This invention relates in general to bird feeders and animal feeders, and is more particularly directed to demand feeders for agricultural birds, e.g., fowl such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, peafowl, or many other exotic or native birds, or small animals like cats and rabbits.
The invention is more particularly concerned with a feeder that dispenses feed on demand from a raised hopper onto a feed tray or catch dish that is suspended beneath the hopper, where the dispensing occurs by action of the bird or birds feeding, i.e., by action of the birds pecking and grabbing at food on the feed tray.
It is a significant object of the invention to create a bird feeder that is simple, easy to use, refill, and clean, and which allows for choice of a wide variety of feed types, from small grain, such as millet seed or mash, to larger particles such as pellets, corn, or dog food.
The bird feeder provides on-demand gravity feed and engages the birds in pecking and grabbing activities which helps stimulate normal, healthy behavior. The on-demand feeder also reduces over-feeding and eliminates food waste, dispensing feed only when needed.