Member Lina Paola Pardo Quevedo
MemberForum Replies Created
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The first 10 days is ideal
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Early vaccination is the best option
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Good contributions
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Numerous recent studies have shown that supplementing probiotics in animal feed positively alter the gut microbiota, reduce pathogen shedding and disease symptoms, increases gut immunity, and improve disease resistance and healthed?
Numerous recent studies have shown that supplementing probiotics in animal feed positively alter the gut microbiota, reduce pathogen shedding and disease symptoms, increases gut immunity, and improve disease resistance and health -
Thank you for this information
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Noted and thanks
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Yes
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Cannibalism or Vent pecking Reasons.
High stocking density.
Inadequate floor, feeding and drinking spaces respectfully.
Excessive ambient and house temperature.
Low dietary Sodium, potassium and chloride.
High light intensity in poultry house.
Water and feed shortages.
Genetic factors due to inheritance.
**To Control cannibalism or Vent Pecking.Underlisted measures should be applied.**
Overstocking of birds should be prevented by housing the standard required number of birds per Cell in battery cage.
Adequate floor space of 1.2ft square per bird should be maintained for layer on floor. However,an increase floor space can also be considered if pecking persist.These are necessary for the birds to adequately exhibit their social order behaviour.
Increase the feeding space by increasing the feeders and making feeds available for the birds to prevent feed shortage.
Increase the drinking space by increasing the drinkers and availability of drinking water for the birds adlibitum to prevent water shortage.
Use of insulators or cooling agents such as evaporative cooling pads, Industrial paddle Fans for cooling of the poultry house to minimize heat stress effects on vent pecking.
Sodium Bicarbonate and sodium chloride (salt) level in their diet can be increased proportionally to improve birds body electrolytes to combat heat stress and thus prevent Vent pecking.
Antipyretics Agents like Stressroak,VitC, Acetylsalicylic acid, Ice blocks and chilled water from Chillers are also added to birds drinking water to cushion heat stress effects and eventually Combat Vent pecking.
Reduction in pen house light intensity has been proven in controlling Vent pecking vices in layers.
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Great
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1. Reduced Energy Consumption:
Energy-efficient motors use less electricity to perform the same task.
Savings: Typically 2–10% less energy than standard motors, and up to 30% over time with proper system design.
Result: Lower energy bills and reduced operational costs.
2. Lower Operating Costs:
Energy savings lead to significant cost reductions over the motor’s lifespan.
Though the initial cost may be slightly higher, the payback period is short (usually <2 years in high-use areas like hammer mills).
3. Reduced Heat Generation:
Efficient motors run cooler, minimizing energy lost as heat.
Benefit: Less wear on components and reduced need for ventilation or cooling systems.
4. Longer Equipment Lifespan:
Cooler operation reduces insulation breakdown and mechanical stress.
Leads to lower maintenance needs and fewer unplanned downtimes.
5. Improved Process Efficiency:
Energy-efficient motors maintain stable speed and torque, improving:
Feed particle size uniformity (in grinders)
Mixing quality
Pellet consistency
Better feed quality = better animal performance.
6. Environmental Benefits:
Reduced energy consumption = lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Supports sustainable agriculture and aligns with corporate/environmental standards.
7. Compliance and Incentives:
May be required by energy regulations or supported by government incentives, grants, or rebates.
Meets standards like IE3/IE4 (International Efficiency) or NEMA Premium (USA).
8. Improved Power Factor and Load Handling:
Energy-efficient motors often come with better power factor, reducing strain on the electrical system.
Capable of handling variable loads more effectively (especially when paired with Variable Frequency Drives, VFDs).
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1. Hygrometer (Mechanical or Analog):
How It Works: Uses materials (like hair or synthetic fiber) that expand/contract with humidity changes.
Types:
Hair hygrometer – Uses human or animal hair.
Dial hygrometer – Uses a coil spring attached to a needle.
Accuracy: Moderate.
Use Case: Simple, low-cost applications (e.g., poultry houses, storage).
2. Psychrometer (Wet and Dry Bulb Thermometer):
How It Works: Compares temperatures of two thermometers:
Dry bulb – measures ambient air temp.
Wet bulb – has a wet cloth; evaporative cooling drops temp.
Humidity is calculated using the temperature difference and psychrometric charts/formulas.
Types:
Manual psychrometer
Sling psychrometer (rotated to ventilate)
Accuracy: High (if used correctly).
Use Case: Field measurements, educational use, poultry barns.
3. Electronic Humidity Sensors (Digital Hygrometers):
How It Works: Use capacitive, resistive, or thermal conductivity sensors to detect changes in electrical properties due to moisture.
Types:
Capacitive sensors (most common)
Resistive sensors
Thermal conductivity sensors
Accuracy: High and fast response.
Use Case: Climate control systems, automated incubators, feed storage monitoring, smart farming.
4. Dew Point Hygrometer:
How It Works: Cools a surface until condensation forms; the temperature at which this occurs is the dew point, which relates to humidity.
Accuracy: Very high.
Use Case: Scientific labs, industrial settings.
5. Gravimetric Method (Reference Method):
How It Works: Measures moisture by weighing a sample before and after drying (oven-drying method).
Not for air, but used to determine moisture content in feed, grain, soil, etc.
Accuracy: Extremely high (reference standard).
Use Case: Feed mills, research labs, quality control.
6. Chilled Mirror Hygrometer:
How It Works: Mirrors are cooled until dew forms; optical sensors detect condensation.
Accuracy: Very high.
Use Case: Calibration labs, scientific applications.
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Feed safety refers to the assurance that animal feed is free from physical, chemical, and biological hazards that could harm animals, humans (via the food chain), or the environment. It includes all measures taken during the production, processing, storage, and distribution of feed to ensure it is safe for animal consumption and poses no risk to public health.
Core Aspects of Feed Safety:
1. Contaminant-Free: No mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals, drug residues, pathogens, or foreign bodies.
2. Proper Nutritional Balance: Avoiding nutrient deficiencies or excesses that can impair animal health.
3. Traceability: Ability to trace feed ingredients back to their source.
4. Compliance: Adherence to international and national feed regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP+, ISO 22000).
5. Safe Handling and Storage: Preventing spoilage, mold growth, or cross-contamination.
Why Is Feed Safety Important in Animal Nutrition?
1. Animal Health and Welfare:
Contaminated feed can cause diseases, reduce immunity, and lead to poor growth, reproductive failure, or death.
For example, aflatoxins in feed can cause liver damage and suppress immunity in poultry.
2. Human Food Safety:
Unsafe feed = unsafe food.
Residues of toxins, antibiotics, or pathogens in animal products (meat, milk, eggs) can affect human health.
Example: Mycotoxins or salmonella in feed can enter the human food chain.
3. Animal Performance and Farm Profitability:
Poor-quality or contaminated feed reduces feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency (FCR), leading to economic losses.
Nutrient imbalances can lead to metabolic disorders and increased vet costs.
4. Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases:
Feed can transmit zoonotic agents like Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli, posing risks to animals and farm workers.
5. Environmental and Regulatory Compliance:
Overuse of certain additives or antibiotics in feed can lead to environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance.
Regulatory violations can lead to farm shutdowns, export bans, or fines.
6. Sustainability and Consumer Trust:
Ensuring feed safety builds trust in animal agriculture and supports sustainable, responsible food systems.
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1. Heat Stability:
Why Important: Feed processing (e.g., pelleting) exposes additives to high temperatures (70°C–90°C or higher).
What to Look For:
Products tested for stability at pelleting temperatures (with retention of binding capacity post-pelleting).
Enzymes should be thermostable or protected (e.g., through encapsulation or coating).
Ask for in vitro heat stability tests or certifications from suppliers.
2. Type and Source of Yeast:
Most Common: Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC)
Yeast Derivatives Used:
a. Yeast cell wall (YCW) – rich in β-glucans and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), which bind some mycotoxins and pathogens.
b. Autolyzed or hydrolyzed yeast – offers immune modulation.
c. Spent yeast – low-cost alternative, but quality varies.
What to Look For:
High-quality Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with standardized β-glucan and MOS content.
Proven binding spectrum for aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, etc.
Certification on origin and purity.
3. Enzymatic Activity:
Purpose: Break down or biotransform mycotoxins into non-toxic compounds (especially trichothecenes like DON or ZEN).
Enzymes to Consider:
Esterases (for zearalenone)
Epoxidases or de-epoxidases (for DON)
What to Look For:
Enzymes with documented specificity and mode of action against certain mycotoxins.
Proven gut stability and activity (they should survive feed processing and stomach pH).
Prefer microbial enzymes (e.g., from Eubacterium or Devosia) or recombinant versions with enhanced stability.
4. Broad-Spectrum Binding Ability:
Not all binders are effective against all toxins.
Clays (e.g., bentonite) – good for aflatoxins.
Yeast cell walls – better for fusarium toxins (like DON, ZEN).
Enzymes – specifically degrade certain mycotoxins.
What to Look For:
Binders that combine physical (adsorptive) and biological (enzymatic/biotransformative) modes.
Efficacy proven in simulated gastrointestinal models.
5. pH Stability:
Mycotoxin binding should remain effective across different pH values (from acidic stomach to alkaline intestines).
Ask suppliers for pH range studies on their products.
6. In Vivo Efficacy and Independent Validation:
Animal trials are more meaningful than just in vitro tests.
Look for:
Peer-reviewed studies
University/independent lab validation
Improvements in animal performance, organ health, toxin residue reduction
7. Regulatory Approval and Safety:
Ensure the product:
Has regulatory approval for use in your country or region.
Is non-toxic, non-antibiotic, and does not interfere with nutrient absorption.
Has no heavy metal contamination (check for dioxins, lead, arsenic).
8. Compatibility with Feed Processing:
Should not negatively affect:
Feed flowability
Pellet durability
Nutrient availability.
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The primary energy-consuming processes in feed milling are those involved in the physical transformation of raw materials into finished feed products. These processes require electricity and sometimes thermal energy (e.g., steam).
1. Grinding (Milling):
Purpose: Reducing particle size of ingredients (especially grains).
Equipment: Hammer mills or roller mills.
Energy Use: Highest energy consumer in most feed mills.
Why High: It requires a lot of power to break down hard grains into smaller, uniform particles.
2. Mixing:
Purpose: Evenly blending all ingredients to form a homogeneous mixture.
Equipment: Horizontal or vertical mixers.
Energy Use: Moderate; requires less energy compared to grinding.
Notes: Efficiency affects feed quality but not a major energy draw.
3. Pelleting:
Purpose: Compressing mixed feed into dense pellets.
Equipment: Pellet mills with rollers and dies.
Energy Use: Second highest after grinding.
Why High: Includes mechanical compression and conditioning (steam use).
Also Uses: Thermal energy (steam generation for conditioning mash before pelleting).
4. Cooling:
Purpose: Reducing pellet temperature and moisture after pelleting.
Equipment: Counterflow or horizontal coolers.
Energy Use: Moderate (mainly electricity for fans and blowers).
5. Steam Generation (for conditioning and pelleting):
Purpose: Provides heat and moisture for conditioning mash before pelleting.
Equipment: Boilers.
Energy Use: Can be very high, especially in pellet mills with high throughput.
Fuel: Often uses gas, diesel, or biomass, not electricity.
6. Conveying:
Purpose: Moving ingredients and products between processing stages.
Equipment: Bucket elevators, screw conveyors, pneumatic systems.
Energy Use: Moderate to low, depending on system design and layout.
7. Bagging and Packaging:
Purpose: Filling and sealing feed into bags for storage or delivery.
Equipment: Bagging machines, stitchers, sealers.
Energy Use: Low compared to core processing steps.
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The design of a feed mill has a profound impact on its energy efficiency, affecting everything from electricity and steam usage to maintenance costs and product quality.
A well-designed feed mill minimizes energy waste and maximizes throughput, while a poorly designed one can result in: High power consumption, Frequent breakdowns, Material bottlenecks or recirculation, Poor pellet quality.
