FAQs

There are a number of different “forms” of feed available on the market these days for feeding chickens: “mash”, “crumble” and “pellets”. Which type of feed is better and what are their differences?

“MASH” FEED

A mash feed is created using a roller or hammer mill to reduce the size of the larger ingredients such as corn and soybean meal, to a more uniform particle size.

1. Formulated Animal feed has a carefully designed nutritional composition which is set to give the bird exactly what is needed at each stage of life: protein, fiber, calcium, vitamins and minerals. With feeding chickens a mash feed, you can see what’s in the feed and so can your chickens that are quite adept at selecting their favorite ingredients and leaving the rest behind. It is common that the birds would feed on the maize first, which is the carbohydrate (energy) component of the feed.

2. Secondly they would feed on the soybean meal which accounts for the protein intake.

3. Thirdly they will pick the wheat bran (fiber), calcium carbonate (calcium for egg shell formation) and added vitamins/minerals (health). This process would require the birds to have unobstructed access to their feed during an extended period of time so they can get the full composition of the feed. Therefore the mash form of feed is most popular with layer chicken farmers that use rearing in battery cages. Their long feeders ensure that all birds have uninterrupted access to the feed for long lengths of time. It gives chickens a chance to pick at their feed with no rush, eventually consuming all the ingredients.

“PELLET” FEED

Pellets are made using a heat and pressure process that infuses all of the feed ingredients together. Moreover, by using heat in the process which normally exceeds 55 degrees Celsius, any slight chance of any ingredients in the feed being contaminated with Salmonella or Campylobacter can be eliminated.

For layer chickens and broilers who are raised in free-range pens using pelleted feed is more economically effective. If given mashed feed in free-range pens the strongest birds out of the group reach the feeder first and pick out all their most favorite ingredients like maize pushing the other components away with their beaks in search for more maize. The birds are eventually left with an uncompleted diet while a large portion of feed gets lost as waste on the floor. In addition, the weakest birds will not have access to the maize at all. Using pelleted feed ensures that each animal receives their equal share of feed and a well-balanced diet as they are not able to select any of feed components. It is also worth mentioning, that for optimal results the maximum number of birds per feeder at one time should not exceed 15.

“CRUMBLE” FEED

Crumble feed is prepared using the same process as pelleted feed. Once pellets are produced, they are subsequently crushed with the help of hammer mill to reduce the size of the pellets. Generally younger birds prefer smaller size feed over larger pellets. In crumble feed ingredients are fused together the same way as in pellets to allow for less feed wastage and well balanced diet. Price for crumbled feed is equal to the one of pelleted feed. The benefit of crumble is a combination of smaller feed size and higher feed quality with better management of resources by reducing feed wastage.

SUMMARY

1. Mash feed is usually a cheaper option and works very well for battery cages.

2. Pelleted and Crumble feed are more biologically productive due to the balanced feeding diet and lesser wastage.

3. Crumble feed is preferred by younger birds while pellet is optimal for fully grown producing chickens.

Animal feed freshness is a concern for many farmers. We all want to feed our livestock or pets the best we can. When it comes to freshness there are several factors involved, one of those being the expected shelf life of feed.

Shelf life is the length of time a feed is considered to have the nutritional quality and physical characteristics as intended when it was produced by manufacturer. The shelf life of feeds can vary greatly, based on the type of feed and the conditions it is stored in.

The biggest factor is storage conditions. When stored in dry, cool conditions, from the date of manufacture through storage at a dealership and at farm, all the way to feeding, nutrient levels in animal feeds can be good for up to 4 months. However, changes in heat or humidity can take shelf life down to just a few weeks.

Another great challenge in storage of feed is the potential growth of molds. Molds are present in low levels all around us, but when exposed to certain conditions, molds can proliferate. Molds love an environment that is warm and moist therefore, feed should be stored in a cool, dry place.

So what is the optimal feed storage time specific to Seychelles?

In hot and humid weather conditions it is generally recommended to keep purchases of feed smaller and more frequent to help ensure optimal freshness. Use feeds within 30-45 days of manufactured date when its nutritional value is the highest. Lastly, always inspect pelleted and mash feeds prior to use for mould, discoloration or other evidence of damage. Excess dust in pelleted feed can also indicate quality decline.

Ferox Feed livestock feed is produced on a weekly basis locally in Seychelles and allows us to provide local farmers with the freshest feed possible. Professional farmers have an option of pre-ordering their feed based on their personalized rearing schedule to ensure the feed's highest nutritional value. Give Ferox Feed a try to experience the difference in feed quality and freshness.

No, absolutely not.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified certain environmental contaminants such as synthetic steroid hormones as a global concern. These contaminants are capable of harming reproduction and development by altering endocrine functions in humans and wildlife. As the human population grows and livestock production becomes more concentrated, the quantity and concentration of hormones within local areas increases. This is the reason FeroxFeed does not include growth hormones in ANY type of feed we produce.

At Ferox Feed we support responsible and sustainable farming. In a country as small as Seychelles being mindful about our environment, recycling, decreasing waste or consumption of non-renewable resources is essential for preserving the country's natural beauty for future generations. While every citizen is responsible for making environment friendly choices, as a 100% local business Ferox Feed has a responsibility to lead by example.

There are three main reasons for the rapid growth rate we see in today's commercial poultry but none of them is related to hormones. 

1.  The first is the success of primary breeder companies in selecting the best birds for growth and time it takes to reach a specified target weight. They have benefited from the short generation interval (lifespan) of the chicken, allowing them to make huge strides in a short period of time. Genetic improvement in the pork and beef industries comes much slower because of the increased generation interval and the time it takes to recognize genetic variation and improvement. 

2. Second is research related to nutritional requirements of the bird. We now know exactly what we should be feeding different genetic strains and birds are kept to specific target weights in terms of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to optimize performance and growth. 

3. Third, we better understand the kind of environment the bird needs to make the most of the genetic and nutritional potential it has. This includes providing the proper temperature, air quality, ventilation, lighting and feeder and drinker space to obtain optimum performance. The right environment, coupled with high-quality feed and superior genetics, yields a bird that does not require and would not benefit from growth hormones. 

Broiler Chicken Breed: Ross-308

A broiler is a type of chicken specifically raised for the production of meat. Most broiler chickens reach their slaughter weight at quite an early age of 4 to 7 weeks. Broilers normally have a yellow skin tone and white feathers.

ROSS 308 is a Broiler breed that is globally recognized for its versatility and consistency, satisfying customers who have these requirements. This breed of Broiler is valued by produces due to its fast growth rate, strong performance and efficient feeding ratios. The ROSS breed is made available as a slow or fast-feathering bird.

Features of the ROSS-308:

· Has a high performance

· Grows quickly which allows for early slaughter

· Has added muscle mass which forms at an early age

· Has great appearance with bright skin

· Can weigh up to 2kg at 6 weeks of age

Comparison against Broiler Breed COBB-500:

· Initial body weight is lower

· Final body weight is lower

· Total weight gain is lower

· Lower average daily gain

· Lower feed consumption

· Better feed conversion rate

· Higher viability

· Requires more attention and maintenance

· Grows slower and not as large

Broiler Chicken Breed: Cobb-500

A broiler is a type of chicken specifically raised for the production of meat. Most broiler chickens reach their slaughter weight at quite an early age of 4 to 7 weeks. Broilers normally have a yellow skin tone and white feathers.

Broiler breed COBB-500 originates from Massachusetts, USA. This breed is considered to be the most efficient in the world and is now recognized as a worldwide choice breed, due to the fact that COBB is believed to provide the best bird for both cut-up and whole chicken.

Features of the COBB-500:

· Has an excellent growth rate

· Feed efficient

· Has great consistency, appearance and taste quality

· Live weight production has the lowest cost compared to other breeds

Comparison against Broiler Breed ROSS-308:

· Initial body weight is higher

· Final body weight is higher

· Total weight gain is higher

· Higher average daily gain

· Higher feed consumption

· Poorer feed conversion ratio

· Lower viability

· Requires less attention and maintenance

· Grows faster and larger