Comprehensive Fish Feed Production Guide

Sep 13, 2024

Feed Production Process

Introduction

  • Overview of the fish feed production process.
  • Focus on tilapia as an example for fish nutrition.

Steps in Fish Feed Production

  1. Processing of Ingredients
  2. Grinding of Ingredients
  3. Mixing of Ingredients
  4. Micro Ingredients Mixing (Pre-Mix Mixing)
  5. Conditioning
  6. Pelleting
  7. Extrusion
  8. Drying
  9. Packaging

Quality Assurance of Ingredients

  • Ensure ingredients are clean, hygienic, and safe.
  • Check for signs of fungus or mold.
  • Verify that ingredients are not expired and have acceptable moisture levels.
  • Weigh and label ingredients to avoid errors in mixing.

Grinding of Ingredients

  • Grind all ingredients uniformly (0.5 to 1 mm size).
  • Use hammer mill or roller mill for industrial scale; manual grinding for small scale.

Mixing of Ingredients

  • Mix all ground ingredients evenly to create a feed mix.
  • On a smaller scale, use kitchen mixer for 10-15 minutes.
  • For industrial scale, use barrel mixers for homogenization.
  • If adding oil, do so slowly for even distribution.

Pre-Mix Mixing

  • Pre-mix includes vitamins, minerals, or supplements.
  • Add 10% extra micro ingredients to ensure proper mixing and availability.

Conditioning

  • Condition mix with high temperature (70-90 °C) and moisture (steam).
  • Destroys microorganisms and helps create a more homogenized feed mix.

Pelleting

  • Pellets formed by passing feed mix through an extruder.
  • Add 10-20% water during extruding if conditioning is not available.
  • Use the correct size dye for pellets based on fish size.

Commercial Extrusion Technology

  • Advanced technology involves high temperature and pressure.
  • Produces high-quality feed but is costly.

Drying the Feed Pellets

  • Dry pellets to maintain moisture levels (6-12%).
  • Use home oven at 55 °C for 6-12 hours, checking moisture every 3 hours.
  • Alternative: Sun-drying for small batches.
  • Too dry feed can reduce digestibility; too moist can lead to poor quality.

Vacuum Coating Technology

  • Used for fish that require high oil content (e.g., salmon, trout).
  • Pellets absorb oil (up to 30%) via vacuum coater.
  • Extruded pellets have pores that allow oil absorption.

Packaging and Storage of Feed

  • Store in dry polythene or paper bags (25-500 kg).
  • Keep in a dry, cool place to avoid spoilage.
  • Protect feed from pests such as rats.

Conclusion

  • Summary of the fish feed production process and its importance.