What are the appropriate mixing ratios for chicken feed
When formulating chicken feed, it is necessary not only to consider the nutritional standards of the chickens, but also to pay attention to the appropriate mixing ratios of various feeds.
Carbohydrate feeds mainly contain starch and sugars and can account for less than 70% of the daily mixed feed. Corn: it is one of the highest-energy feeds among cereal feeds and can account for 45%—70% of the mixed feed. Wheat bran: it has relatively good palatability and contains more protein and carbon and can account for 5%—30% of the mixed feed. Barley: because it contains relatively high crude fiber, the amount used should not be too much, and it can account for 15%—20% of the mixed feed. Sorghum: it tastes rather astringent, and too much can cause constipation in chickens, so it can account for about 10% of the mixed feed. Rice bran: it is often used as an auxiliary ingredient and should not exceed 8% of the mixed feed.
Protein feeds: this type of feed contains 30%—65% protein and can account for 5%—30% of the mixed feed. Soybean cake and peanut cake: they are relatively good plant protein feeds with good palatability and comprehensive nutrition and can account for 10%—20% of the mixed feed. Cottonseed cake: because it contains toxins, the amount used should not be too much, generally not exceeding 7% of the mixed feed. Fish meal: it is the highest-quality animal protein and can account for 5%—15% of the mixed feed. The salt content of fish meal should be calculated, and the content of the fish meal used should not exceed 0.4% of the mixed feed.
Green feeds mainly supplement the deficiency of vitamins and can account for less than 30% of the mixed feed. Various fresh green vegetables: the amount used accounts for 20%—30% of the mixed feed. Tree leaves: green leaves such as black locust and false indigo can account for 5—10% of the mixture. Mineral feeds: they mainly supplement the deficiency of minerals in the mixed feed and can account for 0.3%—9% of the mixed feed. Bone meal: it mainly supplements calcium and phosphorus. It can account for 1%—2.5% of the mixed feed. Shell meal: it mainly supplements the deficiency of calcium and can account for 1%—7% of the mixed feed; laying hens should use more of it, and other chickens should use less. Salt: it mainly supplements the deficiency of sodium in the mixed feed and often accounts for 0.3%—0.4% of the mixed feed. The salt content of fish meal should also be included in the calculation. Grit: it is often added after chickens are 1 month old and can improve feed utilization and can account for 0.5%—1% of the mixed feed.