86 Evaluation of the Super Smartfeeder System (C-Lock, Inc) for Lamb Supplemental Feeding in a Pasture-based System

The C-Lock, Inc Super SmartFeeder (feeder) may provide opportunities to evaluate lamb supplemental feeding behavior on pasture. The objective of this study was to determine lamb feeding capacity, lamb feeding behavior, and methodologies for training lambs to this feeding system. Post-weaning, lambs (n = 179) were introduced to the feeder (day 0) on fescue-based pasture at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. For 24 days, lambs were supplemented 0.23 kg/hd/day with the feeder on pasture. To transition lambs to the feeder, additional standard trough feeders were provided until day 10 starting at 0.45 kg/hd/day and decreasing to 0.15 kg/hd/day. Feeder data were analyzed using SAS for feeding frequency traits to assess feeding capacity and efficacy of training methodology. During days 9-16 and days 17-24, a greater percentage of lambs ate between 12 AM and 6 AM compared to days 0-8 (65 and 63%, respectively, vs. 26%; P < 0.05). During days 0-8, a greater percentage of lambs ate between 6 AM and 12 PM compared to days 9-16 and days 17-24 (47% vs. 23 and 10%, respectively; P < 0.05). A greater percentage of lambs visited the feeder 17 or more days compared to 16 or less days (59 vs. 41%; P < 0.05). During days 0-5, the percentage of lambs visiting the feeder daily varied between 30 and 80%. After being exposed to the feeder for 6 days, daily lamb feeding behavior only varied between 64% and 78%. A greater consistency in the proportion of lambs visiting the feeder after a 6 day acclimation period indicated successful training to the feeder. On average over the 18 days of consistent feeder visits, 72% of lambs visited the feeder daily. Therefore, maximum carrying capacity of this feeding system should not exceed 120-125 lambs.