(a) Define balance ration in livestock production. (b) Outline the stages involved in the preparation of each of the following animal feed ingredients. (i) ...

Answer Details

(a) Balanced ration

A balanced ration is the feed given to a farm animal within a 24-hour period that contains all the essential nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water) in the right proportion required for maintenance, growth, reproduction and production.

(b) Stages in the preparation of the feed ingredients

(i) Bone meal

• Bones are collected and boiled to soften them and remove flesh and fat.
• The bones are dried, then crushed, ground or milled into powder.
• The powder is sieved and bagged for use.

(ii) Blood meal

• Fresh blood is collected from the slaughter house.
• It is boiled/cooked or steamed to coagulate it and remove excess water.
• The coagulated blood is drained, dried, then ground into powder, sieved and bagged.

(iii) Fish meal

• Waste or trash fish is collected and cooked/steamed.
• The oil and water are pressed out and the residue is dried.
• The dried fish is ground into powder, sieved and bagged.

(iv) Cotton seed meal

• Cotton seeds are collected and the lint and hulls (seed coats) are removed.
• The kernels are heated and the oil is extracted (pressed out).
• The remaining cake is dried, ground into meal, sieved and bagged.