What are the different types of chicken premixes?
When looking for the best Chicken Premixes, you will come across different types of feeds. Each type offers its own set of benefits and can contribute to your chicken’s healthy growth. These feeds contain various kinds of nutrients required for the complete growth and development of your chicken. It is recommended to choose quality premixes that offer the best of all different types of feeds. This guide provides you valuable insight into the different types of feeds and their limitations.
Growing Chicken Feed
Growing chicken feed is given to poultry that are 6 weeks to 20 weeks old. They are no longer tiny chicks. The feed should have 16% to 18% protein and lesser calcium than layer feed. Grower feed will support the poultry’s growth without providing them with unwanted vitamins and minerals. When your chickens start laying eggs, you can switch to proper Chicken Premixes equivalent to layer feed.
Layer Chicken Feed
Your poultry will eat layer feed for most of their life. These types of Chicken Premixes will have a good balance of nutrients for ensuring better egg-laying abilities. The protein content is almost similar to that required in grower feed, but more calcium is required in this case. This type of feed should be given to poultry that are at least 20 weeks old or have started laying eggs.
Scratch
This is the most commonly used type of chicken feed. These feeds are also referred to as the commercial types. They are packed with lots of fat, but contain low amounts of protein. Proteins are important for the overall health of the chicken. The scratch will have corn and whole grains and it is recommended to mix it with other types of feed for additional nutrients. It is recommended to choose Chicken Premixes over this type of feed for raising healthy chicken.
Greens
These feeds contain green leaves, weeds, and lettuce. Like scratch, it is best to mix this feeds with other types. Greens provide a good variety of nutrients to chicken but this cannot be considered a full diet. These can however be included in the complete Chicken Premixes.
Soybeans
Packed with proteins, soybeans are also considered good for chicken growth. This type of feed is however considered better than scratch. Often scratch and soybeans are combined together to create a more balanced chicken feed.
Pellets
These types of chicken feed are made by mashing ingredients together, combining them and then turning them into pellets. This type of feed is considered better because it contains different types of nutrients. Mash feeds are also similar to pellets. They are mashed or ground, but contain a variety of nutrients. However, these feed types do not have the completeness provided by quality Chicken Premixes.
Feed Carriers
It is recommended to choose Chicken Premixes that contain a mixture of all essential nutrients in the right mix. Quality premixes will also have a component known as the carrier. There should be ample space for the carrier so that active ingredients don’t interact at a deeper level. The carrier should essentially be chemically inert. A good quality carrier serves the following functions:
- Neutralizing electrostatic charges in the ingredients.
- Have the particle size, shape and density similar to the ingredients. This is crucial for preventing de-mixing.
- Captures moisture from other ingredients to improve the premix’s stability.
- Maintain excellent flow-ability.
Both organic and inorganic carriers are used for making Chicken Premixes. Quality premixes are usually made by blending the right ratio of different types of carriers that fulfill the above-mentioned conditions. For example, organic carriers are good at absorbing moisture and inorganic carriers in adding density to the premix.
Champrix can help you to formulate the right premix for your goals. Contact us so we can help your further.
