Feed Ingredients

Feed Ingredients

The conventional feed ingredients provided to poultry can be widely partitioned as:

1. Cereals
2. Cereals by Products
3. Protein sources- Vegetable proteins.
4. Animal Proteins.
5. Fats
6. Mineral Supplements

A. Cereals (energy sources)

These are mainly used in poultry feeds to provide high energy.

1. Yellow maize (very prone to aflatoxins) (Zea maize)

• Yellow Maize is used predominantly as a source of energy in poultry feeds.
• The energy value is high about 3300 kcal/kg and with a lower crude protein level of 8 - 9%.
• Maize is well accepted feed ingredient all over the world as it is known for its availability and digestibility.
• It is a good source of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid.
• Maize is known for its Xanthophyll content and imparts yellow pigment to the egg yolk.
• It is also a good source of Vitamin A.

2. Sorghum or Jawar (Sorghum vulgare)

• This can be used to replace maize up to 50 to 60%.
• This cereal has lower energy when compared to yellow maize but more protein (3200 Me kcal Mg, 10%. protein).
• Sorghum protein is deficient in Leysins, methionine & arginine.
• The colours of sorghum are white and dark type.
• Darker coloured sorgham varieties are known to have higher tannin content.
• Tannin are known to cause growth depression in chicken and mottling of egg yolk.
• The white jowar or Sorghum is more used for poultry.

3. Rice, (Oryza sativa), broken rice, rice param

• Rice is the staple cereal food in many parts of India.
• It is low in protein (7-8%).
• Rice unsuitable for human consumption can be used for poultry at low level.
• Rice broken is by product of the milling industry.
• Its quality is much variable and good quality rice broken can be used in poultry feeds.
• Rice param is similar to rice broken but is mixed with variable quantity of bran, resulting in variable quality.
• It can be added up to 20% in the feed, provided the quality is good

4. Wheat (Triticum austivum)

• Wheat is a good source of energy next to maize and sorghum with higher protein of 11 to 14% depending on the type of wheat and the area where it is grown.
• Wheat is a good source of energy also (3100 Kcal/19) and can be added upto 20 and 30% in broiler and layer diet respectively.
• Wheat protein is deficient in methionine and threonine.
• Wheat contains arabynoxylans, an indigestible non-starch polysaccharide and this lowers the performance of the bird.
• The enzyme xylanase may be used to increase the digestibility.
• If wheat is used in higher percentage, it has a tendency to "Paste" on the beak of the bird because wheat is gelatinous and this would further lead to ""beak necrosis”

B. CEREALS BY PRODUCTS

1. Rice Bran

• Rice Bran and rice Polishings can be used for poultry feeding. However, in Asian countries, because of Milling Procedures, the differentiation between rice bran & vice polishings is difficult and rice bran includes both.
• Rice bran contains about 13% protein, 13% fat & 13% fibre. It is a good source of energy (ME 2900 kcal/kg) and B-complex group of Vitamins. It is high in phytate (1.28%). Rice bran, because of its oil content and the presence of lipolytic enzymes is prone to cause rancidity.
• Anti-oxidants are recommended while storing rice bran. Rice bran has a good amino acid profile compared cereal grains. Rice bran is slightly deficient in lysine.

2. Rice Polish

Rice polish contains higher energy 3000 kcal/kg with a relatively higher crude protein level of about of 14%.

3. Deoiled rice bran.

Rice bran with its oil removed and having just 1% oil is known as deoiled rice bran. This contains a lower level of energy just 1800 to 1900 kcal/kg but a higher crude protein level of 13 to 14%.The purpose of DORB is for bulkiness, full stomach satisfaction.

4. Wheat Bran

Wheat bran is a poor source of energy for poultry (ME 1300kcal/kg). It is deficient in lysine and methionin and is high in fibre (11%) and phytate (0.95%). It is a very good source manganese & Iron.

C. INDUSTRIAL WASTES & FOREST

1. Sal seed meal, deoiled (Shorea robusta)

• Sal seed meal, deoiled contains about 2400 Kcal ME/kg and it contains tannins (3.5 to 13%).
• It cannot be included at higher level. It is deficient in methionine and threonine.

2. Molasses:

• Molasses is obtained as a byproduct of the sugar-cane industry (cane molasses).
• It is palatable, reduces dustiness and improves pellating.
• Higher levels in feed cause handling problems (15%) & wet litter problems.
• Its usage should be restricted to less than 5%.

3. Mango (Mangifera indica) kernel meal:

Mango kernel meal contains about ME 2000 kcal/kg & tannins (0.5%), HCN present in, it is eliminated during deoiling and drying process.

D. PROTEN SOURCES

Vegetable Protein sources

1. Soybean (Glycine max) meal

• Soybean seeds contains 18% oil. Soybean for poultry feeding is available as "full fat soybeans” & “soybean meal”, solvent extracted". Soybean meal is the largest produced oilseed meal in the world with production estimated to bells million metric tonnes in 2000.
• About 75% amino acid requirement can be met by using soybean meal. Soybean meal used in India exists in solvent extracted material containing hulls. Full fat soybean is also available, produced by extrusion or dry roasting in small-scale plants. It contains 38-40% protein.
• Protein and energy content vary in soybean meal depending on protein level of the beans, residual fats after process and whether hulls removed or not. All processed soybean meal uses a heating or cooking process to destroy anti-nutritional factors contained in raw beans. These components if not deactivated reduce nutrient availability to the birds.
• The most notable of these factors are the protease inhibitors which bind & render unavailable digestive enzymes trypsin & chymotrypsin. Soybean meal is an excellent source of lysine, tryptophan & threonine but is deficient in methionine.
• The amino acids in corn protein & soya protein combine well to provide a balanced mixture for most poultry requiring only minimal lures of synthetic methionine to be used. Digestibility of lysine & methionine is over 89% in properly processed soybean meal.

2. Rapeseed meal and Mustard meal

• • Rapeseed meal ranks second to soybean meal in terms of total world production of protein meals.
• In general, amino acid digestibility of rape seed meal is lower than soybean meal especially for poultry. Because of its glucosinolate content, the use of rapeseed meal is often associated with a reduction in growth rate and poor palatability of feed.
• If the level of inclusion is higher than 5% in layer feed, a fishy taint or off flavour in the yolk of eggs from heavy strain brown egg layers will occur.

3. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) meal or Groundnut meal

• Peanut kernels contain 40% oil.
• Peanut meal or groundnut meal was an important protein source for poultry feeding till a few years earlier.
• Now- a-days, soybean meal is the important protein source.
• Groundnut meal is a readily available protein source by-product from the extraction of groundnut, which is a popular human food in many parts of the world.
• With prolonged storage under the warm and humid conditions in the tropics, residual oil is a negative feature as it is easily oxidized.
• The meal quality is then greatly reduced due to poor palatability, toxicity and decreased energy value.
• Groundnut meal has a poor amino acid profile that is deficient in methionine, lysine and tryptophan relative to soybean meal. Moreover, the poorly balanced amino acids have low digestibility.
• It is therefore necessary to supplement the feed with additional crystalline amino acids when groundnut meal is used.

4. Sunflower (Helianthus annus) meal

• Sunflower meal varies according to the quality of the seed and methods used for oil extraction.
• Expeller sunflower meal because of higher residual oil content has a higher energy level than solvent extracted meal.
• The quality also depends on whether or not the seeds are dehulled prior to oil extraction.
• Dehulled sunflower meal will have protein content in excess of 40% and a crude fibre of 13% or less.
• Partial dehulling produces meals of 30 to 35% protein whereas whole sunflower meal has about 25% crude protein.
• The crude fibre of partially dehulled or non-dehulled sunflower meal exceeds 20% and this is a major limiting factor for use in poultry and swine feed.

5. Cotton (Gossypium Spp) seed meal

• When compared to soybean meal, cotton seed meal has slightly lower protein of about 41% but a much higher fibre content of 11 to 13% depending on the processing method employed.
• The energy content is influenced by the residual oil present in the meal.
• In terms of amino composition, cotton seed meal is inferior in four of the most important essential amino acids, lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan.
• The use of cotton seed meal in poultry feed will require supplementation with both L-lysine HCI and DL-methionine.
• Gossypol is a recognized toxic component of cotton seed meal limiting its use in monogastric animals.
• Free gossypol can damage the myocardium and liver resulting in cardiac edema, dyspnea, weakness and anorexia.
• Dietary gossypol also causes olive-green yolks in stored eggs as a result of a chemical reaction between the gossypol and iron in the egg.

7. Sesame (Sesamum indicum) mealy (Gingelly oil cake)

• Sesame is a minor oilseed crop that is often available in Asian countries.
• The protein content of different varieties ranges from 41% to 58%.
• An average protein content of 40% and 5% fat is typical for expeller sesame meal.
• Sesame meal is an excellent source of methionine, cystine and tryptophan but is very low in lysine and threonine.
• The amino acid composition of sesame meal complements most other. Sesame seeds contain high levels of oxalic acid (35 mg/100 g) and phytic acid (5%).
• Oxalic acid and phytate are known to interfere with mineral metabolism and decrease availability of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron.

8. Palm (Elaeis quincensis) kernel meal

• Among the oil meals, palm kernel meal has the lowest protein content normally ranging from 16 to 18%.
• Protein as low as 13% and a fibre exceeding 20% can occur if shells and fruit fibre are not removed efficiently.
• Due to the high fibre, the energy content of palm kernel meal is rather low, especially for poultry.
• The potential for improving nutritional value of palm kernel meal with supplemental feed enzymes is high.

9. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) meal

• Safflower seeds contain 30% oil and 40% hull Safflower meal is high in fibre (60% hull) and low in protein (20%).
• Safflower protein is low in lysine and methionine.
• It also contains anti-nutritional components (phenolic glucosides).
• Pasting or impaction of beaks may occur in chicks on diets containing high level of safflower meal.

10. Linseed meal (Linum usitatissimum)

• This can be used in poultry focal only to a minimal level of 2 to 3% as it contains toxic principles like Cyanogenic glycosides that are harmful to the bird. The meal is a good source of tryptophan. Small Quantity of essential fatty acid in this helps in the appearance of the feathers.
• Linsed meal is also mild laxative.

Animal Protein

• Animal Protein sources are more superior to vegetable proteins.
• They contain higher level of limiting amino acids such as "Lysine" & "Methionine".
• Animal protein can be added along with Vegetable proteins to provide a balanced amino and profile in feed.
• They are good source of calcium and phosphorus and they are the only feed ingredient that provides Vitamin B12.
• Blood meal & feather meal are not normally used in poultry feed as they do not have a well balanced amino acid profile & if used, can be included only upto 2%.

1. Dried fish or fish meal

• The feeding value of dried fisher fish meal is based the quality of fish used and the kind of fish. Fish has the best source of high quality protein. The crude protein can range from 40% to 60%. It is a good source of Lysine & methionine minerals like phosphorus, iodine & Selenium. and Vitamin B12.
• Fish meal can be vaccum dried or steam dried. Fish meal having high oil content cannot be stored for a long period, as rancidity can set in and oxidation may also cause heating during storage that reduces amino acid digestibility.
• Dry fish & fish meal are a potential source of Coliform infection & Salmonella, and this occurs more often during the mansoon season. The Maximum level of inclusion in poultry feed is 10% beyond this level of inclusion.
• It can cause a fishy flavour in the feed, causing the birds to go off feed. Substances like "gizzerosine" & "histemine" is formed and when needed in poultry feed, it will increase content in the stomach and cause gizzard erosion.

2. Meat and bone meal

• Meat meal is an animal feed stuff produced by recycling animal byproducts. The by- products include meat trimmings, inedible parts, organs and certain condemned carcasses. They are cooked (rendered) to produce a nutritional and economical feed ingredient.
• Blood, hair, hoofs, home, manure, stomach contents, and hid trimmings are not permitted to be added to the meal. Meat & bone meal or meat cum bone meal is usually guaranteed to contain a minimum of 50 percent crude protein.
• Meat & bone meal normally contains of 4% total phosphorus. Calcium does not normally exceed 2.2 times the level of total phosphorus. The use of meat & bone meal in poultry diet is often restricted to less than 5%. (Crude protein 49.0-52.8%, Crude fat -8.5-14.8%, Calcium 6·0-12.0%, Total phosphorus 3.5- 5.0%, Lysine-2-2-3·0%, ME →1770-2420 ME k cal/kg).

3. Feather meal

Feather meal contains about 80-85% protein & is a relatively good source of sulphur containing amino acids.

4. Limestone: Limestone is a source of calcium. It should not contain more than 5 per cent magnesium.

5. Oyster-shell: Oyster-shell contains more than 38 per cent calcium, and is a good substitute for limestone. It is quite palatable.