lower the system far enough to
let the Suspension Cables go slack.
With the feeders lowered to the floor and the feed flood windows open, the operation of the feeder will allow a high
level of feed to be placed into the feed pans making it easy for the birds to find feed, adapt to the feeder, and begin
to eat.
Do not operate the feeding system on automatic (full demand feed) when the feed windows are open. Chore-Time
recommends opening the feed windows for the first 10 to 12 days (max). The feeders will need to be operated at
least 2 times a day for the first 5 days, and thereafter, 3 times a day or more as needed, while the windows are open.
If it is not possible to operate the feeder manually 1-3 times a day during the brood time (windows open), then a
time clock should be utilized to limit the number of times and length of time the feeder can operate.
After 10-12 days raise the Feed Lines until there is roughly one inch [2.54 cm] gap between Floor and Feeder Pan.
It should be high enough that all Pans can swing slightly. Generally, keep the Feed Pan lip at bird chest height
throughout the rearing period.
Use the suspension system to raise the feeder(s) line. As the feeder is raised the feed flood windows will close.
Continue raising the feeder lines until the feed pans just begin to clear the floor or litter.
MF2514A
®
Pullet Feeders
Operation
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