Feed is the largest cost for most livestock farmers, often more than half of production costs. Farmers and cooperatives that process their own feed from local maize bran, soybean cake, grass and crop residues can cut costs a lot and control quality. Here is the equipment chain we recommend.

1. Chaff cutter: for fodder

Cutting napier grass, maize stalks and other fodder into short pieces (about 1–3 cm) increases intake and cuts waste in the trough. Cows cannot sort out and reject the hard stems. For dairy farms, a chaff cutter is usually the first machine to buy.

2. Hammer mill or crusher: for grains and cakes

Maize, sorghum, soybean cake and other ingredients must be ground to a uniform size so that animals digest them well and so that they mix evenly. The sieve (screen) size sets the particle size: finer for poultry mash, coarser for cattle.

3. Feed mixer: for a balanced ration

A correct formula is useless if the premix and minerals are not spread evenly. A mixer makes every kilogram of feed carry the same nutrients. Hand mixing on the floor rarely achieves this.

4. Pellet machine: for poultry, pigs, rabbits and fish

• Pellets stop animals from picking only their favourite ingredients.
• They reduce dust and waste, and they store and transport better.
• Pelleting needs the mash conditioned with the right moisture. Too dry and pellets crumble. Too wet and the die blocks.
• The die hole size is chosen for the animal: small for chicks and fish, larger for pigs and rabbits.

Planning your feed unit

Start from your daily feed need (kg/day), then size each machine so that the line is balanced. A pellet machine that is bigger than your mill will stand idle. A-Z Manufacturing builds chaff cutters, crushers, mixers and pellet machines in Rwanda and can design a complete feed line for your farm or cooperative, with installation and training.