A pet feeder comprising a cabinet internally divided into a plurality of separate compartments opening individually through the external perimeter of the cabinet, a bottom-hinged door for each of certain of the compartments, each door being biased away from closed position, a latch device for each door, and a timer operative to release the latch devices successively and at stated time intervals. In a preferred embodiment of the feeder, the timer includes an arm which sweeps a calibrated dial once in 72 hours and the latch-release devices are peripherally spaced from each other by 120.degree. about the dial.

An automatic animal feeder device for providing a constant supply of solid food and water includes a housing having an upper and a lower compartment therein. An open top receptacle is mounted externally to the housing. A tube leads from the upper compartment through the housing to the receptacle for delivery of a water supply from the upper compartment. A pair of drawers are slidably contained in the lower compartment of the housing, wherein the drawers are adapted to receive a supply of animal food. A mechanism is provided for retaining the drawers within the lower compartment and for selectively releasing the drawers at predetermined times to move outwardly from the housing.

A trough feeder for poultry and the like is provided with a shield to prohibit poultry from reaching into the trough during feed depositing operations. The shield can comprise a swingable portion movable between a closed and an opened position. A shield drive includes cables connected to the shield and a drive screw follower. A time clock and a feed level sensor can be included in a drive motor energizing circuit to open and close the feeder top when pre-set times and feed levels are reached.

The present invention relates to a durable animal feeder comprising a pneumatically operated latch-release mechanism which operates to release the lid. The lid is attached to the box by hinge in a biased open position by spring cylinders. The pneumatic latch-release mechanism is actuated by a solenoid which controls the flow of pressurized air to the air piston which operates the lid latch. Once the lid latch is actuated, it releases the lid which then opens by operation of the spring cylinders. The solenoid receives an electric signal from a timer connected to a battery. The timer may also receive an RF signal from a remote RF transmitting source. All of the latch-release mechanisms are protectively contained within the animal feeder. A plurality of animal feeders having an external air jack can be connected as a barn system to a controller for individual animal feeder openings.

Apparatus for controlling automatically the delivery of feed, such as hay flakes, to a feeding receptacle. The apparatus includes an housing having an upper feed receiving portion and a lower feed delivering portion, the lower portion having an opening for passage of feed into the receptacle. A first door is disposed in the housing between the upper feed receiving portion and the lower feed delivering portion, the door being movable between a closed condition preventing feed from entering the lower portion and an opened condition permitting feed to enter the lower portion. A second door disposed in the upper feed receiving portion enables delivery of feed thereto. A cable interconnects the first and second door to hold one door in a closed condition when the other door is opened. An electromagnet, coupled to an electrical timer, controls operation of the first door so that feed is delivered automatically to the receptacle at a predetermined time.