Low Cost Automated Poultry Feeding System Using Atmega328 Microcontroller

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Abstract

Poultry feeding system has evolved overtime and there is the constant need to provide an affordable alternative to the high-tech automated feeding system. This project develops an automated poultry feeding system which deploys an LDR (photo-resistor) sensor in the feeding trough to detect the presence or absence of feed. The sensor resistance changes with respect to presence or absence of feed in the trough (blocking or unblocking available light). The sensor is connected in series with a regular resistor to form a voltage divider and the output voltage fed as analogue input to the ATmega328 microcontroller programmed to give an output when its input voltage is about two volts. The output of the microcontroller is connected to L298N motor driver module. If there is sufficient feed in the through, the system does nothing otherwise, signal is sent through the sensor to the microcontroller to activate the motor connected to a hopper through a worm drive to dispense/disperse feed in the feeding trough. As long as the system is switched on, the process is repetitive. This prototype, in which feed is manually loaded in the hopper can be part of a bigger system where cages form a long straight line and feed loading into the hopper also automated. The project seeks to reduce the time and effort spent in feeding poultry and it is particularly targeted to the peasant poultry farmers that cannot afford the high-tech automated feeding system

Keywords: Sensor, Resistance, Signal, Microcontroller, ATmega328

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