Poultry Feed Formulation JS 2 note

JSS 2 LIVESTOCK FARMING LESSON NOTE

FIRST TERM | WEEK 3: POULTRY FEED FORMULATION

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1. Meaning of Balanced Ration and Feed Formulation

Feed Formulation is the process of quantifying and combining various raw feed ingredients to produce a balanced feed that supplies all essential nutrients in exact proportions required by poultry birds for optimal growth, health, and production.

A Balanced Ration is a feed feed mixture containing all essential nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water) in the correct amounts and proportions required by a bird over a 24-hour period.

Recommended Crude Protein (CP) Standards for Poultry:
• Chick Starter Mash (0–6 weeks): ~20% – 22% Crude Protein
• Grower Mash (6–18 weeks): ~15% – 16% Crude Protein
• Layer Mash (18+ weeks): ~16% – 17% Crude Protein + High Calcium (3.5%–4.0%)
• Broiler Starter (0–4 weeks): ~22% – 24% Crude Protein
• Broiler Finisher (4–8 weeks): ~19% – 20% Crude Protein

2. Essential Steps in Feed Formulation

1. Determine Nutrient Requirements: Identify the target bird age, class, and production goal (e.g., broiler vs. layer).
2. Select Available Local Ingredients: Choose high-quality ingredients available locally (e.g., Maize, Groundnut Cake, Wheat offal, Fish meal).
3. Analyze Nutrient Composition: Determine the Crude Protein (CP), energy, mineral, and fiber contents of selected ingredients.
4. Calculate Ratios: Use mathematical methods such as the Pearson Square Method or computer software to calculate ingredient percentages.
5. Weigh and Mix Ingredients: Accurately weigh out ingredients and blend them thoroughly to achieve a uniform mixture.

3. The Pearson Square Formulation Method

The Pearson Square Method is a simple mathematical tool used to determine the exact proportions of two ingredients needed to achieve a target Crude Protein (CP) level.

Practical Example Problem:
Formulate 100 kg of a 20% Crude Protein chick feed using Maize (9% CP) and Groundnut Cake / GNC (45% CP).

Steps:

1. Draw a square. Place the desired target protein concentration (20%) in the center.
2. Place Maize (9%) at the top-left corner and GNC (45%) at the bottom-left corner.
3. Subtract diagonally across the square ignoring negative signs:
   • Top-Right (GNC parts) = 45 − 20 = 25 parts Maize
   • Bottom-Right (Maize parts) = 20 − 9 = 11 parts GNC
4. Total parts = 25 + 11 = 36 parts.
5. Calculate percentages for 100 kg batch:
   • Maize required: (25 / 36) × 100 = 69.4 kg
   • GNC required: (11 / 36) × 100 = 30.6 kg

4. Mixing Procedures and Best Practices

Method	Procedure	Suitable For
Manual / Floor Mixing	Spread bulky ingredients (maize) on a clean concrete floor. Add minor ingredients (GNC, fish meal) in layers. Pre-mix micro-ingredients (premix, salt, lysine) with a small portion of maize before spreading. Turn the entire heap 3 to 4 times with shovels until uniform.	Small-scale poultry farms (<500 kg per batch)
Mechanical Mixing	Load weighed ingredients into vertical or horizontal feed mixers. Mechanical augers/paddles blend ingredients evenly within 5–15 minutes.	Commercial feed mills and large-scale farms

Precautions during Feed Mixing:

• Ensure all ingredients are dry and free from mold, toxins, or insect infestation.
• Grind whole grains (maize, sorghum) to appropriate particle sizes before mixing.
• Pre-mix micro-ingredients (premix, bone meal, salt) with carrier grains to avoid uneven concentration (salt toxicity or vitamin deficiency).

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CLASS EVALUATION & REVISION QUESTIONS

1. What is feed formulation?
2. Why do broiler chicks require higher crude protein percentages than grower birds?
3. Using the Pearson Square method, calculate the weight of Sorghum (10% CP) and Soybean meal (44% CP) required to formulate 100 kg of 18% CP feed.
4. State two precautions to observe when floor-mixing poultry feed manually.

HOME ASSIGNMENT:
List five micro-ingredients added in small quantities to commercial poultry feeds and state the primary nutrient provided by each (e.g., Oyster shell → Calcium).