Soy Excellence Center

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Muhammad Ahmad

Member
October 18, 2025 at 10:58 am in reply to: The procedure for setting up a brooding circle

Excellent point
Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member
October 18, 2025 at 10:58 am in reply to: Water Quality Management – Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

) Ideal DO level: For fish and shrimp culture, the ideal dissolved oxygen level is above 5 mg/L. Levels below 3 mg/L start stressing animals, and below 2 mg/L can cause mortality.

(2) DO fluctuation during the day: DO increases during the day due to photosynthesis and drops at night when respiration continues but photosynthesis stops.

(3) Main causes of low DO:

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Overfeeding and organic load
Dense algal blooms that die off suddenly
High stocking density
Poor water circulation and aeration

(4) Symptoms of low DO: Fish or shrimp gasping at the surface, reduced feeding, sluggish movement, and mass mortality in severe cases.

(5) Improving and maintaining DO:

Use aerators or paddle wheels regularly
Avoid overfeeding and excess organic buildup
Maintain phytoplankton balance and water exchange

(6) Best aeration strategy: Continuous aeration at night and early morning, with strategic placement to circulate water and prevent dead zones.

(7) Most critical time: Early morning (just before sunrise) — DO is usually at its lowest point.

(8) Timing for checking DO: Measure at least twice daily — early morning and late afternoon — to monitor fluctuations.

(9) Role of probiotics: Yes, probiotics help by breaking down organic matter and reducing oxygen demand from decomposing waste, thus indirectly maintaining better DO levels.) Ideal DO level:
For fish and shrimp culture, the ideal dissolved oxygen level is above 5 mg/L. Levels below 3 mg/L start stressing animals, and below 2 mg/L can cause mortality.

(2) DO fluctuation during the day:
DO increases during the day due to photosynthesis and drops at night when respiration continues but photosynthesis stops.

(3) Main causes of low DO:

Overfeeding and organic load

Dense algal blooms that die off suddenly

High stocking density

Poor water circulation and aeration

(4) Symptoms of low DO:
Fish or shrimp gasping at the surface, reduced feeding, sluggish movement, and mass mortality in severe cases.

(5) Improving and maintaining DO:

Use aerators or paddle wheels regularly

Avoid overfeeding and excess organic buildup

Maintain phytoplankton balance and water exchange

(6) Best aeration strategy:
Continuous aeration at night and early morning, with strategic placement to circulate water and prevent dead zones.

(7) Most critical time:
Early morning (just before sunrise) — DO is usually at its lowest point.

(8) Timing for checking DO:
Measure at least twice daily — early morning and late afternoon — to monitor fluctuations.

(9) Role of probiotics:
Yes, probiotics help by breaking down organic matter and reducing oxygen demand from decomposing waste, thus indirectly maintaining better DO levels.

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:58 am in reply to: Toxicity of minerals

Copper (Cu) toxicity in broiler chickens is generally observed at levels of 250 \text{ mg/kg} of feed and above when provided as a supplement (e.g., cupric sulfate).

Key points regarding copper toxicity in broilers:

250 \text{ mg/kg}: This level is often cited as a cautionary point, as it has been shown to have negative effects on bird performance, such as depressed growth, reduced feed intake, and impaired feed efficiency, especially during the starter period. It can also cause gross lesions like oral lesions and gizzard erosion.

300 \text{ mg/kg}: Intake levels higher than this are generally related to subclinical or clinical toxicity.

500 \text{ mg/kg}: This level is consistently reported to significantly depress growth and feed conversion, cause severe oral lesions and gizzard erosion, and damage the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., depressed villi height).
Acute Poisoning: A single, very high dose of copper sulfate (CuSO$_4$) greater than 1 \text{ g} can be fatal.

Toxicity symptoms can include:

Depressed growth and feed intake

Poor feed conversion ratio (FCR)

Severe oral lesions and gizzard erosion

Damaged gastrointestinal tract morphology
Accumulation of copper in the liver
Watery diarrhea and listlessness (in acute cases)Copper (Cu) toxicity in broiler chickens is generally observed at levels of 250 \text{ mg/kg} of feed and above when provided as a supplement (e.g., cupric sulfate).
Key points regarding copper toxicity in broilers:
250 \text{ mg/kg}: This level is often cited as a cautionary point, as it has been shown to have negative effects on bird performance, such as depressed growth, reduced feed intake, and impaired feed efficiency, especially during the starter period. It can also cause gross lesions like oral lesions and gizzard erosion.
300 \text{ mg/kg}: Intake levels higher than this are generally related to subclinical or clinical toxicity.
500 \text{ mg/kg}: This level is consistently reported to significantly depress growth and feed conversion, cause severe oral lesions and gizzard erosion, and damage the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., depressed villi height).
Acute Poisoning: A single, very high dose of copper sulfate (CuSO$_4$) greater than 1 \text{ g} can be fatal.
Toxicity symptoms can include:
Depressed growth and feed intake
Poor feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Severe oral lesions and gizzard erosion
Damaged gastrointestinal tract morphology
Accumulation of copper in the liver
Watery diarrhea and listlessness (in acute cases)

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:53 am in reply to: In OVO feeding

For those who might not have access to high-tech solutions like in-ovo feeding, what are some effective, low-cost strategies we can implement at the farm level to get nutrients into chicks as quickly as possible after they arrive?

Mohamed Hamada Nasser

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:45 am in reply to: Mycotoxins & Immunity

Mycotoxins have a significant negative impact on poultry immunity, weakening both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Here’s how they affect immunity in birds:

Damage to immune organs:

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Mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen, which are key organs for immune cell production.
This reduces the number and function of lymphocytes (T and B cells).
Suppressed antibody production:

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Birds exposed to mycotoxins produce fewer antibodies in response to vaccines (like NDV or IBD vaccines).
This leads to poor vaccine protection and increased susceptibility to infections.
Reduced phagocytic activity:

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Mycotoxins impair macrophages and heterophils, the first line of defense cells, making birds less able to destroy invading pathogens.
Oxidative stress and inflammation:

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Mycotoxins increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative damage and chronic inflammation that further suppress immune function.
Increased disease susceptibility:

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Birds become more prone to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections such as coccidiosis, salmonellosis, and NDV.Mycotoxins have a significant negative impact on poultry immunity, weakening both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Here’s how they affect immunity in birds:

Damage to immune organs:

Mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen, which are key organs for immune cell production.

This reduces the number and function of lymphocytes (T and B cells).

Suppressed antibody production:

Birds exposed to mycotoxins produce fewer antibodies in response to vaccines (like NDV or IBD vaccines).

This leads to poor vaccine protection and increased susceptibility to infections.

Reduced phagocytic activity:

Mycotoxins impair macrophages and heterophils, the first line of defense cells, making birds less able to destroy invading pathogens.

Oxidative stress and inflammation:

Mycotoxins increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative damage and chronic inflammation that further suppress immune function.

Increased disease susceptibility:

Birds become more prone to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections such as coccidiosis, salmonellosis, and NDV.

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:27 am in reply to: Traceability

Traceability and Digitalization: “Beyond basic regulatory requirements, what are the most valuable ways members are using digital traceability tools to enhance quality control and inventory management within the mill?”

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:25 am in reply to: Preventative Maintenance Tech:

Preventative Maintenance Tech: “What predictive or preventative maintenance technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermal imaging) are members finding most effective for reducing unexpected downtime in their pellet mills or mixers?”

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:22 am in reply to: Energy use in Milling

Energy Use in Milling: “With rising energy costs, what are the most effective, practical methods the community is using to reduce the energy consumption (kWh/ton) in the actual grinding and pelleting phases of feed milling?

Muhammad Ahmad

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:16 am in reply to: Soy inclusion

Optimization of Soy Inclusion: “What is the latest research or technique being adopted by members to optimize the inclusion rate of soy in different feed formulations (e.g., swine vs. poultry), particularly in balancing cost with maximizing digestible amino acidsOptimization of Soy Inclusion: “What is the latest research or technique being adopted by members to optimize the inclusion rate of soy in different feed formulations (e.g., swine vs. poultry), particularly in balancing cost with maximizing digestible amino acids

Dr.S.Sridhar

Member

October 18, 2025 at 10:11 am in reply to: Why Proper Feeding Is the Key to Hammermill Efficiency?

In hammermill operations, what happens before the grinding chamber often decides everything that happens inside.

Proper and consistent feeding isn’t just about keeping the machine running — it determines grinding efficiency, energy consumption, hammer life, and overall operational cost per ton.

🪫 The Cost of Uneven Feeding

When the feed to a hammermill is inconsistent, it creates:

⚡ Motor load surges — the motor can’t operate at peak efficiency.

🔩 Accelerated hammer & pin wear due to rocking on the pins.

🌀 Rotor imbalance leading to vibration and increased maintenance.

📉 Reduced grinding uniformity and higher energy use.

💰 More frequent part replacements and higher cost per ton.

Uneven feeding doesn’t just hurt performance — it wears out your machine faster and increases your operational costs.

🌀 Rotary Pocket Feeder — A Controlled Flow Solution

A rotary pocket feeder uses a segmented rotor with pockets that fill and empty at a controlled, constant rate, delivering even material flow across the hammermill face.

🔧 Mechanical Working:

Material fills the rotor pockets uniformly.

Rotor turns at a fixed speed, acting as a volumetric dosing system.

Each pocket discharges an equal amount of feed directly to the hammermill inlet.

This results in a steady, pulse-free flow into the grinding chamber.

🧮 Engineering Effect:

Constant load → stable motor amperage curve.

Uniform impact → even hammer wear, less rocking on pins.

Balanced rotor → reduced vibration, longer bearing life.

Better grind quality and lower kWh/ton.

✅ Best suited for free-flowing materials like whole grains and coarsely ground meals.

🪛 Screw Feeder — When Material Doesn’t Flow Easily

A screw feeder moves material forward using an auger. While useful for materials with poor flowability, its feed pattern is often pulsating, creating surges in the hammermill.

⚠️ Mechanical Impact:

Uneven flow → torque fluctuations and amp spikes.
Sudden loads → localized hammer wear and pin stress.
Over time → imbalance, more downtime, and higher energy cost.🧭 Operator Insights

Match feeder capacity with mill throughput.
Maintain and inspect feeder pockets regularly.
Avoid bridging at inlet — steady inflow is key.
Use screw feeders only when material properties make rotary feeders impractical.

By getting the feeder right, you can:

Extend hammer and pin life

Cut energy costs

Improve mill performance

Reduce downtime and maintenance