How to Produce Your Own Chicken Feeds: The Best Formula

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Chicken feed accounts for more than 80% of the cost of poultry production. Right now, the increasing cost of feeds is driving many poultry farmers out of business. Making your own feeds would cut down costs while increasing the profit margin of your poultry farming.

Today, I'm going to show you how to make your own chicken feed.


 Success in the poultry farming business mostly depends on feeding quality feed and feed formulation system. For proper growth, egg production and good health, poultry birds require energy. In order to obtain the desired growth rate, you must have to purchase and provide highly nutritious poultry feed. Except for adequate and quality feeding, you can’t run your business properly.

Also Read: How to start profitable poultry farming and make millions

As a poultry farmer, you should always produce and sell fresh and healthy birds and quality eggs. For producing quality eggs and meat you have to feed your birds quality feed. This will also help to get maximum returns from your poultry farming business.

  Also read: Mistakes to avoid if you want to succeed in poultry farming

If you are planning or you are already into poultry farming and you wish to hit it big, then your poultry birds feeding is something you should take very seriously. Some farmers are now reducing feed rations served to their birds due to the high cost of feeds. Some of the feeds out there are adulterated. 
 
As a result, many poultry farmers in different parts of the country want to know how they can make their own feeds in order to cut down costs of production.

Feeds account for more than 80% of production costs. A farmer who manages to bring down this cost to about 60 to 50% will make good returns in the poultry business.

 In the past, conventional thinking has been that farmers cannot make their own feeds, and especially to feed foreign breeds of chickens. But I came to understand that this mindset has constrained efforts of the more enterprising farmers who have the needed skills to make their own feeds.


 In fact, some farmers are already formulating their own high quality feeds on the farm and do not rely on commercial feeds whose cost keep rising every day. Besides, the quality of some feeds is so poor that poultry farmers using such feeds incur unnecessarily huge losses. 

Farmers who formulate and make their own feeds at home or farm save an average of ₦1000 for every 50kg bag of chicken feed, which is a great save for those doing commercial production.

Now I'm going to show you how to make your own feeds and cut down production costs.


 Formulating  broiler feed


Broilers have different feed requirements in terms of energy, proteins, and minerals during different stages of their growth.Therefore, 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 require high protein content in their starter rations than in the grower and finisher rations. Broilers should have a feed that has between 22 – 24% digestible crude protein, DCP.

The following guidelines can help the farmer to make the right feed at each stage of growth:

 Formula for 100kg of Broiler starter feed  (1-4 weeks)
  • 57.2kg of whole maize
  • 17.2kg of fishmeal
  • 20kg of soya bean meal
  • 5.8kg of lime
  • 140g of premix (e.g Vit and minerals, toxin binder, and growth enhancers)
Amino acids to add
  •  70g of lysine
  •  70g of threonine

Formula for 100kg of Broiler finisher feed (>4weeks)

Option 1
  •  Maize                     44Kg
  • Soybean Full Fat    34Kg
  • Groundnut Cake    2kg
  • Brewer Dry Grain  12Kg
  • Maize Offal             4kg
  • Bone Meal              3Kg
  • Methionine               0.25Kg or 250 grams
  • Lysine                        0.25Kg or 250 grams
  • Vitamin/Mineral Premix   0.25kg or 250 grams
  • Salt                            0.25Kg or 250 grams
 You should add 10-20grams each of toxin binder, coccidiostat and growth enhancers like zinc bacitracin.


The above feed formula contain metabolisable energy of Kcal/Kg=3038.80, calcium content of 1.19% and crude protein of 21.05%.

Option 2
  • 14.5kg of whole maize
  • 24kg of maize germ
  • 19kg of wheat pollard
  • 14.4kg wheat bran
  • 16kg of beniseed meal, groundnut cake, linseed meal, or cotton seed meal.
  • 2.2kg of fishmeal
  • 2.8kg of lime
  • 5kg of soya meal
  • 90g of bone meal
  • 20g of grower premix
  • 30g of salt
  • 10g of coccidiostat 
  •  10g of Zinc bacitracin

Formulating Layers' feed

  

Formula for 100kg of layers' chick mash (1-4 weeks)

Since the chicks are growing, chicks require feed with Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) of between 18 to 20%. 

Amino acids are important nutrients 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 100kg bag of layer chick mash:
  • 46kg of whole maize
  • 13kg of wheat bran,
  • 10kg of wheat pollard,
  • 25kg of sunflower meal,linseed meal, beniseed meal or groundnut cake
  • 2.6 kg of fishmeal
  • 2.5 kg of lime
  • 70g of salt
  • 40g of premix
Amino acids to be added
  • 140g of tryptophan
  • 20g of lysine
  • 20g of methionine
  • 140 g of threonine
  • 100g of enzymes or growth enhancers
  • 120g of coccidiostat
  • 100g of toxin binder


Formula for 100kg of layers' grower mash (4-18weeks)


it is very necessary that pullets should be provided with a feed having a protein content of between 16 and 18%. Such feed makes the pullet to grow fast and prepare for egg laying.

The following ingredients can be used to make a 100kg bag of layer grower's mash:

  • 14.3kg of whole maize
  • 24.3kg of maize germ
  • 18.6kg of wheat pollar
  • 14.3kg of wheat bran
  • 15.7kg of sunflower cake, groundnut cake or beniseed meal.
  • 4.9kg of soya meal or soya cake
  • 2.9kg of lime
  • 1kg of bone meal
  • 4.3kg of fishmeal
  •  40g of salt
  •  5g of coccidiostat
  • 30g of Pre-mix
  • 5g of zinc bacitracin
  •  10g of toxin binder.

Formula for 100kg of layers' mash (18weeks and above)


Note:  Layers’ feed should never be fed to chickens younger than 18 weeks as it contains high calcium content that can damage their kidneys (they can develop kidney stones), which interfere with egg production and also shorten their lifespan. 


  Alternatively, you can start feeding your birds with layers mash when they start laying 5% of their total number.

The following ingredients can be used to make 100kg bag of layer mash

OPTION 1
  • 48.5kg of whole maize
  • 17kg of Soya
  • 11kg of fishmeal
  • 14kg of maize bran, rice germ or wheat bran
  • 9.5kg of lime
  • 200g premix or growth or egg production enhancers
Amino acids to be added
  • 100g lysine
  • 50g methionine
  • 100kg threonine
  • 50g tryptophan
  • 75g toxin binder

OPTION 2


59kg   Maize grains
20kg  Soybean meal
6Kg  Groundnut cake
4kg  Rice Bran or wheat offals
5kg  Bone meal
5kg  Limestone
200g of Methionine
200g of Lysine
200g of Vitamin and mineral Premix
200g of Salt
100g of Toxin binder
100g of Layers mix

Total=100kg

You may choose to add other additives for a better result if you want (like coccidiostat and other drug feed additives) but if you administer drugs you may not need to add.
Note: Layer feed should contain a Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) content of between 16-18%. 

Calcium is important for the formation of eggshells (Laying hens that do not get enough calcium will use the calcium stored in their own bone tissue to produce eggshells which will lead to lameness). Layer feed should be introduced at 18 weeks.



 Important tips on feed preparation

  • When making home made feed rations, it is important to do experimental trials. Isolate a number of chickens, feed them and observing their performance. If the feed rations are right, the broilers will grow fast and the layers 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. Poultry, especially chickens are very sensitive to feeds that contain mycotoxins which are present in most of the raw materials. Never use rotten maize to make chicken feed.
  • Buy quality fishmeal from reputable companies. If local fish meal is used, you must be sure of its quality.
  • It is very important to mix all the micronutrients (amino acids) and premix first before mixing with the rest of the feed.
  • For mixing, farmers are advised to use a drum mixer (many welding artisans can make one). I will not advise using a shovel to mix feed because the ingredients may be unevenly distributed if you didn't mix properly. Use a mechanical mixer instead.
 
Drum mixer for small to medium scale

  • Never use rotten ingredients to make feed. Rotten materials might contain mycotoxins which are harmful to poultry health.
  • Small scale farmers in coperatives or in same location can contribute money together to buy feed ingredients in large quantities. This is because when you buy ingredients like maize in large quantity cost price reduces. They bcan also pull funds together to buy locally fabricated feedmill machines.
Note: To improve on the feed quality, farmers making their own poultry feeds should always have it tested to ensure the feed is well balanced. You can take your feed samples to agro-allied laboratories for testing to ensure the feeds are balanced nutritionally.

Are you having problems producing your own poultry feed or already producing poultry feeds by yourself? Please tell us using the comment box. We love comments.


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82 comments:

  1. Enter your comment...how can

    I get the stage of the feed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Im Donaldson Prempeh from Ghana. My birds have been laying for the past 2 months now they are in their 25 weeks now but their Eggs still smaller. I prepare feed myself. Please what should I mix with the feed to get bigger eggs?

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    2. I don't even know the formula you are using.. However you may need to give them eggbooster or add more amino acids into there feeds

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    3. I am interested in doing into feed processing business. how do we connect?

      Delete
    4. eggs are bigger from more mature hens.

      Delete
  2. I mean very hard to come by

    ReplyDelete
  3. How does one get the raw materials for the feed? Which market in Lagos can I get them cheaper?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. look out for a market where they sell feeding stuffs

      Delete
    2. Available here in Ibadan. Cheaper to that of Lagos

      Delete
    3. Around where in IBADAN???
      SIR/MA. . . . .

      Delete
    4. Pls where can we get the materials cos we don't know any available market around here

      Delete
  4. This is a beautiful article mr eze, please how do I get in contact with you, I'm extremely interested in this feed business... Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I'm interested in the business too. Let put head together an start this and look how we can get the material and get things done. Thanks for your understanding. From Joseph please contact my email we can exchange contact through there thanks

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  5. This is a article mr eze, very nice please how do I get in contact with you, I'm extremely interested in this feed business... Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Look above for "Contact Us" Or click here http://agribusinesscoach.com/p/blog-page.html

      Delete
  6. How does someone get the raw materials for the feed? Which market in Lagos can I get them cheaper?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mr. Eze, this article. And for those asking where to get raw materials, you may contact me. I could source for raw materials for you since I am here in the north.

      Delete
  7. i want to start my own business how can i get this book of feed formula

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pls I need more explanation on the raw materials and mixing formula

    ReplyDelete
  10. Can anyone help me out with boiler finisher feed formula.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gud day Sir pls how can I get raw materials to produce my feed

    ReplyDelete
  12. Very informative, thank you. But im not sure what kind of lime is that to be used. Is it limestone or something else?

    Also fishmeal..? I'm closed😂😂

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please, have try everywhere in Lagos I don't know where to get some of the raw materials. Pls help out.....ur student

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go and ask feed distributors they can guide you to where you can buy feed ingredients

      Delete
  14. I still want to lean more on feed fomulation,especilly the layers mush.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is very educating
    Ples I need more information and guidance on how to get the rew materias for production in I nasarawa statement

    ReplyDelete
  16. U did not tell us how to know calculate by yourself to know the required kg for any ingredient

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good formula for me also every one can learning more about poultry farmimg and feed formulation here https://www.poultry1.com

      Delete
  17. Hi,
    I need broiler feed formulation for
    pakistan it's possible,
    The most popular crops are Maize,Rice,wheat,cotton and oil seeds sunflower, conala.
    Soya can import from other countries.
    I need your help for b

    ReplyDelete
  18. Do you have a well trained feed mill manager?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ineed somebody to me some of this cause I cannot complete own

    ReplyDelete
  20. Am in Ghana, I need a suitable feed formula for broiler, I just want to start, I'm done with the structure but the feed is my headache now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Informative I must say.. Thank u sir

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow,I’m blow away by the info. I’ve been learning from utube videos mainly persons from Africa . Because of the climate. Thank you for your information will put it to great use. Just need to figure out all I need and how to get them to Jamaica.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good lesson Mr Eze. In my country we have carcas meal instead if fish meal and also beans not soya so i want to know can i use the same quanties to replace thos raw materials that i cannot find here

    ReplyDelete
  24. I hope I will learn more from you

    ReplyDelete
  25. Enter your comment...please how can i calculate the DPC and carbohidrate content in feeds,is there a formula

    ReplyDelete
  26. An interesting lecture, more grease to your elbow.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hello Mr eze.am a newbie in making feeds. I love to be guided on how to start doing self milling

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pls where can i get, the following materials to purchase,I am in Benin...Orego,toxin binder, supperlife, full enzyme. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  29. Quite helpful we still more guidance from zim thanks continue educating pple as africans we can do it

    ReplyDelete
  30. Nice directions on feed formulation, I got the message perfectly, hoping to be part of the business soon, to stop spending much on feed. Thanks sir.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Concerning the maize ingredient, should the farmer use yellow maize or white maize?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any type of maize would do but yellow maize is the best

      Delete
    2. The soya bens should it be roasted or it should be use raw like that

      Delete
  32. Am just going through your journals. Is highly inspiring. Many thanks sir.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Where can I buy the raw materials for feed production.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you very much for putting down this information here , I look forward to start formulating my own feed .

    ReplyDelete
  35. Good afternoon, please I want to go into feed production, please how can I get to you on WhatsApp, this is my WhatsApp number 09050950091 thank you sir

    ReplyDelete
  36. Formula for preparing day old layer feed. Am in ghana

    ReplyDelete
  37. what is the metabolizable energy of the raw materials in Kcal/Kg

    ReplyDelete
  38. good day mr eze my question is.. is your formulation of feeds as i have seen option 1 and 2 are ready to feed right after mixing all this stuff or storing it or something? thank you

    ReplyDelete
  39. I am Husain yunusa Haruna a small farmer I have been trying and I make if but the birds are not growing fast I don't know where the problem it is?

    ReplyDelete
  40. s il plais j aimerais avoir une formation sur des aliments des animaux ( volaille )

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am Godwin from cross river state I want to go into commercial production of the feeder were I get all the materials and machine involved

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi
    Thankl you for sharing this info.
    I am James from Uganda.What are maize offals?

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you Mr Eze, very informative blog. I am from South Africa and would like to start my feed milling business

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thank you sir

    Will be trying the layers mash this week and isolating a few birds to see if they will do well.
    I can't wait to give an update of how my birds performed

    From Zimbabwe

    ReplyDelete
  45. This was really helpful and I would like to know if you have any course in regard to this matter or any other I can contact you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Are you tired of that health condition that takes alot of money from you?

    Do you want a *Life changes solutions* to that health issue?

    Are you tired of visiting the hospital and spending unnecessarily on medications?

    If your answer to the above questions is YES, you can call, text or WhatsApp me now on *0803 234 6413*

    *_You will testify of the efficacy of what am about introducing to you_*

    You can join the group if you want to know


    https://chat.whatsapp.com/FgPIRGtHGMb8xUjh9zwigI

    ReplyDelete
  47. Please in which shop can I get those chemicals and additives.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Goodday All,

    Very urgently, please how much is fish meal 3kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg

    ReplyDelete
  49. This could help than always buying the feed from the shops

    ReplyDelete
  50. Where amino acids and other vitamins and other salts are available ? In which shops ?

    ReplyDelete
  51. I just want to start farming business so I need a trusted person who can lead me into in... here is my WhatsApp number 08143199936 I will so glad to hear from you,

    ReplyDelete
  52. Pls what's the difference between maize bran and maize offal?

    ReplyDelete
  53. L am very pleased on your article, please can you you linnk me up with your WhatsApp number so that we can chat for business thanks and God bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  54. helpful tips so far, could you please link me up to the whatsApp group. my number is +265888208811

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hello!
    I had really appreciate your efforts, but sir, I'm a new poultry farmer who wanted to try crossbreeding between local breed and foreign breeds of poultry birds, I need to know the type of feeds will best be applicable to the birds. Your response will be vital for me.Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Very good information, thanks you very much Mr Eze.

    ReplyDelete

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