AdewebsToday we will be showing you how How To Produce Your Own Chicken Feeds using what we consider as the best formula.
You will agree with me the soaring costs of commercial chicken feeds have become a significant concern for farmers. With over 80% of production expenses allocated to feeds, many poultry farmers are seeking alternatives to cut costs and enhance profitability.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of making your own chicken feed, discuss the essential nutritional needs of poultry birds, and provide detailed formulas for both broilers and layers. Let’s dive into the world of DIY chicken feeds!
Why Make Your Own Chicken Feed?
1. Cost Efficiency:
The primary motivation behind crafting homemade chicken feeds is to alleviate the financial burden imposed by commercial options. By producing your own feeds, you can potentially reduce costs by 20-30%, significantly impacting your bottom line.
2. Quality Control:
Ensuring the quality of the feed your poultry birds consume is crucial for their growth, health, and productivity. Homemade feeds empower you to select high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, minimizing the risk of adulteration and poor nutritional content.
3. Tailored Nutrition:
Different stages of poultry growth demand varied nutritional profiles. By formulating your own feeds, you can customize the nutritional content to meet the specific needs of your birds at each stage, optimizing growth, egg production, and overall well-being.
4. Independence from Market Fluctuations:
Relying on commercial feeds subjects farmers to market price fluctuations. Producing your own feeds provides a degree of independence, allowing you to stabilize costs and enhance predictability in your poultry farming venture.
Understanding Poultry Nutritional Needs
1. Protein:
Protein is a cornerstone of poultry nutrition, vital for muscle development, feathering, and egg production. Different life stages require varying protein levels:
- Broiler Starter Feed (1-4 weeks):
- 22-24% digestible crude protein (DCP).
- Broiler Finisher Feed (>4 weeks):
- 16-18% protein content.
- Layers Chick Mash (1-4 weeks):
- 18-20% DCP.
- Layers Grower Mash (4-18 weeks):
- 16-18% protein.
- Layers Mash (18 weeks and above):
- 16-18% DCP.
2. Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals:
In addition to protein, poultry birds require carbohydrates for energy, fats for nutrient absorption, and a spectrum of vitamins and minerals for various physiological functions. Essential elements include calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin E, and B vitamins.
Homemade Feed Formulas for Broilers
1. Broiler Starter Feed (1-4 weeks):
- 57.2kg whole maize
- 17.2kg fishmeal
- 20kg soya bean meal
- 5.8kg lime
- 140g premix
- Amino acids: 70g lysine, 70g threonine
2. Broiler Finisher Feed (>4 weeks) – Option 1:
- 44kg maize
- 34kg soybean full fat
- 2kg groundnut cake
- 12kg brewer dry grain
- 4kg maize offal
- 3kg bone meal
- 0.25kg methionine
- 0.25kg lysine
- 0.25kg vitamin/mineral premix
- 0.25kg salt
- Add 10-20g each of toxin binder, coccidiostat, and zinc bacitracin.
3. Broiler Finisher Feed (>4 weeks) – Option 2:
- 14.5kg whole maize
- 24kg maize germ
- 19kg wheat pollard
- 14.4kg wheat bran
- 16kg beniseed meal, groundnut cake, linseed meal, or cottonseed meal.
- 2.2kg fishmeal
- 2.8kg lime
- 5kg soya meal
- 90g bone meal
- 20g grower premix
- 30g salt
- 10g coccidiostat
- 10g zinc bacitracin
Homemade Feed Formulas for Layers
1. Layers Chick Mash (1-4 weeks):
- 46kg whole maize
- 13kg wheat bran
- 10kg wheat pollard
- 25kg sunflower meal, linseed meal, beniseed meal, or groundnut cake
- 2.6kg fishmeal
- 2.5kg lime
- 70g salt
- 40g premix
- Amino acids: 140g tryptophan, 20g lysine, 20g methionine, 140g threonine
- 100g enzymes or growth enhancers
- 120g coccidiostat
- 100g toxin binder
2. Layers Grower Mash (4-18 weeks):
- 14.3kg whole maize
- 24.3kg maize germ
- 18.6kg wheat pollard
- 14.3kg wheat bran
- 15.7kg sunflower cake, groundnut cake, or beniseed meal.
- 4.9kg soya meal or soya cake
- 2.9kg lime
- 1kg bone meal
- 4.3kg fishmeal
- 40g salt
- 5g coccidiostat
- 30g pre-mix
- 5g zinc bacitracin
- 10g toxin binder
3. Layers Mash (18 weeks and above):
- Option 1:
- 48.5kg whole maize
- 17kg soya
- 11kg fishmeal
- 14kg maize bran, rice germ, or wheat bran
- 9.5kg lime
- 200g premix or growth/egg production enhancers
- Amino acids: 100g lysine, 50g methionine, 100g threonine, 50g tryptophan
- 75g toxin binder
- Option 2:
- 59kg maize grains
- 20kg soybean meal
- 6kg groundnut cake
- 4kg rice bran or wheat offals
- 5kg bone meal
- 5kg limestone
- 200g methionine
- 200g lysine
- 200g vitamin and mineral premix
- 200g salt
- 100g toxin binder
- 100g layers mix
Read Also: 15 Fast Growing Trees in Texas
Practical Tips for Feed Preparation
1. Experimental Trials:
Before full-scale implementation, conduct trials on a small number of chickens to observe performance and adjust formulas if necessary.
2. Quality Ingredients:
Ensure the raw materials used are of high quality, as poultry birds are sensitive to mycotoxins present in many feed ingredients.
3. Mixing Technique:
Invest in a drum mixer for accurate and uniform distribution of ingredients, avoiding the use of shovels for better consistency.
4. Testing Feed Quality:
Regularly test your homemade feeds in agro-allied laboratories to confirm nutritional balance and address any deficiencies.
5. Cooperative Buying:
Consider collaborating with local farmers to purchase ingredients in bulk, reducing costs and enhancing affordability.
Conclusion: Empowering Poultry Farmers Through DIY Feeds
Embarking on the journey of producing homemade chicken feeds is a strategic move for poultry farmers looking to navigate the challenges of rising feed costs. By understanding the nutritional needs of broilers and layers at different stages, tailoring feed formulas, and implementing best practices in feed preparation, farmers can achieve cost efficiency, quality control, and nutritional optimization. As you venture into the realm of DIY feeds, prioritize the well-being of your flock, and enjoy the rewards of a thriving and sustainable poultry farming enterprise. If you have any questions or insights about producing your own poultry feeds, share them in the comments below. Happy feeding!
