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| The Development Team of Automatic Chicken Feeders Based on the Internet of Things (IoT) from the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) (Photo: Special) |
Considering that many poultry farmers still use manual methods in feeding chickens, three UMM electrical engineering study program students have created an innovation. Namely, an automatic chicken feeder with the Internet of Things (IoT) based. They are Saifulla Amin, Rizky Pratama, and Dhiemas Ristiant Syaputro. This tool results from their final assignment, which converted to their thesis.
Saiful, his nickname, said that manual chicken feeding is considered inefficient because the maintenance of laying hens often encounters problems such as handling or managing to feed. It can ultimately affect the quality of the eggs produced.
"There are already many automatic chicken feeding systems, but it is still uncommon to use the Internet of Things (IoT). The use of IoT here can make it easier for farmers to manage the chicken feeding schedule automatically from a distance. It can use mobile or web applications," Saiful explained.
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Moreover, this tool also uses Human Machine Interface (HMI) that is equipped with an LCD. Therefore, the farmers can also set the timer directly. While making these tools, there were a few obstacles to overcome. Only in the coding process and the liquid crystal display (LCD) design.
"This tool is easy to operate. After you turn on it, we can immediately set the timer to scheduling of chicken feed via mobile or web or directly. When the set time comes, the chicken feed collection tube will open automatically," concluded Saiful.
A young man from Sumenep added that this tool makes it possible to control the feed scheduling of chickens containing approximately 2,000 laying hens in one cage. A motor can be installed in one cage to fill the feed into the feeder. Then the feeder will run to feed the chickens evenly. This IoT-based automatic chicken feed tool also has an affordable price that can benefit chicken farmers compared to using employees.
"Currently, it is still in prototype form, but it can be run as expected. The advantage of this tool is the IoT system. Therefore, we hope our junior can develop it. Such as adding a temperature sensor," said Saiful.
Finally, Saiful also hopes that this automatic feeding tool can be developed and commercialized to help reduce chicken farmers' work. Also, by increasing chicken productivity by maximizing chicken weight and minimizing chicken stress levels. (Put/Zak/Wil)
