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Quality assessment of loose compound feed preparation using a small-sized compound feed unit

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Multifunctional processing equipment enables the cost-effective, on-farm production of loose compound feed for poultry. Specifically, small-sized compound feed unit integrated with a multi-component dispenser and a hammer grinder-mixer with a vertical shaft establishes a continuous streamlined workflow for processing loose feed from home-grown raw materials and purchased additives on small-scale farms. The study aimed to evaluate the quality of loose compound feed for laying hens prepared by the small-sized compound feed unit and to refine the methodology for assessing feed mixing uniformity. Loose feed quality was evaluated based on particle size distribution, fineness modulus, and mixture homogeneity using sieve analysis. The refined method for determining the homogeneity of the multi-component mixture relies on quantifying the percentage of colored tracer particles within the finished loose compound feed. Experimental results confirmed that the prepared feed meets the established technological standards. The fineness modulus of the ground feed was 2.32. Sieve analysis revealed a residue of 0.07% on a 5 mm sieve, 25.93% on a 3 mm sieve, and a negligible 0.23% of unbroken (whole) grains. The feed mixture achieved a high homogeneity level of 98.3%. The findings confirm that the produced loose feed meets rigorous quality standards, validating the design and operational parameters optimized for the small-sized compound feed unit. Furthermore, integrating this tracer-based homogeneity assessment with an optical computer vision system offers a promising path toward image processing without previous sampling and automated quality monitoring of loose compound feeds.
DOI: 10.26897/2687-1149-2026-5-79-86
Author: S.F. Volvak
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225624136
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