Dutch feed cooperative Cehave Landbouwbelang is currently investigating the possibilities for a new feed concept: wet feeds for poultry.
This week Cehave, Bonda (wet feed supplier) and Weda (feed equipment) will
start a pilot project with wet feed ingredients. If successful the new concept
will be launched in the first half of 2009.
Earlier trials with wet feeds
showed lower costs and better performance with layer poultry.
Local
available wet feeds can attribute to further reduction of cost prices of
production and also contribute to a better sustainability of the
industry.
First trials have been carried out at Cehave’s research farm
Laverdonk with layers. A reduction in feed costs of several percentage points
was realised. With wet feeds the layers produced heavier eggs and had a better
FCR, better uniformity and weight development and less mortality.
Weda
developed a special mix and dosing system which makes it possible to supply the
wet feeds to the hens in practical layer house situations.
“Wet feeds”
are well known in pig feeding and are often by-products of food production
materials, such as from potatoes, milk processing and corn
processing.