Wheat bran is commonly used as a feed supplement for livestock and poultry. However, it should not be given in large quantities or as the sole feed for an extended period, as it may lead to calcium deficiency in animals. The recommended feeding levels are: for pigs, no more than 15% of the diet; for chicks, up to 5%; and for laying hens, no more than 10%. This ensures a balanced nutrient intake while avoiding potential health issues.
Rice bran can be added to compound feeds for pigs, but the quantity should not exceed 30%, as higher amounts may cause diarrhea in piglets and result in soft fat in fattening pigs, which negatively affects meat quality. It’s important to monitor the proportion carefully when using rice bran in feed formulations.
Bean dregs must be cooked before being fed to animals, as raw dregs can cause digestive problems, including diarrhea and even poisoning. These by-products are low in vitamins and minerals, so they should be mixed with other feed components like grass, roughage, and green fodder. The maximum recommended amount is 30% of the total diet. Additionally, degraded or moldy bean dregs should never be used for feeding.
Distiller’s grains are rich in crude protein, B-vitamins, vitamin K, and phosphates, but they contain low levels of calcium and may have residual alcohol. Therefore, they should be combined with green feed and compound feed. They are not suitable for pregnant animals, as they may lead to abortion.
Rapeseed cake contains toxic compounds such as glucosinolates. To make it safe for consumption, unprocessed rapeseed cake should be soaked in warm water and boiled, or roasted and processed to remove toxins. When used in animal feed, it should only be included in small amounts to avoid toxicity.
Sweet potatoes are high in starch (16–26%) but lack complete nutritional value when fed alone. Raw sweet potatoes are hard to digest, so they should be cooked and mixed with compound or green feed to improve digestibility and nutrient absorption.
Leaves such as mulberry, willow, and eucalyptus can be directly fed to ruminants like cattle and sheep. For pigs and chickens, they need to be processed into leaf powder before being added to feed. Fresh leaves should be dried promptly at 50–60°C and stored in sealed plastic bags in a cool, dry place. Alternatively, they can be mixed with grass to make silage for long-term storage.
Straw and seed shells from corn, rapeseed, rice, and legumes are nutritious and can be used as feed. Before feeding, they should be air-dried and ground into powder. Soaking them in water for 8–12 hours helps soften them, making them easier to digest. After soaking, they should be mixed with green or compound feed to ensure a well-balanced diet for livestock and poultry.
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