Methods and Techniques for Rational Utilization of the Three Wheat Feeds

Wheat bran, wheat chaff and wheat straw are collectively known as the three wheat feeds, and they are important feeds in the main @#@245@#@ producing areas. Rational utilization of the three wheat feeds can promote the development of the livestock industry. If used improperly, they will not only fail to produce the desired effect, but will also cause livestock and poultry to contract certain diseases, resulting in economic losses.

Wheat bran belongs to the high-phosphorus, low-calcium feed category, and the ratio of phosphorus to calcium it contains is 4:1, which is the opposite of the physiological calcium-to-phosphorus ratio required by livestock and poultry, which is 1.5:1 to 2:1. Feeding too much wheat bran can cause calcium deficiency disease due to an imbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, such as rickets in young animals, osteomalacia in adult animals, enteroliths in equines, urolithiasis in male livestock, and thin-shelled eggs in poultry. The key measure for safely feeding wheat bran is to control the reasonable amount used; generally speaking, it should be kept below 20% of the compound feed.

For chickens before 8 weeks of age, wheat bran should account for 25%-35% of their feed; from 9 weeks of age to the start of laying, wheat bran should account for 11%-15%; in the feed of laying hens, wheat bran should account for 15%; in the feed of broiler chickens, wheat bran should account for 2%-8%.

Pigs should not be fed wheat bran before 40 days of age; for feeding growing-finishing pigs under 55 kg, wheat bran can account for 12% of the feed; for feeding fattening pigs from 55-90 kg, wheat bran can account for 15% of the feed; for feeding breeding boars and pregnant sows, wheat bran can account for 20% of the feed; for feeding lactating sows, wheat bran can account for 16%.

Wheat chaff Wheat chaff has sharp awns and bristles, and machine threshing makes this even worse. The awns and bristles can injure the oral cavity of livestock, and over time this can cause them to eat grass slowly, chew insufficiently, lose body condition and decline in constitution. The key measure for rationally feeding wheat chaff is to first subject it to harmless treatment. There are two treatment methods: first, the rolling method. For a small amount, a stone roller can be used for rolling; for a large amount, a stone roller can be used for rolling. Second, the alkalization method. Take 3 kg of quicklime, 0.5 kg of salt and 150 kg of clean water, mix and stir evenly, add 100 kg of wheat chaff, soak for one day and one night, scoop it into a basket, drain off the liquid, and it can then be fed. After alkalization, the awns and bristles of the wheat chaff are softened, so they do not injure the oral cavity, and it can also supplement calcium.

Wheat straw Untreated wheat straw has a high crude fiber content, an extremely low digestion rate and poor palatability, and feeding it to equines also easily causes impaction. After treatment by the method used for wheat chaff, it can be utilized by all kinds of livestock. It can also be treated by ammoniation. Treatment with ammonia water, ammonium bicarbonate or urea is all acceptable. Taking urea treatment as an example: dissolve 10 kg of urea in 90 kg of clean water to make a 10% solution, cut the wheat straw into small sections 2-3 cm long, spray and mix 30 kg of urea solution per 100 kg of wheat straw, seal it with plastic film, and when the temperature is above 20 degrees C, it can be taken out and used after 15 days.