All about feed for chickens: which one to choose and how to prepare it yourself

Feeding hens and chicks with compound feed significantly accelerates their growth and development. The bird gains weight faster, and the egg production of laying hens increases by 15%. And with the addition of minerals and vitamins, poultry productivity increases by 25-30%. Moreover, it does not matter what kind of compound feed to feed the bird - factory-made or home-made, the main thing is that it contains everything necessary for the bird’s body.

Compound feed as a guarantee of productivity of farm animals

In the course of scientific research, it was revealed that the greatest productivity of animals and birds in the agricultural sector is manifested exclusively with proper organization of feeding. It is important to take into account both physiological characteristics and nutrient balance. It can be provided by ready-made mixed feed. They are developed through advances in biochemistry and the study of animal physiology.

Compound feed is a feed mixture purified and crushed to a certain state. It is important to note that it can be of both plant and animal origin. In order to enrich the feed, vitamins, micro- and macroelements, enzymes and other components are added to it, which stimulate proper growth and contribute to the development of animal husbandry. The mixture consists of a homogeneous mass, immediately ready for use.

Types of feed production:

• Briquetted. The most convenient for transportation. Briquettes do not take up much space and do not deteriorate during transportation. They are stored for a long time.
• Granulated. The advantage is the saving of labor resources when feeding, since the granules do not require additional processing. Convenient for fattening.
• Loose. The main advantage is a long shelf life. However, it is difficult to transport and store. Over time, due to the natural separation of the powder composition, animals can become poisoned.
• Krupka. Made by grinding feed granules to particles of a given size. Unlike placer, with which it is often confused, grits are not only crushed and mixed, but also thermally processed. When animals eat it, they receive all the components included in the feed.

How to make a proper diet?

Before moving on to the question of how much an adult cow or small calf eats per day, we draw your attention to the need to properly prepare a livestock diet.

To do this, you need to take into account the following recommendations from experts:

1. During the period when cows spend most of their time in the stall, roughage should predominate in their diet, because it supplies the animal’s body with nutrients, given the small volumes of milk yield.
2. When a cow's milk yield increases, juicy and concentrated additives are added to roughage.
3. If milk yield exceeds 10 kg per day, you should also add root vegetables, and especially potatoes, to the diet.
4. Cows with high productivity should eat a varied diet, they need to be given mineral and vitamin components.

For the calf

Introducing a calf to mixed feed can only begin when it is 10 days old. Until this time, he needs to be fed with mother's milk. Starting from the specified day, starter feed is required, which is given in a dosage of 1 tablespoon per day.

The dry mixture is diluted in milk and given to the calf to drink. Next, the amount of special food is gradually increased, and by the age of four months its consumption rate increases to 1 kg. At the age of six months, the dose of feed consumption already reaches 6 kg.

Such nutrition promotes healthy growth of the calf and strengthens its immunity only if the specified norm is not exceeded.

Main components of feed

All components are selected based on their chemical composition. The main task is the effective absorption of nutrients required by animals for healthy life. It is for this reason that compound feeds are suitable for complete feeding and are actively used in intensive livestock farming.

The main components included in the feed from "Southern Corona": wheat, corn, barley, corn germ cake, sunflower cake, soybean cake, fish meal, pea concentrate, limestone flour, monocalcium phosphate, ZOM, meat and bone meal, wheat bran, grass flour, etc.

In addition to the above, special additives can be added: antioxidants, flavors, vitamin premixes, enzymes, amino acids, probiotics.

Please note that the composition does not include growth stimulants, antibiotics, etc. Thus, vitamin feeding and preventive vaccination are required on your own in accordance with the recommendations of veterinarians.

A feed mixture rich in all of the above components helps improve the quality of livestock farming.

Requirements

The production of combined mixtures is a technologically complex process. Manufacturers must ensure a series of sequential operations:

• acceptance and storage of raw materials;
• cleansing (peeling of oats and barley from films);
• grinding;
• enrichment;
• introduction of technological components: hydrol, fat;
• mixing until smooth;
• granulation, briquetting.

Production methods are continuous flow, all processes are dosed, and therefore require qualified production lines.

The components are added according to recipes regulated by GOST standards.

In addition to standardization, compound mixtures are tested for compliance with technical specifications. Such a quality document is issued to the consumer. In addition to information on digestibility, the regulations regulate:

• external indicators;
• colors and smells;
• humidity indicators.

For example, the last value in combined formulations for cattle should be 14.5%. In concentrated forms, 0.3 to 0.7% of whole seeds is allowed. Up to five spiders and insects per 1 kg may also be present.

The composition of the certificate for compound mixtures contains mandatory data. The produced factory or warehouse compound feeds must have a name, date, and purpose. In addition, the formulation and digestibility are indicated on the label. Microadditives that were included in the feed mixture for enrichment should be listed separately from other elements.

The classic qualities and digestibility of the compound mixture are indicated strictly in accordance with the consumer properties of the individuals. Restrictions apply not only to the species, but also to the age of the animals. The purpose varies according to the chemical state. If you feed animals not according to the recipe, it will not be effective.

Standards for concentrates for cattle

Standard designations for the quality of compound mixtures for adult cattle

It is convenient to select compound mixtures, since they already take into account the needs of cattle for certain digestible components. Balanced products allow you to achieve good genetic productivity of individuals.

Purpose of feed

As a rule, compound feed consists of various types of grain crops in combination with additional vitamins and feed additives. The percentage composition of a particular component varies depending on the type of animal, its age, biological condition and needs.

Feed additives promote systematic, proper development at all age stages. Special mixtures that are designed to solve specific problems (for example, for broilers) save money on maintenance and also stimulate active weight gain.

If you choose the composition of the future feed correctly, you can significantly reduce food costs and increase productivity. This fact has been repeatedly confirmed by Russian and foreign scientists in the field of animal husbandry.

conclusions

1. A balanced diet is the key to the well-being of birds and high productivity.
2. To feed chickens, special feeds are used that are labeled and physiologically required.
3. The productivity of the bird depends on the type of feed (wet, dry or combined).
4. Compound feed has both pros and cons when feeding laying hens.
5. Homemade mixtures contain the optimal amount of ingredients for good bird development.

Main types and types of feed

There are 2 types of feed, depending on its purpose. Let's take a closer look at them.

• Compound feed concentrate (marker - letter K).

  This variety is an additional source of nutrition and cannot act as independent food. Concentrated feed contains a large number of vitamins and microelements. In combination with the main meal, the concentrate supplements it with all the required substances that the animal lacks during a given period.

• Complete feed (marker - letter PC).

  Acts as the main food and does not require additional complementary foods, as it satisfies all the needs for nutritional, mineral and biologically active elements. Complete feed is used every day. As a rule, this diet is suitable for feeding most animals.

It should also be said about two types of additives, which include:

1. Protein-vitamin-mineral concentrates. They contain biologically active substances, amino acids, macro- and microelements in an optimal ratio. Supplements act as additional complementary foods and are not used in feeding on their own. Some types of BVMK contain feed antibiotics. They provide better safety, productivity and health of animals and poultry. They do not affect humans because they do not accumulate in meat and products.
2. Premixes. They are used to saturate the main feed and improve the composition of the protein-vitamin-mineral supplement. We produce premixes according to scientifically based recipes, including a whole range of biologically active substances in accordance with the recommendations of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. They may have different compositions depending on their purpose. For example, the “Start” premix for birds contains vitamins A, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B12, K3, Bc C, H-Biotin, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine and selenium.

Beneficial properties of feed for chickens

Compound feeds are used everywhere to feed chickens, not only because they allow you not to think about preparing various products, but also because they are balanced and saturated with all the necessary vitamins and mineral elements. Complete feed for chickens contains proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the quantities in which the bird needs them. This allows you to increase weight gain, as well as improve the quality of the resulting products.

There is also a vitamin and mineral component,

which allows you to keep poultry on this type of food all year round without any worries. During the cold season, such food is irreplaceable. The benefit of feed is that even in minimal doses it can satisfy all the needs of chickens. The problem with storage space is also solved, since you do not need to store root crops, grain, silage and various concentrated additives, but simply purchase compound feed.

Did you know? In the 80s of the last century, one American company proposed using glasses for chickens with red lenses. Such a device was supposed to reduce aggressiveness and also prevent cannibalism among birds, since red light has a calming effect on chickens. Unfortunately, after applying the know-how, laying hens quickly lost their vision, which is why they had to give up glasses.

Physical and chemical indicators of compound feed

Homogeneous food in granules is quickly digested. Such nutrition has a positive effect on the productivity of the agricultural sector of the economy.

If we talk about the composition of the feed, it should be noted that it varies depending on the specific animal.

The quality indicators of feed are influenced by:

• humidity and water absorption;
• granule size (diameter);
• flowability;
• fragility and water resistance;
• density and viscosity;
• volume.

The physical and chemical characteristics of the feed mixture for animals directly depend on the characteristics of the elements included in its composition, as well as their percentage. Flowability is affected by the size of one granule and the value of equilibrium moisture content. If you examine the chemical composition, then everything will depend on the content of certain nutritional elements (vitamins, fiber, etc.).

At the production stage, the feed is tested for compliance with quality standards, after which it receives a certificate. The buyer is provided with a document indicating the company producing the specific feed, recipe number, purpose, composition and sales period.

Proper diet for laying hens in winter and summer

If it is cold in the poultry house, then laying hens begin to consume more nutrients, spending them on maintaining body temperature. Additionally, they spend it on the formation of eggs.

In summer, a chicken will be able to find green grass, worms and insects, but in winter this is impossible. This means that these elements must be supplied with the feed mixture.

Rules for feeding chickens during unfavorable periods:

1. In winter, feed the bird at least 3 times a day. In the summer, 2 feedings a day are enough, feed succulent food and mash before lunch, and at night give exclusively dry food.
2. Give more different succulent foods. Before feeding, the fruits of pumpkin crops can simply be cut into several parts; the bird will peck out the tasty pulp on its own.
3. Give more food containing vitamins. Good hay will do, use the paws of coniferous trees.
4. Include sprouted grains in your food; Laying hens eat dried nettle well, there is practically none left.
5. Feed animal feed, fish meal, dairy products.

How the hens survive the winter depends on your efforts. In order to get eggs in the winter, you need to prepare vitamin components in the summer.

Compositions of feed types

Compound feed is always selected individually for each type of animal. In the selection process, it is necessary to take into account age and food group. Obviously, feed for broilers will be different from feed for laying hens.

One of the most important indicators when choosing the right diet is the nutritional value and amount of protein contained in it. Food with a low percentage of protein is considered to be of insufficient quality, since it does not completely satisfy the body in this element.

Grass meal is an important component of most compound feeds, as it contains fiber. It is responsible for normal metabolism and is a vitamin supplement. Despite this, the content of herbal flour should be within reason, since excessive amounts trigger negative processes.

Feed consumption rate for chickens

In order for these feathered inhabitants of the chicken coop to develop normally, they should be fed moderately - a small amount of food or overfeeding chickens equally negatively affects their health and productivity.

Therefore, poultry farmers must know exactly how much feed to give this bird at different stages of its life:

• From 1 to 3 weeks – 10-26 g;
• 4-8 weeks – 30-50 g;
• 9-16 weeks – 50-70 g;
• 16-20 weeks – 71-92 g;
• 21-27 weeks – 100-110 g;
• 28-45 weeks – 110-120 g;
• After 45 weeks – 120 g.

These standards are calculated for certain types of feed intended for chickens of the corresponding age categories. If this food is prepared at home, then the daily dose is calculated individually.

Including mixed feed in the diet of laying hens is profitable and convenient. Firstly, such purchased feeds are completely balanced. Secondly, they include all the components necessary for birds at different stages of life.

It is better to purchase the right type of feed, designed for a certain age of chickens.

Balanced feed for chickens is well absorbed by laying hens, improves egg production of birds, and does not contribute to excess body weight gain. And many poultry farmers note that compound feed is also useful for egg-laying chickens, because from the first days they accustom the young to the nutrition necessary for egg-laying birds.

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Composition of feed for pigs

Compound feed for pigs is a special balanced mixture, the main sources of calories and nutrients in which are cereals, legumes, and animal products. Oilseeds, fresh vegetables and yeast are used to supplement the diet.

Compound feed should include wheat, corn, barley, corn germ cake, sunflower cake, vegetable oil, wheat bran, table salt, limestone flour, amino acids, antioxidant, probiotic, vitamin premix and enzyme in varying proportions.

If the diet is incorrectly selected, the pig develops an upset stomach and, as a result, metabolism is disrupted.

Composition of feed for birds

In the production process, both age and economic category are taken into account. Thus, taking into account individual characteristics, special nutritional mixtures are created for each species.

In addition to energy value indicators, for example, for laying hens it is necessary to create a balance of vitamins and amino acids. A properly selected mineral composition plays a special role for these birds.

The feed should include protein, fat, fiber, calcium, digestible phosphorus, sodium, lysine, and sulfur-containing peptides.

It is necessary to take into account the individual nutritional needs of different species and crosses of poultry. In order to increase the digestibility rate, you can introduce dietary supplements, as well as enzymes. A positive effect is achieved by the introduction of butyric acid, which has a stimulating effect on the villi of the intestinal mucosa.

Thus, the correctly selected proportion of all nutritional and protective elements will improve the quality of growth and maintain health.

Composition of feed for cattle

In the process of choosing food, you can choose a complete feed mixture, which will act as the main meal, and concentrates, which are an additive to the main food.

Waxy corn silage is excellent for intensive fattening. Concentrated feed is also added here.

It must be remembered that at different times of the year and age, the animal needs different amounts of protein. It is also important not to forget about adding sodium (table salt).

When feeding dairy cows, the use of bioactive additives, including growth stimulants, is not recommended, since they do not need to intensively gain weight.

The composition of the feed is selected based on the feeding regime. It is customary to divide the diagram into 3 parts:

1. Main feeding (at any time of the day and in any dosage).
2. Balancing feeding (replenishing the lack of proteins and other nutrients).
3. Concentrated feeding (as a supplement to the main diet).

The feed should contain the following elements:

• grain crops (wheat, corn, barley, corn germ cake, sunflower cake, wheat bran);
• table salt;
• limestone flour;
• monocalcium phosphate;
• amino acids, antioxidants;
• vitamin premix.

Do-it-yourself chicken feed

If there is no suitable feed for chickens on sale, you can prepare the feed yourself . The starting mixture should include the following products:

• 49% corn;
• 18% sunflower cake or meal;
• 12% wheat;
• 8% fish or meat and bone meal;
• 3% return;
• 3% herbal ingredients;
• 1% feed fat.

All components should be pre-ground and only then combined into compound feed. You need to make such food for babies only from the ingredients that they have already been given, otherwise the youngsters may have problems with digestion.

Broiler chickens can be fed dry feed from the first days of life. But this product is introduced into the diet of young egg-producing animals only from the age of one week.

Chickens should not be given granulated feed - the chicks will not be able to crush and swallow it. Therefore, such food is first ground, and only then poured into feeders.

Requirements for the quality of feed

Each batch is tested to ensure compliance with production standards. This issue is dealt with directly by the state. During the verification process, the following indicators are examined: appearance, color, smell, granule size, mass of impurities, humidity, mass fraction of fat, ash, crude protein, fiber and other nutritional elements included in each individual feed.

In addition to checking the percentage of useful substances, the presence of nitrogen and other harmful impurities is determined. Color, smell and appearance depend on the quality of the processed raw materials. The manufacturer does not have the right to add moldy or rotten components to the product.

When studying moisture indicators, the mass fraction is taken into account, which should not exceed:

• for cattle - 14%;
• in poultry - 13%.

The proportion of metallomagnetic impurities should not be more than 30 milligrams per 1 kilogram.

During standardization, the grind size in bulk feed is also studied. To do this, the mixture is sifted through a sieve, and the residues are assessed by volume and weight.

Nutritional features of egg and meat breeds

To feed egg hens, the best option is considered to be compound feed for which you need to take: wheat - 120 g, sunflower meal, chalk and barley - 70 g each, meat and bone meal - 60 g, fish - 50 g, grass - 30 g, feed yeast and peas - 20 g each, vitamins - 10 g, salt 3 g. 100 g of this mixture contains 268 kcal, 17% crude protein.

With a lack of mineral elements, chickens become aggressive and may begin to peck their own eggs.

Laying hens need to be provided with mineral feed, because for the nutritional value of eggs and strong shells, the chicken needs to receive calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, etc. It is advisable to add well-crushed chalk, shells, and limestone to wet mash.

Chickens of egg breeds should not be overfed with fishmeal to avoid an unpleasant taste in the eggs.

Broiler breeds of chickens have a slower metabolism than egg breeds. They can overeat and become very fat. Therefore, it is important to balance their feed, given that they need 20% more than laying hens. And there are some peculiarities in feeding chickens of meat breeds:

1. It is better to scatter whole grain on the ground rather than pour it into one feeder. This way the chickens will move more and gain less fat.
2. Wet mash should be served in such quantity that the birds eat it within 30-40 minutes. You should not allow yourself to eat sour mash, as this will lead to illness.
3. Separate feeders should always contain gravel and sand; they improve the digestion of chickens.

The productivity of chickens depends on the feed consumed. At home, birds are often fed grain with additives from the garden or kitchen. Zucchini, pumpkin, grass, potato peelings, and soaked leftover bread are used.

Benefits of compound feed

As mentioned above, the introduction of mixed feed into the diet of animals helps to increase the productivity of dairy cows, the rapid weight gain of pigs, broilers, egg production of chickens, etc. The feed mixture also reduces the cost of feeding animals, since it can act as a complete nutrition.

The effectiveness of feed has been repeatedly proven experimentally in domestic and foreign laboratories. It should be noted that the positive dynamics of its use can only be observed if the production complies with all standards prescribed in GOSTs.

The advantages of using mixed feed include:

• increase in milk yield of dairy cows;
• reduction of nutrient costs for milk production;
• increasing cattle productivity;
• reducing the risk of disease and death;
• economical consumption;
• ease of storage and use;
• variability - you can change the composition of ingredients depending on the situational needs of the animal.

As a rule, a combination feed recipe includes a complete composition that helps not only to normalize the general condition of farm animals and life expectancy, but also to increase productivity (i.e., weight gain, increase in the number of eggs, etc.) It is important to note that the nutritional value is identical to natural products, and in the case of concentrates is even higher.

How to choose the best food?

It is imperative to check the amount of calcium in the diet of chickens.
Poultry farmers have long argued about the quality of factory-produced feed, but the effectiveness of PK-1 feed has been proven in practice.

There is no need to add additives to it, it already contains everything that is required for high productivity and maintaining the health of the bird:

1. Ground wheat – 63%;
2. Sunflower cake – 17%;
3. Crushed limestone – 7%;
4. Meat and bone meal – 4.5%;
5. Feed yeast – 2.5%;
6. Sunflower oil – 2.3%;
7. Table salt – 0.1%;
8. Soda – 0.07%;
9. Vitamin premixes - how much to add is indicated on the package.

It is good to give laying hens compound feed KK-1, but it is less balanced than PK-1 . KK-1 contains fewer essential components and is not enough for a complete diet.

Its base is wheat bran, a little wheat and barley, fish meal, sunflower cake, crushed shell and chalk.

Special vitamin supplements have been created for chickens; they are included in the main mixture. The composition of such a premix fully meets the needs of chickens, has a positive effect on productivity and improves immunity.

It is good to give laying hens compound feed KK-1

Please note that too large a dose of even useful additives can make the bird sick. For example, too much calcium reduces egg production.