How Do I Make My Own Layer Feed?

Formulating your own feed for laying hens is a great way to reduce feeding costs and effectively utilize local crops. However, it requires a scientific and careful approach. Below are detailed steps and key points to help you do it safely and efficiently.

Feed must contain comprehensive nutrients such as energy, protein, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, and the proportions must be precise.

Raw materials must be fresh, free from mold and contamination. Some raw materials (such as certain oilseed meals and minerals) contain natural toxins or heavy metals, and their usage must be strictly controlled.

The nutritional needs of laying hens vary greatly at different physiological stages (brooding, growing, and laying periods). Never feed a single formula to all stages.

New formulas should be tested on a small scale first to observe the flock's feed intake, digestion, feces, and egg production before large-scale formulation.

You need to pay attention to the following key indicators (specific values ​​should refer to the latest "Chicken Feeding Standards"):

This is a basic framework. You will need to adjust it based on local raw material prices and availability, and it is essential to use feed formulation software or perform precise calculations.

 Energy Raw Materials (60-70%):

 Corn: The main energy source, with good palatability.

 Wheat, Broken Rice: Can partially replace corn.

 Protein Raw Materials (20-30%):

 Soybean Meal: The highest quality plant protein source, with a balanced amino acid profile.

 Rapeseed Meal, Cottonseed Meal: Can be used in small amounts to reduce costs, but attention should be paid to toxins and palatability; the total amount is recommended not to exceed 5%.

 Fish Meal: High-quality animal protein, providing amino acids and unknown growth factors; expensive, optional.

 Calcium and Phosphorus Raw Materials (Crucial!):

 Calcium Carbonate: Provides calcium; inexpensive. Can be used at 8-9% in laying feed.

 Bone Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate: Provides phosphorus and some calcium. Always use defluorinated, safe feed-grade products.

 Core Additives (Indispensable):

 Laying Hen Premix: This is the most recommended and safest method. Premixes contain vitamins, trace elements, amino acids (methionine, lysine), antioxidants, and all other trace components that are difficult to mix evenly by hand. Add according to the manufacturer's recommended ratio (usually 1-5%).

Choose professional, high-quality premix suppliers with independent R&D capabilities, and have them recommend feed formulations.

 Salt: Provides sodium and chloride.

If premixes are not used, multiple vitamins, trace elements, amino acids, etc., must be purchased separately, which is extremely difficult and risky to mix.

A simplified basic formula for laying hens (for reference only, using 3% laying premix)

 Tools:

Precise platform scale (at least to the gram), large mixing container (mixer is best), waterproof and moisture-proof storage container, protective mask and gloves.

 Weighing Ingredients:

Strictly follow the formula proportions, accurately weighing each ingredient using a platform scale.

 Step-by-Step Mixing (Crucial Step!):

Principle: Ingredients used in smaller quantities should be diluted and premixed first.

 First, mix the premix with a small amount (e.g., an equal amount) of soybean meal or wheat bran to create a "basic propagation feed."

 Then, gradually mix the "basic propagation feed" with more bulk ingredients such as soybean meal and corn.

 Finally, add limestone powder, dicalcium phosphate, and salt, ensuring thorough and prolonged mixing (at least 10-15 minutes) until the color and texture are completely uniform. Manual mixing is highly prone to uneven mixing, leading to nutrient poisoning in some chickens and deficiencies in others.

Storage: Place the mixed feed in a well-sealed container and store it in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. It is best to use it within 2 weeks to prevent vitamin degradation and mold growth.

Premixed feed is strongly recommended. For non-professional farmers, accurately mixing dozens of vitamins and trace elements is nearly impossible. Purchasing reputable premixed feed specifically for laying hens is the most economical and safest way to ensure balanced nutrition.

 Recommend some CJ premix for layer

 

3% Layer Grower Premix Feed 3323

 

3% laying hen Premix Feed 3333

 

5% Layer Laying Premix 3335

Corn, soybean meal, and other main feed ingredients must not be moldy. Aflatoxin and other substances produced by moldy feed can severely damage the liver of laying hens, leading to decreased egg production and even death.

This may be due to insufficient or improper calcium-phosphorus ratio, or vitamin D3 deficiency.

Check for sufficient energy and protein, especially methionine deficiency.

This may be due to insufficient amino acids (especially sulfur-containing amino acids) or insufficient salt.

Adequate and clean drinking water must be provided. Water shortage has a more rapid and severe impact on egg production than feed shortage.

Record the proportions of each batch of formula, the source of raw materials, as well as the flock's egg production rate, egg weight, feed intake, and feces condition, in order to optimize the formula later.

For farmers just starting out with self-mixing feed, the safest approach is:

Corn + Soybean Meal + Limestone +oil+ Dicalcium Phosphate + Salt + High-Quality Laying Hen Premix.

First, strictly follow the established formula provided by the premix manufacturer to ensure nutritional balance. After gaining experience and data, consider minor adjustments or using some local, inexpensive ingredients as substitutes.

Self-mixing feed is a technical skill that requires continuous learning and observation. If your farm is small-scale, purchasing complete feed from a reputable manufacturer may be more convenient and less risky.