How to Make Affordable, High-Quality Layers Feed in Kenya
Kelvin Wairimu 
Layers
In Kenya, one of the most pressing challenges that poultry farmers face today is the issue of poor-quality feed. Many farmers find themselves struggling with feed options that are not only ineffective but also prohibitively expensive.
This unfortunate situation has led to the departure of numerous commercial farmers from the layer farming industry, as they grapple with the high costs and poor performance of available feeds that fail to optimize egg production.
However, there’s a silver lining for layer farmers: you don’t have to throw in the towel. By learning to create your own high-quality layer feed at home, you can significantly cut costs while simultaneously enhancing the productivity of your birds.
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The beauty of this approach lies in the fact that the raw materials needed for this feed formulation are readily available across the country, making it accessible to farmers no matter where they are located.
According to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), a well-formulated layer feed should meet specific nutritional criteria: a minimum crude protein level of 16%, calcium content of 3.5%, phosphorus at 0.73%, along with methionine and lysine levels of 0.36% and 0.6%, respectively.
The level of crude protein is crucial for stimulating egg production, as it plays a significant role in the overall health and performance of the chickens.
Different ingredients contribute varying amounts of crude protein; for instance, maize germ provides 9.4% crude protein, wheat bran offers 15%, sunflower cake has 35%, while fishmeal stands out with an impressive 60%. Moreover, these ingredients also come packed with essential nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, methionine, and lysine that further support the birds’ health.
It’s interesting to note that while maize bran contains a modest 0.04% calcium, limestone is an excellent alternative, boasting a much higher calcium content at 38%. To ensure that your feed remains safe and free from harmful aflatoxins, it is highly recommended to incorporate a toxin binder into your formulation.
Crafting Your Layers Feed Formulation
So, how can you create a high-quality layer feed that meets or exceeds a crude protein level of 21%? It requires a careful selection of key ingredients, including maize germ, wheat pollard, broken maize, fishmeal, sunflower seed cake, ochong’a (a locally accessible small fish), Di-Calcium Phosphate (DCP), stock lime, and a toxin binder.
For context, a 50 kg bag of complete Unga layer feed retails for between KSh 4,000 and KSh 5,000.
By producing your own feed, you can potentially slash your costs by nearly 50%, while ensuring that the nutritional quality meets the needs of your flock.
By following a careful formulation process, you can achieve a crude protein content of no less than 21.08%, though this figure may vary based on the quality of the ingredients utilized.
It’s also vital to manage the feeding strategy effectively. Ensure that your birds are appropriately nourished, avoiding both starvation and overfeeding, as either scenario can lead to significant laying problems.
To further enhance their health and productivity, consider supplementing their diet with vitamins such as Sidai poultry vitamins and incorporating poultry microbes to improve feed conversion rates.
Furthermore, regular deworming is crucial for optimizing egg production. Establishing a routine to deworm your layer birds at least once a month will significantly contribute to their health. Effective dewormers to consider include Ascarex and Levacide.
Lastly, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment for your layers is essential. Regular disinfection of the coop is important to keep pesky fleas at bay since these parasites not only cause discomfort but also feed on the blood of your birds, adversely affecting their overall well-being.
By focusing on these key areas, you can create a thriving environment for your layer flock, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.
Ready to make your own high-quality layers feed? Try this recipe and let us know your results in the comments!
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