1、 Egg chicken feed ratio
(1) The brooding period (0-6 weeks of age) is a critical period for the growth and development of laying hens. During this stage, chickens grow rapidly and have a high demand for nutrients, especially protein. Protein is an important component of the body's tissues and organs, as well as a raw material for biologically active substances such as synthesis enzymes and hormones. It is crucial for the growth and development of chicks. Therefore, the protein content in the feed during the chick rearing period should reach 20% -22%. Meanwhile, energy is also essential for the growth of chicks, with a metabolic energy of 2900-3000 kcal per kilogram of feed. In addition, calcium and phosphorus are important components for bone development, with a calcium content of 0.9% -1.0% and a phosphorus content of 0.45% -0.5%. Moderate amounts of vitamins and minerals are also essential, such as vitamins A, D, E, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper, which participate in various physiological functions of the body and contribute to the healthy growth of chicks.
(2) During the incubation period (7-18 weeks of age), as chickens enter the incubation period, their protein demand decreases compared to the chick rearing period. However, it is still necessary to ensure sufficient protein supply to support their growth and development, and the protein content can be adjusted to 15% -17%. The energy demand also varies slightly, with a metabolic energy of 2800-2900 kcal per kilogram of feed. The calcium content is 0.8% -0.9%, and the phosphorus content is 0.35% -0.4%. Continue to add appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals to meet the growth needs of chickens, promote the normal development of their bones, muscles, and other organs, and prepare for the subsequent egg laying period.
(3) The egg laying period (19 weeks and above) is a critical stage for the production performance of laying hens, which require a large amount of nutrition to support egg production. The protein content should be increased to 16% -18% to meet the needs of egg yolk and protein synthesis. The energy demand also increases accordingly, with a metabolic energy of 2800-2900 kcal per kilogram of feed. The calcium content needs to be significantly increased to reach 3.5% -4.0%, as eggshells are mainly composed of calcium. Adequate calcium supply can help improve the quality of eggshells and reduce egg breakage rates. The phosphorus content is maintained at 0.35% -0.4%. In addition, the addition of vitamin D is particularly important as it can promote the absorption and utilization of calcium. Other vitamins such as vitamin A and E, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper, should also be added in moderation to maintain the normal physiological function and egg laying performance of chickens.
2、 Feed ratio for broiler chickens
(1) The growth rate of broiler chickens during the brooding period (0-3 weeks old) is relatively fast, and high protein feed is also needed to support their rapid growth during the brooding period, with a protein content of 20% -22%. The energy demand is also high, with a metabolic energy of 3000-3100 kcal per kilogram of feed. The calcium content is 0.9% -1.0%, and the phosphorus content is 0.45% -0.5%. The addition of vitamins and minerals is similar to the rearing period of laying hens, to meet the growth needs of chicks, promote the development of their bones, muscles and other organs, and lay the foundation for rapid growth in the future.
(2) During the growth period (4-6 weeks of age), the growth rate of broiler chickens is still relatively fast, but the demand for protein is slightly reduced, and the protein content can be adjusted to 18% -20%. The energy demand has increased, with a metabolic energy of 3100-3200 kcal per kilogram of feed. The calcium content is 0.8% -0.9%, and the phosphorus content is 0.4% -0.45%. Continue to add appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals to meet the growth needs of chickens, promote muscle and bone development, improve growth rate and feed utilization efficiency.
(3) During the fattening period (7 weeks and above), the growth rate of broiler chickens further accelerates, mainly focusing on muscle growth. The protein content can be adjusted to 16% -18% to meet the needs of muscle growth. The energy demand has further increased, with a metabolic energy of 3200-3300 kcal per kilogram of feed. The calcium content is maintained at 0.8% -0.9%, and the phosphorus content is 0.35% -0.4%. The addition of vitamin E and selenium is particularly important as they have antioxidant properties, enhance chicken immunity, and improve meat quality. At the same time, continue to add appropriate amounts of other vitamins such as vitamin A and D, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper, to maintain the normal physiological functions and growth performance of the chicken.
3、 Precautions for feed ratio
(1) The selection of high-quality raw materials is the foundation for ensuring the quality of feed. Common raw materials include corn, soybean meal, fish meal, stone meal, etc. Corn is the main source of energy, and high-quality corn with plump grains and no mold should be selected; Soybean meal is the main source of plant-based protein, with high protein content and balanced amino acids. Therefore, soybean meal with bright color and no odor should be selected; Fish meal is a good source of animal protein, rich in essential amino acids and trace elements, but relatively expensive. Therefore, reliable quality fish meal should be selected to avoid the use of adulterated or spoiled products; Stone powder is mainly used to provide calcium source, and high-purity and impurity free stone powder should be selected. In addition, premix contains various vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, which can supplement the nutrients lacking in feed. High quality premix that meets national standards should be selected. In short, it is necessary to strictly control the quality of raw materials and avoid using moldy and spoiled materials to avoid affecting the health and production performance of chickens.
(2) Ensuring the balance of nutrients in feed is key to improving chicken production performance. Nutrients such as protein, energy, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, and minerals are interrelated and influence each other. For example, excessive protein and insufficient energy can lead to slow growth and feed waste in chickens; Excessive calcium and insufficient phosphorus or imbalanced calcium phosphorus ratio can affect bone development and lead to bone diseases; Vitamin deficiency can cause various metabolic disorders and diseases. Therefore, when preparing feed, it is necessary to adjust the proportion of various nutrients reasonably according to the breed, growth stage, and production goals of the chicken to ensure nutritional balance. At the same time, attention should be paid to the balance of amino acids, especially the supply of essential amino acids such as lysine and methionine, which are limiting amino acids. Lack of them can affect the growth and production performance of chickens.
(3) Feed processing technology has a significant impact on the quality and palatability of feed. Common processing techniques include crushing, mixing, granulation, etc. Crushing can break raw materials into smaller particles, increase their surface area, and facilitate the release, digestion, and absorption of nutrients; Mixing is the process of evenly mixing various raw materials together to ensure that the nutrients in the feed are evenly distributed, avoiding picky eating or nutrient deficiency in chickens due to uneven nutrient distribution; Granulation is the process of making mixed feed into granules, which have the advantages of small volume, easy storage and transportation, as well as increasing chicken feed intake and feed utilization efficiency, reducing feed waste. During the processing, attention should be paid to controlling the particle size, mixing uniformity, and granulation quality to ensure the quality and palatability of the feed.
(4) Reasonable feed management is an important link in ensuring feed quality. Firstly, it is necessary to regularly inspect the quality of the feed, observe the color, odor, and texture of the feed, and promptly detect whether the feed is moldy, spoiled, or damp. Moldy and spoiled feed contains a large amount of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and zearalenone, which can cause damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys of chickens, affecting their health and production performance, and even leading to death. Therefore, once the feed is found to be moldy and spoiled, it should be immediately stopped from use and corresponding measures should be taken for disposal. Secondly, feed should be stored reasonably to avoid moisture, mold, and spoilage. Feed should be stored in a dry, ventilated, and cool environment, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures and humidity. At the same time, attention should be paid to the shelf life of the feed, and feed should be used within the shelf life as much as possible to ensure the nutritional content and quality of the feed.
4. The following are several common feed reference formulas for reference by breeders
laying hens during their chick rearing period
Formula 1
•Corn: 60%
• Function: Provides the main source of energy, corn has good palatability and high energy density.
•Soybean meal: 30%
• Function: Soybean meal is a high-quality source of plant protein with high protein content and balanced amino acids, which can meet the protein needs of chicks.
•Fish meal: 5%
• Function: Fish meal is rich in animal protein and various essential amino acids, especially methionine and lysine, which help improve the growth rate and immunity of chicks.
•Stone powder: 2%
•Function: Provides a source of calcium and promotes bone development.
•Pre mixed material: 3%
•Function: The premix contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, which can supplement the nutrients lacking in the feed and ensure the nutritional balance of the chicks.
Formula 2
•Corn: 58%
• Function: Provide the main source of energy.
• Soybean meal: 32%
• Function: Provides high-quality protein to meet the growth needs of chicks.
•Fish meal: 4%
•Function: Supplement animal protein and improve the nutritional value of feed.
• Calcium hydrogen phosphate: 3%
•Function: Provides calcium and phosphorus, promotes bone development.
•Pre mixed material: 3%
•Function: Supplement vitamins and minerals, enhance the immunity of chicks.
Formula 3
•Corn: 55%
• Function: Provide the main source of energy.
• Soybean meal: 35%
•Function: Provide high-quality protein to meet the growth needs of chicks.
•Fish meal: 5%
•Function: Supplement animal protein and improve the nutritional value of feed.
•Stone powder: 2%
•Function: Provides a source of calcium and promotes bone development.
•Pre mixed material: 3%
•Function: Supplement vitamins and minerals, enhance the immunity of chicks.
Feed formula for laying hens during the egg laying period
•Corn: 60% corn is the main source of energy, providing the carbohydrates needed by chickens while also having good palatability.
•Soybean meal: 20% soybean meal is a high-quality source of plant protein, with high protein content and balanced amino acids, which can meet the protein needs of laying hens during the egg laying period.
•Fish meal: 5% fish meal is rich in animal protein and various essential amino acids, especially methionine and lysine, which help improve the egg laying performance and quality of laying hens.
•Stone powder: 10% stone powder is the main source of calcium, and high calcium content can meet the calcium needs of laying hens during egg laying, improve eggshell quality, and reduce egg breakage rate.
•Pre mixed feed: 5% pre mixed feed contains vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, which can supplement the nutrients lacking in feed and ensure the nutritional balance of laying hens.
Feed formula for broiler chicks during the rearing period
•Corn: 55% provides the main source of energy to meet the rapid growth needs of chicks.
•Soybean meal: 35% high protein soybean meal can meet the high protein demand of chicks and promote muscle and bone development.
•Fish meal: 5% fish meal provides high-quality animal protein and essential amino acids, which aid in the early growth of chicks.
•Stone powder: 2% provides an appropriate amount of calcium to promote bone development.
•Pre mixed feed: 3% supplementation of vitamins and minerals to enhance the immunity and growth performance of chicks.
Feed formula for broiler chickens during their growth period
•Corn: 60% as the main source of energy, supporting the rapid growth of chickens.
•Soybean meal: 30% provides sufficient protein to meet the amino acid requirements of growing chickens.
•Fish meal: 3% supplementation of animal protein to enhance the nutritional value of feed.
•Stone powder: 3% provides calcium and phosphorus to maintain bone health.
•Premiere: 4% supplementation of vitamins and minerals to promote healthy growth of chickens.
Feed formula for broiler chickens during the fattening period
•Corn: 65% increases energy density and promotes muscle growth.
•Soybean meal: 25% provides an appropriate amount of protein to meet the growth needs of broiler chickens during the fattening period.
•Fish meal: 3% supplementation of animal protein to improve meat quality.
•Stone powder: 3% provides calcium and phosphorus to maintain bone health.
•Premiere: 4% supplementation of vitamins and minerals to enhance immunity.