Characteristics and application features of grain feed in poultry diets

• Starch in grain feed — up to 70%
• Protein in grain legumes — 18–25%
• Crude protein in peas — 21%
• Husk content in small oats — up to 40%
• Wheat bran share in the diet — 10–15%
• Fodder lupine application rate for chickens — 10–20 g/head

Grain feed forms the basis of the poultry diet and serves as the main source of energy. Grain quality directly depends on growing conditions, cultivar, and the region of cultivation. To obtain balanced feed, the grain base must be supplemented with animal-derived protein supplements, minerals, vitamins, and synthetic amino acids.

Nutritional value of cereals and grain legumes

Corn outperforms other cereals in energy value and crude protein content. It has a minimal amount of fiber — six times less than in oats. Yellow corn cultivars are rich in carotene, whereas it is absent in white grain. Crushed and ground corn is used as a basis for rearing young meat-type birds and poultry fattening.

Wheat and barley also determine the nutritional value of poultry feed. Non-food grade wheat is incorporated into flour mixtures or crushed into grits, the size of which is selected according to the age of the livestock. The value of barley depends directly on the plumpness of the grain and the percentage of husks. Millet and foxtail millet are given to poultry in a cleaned state, freeing the grain from husks for feeding to young birds.

Oats and sorghum require attention to detail during dosing. Shriveled oat grain contains too many husks, which reduce its overall nutritional value, so young birds are given oats only without husks. Sorghum is not inferior to wheat and barley in terms of protein, which makes it an excellent alternative in regions with stable harvests of this crop. Buckwheat is fed to poultry in the form of flour and cereal waste.

Grain legumes compensate for the deficiency of plant protein in diets. Soy protein is the most complete in terms of amino acids. Peas and faba beans serve as a good addition to the cereal group. Trials have shown that chickpea meal can partially replace meat and bone meal when rearing chickens, if the diet is balanced with a methionine supplement. Lupin is introduced into feed mixtures for productive hens along with animal proteins.

Use of by-products and processing waste

Oilseed cakes and meals oilseed crops serve as a source of high-quality plant fat and protein. Soybean cake and meal can completely replace animal-derived protein if the diet is balanced for energy, vitamins, and amino acids. Sunflower cake is given in a dry ground form, replacing up to half the volume of animal feed. Linseed cake is not only nutritious but also improves appetite and stimulates poultry digestion.

Wheat bran of medium grind is included in almost all compound feed formulations. Grain waste is used with caution, as its composition is unstable and ranges from valuable grain to empty husks. The application rate of waste is determined strictly by the age of the poultry after a preliminary assessment of the raw material quality.

Cottonseed meal can serve as good feed for poultry provided that the gossypol content in it does not exceed the standard limit.

Corn gluten meal. It is obtained by extracting fat from corn germs using organic solvents. It contains somewhat less protein than meal from oilseed crops. It is introduced into the diet with the addition of animal feed and other cakes and meals.

Yeast serves as a source of B-group vitamins and easily digestible protein for young and adult poultry of all types. It is especially desirable to feed it to breeding poultry, as the vitamins D and B-group contained in yeast have a positive effect on egg hatchability.

Experiments by the All-Union Scientific Research and Technological Institute of Poultry Farming have shown the possibility of using products of microbiological synthesis as a source of protein — fodder yeast (BVK), obtained on high-purity liquid n-paraffins and petroleum distillates with a content of no more than 0.2% residual hydrocarbons. In compound feed for laying hens, BVK is introduced in an amount of 5%, for broilers — 7—9%, and for ducks and geese — 10—12%. Bacterial biomass obtained from natural gas (BPZ) contains about 65% crude protein, as well as vitamins B1 and B2. In experiments, 10% bacterial biomass was included in dry compound feed for laying hens. Work is underway on the microbiological synthesis of other protein feeds for poultry.

Synthetic amino acids. Some rations are noted to be deficient in essential amino acids, especially methionine, lysine, and tryptophan. When formulating rations, one must consider the possibility of using synthetic amino acids, primarily methionine and lysine, which are produced as commercial preparations, as well as tryptophan. Incorporating these amino acids into compound feed is considered appropriate if their levels are lower than the requirements for standardized feeding, as well as in cases where their use makes feeding more cost-effective and allows for the conservation of concentrated animal-based feed. The efficiency of amino acid usage is increased when they are introduced into rations as a complex, especially during periods of rapid growth and high egg production in poultry.

Vitamin preparations. The industry produces vitamin preparations; in solution, they are added to wet mashes, while dry forms are included in compound feed. Given that vitamin supplements represent a very small portion of the total feed mass, premixes are prepared, which are a mixture of vitamins, trace elements, synthetic amino acids, and antibiotics with one of the feed ingredients. In compound feed manufacturing technology, premixes are used alongside other feedstuffs.

Phosphatides are a byproduct obtained at oil mills during the production of vegetable oil. They are rich in fatty acids and contain certain trace elements and fat-soluble vitamins. Phosphatide concentrate consists of about 45—50% phosphatides, 52—48% oil, and 2—3% water. Its use in raising meat-type young livestock increases weight gain.

Chlorella is a dry additive for compound feed containing over 50% crude protein. Chlorella is grown in special basins and subjected to artificial drying.

Hydrolysin is a preparation produced by the industry that contains a number of essential amino acids and contributes to an increase in carcass weight and grade.

Molasses is a byproduct obtained in the sugar industry. Due to its sugar content of up to 50%, it serves as a good source of easily digestible carbohydrates and is used in poultry fattening. Molasses is used in the manufacturing of pelleted feed.

Animal-based feed serves as a source of complete protein and, in part, vitamins. In addition, they are rich in mineral substances.

Meat and bone meal contains 50% or more crude protein. The quality of meat and bone meal depends on the quality of the raw material and the technological processing method.

Fish meal is a valuable protein feed. It contains 50% or more crude protein. The quality of fish meal varies depending on the raw materials used and preparation methods, as well as fat content.

Feather meal is a concentrated feed rich in complete protein. It is prepared from feathers not used for down and feather products. It enriches the ration with cystine and methionine.

Technical animal fat is used to increase the caloric density of rations. The fat is produced at meat processing plants from non-food raw materials in semi-liquid form or as a dry powder. To prevent spoilage, the fat is stabilized during production. The quality of meat and bone meal, fish meal, and animal fat must comply with the State Standard for these feeds.

Milk is a good feed for poultry of all types and ages. Usually, skimmed milk (skim), whey, or buttermilk are used. It is preferable to provide milk in a soured form. It is fed primarily to chicks and poults up to 20—30 days of age.

Whey is rich in B-group vitamins and sugar. It can be fed to adult poultry ad libitum. Buttermilk does not differ in protein content from skimmed milk, but it contains 2—3 times more fat. Fat in buttermilk can become rancid, so it is used only in its fresh form.

Green fodder is an indispensable source of essential nutrients. The best green fodder is young grass, mainly alfalfa, as well as clover during the budding stage. 1 kg of green fodder contains 70—90 mcg of carotene, which fully meets the poultry's requirement for it.

Grass meal is a very valuable feed for poultry. It is prepared from green plants using special dryers. 1 kg of grass meal contains 140—150 mcg of carotene. In our country, the production of grass meal is expanding to meet the needs of the compound feed industry.

Forage kale. In August, when forage kale plants reach 1—1.2 m in height, 4—5 lower leaves are broken off for poultry feed. With the onset of frost, the plants are cut and stacked in piles 1—1.2 m high. They are well preserved under the snow.

For waterfowl, especially ducks, soft aquatic vegetation can be used: pondweed, hornwort, duckweed, and elodea. These plants contain 1.3—2.0% protein, 4—5% nitrogen-free extractives, 6—8% mineral substances, and plenty of carotene. In logging areas, tree leaves and needles serve as good green fodder. 1 kg of needle meal contains 90—120 mcg of carotene.

Red carrot is the richest source of carotene. 1 kg of red carrot contains 50—100 mcg or more of carotene.

Vitamin-rich pumpkin is a good source of carotene; it is fed chopped or cut in half.

Potato is rich in carbohydrates; it can partially replace grain. It is given to chicks, poults, and ducklings from the 10th day of life.

Silage. Silage is prepared from highly nutritious and carotene-rich plants: clover, alfalfa, etc. Leguminous grasses are ensiled at the budding stage.

Mineral feed. Sea shells, river shells, limestone, well-slaked lime, and chalk are used as sources of calcium.

Tricalcium phosphate, manufactured by heat treatment of phosphorites, contains about 32% calcium and 15% phosphorus. Sufficiently detoxified by the removal of excess fluorine, it is used as top dressing in poultry farming.

Calcareous tuff is a sedimentary rock rich in calcium.

Wood ash can be included in farm diets to supplement them with calcium and phosphorus. The calcium content in ash is approximately half that of shells. According to O. I. Maslieva, chickens can be given 12 g of ash per day.

Bone meal is used as a source of phosphorus and calcium. Table salt is used to provide sodium for poultry. It is included in the diet at up to 1%.

Micronutrients (compounds of manganese, cobalt, iodine, iron, copper, and zinc) are introduced into the composition of compound feed. Micronutrient supplements are especially effective in areas with a deficiency of these substances in the soil and feed.

Gravel is necessary for poultry to grind food in the muscular stomach. It is usually included in the diet at a rate of about 1%, mixed into the flour mixture. In addition, it is provided separately in feeders. The particle size ranges from millet to vetch seed, depending on the age of the bird.

Compound feed. In pedigree and commercial poultry farming, compound feed is the primary feed. Its use makes it possible to increase the productivity of the poultry and reduce production costs.

Compound feed is manufactured by the industry, as well as at inter-farm associations. Its recipes are refined for different regions of the country, and all production processes are mechanized. The composition of compound feed includes:

• grain, oilseed cakes, oilseed meals;
• fish meal, meat-and-bone meal, grass meal;
• macro- and micronutrients;
• vitamin preparations, synthetic amino acids, antibiotics.

To prevent oxidation and degradation of fat-soluble vitamins and to preserve the quality of fats, stabilizers or antioxidants in the form of chemical substances are added to the compound feed. In some countries, medicinal substances are included in the compound feed for the prevention of coccidiosis and other diseases.

The industry produces loose and pelleted compound feed. Poultry eat loose compound feed according to their appetite from constantly filled feeders. This method of feeding, being the primary one for adult chickens and turkeys, allows for a certain degree of individual feeding of poultry in group housing. Chickens and turkeys that lay more eggs than other birds usually have an increased appetite. As a result of using complete-ration compound feed, these birds fully cover their nutritional requirements.

Pelleting is part of the production process for preparing compound feed and is fully mechanized. Feeding such compound feed reduces spillage by the birds and prevents them from selecting only individual particles. Feeding with dry compound feed boils down to the timely filling of auto-feeders or mechanized distribution systems. Feeding 10 thousand or more birds takes only a few minutes, while sanitary conditions are improved.

The industry manufactures compound feed for different species and age groups of poultry. In addition to complete-ration compound feed, concentrate compound feed with high protein, vitamin, and mineral content is produced. Concentrate compound feed can also be prepared on the farm if it has its own feed base. These compound feeds are calculated in terms of nutrition so that, in combination with grain, a balanced diet for the birds is ensured.

The industry also produces protein-vitamin (PVS) and protein-vitamin-mineral (PVMS) supplements, which are included in the diet of local feed to improve its nutritional value.

Preparation of feed. Due to the fact that the production of eggs and meat on collective and state farms, as well as in private household plots, is carried out not only by feeding compound feed but also when it proves economically efficient using such feed as potatoes, root crops, greens, and others, it is necessary to ensure their preparation for the poultry. Appropriate feed processing improves its taste, increases nutrient absorption, makes it more visually appealing, and in some cases serves as a preventive measure against possible diseases. For example, screening out the sharp husks of grains protects young birds in the first period of their life from gastrointestinal diseases.

Yeast has long been used in poultry farming. Dry yeast is included in compound feed, while compressed yeast is pre-diluted with warm water or milk before being mixed with flour. Feed can be fermented in various ways. For instance, the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of the Poultry Processing Industry has proposed the following method for feed fermentation. For every kilogram of flour mixture made from grain concentrates, 1.5 liters of water and 4—5 g of baker's yeast, well-mixed in water, are added. The yeast mass is left for 6—9 hours and stirred several times. The air temperature in the room for fermentation should be about 20°С. It is not recommended to use the starter culture more than 5—6 times in a row to avoid the development of putrefactive bacteria in the fermenting feed. Mineral feeds are added to the mixture after fermentation.

The vitamin qualities of carrots are well preserved when salted. The carrots are washed, placed in vats, and covered with salted water. For every 100 liters of water, 3—4 kg of salt are used. As the brine is absorbed, salt water is topped up so that the carrots are always covered by it. For the winter, the vats are insulated (buried in the ground, covered with straw, hay, or other material). You can salt sliced carrots, but they must be fresh and clean. When feeding salted carrots, salt is excluded from the diet. Carrots are also salted after being pre-shredded in a silage cutter, which increases the capacity of the vats. In this case, the salt consumption is 4% of the carrot weight. Before feeding, it is shredded.

Green fodder is usually chopped; for young livestock, the cut should be finer than for adult poultry. Root crops and tubers are chopped or crushed before feeding. For chicks, ducklings, goslings, and poults, root crops are passed through a meat grinder or crusher and fed with a flour mixture.