Feed processing

 FEED PROCESSING

Various steps involved in Feed compounding 

  • Selection of locally available ingredients based on price and nutrient density.
  • Quality check of raw materials.
  • Formulation of balanced ration
  • Weighing the ingredients according to formulation.
  • Processing such as Grinding, flaking, etc.
  • Uniform mixing.
  • Quality check of processed feed
  • Packing and storage of mash feed.
  • Further processing for preparation of other forms of feed (pelletting, crumbling etc.)

Purposes of feed processing:

  • To alter the physical form or particle size.
  • To prevent spoilage
  • To isolate specific parts of a seed or plant
  • To improve palatability
  • To inactivate toxins or anti nutritional factors .

Grinding

  • Grinding is the first and important processing method.

Advantages of grinding

  •  The particle size reduction, increases the surface area  exposed to enzymes, resulting in better digestion.
  • Grinding helps mixing of ingredients and prevents segregation
  • Pelleting can be done only if the feed is ground uniformly
  • Selectivity of feeds is not possible by the animal and so the nutrient intake will the optimum
  • Palatability is improved
  • Feed intake is increased
  • Improves digestibility
  • Improves growth rate
  • Improves feed efficiency
  • Consumers like uniformly ground feed
  • Grinding of some ingredients contributes to ease to handling.

Types of grinding

  • Coarse - sieve size 3/8, 4 and 8
  • Medium - sieve size 14 and 28
  • Fine - sieve size 48 and 100. 

Types of mills

  • Hammer mill – Impaction
  • Attrition or Buer mill – cutting, crushing and shearing
  • Roller mill – cutting, crushing and shearing

Hammer mill

  • It is commonly used for particle size reduction of
    • Grains
    • Oil cakes
    • Forages

Feed mixing plant     Complete feed plant-To grind green fodder,dry fodder and concentrates.

Last modified: Wednesday, 4 April 2012, 4:48 AM