Feed in broiler farming is solely represented nearly 70% of the total cost of running and major contributor to flock performance. Knowing feed quality and possible deceit with feed formulation can save you from huge losses.
I have seen broiler batches where every possible management protocol is followed but flock would fail due to poor quality of feed. High prices of soyDOC and maize forces feed millers to use alternate feed ingredients which are lower in quality and sometimes to reduce down the cost of feed poor quality fungus laden corn is being purchased, or due to poor grain keeping facilities, corn may be spoiled.
When this type of feed is used in farms, it mainly causes 2 problems (1) direct toxicity to the birds (2) breach of immunity. The second problem is more severe because when a breach of immunity is combined with other immunosuppressant diseases in the farm especially gumboro that causes huge setbacks in terms of FCR and mortality. Here farmers remain clueless and left in the dark.
So when you purchase feed from the market, buy it from a reliable dealer and purchase a good brand. New farmers should understand that mortality in the first week is mainly a fault of hatchery (& poor temperature management especially in winters) and after that feed quality and disease load in farms become main reason.
Although the combination of factors works together and give us good or bad results but feed is one of the most important factors in all due to fewer margins and high competition. It always remains safe, better and remunerative to make your own feed from the very beginning. Farmers who make their own feed have higher chances to remain in business and of course earn more.
Lots of cheating is seen in the feed medicine and additive sector. Due to a lack of regulations, anyone can sell amino acids, vitamins and minerals. A lot of under quality amino acids are available in the market at very discountable rates, this difference is about 300-400%. Duplicate products are nearly 3 to 4 times cheaper. Lack of knowledge and to make feed cheap these ingredients are also used in low-quality cheap feeds. This will result in losses only.
