May 16, 2025 | 10:23 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Friday- 08:50, 22/09/2023

New poultry feed app helps farmers optimise nutrition

(VAN) A free mobile app for chicken farmers claims to make optimal poultry nutrition easier, while also helping farmers save money and improve profits.

Many poultry farmers mix their chicken feed themselves due to rising commercial feed costs and limited supply of certain grains. However, it is important to achieve the correct balance of nutrients.

A new FeedMixer App, which has been designed by poultry nutrition experts at the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia in the US and funded by the World Poultry Foundation, aims to address this challenge.

Many poultry farmers mix their chicken feed themselves, but it is important to achieve the correct balance of nutrients. Photo: Canva

Many poultry farmers mix their chicken feed themselves, but it is important to achieve the correct balance of nutrients. Photo: Canva

“When feeding birds, it’s about nutrients, not just quantity of feed. With the right feed mix, they will be healthier and more productive,” says Maureen Stickel, director of International Program Development at the World Poultry Foundation.

She adds: “The FeedMixer app guides farmers on feed mixes for layers, broilers, and dual-purpose birds at various ages. We specifically worked to include a large library of feed ingredients, with their nutritional values, to guide farmers.”

Using available ingredients

Those who wish to use the app would simply click on the type of chickens they are feeding, and select the ingredients they have available to them, in the proportions they intend to blend. The app will indicate whether their chosen mix delivers adequate energy, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to nourish the birds without wastage. Users can also input the cost of the ingredients they use to calculate whether their feed mix is cost effective.

Prof Sean Chen, assistant professor/extension specialist at the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia: “The FeedMixer app is designed for ease of use by people with a basic poultry background – including backyard and emerging chicken farmers. With the app, we are trying to make it simple for farmers to use local ingredients to formulate a diet that meets basic poultry nutrition requirements and achieve their basic production goals.”

HD

(PW)

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

Climate crisis threatens banana, world’s most popular fruit, research shows

(VAN) Fourth most important food crop in peril as Latin America and Caribbean suffer from slow-onset climate disaster.

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

Early nutrition research in poultry is speeding up

(VAN) Shifting market dynamics and the noise around new legislation has propelled Trouw Nutrition’s research around early life nutrition in poultry. Today, it continues to be a key area of research.

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

Fears among India’s farmers rise over US food imports crossing ‘red line’

(VAN) India is concerned about its food security and the livelihoods of its farmers if more US food imports are allowed.

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

FAO participates in ADB annual meeting, strengthens cooperation in key agricultural areas

(VAN) FAO's Director-General emphasises the need to work together to transform agrifood systems.

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

FAO warns: Enhanced awareness and action needed amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Europe and the Near East

(VAN) Europe is facing its worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth since the start of the century.

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

Young talents need nurturing to drive rural vitalization

(VAN) The central authorities, in early April, released a 10-year plan for rural vitalization.

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

Viterra carbon program achieves soy landmark

(VAN) Viterra marked a significant milestone in its carbon measurement program in Argentina, called Ígaris, reaching 1 million soybean hectares measured.

Read more