REASONS FOR POOR GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE ASSOCIATED WITH LOCAL FEEDS
--Lack of basic knowledge on nutrients requirements of birds with respect to age, sex
--Lack of basic knowledge on quality testing
--Poor quality of ingredients
--Unavailability of ingredients
--Poor formulation and ingredients incorporation
--Poor processing equipment
--Poor storage facilities
1. Lack of basic knowledge on nutrients requirements of birds with respect to age/ sex:
Feed formulation requires a lot of principles and can only be done by a learned person.
Formulating feed without sound knowledge of it can cause problem
For instance, at certain age, chicken require more energy and fiber and at early stage require more protein. So, in a situation whereby you just come across one feed formula online and since you have no knowledge of it and decide to just use it, you are doing more harm to your birds. If you use finisher mash for chicks, they will have prolapse
2) Lack of basic knowledge on quality testing of ingredients
A lot of testing should be conducted before you buy your feed ingredients
For Maize, Soy meal, Bone meal Etc. And this require knowledge
3. Quality of protein:
There is a recommended standard on the quantity of protein require/ age of bird. Attention should be paid to the quality and quantity of protein fed to the birds in order to supply all the needed essential amino acid.
4) Poor formulation and incorporation:
There are recommended standard per additive, antioxidant, minerals, antibiotics , protein and energy sources used in feed
Some birds require more fiber, some require more calcium than others etc So you have to know all these.
5) Poor processing equipment :
Poor processing especially if the crushing machine isn't in good working condition will cause production of feed with big particles, and this can cause delay digestion and absorption. Also, it's important that if you are mixing your feed manually, since you don't have mixer. Do not mix on the floor to avoid packing soil/stone/ dirt with your feed. Get something like nylon or tarpaulin or mat, spread on the floor and mix your feed.
6) Poor storage:
Anytime you want to store your feed ingredients or finished feed, always place it on top of wooden pallet. Don't place it on the floor directly. It will grow mold and spoil
So, i you use this feed with the mindset of not wanting to waste your money, It will cause a lot of problem as discussed because already, toxins are present in the feed
If you use this spoilt feed for pullet, it would delay Laying and your birds would look weak with different color of faeces. For the laying birds, there will be drop in eggs production, It can even open door for other diseases. So, store your feed ingredients/ feed properly and do not feed your birds with spoilt feed.
