Livestock Feed Making

Feed Ingredient Selection and Preparation

Introduction to Livestock Feed Ingredients

Livestock require feeds that supply the essential nutrients necessary for growth, reproduction, milk and egg production, maintenance, and overall health. These nutrients include:

• Energy – for body functions and productivity
• Proteins – for growth, repair, and production
• Minerals – for bone formation and metabolic functions
• Vitamins – for immunity and normal body processes
• Water – although not covered in mixing, it is vital in overall nutrition

To provide these nutrients, farmers use a variety of feed ingredients grouped based on the primary nutrient they provide.

Categories of Feed Ingredients

A. Energy Feeds

These are feeds that supply the largest portion of energy to livestock, mainly in the form of carbohydrates and sometimes fats.

• Low in fiber (for non-ruminants)
• High in starch or sugar
• Usually cheap and locally available

Examples: Maize, Sorghum, Cassava, Molasses, Millet, Rice polishings

B. Protein Feeds

Provide amino acids required for growth, tissue development, and production.

• Plant-based: Soybean meal, Groundnut cake, Sunflower seed cake, Cottonseed cake
• Animal-based: Fish meal, Blood meal, Meat and bone meal

C. Mineral Supplements

Added in small quantities to provide essential minerals.

• Macrominerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium
• Microminerals: Iron, Zinc, Iodine

Examples: Bone meal, Dicalcium phosphate, Salt licks, Oyster shell

D. Vitamin Supplements

Organic compounds essential in small amounts for normal growth and body function.

• Examples: Vitamin A, D, E, B-complex
• Supplied as: Commercial premixes, Cod liver oil, Yeast supplements

Formulating Rations Using the Pearson Square Method

Why Ration Formulation Is Important

• Ensures balanced nutrition
• Prevents deficiencies
• Reduces feed cost and wastage
• Meets production goals

Pearson Square Method

A simple method to calculate proportions of feed ingredients to meet a target nutrient level.

Term	Meaning
Crude Protein (CP)	The amount of protein in feed (%).
Feed Ingredients	Materials used in ration.
Proportion	Amount of ingredient in ration.
Balanced Ration	Mix supplying all essential nutrients.

Using the Pearson Square

• Place target CP in center
• Place ingredient CP at corners
• Subtract diagonally
• Sum gives proportion for mixing

Example 1

Target CP: 18%
Maize bran: 8% CP
Cotton seed cake: 40% CP

Proportions:
Maize = 69%, Cotton = 31%

To make 500kg:
Maize = 345kg, Cotton = 155kg

Example 2

Target CP: 20%
Ingredients:
- Fish meal (38% CP)
- Soya bean meal (32% CP)
- Maize bran (16% CP)
- Wheat bran (12% CP)
- 2% mineral premix
Protein ratio: 3:1 | Energy ratio: 1:2

Final ingredient amounts (for 1000kg):
Maize bran: 237.9kg
Wheat bran: 475.9kg
Fish meal: 199.6kg
Soya bean meal: 66.5kg
Mineral premix: 20kg

Feed Preparation Techniques

• Chopping: Reduces wastage, easy to chew
• Grinding: Fine particles, better digestion
• Mixing: Uniform nutrient distribution
• Soaking: Softens dry feed
• Pelleting: Compact, reduced feed sorting

Nutritional Calculations

Definitions

Term	Meaning
Dry Matter (DM)	Feed without water
Digestible Protein (DP)	Protein available to the animal
Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)	Energy value of feed

Formulas

• DM = Fresh weight × (DM% ÷ 100)
• DP = DM × (DP% ÷ 100)
• TDN = DM × (TDN% ÷ 100)

Examples

Napier grass: 50kg @ 25% DM → 12.5kg DM

Soybean meal: 100kg @ 90% DM & 45% DP → 40.5kg DP

Maize silage: 200kg @ 30% DM & 70% TDN → 42kg TDN

Feed Storage

• Keep in dry, ventilated space
• Use rodent-proof containers
• Follow first-in, first-out

Consequences: Mold, pests, nutrient loss

Single Material Feed Preparation

Feed	Nutritional Role	Preparation Notes
Maize Bran	Energy	Soak or feed directly
Sunflower Seed Cake	Protein	Grind before feeding
Hay	Fiber	Sun-dried well

Compound Feed Preparation

• Balanced nutrients
• Faster growth
• Less wastage

Example: Broiler Feed: 60% maize, 30% soybean, 10% minerals

Steps

• Weigh and grind ingredients
• Mix dry, then wet ingredients
• Pack and store safely

Feed Preservation

Why?

• Ensure supply in dry season
• Prevent spoilage

Methods

• Hay: Dry grass, bale and store
• Silage: Fermented fodder in airtight silo

Mineral Supplements

Functions

• Growth and reproduction
• Immune health

Signs of Deficiency

• Weak bones
• Goitre
• Anemia

Formulating a Mineral Mix

Example: Poultry Mineral Mix

• Target Ca = 1%, P = 0.5%, Salt = 0.3%
• Limestone (38% Ca): (1 ÷ 38) × 100 = 2.63%

Storage

• Airtight containers
• Cool, dry space
• Proper labeling