Compound feed for broilers: composition and DIY recipe

Combined feeds provide the supply of trace elements necessary for the normal development of animals. Such mixtures are developed taking into account the age of the hens, so that the birds quickly gain the desired weight. These circumstances should be taken into account when preparing feed for broilers on their own. Therefore, novice farmers are encouraged to purchase ready-made products.

Features of compound feed for broilers

Compound feed (or a specialized feed mixture) has a balanced composition, which provides a quick weight gain for chickens, starting from the first day of a bird's life. This product:

• helps grow a 2.5 kg broiler in a short time;
• ensures the supply of essential trace elements and proteins, thanks to which the bird develops normally;
• selected according to the age of the bird (ingredients are used in different proportions for each period of development);
• has a long shelf life (6 months, provided that the integrity of the package is maintained);
• allows you to refuse other ways of feeding.

Combined feeds are the necessary mixtures, without which it is impossible to grow a full-fledged broiler in 1.5-2 months. The composition of this product varies depending on the brand of the manufacturer. But each compound feed must contain chopped grass, cereals (wheat), corn, as well as ingredients that ensure the supply of proteins, minerals and vitamins.

Advantages and disadvantages of using

The benefits of compound feeds include:

• creates the conditions for a quick (within two months) set of the required mass;
• ensures the supply of all trace elements necessary for development;
• contains natural ingredients with no side effects.

The main disadvantage of combined feeds is due to the fact that a number of manufacturers, instead of natural ones, introduce artificial ingredients into mixtures. Because of this, the birds do not gain weight and suffer from side diseases. When eating compound feed, chickens must consume enough water (the proportion is 1: 2). In addition, such feeding is relatively expensive.

Feed requirements

In addition to these components, high-quality feed should include cereal ingredients.Mixtures should not contain antibiotics, which stimulate the growth of chickens, but adversely affect poultry meat. In addition, high-quality compound feed meets the following characteristics:

• when pressed, the granules do not crumble;
• no dust in mix bag;
• color - dark green (saturated green indicates a high concentration of grass in the composition);
• High protein feeds are suitable for young stock at the initial stage, low protein feeds for broilers.

For better absorption of young animals, it is recommended to give combined feeds of fine grinding.

Types and composition of animal feed

At each stage of poultry development, the composition of the given compound feed changes. This parameter must be strictly controlled, since deviations up or down contribute to the occurrence of diseases.The volume of combined mixtures and the number of feedings also depend on the age of the chicks. Until the seventh day, the bird must eat at least eight times daily.

Then, until the second week, this figure is reduced to six. Until the 21st day, chickens are fed no more than four times. Shortly before slaughter, chicks eat no more than twice a day.

On the first day, no more than 15 grams of compound feed is given. Then every day this figure increases by about 5 grams. In the period from the 10th to the 17th day, 2 grams are added. Further, the amount of feed given out is increased by 10 grams every day. By day 30, chicks should be eating up to 120 grams of product at each feeding.

Compound feed is produced in the form of a mash and a dry mix. The first is issued ready-made according to the scheme described above (or recommended by the manufacturer). Milk or broth is preliminarily added to the dry mix in the proportion of 0.5 liters of liquid per kilogram of feed.

The type of compound feed also depends on the feeding method used:

1. Two-stage. This option provides for feeding with mixtures such as PC-5 and PC-6.
2. Three-stage. The most popular feeding method, which involves the use of mixtures of "Start", "Growth" and "Finish".

Two-step formulas cost about 500 rubles more than three-step formulas. Some manufacturers produce pre-launch feed. These mixtures are given out in the first days after the chicks hatch. Specialized ratings help you choose the best brand of a product. But when referring to such lists, it is necessary to take into account the above recommendations and requirements for dry food.

Start

The quality of the feed given out in the first few days directly affects how the chick will develop. The mixtures that the bird consumes during this period determine:

• chick bone formation success;
• features of the development of immunity;
• the nature of the development of the digestive tract.

In this regard, the starter pack should contain corn (36% of the composition), soybean meal (30%) and crushed wheat grains (21%). The quality product also includes rapeseed oil and cake (5.5%), corn gluten and molasses (2.5%).

The starter package is issued from the moment of birth until the 15th day (up to the 31st if two-stage feeding is used). This type of compound feed is produced in the form of small fraction granules (fine grinding). In addition to the above components, the composition of the feed should include soda with s alt, chalk, pork or chicken fat, phosphates and proteins. With the right composition, this food provides a daily weight gain of 30 grams.

Height

From the 14th to the 21st day, chickens are given mixtures that include wheat grains, soybean and sunflower cake, yeast and bone meal obtained from fish or animals. Also, these products should contain amino acids with minerals. The percentage of these components varies depending on the brand of the manufacturer. This is not considered a deviation from the norm and does not affect the nature of the development of the bird.

This composition provides a rapid increase in weight: daily chickens gain up to 50 grams. You can achieve a successful result if you give compound feed intended for the middle period of development three times a day in the amount of 85-115 grams.

Finish

Compound feed consisting of large granules is suitable for monthly chickens. The basis of the mixtures intended for this period are crushed wheat grains (at least 45% of the total volume).Additionally, products of this type contain corn (21%), soybean meal (16%), fish bone meal (6%), sunflower greens (5%), vegetable oil (3%).

The remaining 1% comes from limestone flour, mineral and vitamin complexes, s alt. During this period, with such feeding, broilers daily gain more than 50 grams with two meals a day. In 20 days, the weight of chickens should increase by 1 kilogram. With properly selected nutrition, the weight of broilers after the fifth week exceeds 2 kilograms. But in order to achieve this figure, each chicken has to give out 3.3 kilograms of dry mix.

Which feed is best for broilers and how much does it cost

The type of compound feed is selected taking into account the nature of feeding and the purposes for which such a mixture is introduced. The cost of the product depends on both the brand and the period of development of the chickens. The starting mixture, which provides optimal growth in the first days of life, is sold at a price of 1.35-1.4 thousand rubles per 40 kilograms.Compound feed for the active development phase, which begins in the fourth week, will cost 1.1 thousand rubles. Large broilers are given compound feed, estimated at 1,000 rubles.

Purina, Schedra Niva, Rozovka and Provimi stand out among the best brands of dry mix producers.

How to cook compound feed yourself

To make compound feed with your own hands, you will need the following ingredients (weight in grams):

• corn (260);
• wheat (150);
• sunflower greens (120);
• barley and fish bone meal (100 each);
• meal from animal bones (80);
• premix and feed fat (20 each);
• chopped grass and shells (40 each);
• sunflower oil and yeast (30 each);
• fodder chalk (10).

The indicated components must be mixed. To do this, it is recommended to use a drill with a suitable nozzle. Then the mixture must be passed through a granulator or crushed in another convenient way. At the end of the procedure, the composition should be infused for 10 minutes.

This recipe is suitable for both newly hatched chicks and broilers.

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