Broilers have different feed requirements in terms of energy, proteins and minerals during different stages of their growth. It is important that farmers adapt feed rations to these requirements for maximum production.
Young broilers have a high protein requirement for the development of muscles, feathers, etc. As the broilers grow, their energy requirements for the deposit of fat increase and their protein requirements decrease.
They therefore require high protein content in their starter rations than in the grower and finisher rations. Broilers should have feed that has between 22 -24 per cent DCP. The following guidelines can help the farmer to make the right feed at each stage of growth:
Broiler starter feed (1-4 weeks)
》40kg of whole maize
》12kg of fishmeal (or omena)
》14kg of soya bean meal
》4kg of lime
》70g of premix Amino acids
》35g of lysine
》35g of Threonine
Preparing broiler Finisher feed (70kg) (5 weeks and above birds)
》10kg of whole maize
》16.7kg of maize germ
》13.3kg of wheat pollard
》10 kg wheat bran
》6 kg of cotton seed cake
》4.7kg of sunflower cake
》3kg of fishmeal 2kg of lime
》3.4kg of soya meal
》40g of bone meal
》10g of grower PMX
》5g of salt
》5g of coccidiostat
》5g of Zincbacitrach
NOTE: For farmers who have more than 500 chickens, it is advisable to make 1 ton of feed at once (There are 14 bags of feed in one ton). Therefore, to make 1 tonne of feed, all a farmer needs is to multiply each of the ingredients by 14. Ensure that all the feed you make will last for one month and not longer — this ensures the feed remains fresh and safe for chickens.
Any feed that lasts more than one month may deteriorate in quality and can affect your chickens. Daily feed requirements for each growth stage Farmers should maintain the right feed quantities for chicken at each stage of growth as shown below:
— An egg-laying chicken requires 130-140g of feed per day.
— A chick requires a minimum 60g per day. If they finish their daily rations, give them fruit and vegetable cuttings to ensure they feed continuously.
— Young chickens (or pullets) which are about to start laying eggs should be fed 60g for 2 and ½ months and then put on layer diet (140g per day). Supplement the feed with vegetables, edible plant leaves and fruit peelings in addition to their feed rations.
— Broiler chicks require 67g per day. Broiler finishers require 67g of feed per day to the day of slaughter.
— Chickens are very sensitive to aflatoxins- never use rotten maize (maozo) while making feeds.
Where to buy ingredients:
Farmers who need raw materials for feed making including feed additives (pre-mixes and amino acids) can order them from agro veterinary shops nearest to them.
There are also companies doing calibration services for farmers who wish to make feeds in large scale farming enterprises and even for any farmer who requires these services.
IMPORTANT TIPS ON FEED PREPARATION:
When making home made feed rations, it is important to do experimental trials, by isolating a number of chickens, feeding them and observing their performance.
If the feed rations are right, the broilers will grow fast and layers will increase egg production (at least 1 egg after every 27 hours).
Buy quality fishmeal from reputable companies. If omena is used, the farmers must be sure of its quality; most of the omena in the open-air markets may be contaminated. Farmers are advised to go for soya meal if they cannot get good quality omena.
Always mix the
micronutrients (amino acids) first before mixing them with the rest of
the feed. For mixing, farmers are advised to use a drum mixer (many jua
kali artisans can make one). Never use a shovel to mix feed because the
ingredients will be unevenly distributed. Have a nice day.
