Current conditions we are faced with the weakening of the Rupiah against the currency Dollar. This will lead to a consequent increase in feed prices. The main source of protein in chicken feed, namely soybean meal (soybean meal) and bone meat flour (meat bone meal), is an imported commodity, whose price is based on the value Dollar.
Alternative Raw Materials
Alternative raw materials, a word that is increasingly loud when the main raw materials are difficult to find or feed prices are increasing dramatically. Needless to say, this is a late step. But inevitably this must be applied immediately. Because the chickens that we keep must still consume feed so that their productivity is not disturbed. What's more, modern chickens have weaknesses in adapting to feed changes. Starting from indigestion (wet stools to diarrhea) to feed consumption drops so that performance drops.
Alternative raw materials should meet the main requirements as feed raw materials, including having the necessary nutritional content of chicken (protein source, energy source, etc.), does not contain toxins, palatability (taste preferences) is good and the most important is the availability of continuous (continuous) at competitive prices.
The disadvantages that are often found when using alternative raw materials are :
- Limited/discontinuous availability
Continuous availability is an important consideration when will
using alternative raw materials. This is a frequently encountered problem. Alternative raw materials are usually not always ready (available), considering that it has not yet become the main target. Therefore, it would be better if farmers and supplier alternative raw materials began to form an agreement that these raw materials will always be used, both during difficult conditions like this and when normal. This becomes an important foundation. Given the scarcity or rising prices of raw materials has happened several times.
Farmers can start using alternative raw materials in the formulation even with a low percentage, eg 1-2%. This is going to be trigger for supplier to prepare the raw materials.
Unstable quality (capricious)
Unstable quality of alternative raw materials will cause problems in feed formulation. This will cause the quality of feed provided to fluctuate so that the performance of the chicken will be problematic.
When using alternative raw materials it would be better if we do quality control more strictly, especially at the beginning of use. To form a habit of supplier to maintain quality. Quality control techniques can be done quickly (organoleptic test) and confirmed by laboratory tests such as in MediLab.
If we get alternative raw materials with unstable quality, the use of these raw materials should be limited to 2-3% in the formulation. Thus, it will not have a significant effect on the performance of the chicken.
Potential alternative raw materials
Alternative local raw materials that we can optimize are :
- Fish meal
Indonesia is a maritime country, fish production is relatively abundant. It can be an alternative raw material for MBM. The nutritional content profile of fish meal is similar to MBM.
But in the use of fish meal there are some things to note. Among them we need to find supplier reliable and implement quality control of each batch delivery of fishmeal. And even more important is the control of the percentage of use of fish meal in the formulation. When we obtain fishmeal of good quality, the use of fishmeal can be increased to 5%. But when the quality of fish flour decreases its use of a maximum of 2%. Because when fishmeal is not processed properly, it will form gizzerosine potentially causing gizzard erotion.
The use of salt in the formulation of feed made from fish meal should also be adjusted. Especially if the fish meal has a high level of salinity. The use of salt should be reduced and even dispensed with. This avoids cases of wet stools and a decrease in feed consumption.
These things are important to note because most fishmeal quality stability is not good. Between the first and the next arrival is often not the same. Moreover, so many cases of manipulation of the quality of fish meal, where when tested the crude protein content was high, but when used in ration formulations it led to a decrease in production and wet feces.
Maggot
Maggot is an alternative raw material source of protein that is on the rise today. There have been so many articles and research studies that discuss the potential maggot in chicken and fish feed.
Maggot derived from the larvae of the black soldier fly or known as black soldier fly (BSF). Maggot it only takes 7 days to be used as an alternative raw material for protein sources. The crude protein content can reach 40-60%.
Maggot ini bisa difungsikan untuk menggantikan MBM. Penggunaannya sebaiknya tetap diberikan dalam bentuk kering (kadar air <14%). Sebagai antisipasi, ada baiknya jika dilakukan pengujian kontaminasi bakteri, misalnya E.bra, salmonella nor worms.
- Palm oil cake
Indonesia is rich in Palm Oil. Most of the palm oil waste we can use as a source of animal feed protein. The protein content in Palm Oil Cake can reach 22%. The use of oil palm meal in chicken feed can replace part of the use of soybean meal. Things to note when using oil palm cake is contamination of the skin and palm shells are very hard and can cause perlukaan on gizzard and intestines. The use of coconut oil is usually accompanied by some treatment, including the process of sieving and grinding until soft, hydrolysis and fermentation processes.
- Coconut cake
Coconut cake, local potential that can be used as a partial replacement for the use of soybean cake. Coconut cake has a relatively high crude protein content, which is 22%, the same as palm oil cake. Coconut cake can be used to partially replace the use of soybean cake in the formulation. The characteristic Aroma of coconut cake will be able to increase appetite. With a fairly high fat content, reaching 7.6% will be able to supply relatively high metabolic energy. And this will be very good for adding large and heavy eggs.
The obstacle that farmers often feel when using coconut cake in feed formulations is rancidity. This is usually due to improper shipping and storage management. The high fat content in coconut cake will easily undergo oxidative reactions that will trigger rancidity. When this rancidity appears after being mixed with other raw materials and premix, then it can lower the level of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to good storage management and back up lack of nutrients with premix like Mix Plus LLM3A.
The right strategy in anticipation of scarcity
Anticipation of facing the conditions of increase and scarcity of raw materials must be done by collaborating several efforts such as the following :
- The focus on finding and using alternative raw materials needs to continue to be consistent and gradual.
- The combination of the use of finished feed, concentrates and alternative raw materials can also be done as an effort to survive and optimize the performance of chickens.
- Optimize the resources you have, make it productive.
- Reject chickens that are not or less productive. Pengafkiran chicken will reduce the cost burden, especially now the price of eggs and meat began to show a downward trend.
- Optimize chicken health. So that the chicken remains healthy and is able to avoid cases of disease. It would be very detrimental if the current condition of sick chickens.
The storm is sure to prevail, and the Rainbow will appear after the occurrence of rain. It is this hope that we must always believe. Hopefully the conditions that are currently being hit and cause the shaky condition of the farm can soon pass. Stay and keep the spirit.
