Innovation in broiler and layer feed equipment and technology

•

Innovation in broiler feed equipment and technology

1. Product innovation

1. From 1973, when the first generation of pellet mills for pelleted feed was developed in China, until 1990, Zheng Chang used single-conditioner pellet mills to process pelleted feed, meeting the minimum requirements of most feed mills in China.

•

•

2. In 1998 Zheng Chang introduced large pellet mills (160–250 kW) with technology from CPM (USA) and developed the second generation of pellet mills and jacketed conditioners, improving broiler feed quality.

•

•

3. In 2005 Zheng Chang innovated on and improved the main drive structure of the CPM pellet mill and developed the third-generation pellet mill and DDC conditioner (with counter-rotating shafts), increasing capacity.

4. From 2006 to 2014 Zheng Chang successfully developed the fourth generation of high-capacity pellet mills of 35, 45 and 75 t. Conditioners with multiple steam nozzles and hygienic conditioners met the technical and equipment needs of broiler feed lines of more than 40 t per line in China and internationally.

•

•

5. In 2015–2019 Zheng Chang developed the fifth generation of broiler feed technology and key equipment and became an international leader in broiler feed production technology.

•

2. Technology innovation

1. First/second-generation broiler feed systems: low production capacity and low product quality

2. Third/fourth-generation broiler feed systems: to raise broiler feed production capacity, the company introduced manufacturing innovations such as better conditioning (cooking) with double conditioners and a hygieniser, and higher die compression ratios to improve pellet hardness and reduce fines

•

3. Fifth-generation broiler feed system: unlike traditional technologies, this generation changed the conditioning (cooking) process, with smart temperature and moisture control, proper gelatinisation and control of conditioning time (3–10 minutes) and temperature (75–95 °C); pelleting capacity increased by 20% compared with the traditional method. Pellet hardness is 4 kg and fines are below 2%. Formulation costs have also fallen by 5%

All four key technical indicators above can be achieved at the same time, helping feed companies and fully solving existing problems in the industry.

•

Innovation in layer feed equipment and technology

1. Product innovation

1. Until 2010, like other feed mills in China, Zheng Chang used its first-generation layer feed technology, a combination of grinding and mixing, to produce simple mash layer feed.

2. From 2011 to 2015 Zheng Chang developed its second generation, including hygieniser conditioner and mixer technology, to produce high-quality, sterile and hygienic layer mash.

3.  From 2016 to 2019 it applied third-generation equipment using coating technology in layer feed production, producing high-quality, hygienic mash.

•

•

2. Technology innovation

1. Feed produced with first-generation technology contained harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and had high segregation, low capacity and a high feed conversion ratio.

•

•

2. Feed produced with second-generation layer technology achieved a certain level of sterility, but segregation remained high, capacity low and feed conversion high.

•

•

3. In the third generation, using coating technology, the company was able to produce pelleted rather than mash feed. This technology reduces the destruction of heat-sensitive ingredients such as vitamins, and also offers high capacity and a lower feed conversion ratio.