Animal Nutrition II: Balanced Feed Ration & Storage – SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note (First Term)

A balanced ration is the feed that supplies all the nutrients an animal needs, in the correct proportions, in 24 hours. A ration is the total amount of feed an animal eats in 24 hours.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define a ration and a balanced ration.
2. Distinguish between a maintenance ration and a production ration.
3. List the factors that affect feed formulation.
4. State the rules for storing feed properly.
5. Name the tools used in feed preparation and state what each one does.

What is a balanced ration?

A balanced ration is a meal that contains all the classes of nutrients in the correct proportions for a particular animal.

• Ration: the total amount of food an animal eats in 24 hours.
• Balanced ration: a ration with carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins, minerals and water in the right amounts.
• Formulation: the planning and mixing of ingredients to make a balanced ration.

What does a balanced ration contain?

What are the types of ration?

There are two types of ration: the maintenance ration and the production ration.

Maintenance ration

• Meaning: just enough food to keep the animal alive and healthy.
• Effect: the animal does not gain weight and does not produce eggs or milk.
• Example: a person eating just enough to stay awake and well.

Production ration

• Meaning: extra food given to animals that are “working” to produce something.
• Laying: a hen laying eggs needs extra protein and calcium.
• Lactation: a cow giving milk needs extra feed and water.
• Fattening: a pig fattened for the Christmas market needs plenty of energy feed.
• Growth: young animals need extra feed to grow.

How do the two rations differ?

What factors affect feed formulation?

Feed formulation is affected by the age, species, purpose, cost of ingredients and health of the animal.

• Age of the animal: chicks need a lot of protein to grow muscles.
• Species: pig feed cannot be given to fish because their bodies are built differently.
• Purpose of production: broilers (meat) need high energy and protein; layers (eggs) need more calcium.
• Cost and availability of ingredients: a smart farmer uses what is cheap and available, for example guinea corn when maize is too costly.
• Health status: sick animals may need feed that is easy to digest or has extra vitamins.

How is a balanced ration prepared?

A balanced ration is prepared by choosing ingredients, working out their amounts and mixing them well.

1. Identify the animal, its age and its purpose.
2. Find out the nutrients that animal needs.
3. Choose cheap, available ingredients that supply those nutrients.
4. Work out the amount of each ingredient (for example with the Pearson square).
5. Grind the ingredients that are in large pieces.
6. Weigh each ingredient and mix them thoroughly.
7. Feed the animals and watch their growth and production.

What tools are used in feed preparation?

The tools used in feed preparation are the hammer mill, the mixer, the pelletiser and simple hand tools.

• Grinding machine (hammer mill): crushes maize and soybeans into powder.
• Mixer: stirs all ingredients together so the animal cannot pick out only the “tasty” parts.
• Pelletiser: turns powdered feed into small pellets that are easy for fish or rabbits to eat.
• Weighing scale: measures the correct amount of each ingredient.
• Shovel: mixes small quantities by hand on a clean floor.

How should feed be stored?

Feed should be stored dry, off the floor, well ventilated and safe from pests.

Feed is the most expensive part of farming, so poor storage wastes money through mould, spoilage and rats.

Rules for good feed storage

1. Keep it dry: never let rain or moisture touch the feed. Wet feed grows mould that makes poisons called aflatoxins, which can kill animals.
2. Use pallets: do not put bags directly on the cement floor. Put them on wooden planks (pallets) so air can circulate underneath.
3. Provide ventilation: the store must have fresh air. Heat can destroy the vitamins in the feed.
4. Control pests: the store must be rat-proof and bird-proof. Rats eat the feed and leave droppings that carry diseases.
5. Use First-In, First-Out (FIFO): use the old bags before opening new ones. Do not keep feed for more than 2 to 3 months.

What are the signs of spoilt feed?

• Mouldy smell: a damp or musty odour.
• Lumps: feed that sticks together after taking in moisture.
• Insects: weevils or other pests inside the bag.
• Colour change: green, grey or black patches on the feed.

Why does the quality of feed matter?

Feed quality matters because the animal can only grow and produce as well as the feed it receives.

• Garbage in, garbage out: poor, mouldy or unbalanced feed gives poor results.
• Slow growth: animals fed badly take longer to reach market size.
• Low production: hens lay fewer eggs and cows give less milk.
• Disease and death: mouldy feed and missing nutrients make animals sick.
• Loss of profit: the farmer spends more and earns less.

Evaluation

1. You have a bag of maize (energy) and a bag of groundnut cake (protein). You want your pigs to become very fat. Which bag will you use more of, and why?
2. Look at a bag of commercial feed and read the “Guaranteed Analysis” on the label. What is the percentage of protein?
3. Explain the difference between a maintenance ration and a production ration.
4. State four factors that affect feed formulation.
5. List three rules for good feed storage.

Assignment

Draw a simple sketch of a feed store. Show where the windows should be and how the bags should be stacked on pallets.