The experiment was completed at Bangladesh Agricultural University Poultry Farm, Mymensingh during October/2002 to March/2003 to compare the quality of ready-made feeds collected from different feed mills in Bangladesh through visual observation and laboratory analysis. During the experiment following points are considered.
Selection and location of feed mills:
Out of 20 feed mills 5 feed mills engaged in production were selected randomly to collect feeds. These feed mills are scatteredly spread in the different parts of Bangladesh.
Location of randomly selected feed mills:
(i) Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Lmited ,Koliachar, Bazitpur, Kishoregonj .
(ii) Quality Feed Limited, Shirirchala, Bagher Bazar, Gazipur
iii) Nourish Poultry Feed Limited ,Gusinga, SreepurGazipur
(iv) Fresh Feeds Limited, Meghnaghat; Sonargaon, Narayangonj
(v) Sundarban Feeds Limited, Ambug, Zampur; Madanpur, Sonargaon, Narayangonj.
Collection and visual evaluation of experimental feeds:
Five industrially prepared compound broiler feeds marketed throughout Bangladesh were collected from the above randomly selected feed mills on cash payment.
Prior to make sample for laboratory analysis the physical and sensorial characteristics such as moisture, colour, size, texture, nature, flavour, odour, taste, foreign particles, foreign bodies etc. of feeds were observed minutely just after received.
Sampling of feeds for chemical analysis:
To ascertain the variation of nutrient status of the given compound feeds, 30 samples were collected from purchased feeds. The samples were then analyzed in the laboratory for the determination of nutrient concentration. The analysis was carried out in the laboratories of the Department of Poultry Science, B.A.U. Mymensingh; Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear in Agriculture, Mymensingh; Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka.
Methods used for determination of nutrients content of feed sample:
The procedure for the estimation of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), ash, nitrogen free extract (NFE) etc. were those of AOAC (1990). Metabolizable energy content of the samples was determined indirectly by using the values of CF, EE and Ash contents (%) fitted to a formula suggested by Wiseman (1987).
Statistical analysis:
All the analytical data were recorded carefully and prepared accordingly for statistical analysis. All recorded and calculated data were statistically analyzed for analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using a SAS statistical Computer package program. Significant differences between means were identified by Least Significance Differences (LSD).