Classification of Animal and Poultry Feeds

The classification of animal and poultry feeds is typically based on various factors such as the type of animal or poultry being fed, the nutritional content, and the purpose for which the feed is formulated. Below is a general classification of animal and poultry feeds:
1. Based on Animal Type
• Cattle Feed: Feeds specifically formulated for cattle (dairy or beef). Common categories include:
 Concentrates: High in energy or protein, such as grains or oilseeds.
 Roughages: Fibrous plant materials like hay, silage, or straw.
 Total Mixed Rations (TMR): A blend of roughages, concentrates, and additives formulated for complete nutritional needs.
• Poultry Feed: Feeds designed for various stages of poultry growth, including layers (for egg production), broilers (for meat production), and chicks.
 Starter Feed: High protein content for chicks or poults in the initial growth phase.
 Grower Feed: Designed for birds after the starter phase, with moderate protein content.
 Finisher Feed: For poultry nearing market weight, with energy-dense formulations.
 Layer Feed: Balanced for egg-laying birds with a focus on calcium for eggshell strength.
• Swine Feed: Feeds formulated for pigs at different growth stages, including:
 Sow Feed: For pregnant and lactating sows.
 Starter, Grower, and Finisher Feeds: For piglets and pigs transitioning to market weight.
• Sheep and Goat Feed: Feeds for small ruminants, usually focusing on forage-based diets with supplemental concentrates for specific needs.
• Other Animal Feeds: This includes feed for horses, rabbits, fish, and more, often customized for species-specific nutritional needs.
2. Based on Nutritional Function
• Energy Feeds: Provide the animal with energy, typically from carbohydrates or fats.
 Examples: Grains (corn, wheat), molasses, rice bran, and oilseeds (soybean, sunflower).
• Protein Feeds: High-protein ingredients that support growth, muscle development, and milk or egg production.
 Examples: Soybean meal, canola meal, fish meal, alfalfa meal, and animal by-products (e.g., meat and bone meal).
• Mineral Feeds: Additives that provide essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and salt.
 Examples: Limestone, dicalcium phosphate, salt, and trace mineral premixes.
• Vitamin Feeds: Provide necessary vitamins (A, D, E, K, and the B-vitamins) to ensure proper growth, immunity, and metabolic function.
 Examples: Vitamin premixes.
• Roughages: High-fiber feedstuffs, which are essential for ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) for proper digestion.
 Examples: Hay, silage, straw, grass, alfalfa, and clover.
• Additives: Ingredients added to the feed to improve performance, health, or palatability, such as probiotics, enzymes, antioxidants, and growth promoters.
3. Based on Form
• Complete Feeds: These are nutritionally balanced and designed to meet all the nutritional needs of an animal or poultry without requiring additional supplements.
 Examples: Complete rations for pigs, poultry, and cattle.
• Concentrates: Feeds with a high nutrient density, designed to be supplemented with roughages or other feeds to provide a balanced diet.
 Examples: Grain-based concentrates for poultry or cattle.
• Supplements: Added to an animal’s diet to ensure it meets specific nutritional requirements (e.g., vitamins, minerals, protein).
 Examples: Vitamin/mineral premixes, amino acid supplements, and fat supplements.
• Premixes: Specially prepared combinations of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are mixed into the basic feed to provide balance.
 Examples: Poultry premixes, cattle vitamin-mineral premixes.
4. Based on Feed Purpose
• Growth and Development Feeds: Formulated to support the rapid growth of young animals.
 Examples: Starter feeds for poultry, pigs, or calves.
• Reproduction and Lactation Feeds: Designed to meet the higher nutritional demands of pregnant, lactating, or breeding animals.
 Examples: Sow feeds, dairy cattle lactation feeds.
• Maintenance Feeds: Formulated for adult animals that do not have specific growth, reproductive, or lactating needs but require energy and nutrients to maintain body condition.
 Examples: Maintenance rations for mature cattle or adult poultry.
• Finishing Feeds: Feed designed to help animals reach market weight in the final stages before slaughter.
 Examples: Finisher rations for broilers, pigs, and cattle.
5. By Processing Type
• Pelleted Feeds: Feed that is processed into pellets for easier handling and to improve digestibility.
 Examples: Pelleted poultry feed, pelleted cattle rations.
• Extruded Feeds: Feed that is subjected to high pressure and temperature to create a light, expanded texture.
 Examples: Extruded fish feed or specialty pet foods.
• Mash Feeds: Loose, unprocessed feed that is typically provided to animals in its raw form.
 Examples: Mash poultry feed, unprocessed grains for ruminants.
• Liquid Feeds: Feed supplied in liquid form, typically high in nutrients for easy digestion.
 Examples: Liquid molasses or liquid protein supplements.
6. Based on Animal Class and Age
• Chick/Calf/Piglet Feeds: Specially formulated for very young animals with higher protein and energy needs for rapid growth.
• Adult Feeds: Targeted to older animals to maintain health and production capacity.
• Breeding and Lactating Feeds: Higher in protein, energy, and specific nutrients like calcium and phosphorus for breeding or lactating animals.
Conclusion
The classification of animal and poultry feeds can be complex and varies depending on factors such as the species, stage of growth, and specific nutritional requirements. Understanding these classifications helps in formulating the correct diet to maximize the health, productivity, and efficiency of livestock and poultry operations.