How to make your own poultry feed

 Feeds accounts to over 80 % in poultry production . If a farmer is able to bring this cost to about 50 to 60% she stands to make good returns in the poultry business. Farmers who formulate and make their own feeds at home save an average of Ksh 840 for every 70kg bag of chicken feed, which is a great saving for those doing commercial production.

Below, we give farmers some guidance on what they need to be able to formulate their own feeds and cut down their production costs:

How to prepare layers chick mash (1-4 weeks)

Since they are growing, chicks require feed with Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) of between 18 to 20 per cent. Amino acids are important additives in all feeds in order to make a complete feed for all animals. For hybrid chickens the addition of amino acids is very important to maintain a balanced diet for fast growth. The following ingredients can be used to make a 70 kg bag of chick mash:

·         31.5kg of whole maize

·         9.1kg of wheat bran

·         7.0 kg of wheat pollard

·         16.8 kg of sunflower (or 16.8 kg of linseed)

·         1.5 kg of fishmeal

·         1.75 kg of lime

·         30g of salt

·         20g of premix

Amino acids

·         70g of tryptophan

·         3.0g of lysine

·         10g of methionine

·         70 g of threonine

·         50g of enzymes

·         60g of coccidiostat

·         50g of toxin binder

To make a 70 kg bag growers feed (1 to 8 weeks), it is important to remember that pullets or young layers should be provided with feed having a protein content of between 16 and 18 per cent. Such feed makes the pullet to grow fast and prepare for egg laying. Layers’ feed should never be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks as it contains calcium that can damage their body organs such as kidneys (they can develop kidney stones), which interfere with egg production and also shorten their lifespan. Grit (sand) should be provided to growers that are not on free range to aid in digestion.

Making a 70 kg bag of layers’ mash (18 weeks and above)

·         34kg of whole maize

·         12kg of Soya

·         8kg of fishmeal

·         10kg of maize bran, rice germ or wheat bran

·         6 kg of lime

·         175g premix

Amino acids  

·         70g lysine

·         35g methionine

·         70kg tryonine

·         35g tryptophan

·         50g toxin binder

Layer feed should contain a Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) content of between 16-18 per cent. The feed should contain calcium for the formation of eggshells (Laying hens that do not get enough calcium will use the calcium stored in their own born tissue to produce eggshells). Layer feed should be introduced at 18 weeks.

Formulating a 70 kg bag of broiler feed

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:

Preparing broiler growers feed (70 kg)

A drum mixer is good for mixing home made feeds

·         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

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

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 layer will increase egg production (at least 1 egg after every 27 hours).

Farmers should be very careful with the quality of feed ingredients or raw materials. Chickens are very sensitive to feeds that contain mycotoxins which are present in most of the raw materials. Never use rotten maize (maozo) to make chicken feed.

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.

It is very important to mix all the micronutrients (amino acids) first before mixing 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.

Spoilt maize is the main source of animal feed in Kenya. Such feed is dangerous as it ends up in human food in eggs, meat and even milk from dairy cows and goats.

It is easier for small-scale farmers working in groups to buy some of the ingredients such as pre-mixes and amino acids after which they can share the product according to each one’s contribution.