Feed ingredients for ration for livestock and poultry

Feed ingredients for livestock and poultry are critical for ensuring that animals receive the necessary nutrients to support growth, production, and overall health. These feed ingredients are selected based on their nutrient content and are formulated into balanced rations that meet the specific dietary requirements of the animals. The feed ingredients can be classified into several categories, such as energy sources, protein sources, mineral sources, fat sources, and feed additives. Below, we’ll discuss these feed ingredients in detail:

1. Energy Sources

Energy is a fundamental requirement for livestock and poultry as it supports growth, maintenance, and reproduction. Common energy sources include:

• Maize (Corn): Maize is one of the most widely used energy sources in animal feeds, especially poultry. It is highly digestible, low in fiber, and provides a good source of carbohydrates. However, it is low in protein, particularly in essential amino acids like lysine, and sulfur-containing amino acids. The yellow varieties are rich in vitamin A and xanthophylls, which give poultry skin a yellow color.
• Rice: Broken rice is commonly used to replace maize in poultry rations. It is an excellent energy source but relatively low in protein and other nutrients.
• Barley: Barley is a good energy source but has a higher fiber content, making it less palatable to animals. It is typically included in lower proportions (up to 15%) in poultry rations.
• Sorghum: Sorghum is similar to maize in terms of its feeding value, although it is higher in protein content. It can be used as a substitute for maize in both poultry and livestock rations.
• Wheat: Wheat is another cereal grain that can replace maize as an energy source in poultry rations. It is similar in nutritional composition but may be more expensive in some regions.
• Pearl Millet: Pearl millet has a similar nutritional profile to wheat and can be used as a substitute for other grains. It is high in fiber but provides good energy for poultry.

2. Protein Sources

Protein is vital for growth, muscle development, and overall health. Protein sources in animal feed typically come from both plant and animal origins:

• Soybean Meal: One of the most commonly used plant-based protein sources. It is rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine, making it an excellent protein supplement for poultry.
• Fish Meal: Fish meal is an animal-based protein source rich in high-quality protein and essential amino acids. It is one of the best sources of protein for poultry, providing a complete amino acid profile.
• Groundnut Cake (Peanut Cake): Groundnut cake is widely used as a protein supplement, especially for poultry. It contains about 40% protein and is relatively palatable.
• Meat and Bone Meal: Meat and bone meal, which is derived from animal carcasses, provides both protein and calcium. It is an important protein source for livestock.
• De-oiled Rice Polish: This is a by-product of rice milling, and after the oil is removed, it becomes a good protein source for poultry.
• Cottonseed Meal: Cottonseed meal is another plant-based protein source used in livestock and poultry rations. It is a good protein source but can have higher levels of gossypol, which is toxic in large quantities.

3. Fat Sources

Fats provide concentrated energy in the form of lipids and are essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K). They also help to improve the palatability of feed:

• Animal Fats: Rendered animal fats are often added to feeds to increase their energy content. They are highly digestible and provide a rich source of energy.
• Vegetable Oils: Various vegetable oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil are commonly used to increase fat content in poultry and livestock rations. These oils provide essential fatty acids and energy.
• Fish Oil: Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the health of poultry and livestock, particularly for improving immune function and egg production in poultry.

4. Mineral Sources

Minerals are essential for bone development, metabolic processes, and maintaining the health of livestock and poultry. Key mineral sources include:

• Limestone: Limestone is a rich source of calcium, which is essential for the formation of bones and eggshells in poultry. It is commonly used in poultry rations.
• Oyster Shell: Oyster shell is another excellent source of calcium and is often added to poultry rations to support eggshell quality.
• Salt (Sodium Chloride): Salt is added to animal feed to provide sodium and chlorine, which are necessary for fluid balance, nerve function, and digestive processes.
• Dicalcium Phosphate: Dicalcium phosphate is a good source of both calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are essential for bone health and metabolism.

5. Vitamins and Feed Additives

Vitamins and feed additives are added to ensure animals receive all the necessary micronutrients for optimal health and productivity:

• Vitamins: Most feed ingredients provide some level of vitamins, but additional supplementation is often necessary to meet the specific requirements of poultry and livestock. Commonly supplemented vitamins include vitamin A, D, E, and B-complex vitamins.
• Trace Minerals: Microminerals such as zinc, iron, copper, and manganese are crucial for growth and immune function. They are often included in vitamin-mineral premixes.
• Enzymes: Enzyme supplements (such as phytase) are added to animal feeds to help break down anti-nutritional factors like phytates in plant materials, improving the bioavailability of phosphorus.
• Antibiotics/Probiotics: Antibiotics are sometimes included to promote growth and control disease, although their use has become controversial due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote gut health and digestion.
• Antioxidants: These are added to prevent the oxidation of fats and maintain the quality of feeds, especially those containing fats and oils.

6. By-products from Agro-Industrial Waste

To reduce feed costs and improve sustainability, agro-industrial by-products are increasingly being used as alternative feed ingredients. These by-products are often sourced from food processing industries, agricultural production, and other sectors. Common by-products used in livestock and poultry rations include:

• Rice Bran: A by-product from rice milling, rice bran is rich in fiber and essential oils. It can be used to replace part of the cereal grains in poultry feeds.
• Maize Gluten Meal: A by-product from the corn milling industry, maize gluten meal is rich in protein but low in fiber and starch.
• Fruit and Vegetable Waste: By-products such as orange peel, tomato waste, and potato skins are utilized in animal feeds, particularly for ruminants, to provide fiber and some nutrients.
• Brewer’s Yeast: A by-product from beer production, brewer’s yeast is high in protein and B vitamins and is used as a supplement in animal rations.
• Molasses: A by-product of sugar production, molasses is high in sugar and provides energy, although it should be used in moderation due to its high carbohydrate content.

(Digestible Crude Protein) and TDN (Total Digestible Nutrients) percentages for different types of feeds:

1. Roughage
2. A) Green Fodders

i) Cereals

• Jowar: DCP: 3.44%, TDN: 54.03%
• Maize: DCP: 4.14%, TDN: 67.77%
• Bajra: DCP: 4.31%, TDN: 59.24%
• Oat: DCP: 7.10%, TDN: 69.70%

ii) Legumes

• Lucerne: DCP: 15.92%, TDN: 57.79%
• Berseem: DCP: 12.51%, TDN: 59.18%
• Cowpea: DCP: 20.26%, TDN: 62.19%

iii) Grasses

• Guinea grass: DCP: 5.83%, TDN: 65.09%
• Para grass: DCP: 7.91%, TDN: 59.54%
• Naiper (Gajraj): DCP: 3.85%, TDN: 55.39%

iv) Silage

• Jowar silage: DCP: 2.40%, TDN: 51.10%
• Maize silage: DCP: 3.40%, TDN: 61.10%
• Oat silage: DCP: 4.10%, TDN: 62.60%

v) Tree Leaves

• Babul: DCP: 5.7%, TDN: 62.3%
• Sababul: DCP: 15.0%, TDN: 57.0%
• Khejri: DCP: 8.8%, TDN: 48.7%
• Vilayati Babul: DCP: 9.0%, TDN: 47.0%
• Neem: DCP: 8.3%, TDN: 53.0%
• Peepal: DCP: 8.0%, TDN: 40.3%
• Vad/Bargad: DCP: 2.0%, TDN: 44.5%
• Anjan: DCP: 2.0%, TDN: 47.7%
• Ber: DCP: 3.1%, TDN: 30.7%
• Bamboo: DCP: 9.3%, TDN: 48.8%
• Bel: DCP: 10.8%, TDN: 56.7%
• Jhaberi: DCP: 5.5%, TDN: 51.1%
• Mahua: DCP: 0.0%, TDN: 37.0%

B) Dry Fodders

i) Kadbi

• Jowar Kadbi: DCP: 56.42%, TDN: 66%
• Bajra Kadbi: DCP: 53.45%, TDN: 53.45%

ii) Hay

• Lucerne Hay: DCP: 11.00%, TDN: 90.00%
• Berseem Hay: DCP: 9.00%, TDN: 62.4%
• Cowpea Hay: DCP: 9.50%, TDN: 67%

iii) Straws

• Rice Straw: DCP: 0.0%, TDN: 62.4%
• Wheat Straw: DCP: 2.41%, TDN: 67%
• Gram Straw: DCP: 3.44%, TDN: 55%

2. Concentrates

A) Energy-Rich Feeds

i) Cereal Grains

• Maize: DCP: 7.86%, TDN: 80.00%
• Jowar: DCP: 7.00%, TDN: 68.00%
• Wheat: DCP: 6.20%, TDN: 92.27%
• Bajra: DCP: 6.5%, TDN: 58.00%
• Barley: DCP: 7.27%, TDN: 74.60%
• Oat: DCP: 7.86%, TDN: 78.48%

ii) Cereal Byproducts

• Wheat Bran: DCP: 11.00%, TDN: 67.00%
• Rice Bran: DCP: 7.00%, TDN: 60.00%
• Rice Polish: DCP: 12.00%, TDN: 67.00%

1. B) Protein-Rich Feeds

i) Vegetable Protein

• Soyabean: DCP: 37.44%, TDN: 87.80%
• Arhar: DCP: 14.35%, TDN: 74.05%
• Gram: DCP: 11.96%, TDN: 81.33%
• Black Gram: DCP: 13.47%, TDN: 63.35%
• Pulse Chuni: DCP: 12.00%, TDN: 68.00%
• Gram Husk: DCP: 0.30%, TDN: 54.00%

ii) Animal Protein

• Cottonseed Cake: DCP: 8.00%, TDN: 87.00%
• Groundnut Cake: DCP: 18.00%, TDN: 72.00%
• Til Cake: DCP: 41.00%, TDN: 74.00%
• Linseed Cake: DCP: 32.00%, TDN: 72.00%

III) Unconventional Feedstuffs

• Mahua Cake: DCP: 3.7%, TDN: 73.7%
• Neem Cake: DCP: 11.0%, TDN: 55.0%
• Nigar Cake: DCP: 18.9%, TDN: 58.7%
• Tamarind Seed: DCP: 13.0%, TDN: 64.0%
• Salseed Meal: DCP: 0.0%, TDN: 41.0%
• Tapioca Waste: DCP: 2.0%, TDN: 64.7%
• Tomato Pomace: DCP: 1.43%, TDN: 41.0%
• Mango Seed Kernel: DCP: 6.0%, TDN: 70.0%
• Babul Pods: DCP: 10.0%, TDN: 74.0%
• Sugarcane Tops: DCP: 4.0%, TDN: 47.8%