Author(s): Abubakar MY, Momoh AT, Ipinjolu JK

Abstract: The effect of two different fish feed pelletizing machines (Powdery Feed Machine/Dry Pelletizer and Feed Mincer) on the physical qualities, floatation and water stability of pellets was tested on two sets of 40% crude protein diets produced using rice bran and wheat offal as binders, and yeast as water stability enhancer. The results obtained revealed that the feed mincer produced pellets with significantly higher (P<0.05) expansion ratio (33.33±14.43 and 50.00±33.33) and lower bulk density (0.69±0.02 and 0.57±0.03) that enabled them to float within duration of the experiment. Water stability was also significantly higher for pellets of both set of diets produced from the feed mincer (75.84±3.63 and 70.27±1.51). On the other hand, pellets of both set of diets from the dry pelletizer had no expansion nor floatation, and were significantly lower in water stability (58.21±1.15 and 59.44±0.49) when compared with feed mincer. Although the pellets from the dry pelletizer had a more appealing physical appearance, they were not as hard and durable as those from the feed mincer. It was therefore recommended that feed mincers should be used rather than dry pelletizers for the production of more durable and water-stable on farm fish feed pellets.

Pages: 98-103  |  1638 Views  443 Downloads

Download Full Article: Click Here