Livestock 3rd Term

everything livestock 3rd term

What is ration formulation?

Ration formulation is the art and science of developing diets that are most economical by taking advantage of various feed ingredients available at cheap prices.

What should the total percentage of a formulated feed always equal?

The total percentage of a formulated feed must always equal 100%.

In what unit is a ration formulation manual prepared?

A ration formulation manual is prepared in percentages.

What are the two types of ingredients in a ration?

1. Fixed ingredients — these are micro-ingredients whose percentages are very small in a ration. Examples include fish meal, bone meal and oyster shell.

2. Variable ingredients — these are macro-ingredients whose percentages are high in a ration. Examples include maize and soya beans.

What must you consult when listing nutrient requirements for ration formulation?

You must consult a standard table to list the nutrient requirements of the specific age and type of animal to be fed.

What must you consult when selecting feedstuff for ration formulation?

You must consult the table of feedstuff analysis to select the feedstuff that is desired and available.

What six components must a formulated feed contain?

1. Energy source

2. Fibre source

3. Animal protein source

4. Plant protein source

5. Vitamin source

6. Feed additive (especially for poultry and pigs)

What two nutrients are used as reference points in ration formulation and why?

Metabolizable energy (ME, kcal) and crude protein (CP, %) are used as reference points. This is because once the right ME and CP levels are obtained, it is assumed that all other nutrients will fall in line automatically.

List the 5 methods of ration formulation.

1. Simultaneous method

2. Trial and error method

3. Linear programming

4. Computer method

5. Pearson square method

What is the simultaneous method of ration formulation?

The simultaneous method is an alternative to the Pearson square method. It uses simple algebraic equations to formulate a particular nutrient requirement using two feed ingredients. The two ingredients are assigned variables (e.g. X and Y) and two equations are formed and solved simultaneously to find the percentage of each ingredient needed.

Walk through the simultaneous method using maize (X) and groundnut cake (Y) where the required crude protein is 16%, maize has 10% CP and groundnut cake has 40% CP.

Step 1 — Set up the two equations:

Equation 1: X + Y = 100

Equation 2: 0.10X + 0.40Y = 16

Step 2 — Make X the subject in Equation 1:

X = 100 - Y → Equation 3

Step 3 — Substitute Equation 3 into Equation 2:

0.10(100 - Y) + 0.40Y = 16

10 - 0.10Y + 0.40Y = 16

10 + 0.30Y = 16

0.30Y = 16 - 10

0.30Y = 6

Y = 6 ÷ 0.30

Y = 20%

Step 4 — Substitute Y back into Equation 1:

X + 20 = 100

X = 80%

Therefore:

• Maize = 80%

• Groundnut cake = 20%

• Total = 100% ✓

What is the trial and error method of ration formulation?

The trial and error method is the most popular method of formulating rations for swine and poultry. The formulation is manipulated and adjusted until the nutrient requirements of the animal are fully met. It is the only method that makes it possible to formulate a ration that meets ALL the nutrient requirements of the animal.

What is the linear programming method of ration formulation?

Linear programming is a method of determining the least cost combination of ingredients using a series of mathematical equations. There are many possible solutions but when the factor of cost is applied, there can only be one least cost combination.

What is the computer method of ration formulation?

The computer method uses a computer to make thousands of calculations in a short time. However the computer cannot correct errors from incorrect data or errors in setting up the programme. This means the rations produced will only be as good as the information and values entered into the programme — garbage in, garbage out!

What is the Pearson square method and what are its limitations?

The Pearson square method (also called the box method) is a relatively simple and easy method of balancing rations. Its limitations are:

1. It satisfies only ONE nutrient requirement at a time

2. It uses only TWO feed ingredients

3. The level of nutrient being calculated must be intermediate (in between) the nutrient concentration of the two feed ingredients being used

What are the steps of the Pearson square method?

1. Draw a square and place the desired crude protein level in the centre

2. Place the CP content of the energy material (e.g. maize) at the upper left corner and the CP content of the protein material (e.g. soya bean meal or groundnut cake) at the lower left corner

3. Subtract diagonally across the square and record the differences at the right corners

4. Add the two figures at the right corners to get the total

5. Divide each individual right corner value by the total and multiply by 100 to get the percentage of each ingredient

Using the Pearson square method, formulate a diet for a laying chicken containing 17% CP using maize (10% CP) and soya bean cake (44% CP).

Set up the square:

• Upper left: Maize = 10%

• Lower left: Soya bean cake = 44%

• Centre: Desired CP = 17%

Subtract diagonally:

• Upper right: 44 - 17 = 27 (parts of maize)

• Lower right: 17 - 10 = 7 (parts of soya bean cake)

Total: 27 + 7 = 34

Calculate percentages:

• % Maize = 27/34 × 100 = 79.41%

• % Soya cake = 7/34 × 100 = 20.59%

Verification:

• CP from maize = 10/100 × 79.41 = 7.94%

• CP from soya cake = 44/100 × 20.59 = 9.06%

• Total CP = 7.94 + 9.06 = 17% ✓

Using the Pearson square method, formulate a diet containing 16% CP using maize (10% CP) and groundnut cake (40% CP).

Set up the square:

• Upper left: Maize = 10%

• Lower left: Groundnut cake = 40%

• Centre: Desired CP = 16%

Subtract diagonally:

• Upper right: 40 - 16 = 24 (parts of maize)

• Lower right: 16 - 10 = 6 (parts of groundnut cake)

Total: 24 + 6 = 30

Calculate percentages:

• % Maize = 24/30 × 100 = 80%

• % Groundnut cake = 6/30 × 100 = 20%

Verification:

• CP from maize = 10/100 × 80 = 8%

• CP from groundnut cake = 40/100 × 20 = 8%

• Total CP = 8 + 8 = 16% ✓

What are the 4 prototype rations for chickens?

1. Chick mash

2. Broiler starter

3. Broiler finisher

4. Layer ration

List all ingredients and percentages for Chick Mash.

1. Maize 43.0%

2. Wheat offal 21.5%

3. Soya meal 30.0%

4. Fish meal 1.0%

5. Limestone 1.5%

6. Bone meal 2.5%

7. Salt 0.25%

8. Chick premix 0.25%

Total = 100%

List all ingredients and percentages for Broiler Starter.

1. Maize 56.0%

2. Wheat offal 5.0%

3. Soya meal 32.0%

4. Fish meal 1.8%

5. Lysine 0.1%

6. Methionine 0.1%

7. Limestone 1.5%

8. Bone meal 3.0%

9. Salt 0.25%

10. Broiler premix 0.25%

Total = 100%

List all ingredients and percentages for Broiler Finisher.

1. Maize 58.0%

2. Wheat offal 9.3%

3. Soya meal 30.0%

4. Fish meal 1.5%

5. Lysine 0.1%

6. Methionine 0.1%

7. Limestone 1.5%

8. Bone meal 3.0%

9. Salt 0.25%

10. Broiler premix 0.25%

Total = 100%

List all ingredients and percentages for Layer Ration.

1. Maize 40.0%

2. Rice bran 20.0%

3. GNC 20.0%

4. PKC 7.5%

5. Fish meal 2.00%

6. Bone meal 5.00%

7. Oyster shell 5.00%

8. Premix 0.25%

9. Salt 0.25%

Total = 100%

Which two rations contain Lysine and Methionine? Why not the others?

Broiler starter and broiler finisher. Broilers need amino acid supplements for rapid muscle growth. Chick mash and layer rations don't require the same level of growth acceleration.

Which ration contains Oyster shell and why?

Layer ration. Oyster shell is a calcium source — layers need extra calcium to produce strong eggshells every day

List all plant protein ingredients used in diet formulation.

"Super Cows Love Grazing — Roots Feed Them Best"

Letter	Category	Items
S	Soya	Toasted soya bean, full fat soya, soya bean meal
C	Cakes/Oil Meals	Palm kernel, groundnut, cashew nut, cottonseed, sunflower seed, coconut, sesame
L	Legume Forages	Centrosema, Stylosanthes
G	Grains & Cereals	Maize, guinea corn, millet, rice, wheat spent grains, brewers dry grains
R	Roots & Tubers	Cassava, yam, potatoes, cocoyam
F	Forages & Grasses	Grasses, forages, hay, silage
B	Bonus Extras	Molasses, plantain

List all animal protein ingredients used in diet formulation

"Fish Blood Makes Milky Eggs With Wormy Shells"

Letter	Category	Items
F	Fish & Sea	Fish meal, shrimp head meal
B	Blood & Bone	Blood meal, meat meal, meat & bone meal
M	Milk Products	Milk, skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder, liquid whole milk, colostrum
E	Eggs	Eggs
W	Worms & Insects	Termites/insects, earthworms, worms
S	Slaughter By-products	Feather meal, poultry offals

List all 9 factors to consider in feed formulation for farm animals.

1. Feed ingredients available locally

2. Nutrient composition of ingredients

3. Nutrient requirement of the species/class

4. Age of the animal

5. Cost of feedstuff

6. Palatability of the feed

7. Acceptability of the feed

8. Physiological state (e.g. pregnant, lactating)

9. Environmental temperature

What is the difference between palatability and acceptability in feed formulation?

Palatability — how tasty or appealing the feed is to the animal. Acceptability — whether the animal will actually consume the feed. A feed can be palatable but still rejected due to smell, texture, or unfamiliarity.

Why does physiological state matter in feed formulation?

A pregnant or lactating animal has higher nutrient demands. Their ration must be adjusted to meet extra energy and protein needs for foetal development or milk production.

Why does environmental temperature matter in feed formulation?

In hot environments, animals eat less so the ration must be more nutrient-dense. In cold environments, animals need more energy to maintain body temperature.

What are the 5 practical ration types students should be able to prepare?

1. Chick mash

2. Broiler starter

3. Broiler finisher

4. Grower mash

5. Layers mash

Formulate a diet with 18% CP using sorghum (12% CP) and full fat soya beans (38% CP).

Diet with 18% CP using Sorghum (12% CP) and Full Fat Soya (38% CP)

Step 1 — Draw the square

Put 18 (your desired CP) in the centre.

Put 12 (sorghum) top left, 38 (soya) bottom left.

Step 2 — Subtract diagonally

• Sorghum gets: 38 − 18 = 20

• Soya gets: 18 − 12 = 6

You always subtract the centre from the corner, ignoring negative signs.

Step 3 — Add the right side

20 + 6 = 26 (this is your total)

Step 4 — Find percentages

• Sorghum = 20/26 × 100 = 76.92%

• Soya = 6/26 × 100 = 23.08%

Step 5 — Check your answer

• Sorghum contributes: 12% × 76.92% = 9.23

• Soya contributes: 38% × 23.08% = 8.77

• 9.23 + 8.77 = 18% ✓