Hello poultry farmers!
Still buying the expensive organic poultry feed for your chickens? Don’t waste money on commercial feeds! Instead, make your own poultry feed mix from now on.
Yes. We are going to share the traditional Poultry Feed Formula with a proper nutrient ratio, so that you can rest assured your chickens are getting the right nutritional value every day.
So, let’s start DIYing chicken feed formula right away!
Why Poultry Feed Formula Matters for Chicken’s Growth
Poultry feed needs precisely balanced protein, energy, vitamins, and mineral components for specific growth in every life stage of poultry birds. While an unbalanced diet plan can slow down development, cause health issues, and waste feed, well-formulated feed can build muscle, strengthen bones, boost egg production, improve immune function, and maximize profit.
Need a more detailed breakdown on the importance of poultry feed formula by every life stage, and the purpose of forming? We have already shared an in-depth article on that: types of poultry feeds.
What Nutrients You Will Need?
Here are the essential nutrients for making the poultry feed:
⛊ Hydration: Water is the primary content in a poultry farm. Even less than 20% hydration can lead to death for chicks/chickens. You will need to maintain 70% water for young chicks and 50% for adult chickens.
⛊ Protein: Whether you are raising layers or broilers, you can’t replace protein substances.
⛊ Vitamins: Vitamins are also vital for poultry feed formula as they maintain the life and growth of chickens and egg production.
⛊ Fat: The amount of fat in the feed requires careful consideration. Insufficient fat can decrease egg production and muscle building, while even 1% to 5% increase can contribute to fatty liver.
⛊ Energy: Like dairy farming, poultry farming also requires sufficient energy consumption. In fact, broiler chickens, geese, and ducks need more energy than egg-laying birds.
⛊ Minerals: Proper minerals maintain gut health and immune function among the young chicks.
⛊ Carbohydrate: Carbohydrates are also important for fattening broiler chickens. But you should not feed too much carbohydrate to laying hens and breeding chickens.
Formulation for Layer & Broiler
Below are the sample formulations (100 kg feed) for creating poultry feed for laying chickens and broilers based on their specific life stages:
Poultry Feed Formula for Egg-Laying Chicken
Starter Chicks (1 Week to 6 Weeks)
| Ingredient (20% Protein-based) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Whole Maize | 46 kg |
| Sunflower Meal / Groundnut Cake | 25 kg |
| Wheat Bran | 13 kg |
| Wheat Pollard | 10 kg |
| Fish | 2.6 kg |
| Limestone Powder | 2.5 kg |
| Tryptophan | 140 g |
| Amino Acid Blend (309) | 140 g |
| Coccidiostat | 120 g |
| Toxin Binder | 100 g |
| Salt | 70 g |
| Supermix | 40 g |
| Lysine | 20 g |
| Methionine | 20 g |
Growers (6 Weeks to 18 Weeks)
| Ingredient (15 to 18% Protein-based) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Maize Germ | 24.5 kg |
| Wheat Pollard | 18.5 kg |
| Sunflower/ Groundnut Cake | 15.6 kg |
| Whole Maize | 14.3 kg |
| Wheat Bran | 14.3 kg |
| Soybean | 5 kg |
| Fish | 4.2 kg |
| Limestone | 3 kg |
| Bone Powder | 1 kg |
| Salt | 40 g |
| Premix (Vitamins and Minerals) | 30 g |
| Toxin Binder | 10 g |
| Coccidiostat | 5 g |
| Zinc Bacitracin | 5 g |
Layer Finisher ( 18 Weeks to Onwards)
| Ingredient (15% Protein & High Calcium) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Whole Maize | 48.5 kg |
| Soybean | 17 kg |
| Fish | 11 kg |
| Wheat Bran / Maize Bran | 14 kg |
| Limestone | 9.5 kg |
| Premix | 200 g |
| Lysine | 100 g |
| Amino Acid Blend (309) | 100 g |
| Toxin Binder | 75 g |
| Methionine | 50 g |
| Tryptophan | 50 g |
Poultry Feed Formula for Broilers
Starter Chicks (1 Week to 4 Weeks)
| Ingredient (20% Protein-based) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Whole Maize | 61 kg |
| Soybean | 18 kg |
| Full Fat Soybean | 13.5 kg |
| Wheat Offal | 4 kg |
| Boan Powder | 2.5 kg |
| Methionine | 300 g |
| Premix | 250 g |
| Lysine | 200 g |
| Toxin Binder | 100 g |
| Salt | 70 g |
Grower (5 Weeks to 8 Weeks)
| Ingredient (20% Protein-based) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Whole Maize | 45 kg |
| Groundnut Cake | 15 kg |
| Wheat Offal | 12 kg |
| Palm Kernel Cake | 12 kg |
| Soybean | 7.5 kg |
| Limestone | 5 kg |
| Boan Powder | 2.5 kg |
| Premix | 250 g |
| Methionine | 150 g |
| Lysine | 100 g |
| Toxin Binder | 100 g |
| Salt | 40 g |
Broiler Finisher (8 Weeks to 10 Weeks)
| Ingredient (More Fat-based) | Quantity (in 100 kg) |
| Whole Maize | 66 kg |
| Soybean Meal | 18.5 kg |
| Groundnut Cake | 7 kg |
| Brewers Dried Grain | 5 kg |
| Bone Powder | 2 kg |
| Oyster Shell | 500 g |
| Premixes | 250 g |
| Methionine | 100 g |
| Lysine | 100 g |
| Toxin Binder | 75 g |
| Salt | 70 g |
Bonus Tips for DIY Chicken Feed Formula
Only ingredients and proper nutrients are not enough when you are buying poultry feed. Maintaining proper hygiene and mixing practices ensures the effectiveness as well as safety of the feed. So, follow these tips and ensure the safety of your flocks:
- Make a small amount by following the poultry feed formula and try it on a few chickens, and isolate them for 3 to 5 days.
- Store in a dry container and keep it in a cool and dark space to avoid soilage or ingredient contamination.
- Make small batches based on your poultry size to maintain the freshness of your feed.
- Blend everything well so the micronutrients are distributed properly.
- Check every ingredient before mixing to find any mouldy or rotten items, as they can create toxins that cause fungal infections in chickens.
Is DIYing Poultry Feed Profitable?
Yes. If you are running a small or medium-scale farm, DIYing the poultry feed formula can significantly reduce feed expenses. Though there are no guaranteed profitable percentages, it depends on several factors, including:
- Access to affordable local ingredients
- Knowledge of proper formulation
- Quality control
- Customizing ingredients with organic formulation
So, making your own poultry feed can be really cost-effective while improving your flock’s health and increasing profitability. First, gather all necessary knowledge, and then play carefully to make the most out of your local feed resources.
Conclusion
Proper feed formulation is the foundation for successful poultry production. Whether you are producing egg-laying chickens or broiler chickens for meat, providing the correct nutrient ratio is necessary.
While buying commercial poultry feed is an easy option, making your own poultry feed formula is the key to optimal growth, health, and profitability. So, follow the above formulation and create a small sample for each life stage. Once you get the taste of profitability through DIY feed, commercial feed won’t sound like a waste of money.
But if you have any queries on the formulation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are always eager to help you with better farming strategies.
FAQs
The 90/10 rule means that 90% of their daily feed should contain proper proteins, vitamins, fat, and minerals, and only 10% should contain a daily treat. However, that does not mean you should avoid treats. They are necessary to ease boredom in chickens.
Different chickens need different protein levels as they grow. For layers, chicks require 18 to 20% protein, growers require 14 to 16%, and laying hens require 16 to 18 % protein. Again, broilers require higher protein, from around 20 to 24%, for better muscle growth.
You should avoid mixing certain human foods like avocado, banana, and onion, as well as excessive salt, and mouldy items in poultry feed formulation. Additionally, too much protein, calcium, and fat may negatively impact certain life stages. So, follow the proper formula for each life stage of chickens based on their production purposes.
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