Chick opening tray, chicken feed tray

As a key feeding equipment in the early stage of chick breeding, the chick feeding tray plays an important role in ensuring the smooth feeding and healthy growth of chicks. It is designed specifically for the physiological characteristics and feeding habits of chicks, and is a necessary tool to initiate a good growth start for chicks.

Structural design and material selection

The common shapes of the chicken feeding tray are round and square. Circular open plates are usually divided into shallow and deep plates. The diameter of the shallow plate is generally 395mm, and the diameter of the deep plate is about 400mm; the size of the square open plate is mostly 530 × 350mm. In terms of material, pure raw material engineering polypropylene EPS30R is often used for production. This material has a tough texture, good wear resistance (based on actual reports), and aging performance. It can withstand the daily trampling and pecking of chicks, protect the feeding tray for stable use for a long time, reduce replacement frequency, and lower breeding costs.

Working principle and feeding advantages

The chick feeding tray functions by providing a spacious and suitable feeding space. In the early stages of chick rearing, the chicks are relatively small in size and have poor coordination in their movements. The large and shallow design of the feeding tray allows the chicks to easily access the feed on the tray, reducing the difficulty of feeding. Moreover, its edge design is low and smooth, making it convenient for chicks to reach out and peck, reducing physical exertion caused by improper feeding posture. Multiple chicks can simultaneously feed around the open plate to avoid competition caused by insufficient feeding space, allowing each chick to obtain sufficient food in a comfortable environment to meet their nutritional needs for growth at a suitable speed.

Core strengths

Suitable for the growth stage of chicks

In the first few days after hatching, the digestive system of the chicks is not yet fully developed, and the feeding tray can provide them with a small amount of feed that is easy to peck at, helping the chicks gradually adapt to the feeding process. As the chicks grow and their appetite increases, the large capacity design of the feeding tray can accommodate multiple feeds, continuously meeting the growing feeding needs of the chicks. It can adapt well from the early stages of chick rearing to the middle stage of growth.

Reduce feed waste

The bottom of the food tray is often designed with circular protrusions or smooth textures, which effectively prevent chicks from slipping during feeding and avoid a large amount of feed spillage caused by the chicks' active and frequent digging. Compared with directly scattering feed on the ground or using ordinary containers, opening a feeding tray can significantly reduce feed waste, improve feed utilization efficiency, and reduce breeding costs.

Protecting food hygiene

The food tray is made of smooth material, which is not easy to leave feed residue on the surface. It is easy to clean after each use and the specific situation depends on the actual situation. This can effectively reduce the growth of microorganisms such as substances and molds, prevent chicks from being infected by contaminated feed, create a clean and hygienic feeding environment for chicks, and help improve their strength and survival rate.

Widely applicable scenarios

Whether it is large-scale centralized chick rearing in large-scale chicken farms or small-scale farming in rural households, the chick feeding tray can be used. In large-scale breeding, a feeding tray can be provided for every 80-100 chicks, neatly arranged and placed in the nursery for unified management and feeding; In home farming, even a small number of open plates can meet the feeding needs of several to dozens of chicks, which is flexible and convenient.

Daily usage suggestions

To protect the chicks from fully utilizing the opening plate, residual feed should be promptly cleaned and rinsed with clean water after each use. At least once a week, the opening plate should be soaked or wiped with a mild and practical agent, and then fully dried for later use. During the chick rearing process, adjust the height of the feeding tray according to the growth rate and feeding situation of the chicks. Generally, when the chicks are 1-2 weeks old, the bottom of the feeding tray should be about 2-3 centimeters above the ground; At 3-4 weeks of age, it should be appropriately raised to 3-5 centimeters to maintain a comfortable feeding posture for the chicks and promote the improvement of feeding efficiency. At the same time, as the number of chicks decreases or the growth stage changes, adjust the number of feeding trays in a timely manner to confirm that each chick has sufficient feeding space.