Chore-Time H2 PLUS Installation & Operator's Instruction Manual page 33

Model H2™ Plus Feeding Systems
General Operation of the MODEL H2™PLUS Feeder
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 MODEL H2™PLUS feeder has feed flood windows, which allows the feeder pan, to be
filled with a high level of 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 open the feed flood windows using the
feed line winch. Although the major weight of the feeder lines will be on the floor, do not remove
all the weight from the suspension system and allow the cables to become slack.
It is advisable to provide supplemental feed during the first few days for the young birds. This is
especially true when partial house brooding is used (refer to Figure 1). Supplemental feeders,
such as the CHORE-TIME® E-Z START® Chick Feeder, provide extra feeding space and
access to the feed.
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 (cones raised). Chore-Time recommends having the feed windows full open for up to the
first 14 days for broilers and up to 21 days for turkeys. 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. Failure to do one of the above will create the possibil-
ity of an excessive high feed level in the feed pans enabling the birds to waste feed.
DO NOT OPERATE THE FEEDING SYSTEM ON AUTOMATIC (FULL FEED) WHEN THE
FEED WINDOWS ARE OPEN.
As the birds grow and become acclimated to the feeder pans, the feeder cones can be progres-
sively lowered to the grow-out position over a period of days to reduce the feed level in the feed
pans. Before lowering the feed cones, it is recommended to allow the birds to eat the feed level
down below the feed cone. This will ease the process of the feed cones being lowered prop-
erly.
For broilers, once the feed cones have been lowered to the grow-out position, the suspension
system should be used to raise the feeder(s) line to the recommended pan height.
For turkeys, many producers prefer to begin raising the feeder lines at approximately 2 weeks
of age prior to completely closing off the feed windows to the grow-up position. This method
allows the bird to have a high level of feed and reduces to ability of the birds to waste feed.
When the feeder is raised to just clear the litter, there may be a few places where the litter is
lower and the pans seem too high. Do not be concerned as the birds will level the litter and at
this young bird age, there will be sufficient feeder space.
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