1-1.5T/H Animal Feed Pellet Machine in UK

James needed a pellet machine that could produce 1-1.5 tons per hour of organic broiler feed. From the pellet mill table, the SZLH250 (22kW) was selected. Why this model?

• Capacity: 1.0-1.5 tons/hour – perfect for their 800 tons/year requirement
• Power: 22kW – fits their existing electrical supply
• Ring die size: 250mm diameter – 4mm die for broiler finisher feed
• Conditioner: 1.5kW – essential for starch gelatinization
• Compact size: Fits in their existing farm building

James chose the SZLH250 feed pellet machine to bring feed production in-house, reducing costs and carbon footprint.

What He's Processing – Organic Broiler Feed from Farm-Grown Grains

The farm grows its own organic wheat and peas. James sources:

• Organic wheat (farm-grown): 50-55% – energy source
• Organic peas (farm-grown): 15-20% – protein and fiber
• Organic soybean meal (from neighboring farm): 15-20% – protein
• Organic sunflower meal (imported or local): 5-10% – protein
• Organic minerals and vitamins: 2-3%

The farm produces two feed types:

• Broiler starter (0-14 days): 3mm pellets (crumbled after pelleting) – higher protein (22-23%)
• Broiler finisher (15-42 days for free-range): 4mm pellets – lower protein (19-20%)

Installation – On-Farm Feed Production

The SZLH250 arrived at the Port of Felixstowe – the UK's busiest container port.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Felixstowe is about 30-35 days. The machine was packed in a 20-foot container with:

• SZLH250 feed pellet mill main unit (22kW motor)
• Feeder (1.1kW) and conditioner (1.5kW)
• Ring die (4mm for broiler finisher – included)
• Spare roller shells (one set)
• Installation manual and electrical diagram in English

Customs clearance in Felixstowe took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

Installation took two weeks. James's farm had an existing building converted into a small feed mill. A concrete foundation (150mm thick) was poured for the SZLH250.

The electrical hookup required 415V, 50Hz three-phase (UK standard). The 22kW motor required a 60-amp breaker.

The first test run was with organic broiler finisher formula (4mm die). The conditioner added steam to reach 75°C, 17% moisture. The pellet machine ran smoothly at 1.2 tons/hour. Pellet durability (PDI) was 93% – good for organic broiler feed.

Performance – Lower Costs, Better Control

After six months of operation, James documented the following results:

Before (buying organic feed from commercial mill):

• Feed cost: £650/ton (about €750/ton)
• Monthly feed cost: 70 tons × £650 = £45,500
• Transport cost: included in price but estimated at £50/ton
• Carbon footprint: 400 miles round trip per delivery

After (in-house with SZLH250):

• Raw material cost: £350/ton (farm-grown wheat, local peas and beans)
• Processing cost: £50/ton (electricity, labor, maintenance)
• Total in-house cost: £400/ton
• Monthly feed cost: 70 tons × £400 = £28,000
• Monthly savings: £17,500 (€20,000)
• Carbon footprint: Reduced by 90% (no long-distance transport)

Production output:

• Capacity: 1.2 tons/hour
• Daily output (6 hours): 7.2 tons
• Days to produce 70 tons: 10 days/month (run 2-3 days per week)

Payback calculation:

• Machine cost delivered: Approximately £15,000 (about €17,500)
• Monthly savings: £17,500
• Payback period: Less than 1 month

The machine paid for itself in the first month of operation.

Customer Feedback – James's Experience

Here's what James said after six months (paraphrased from a conversation):

"Buying organic feed from a commercial mill was expensive. The mill was 200 miles away. I wanted to use our own farm-grown wheat and buy from neighboring farms.

When I found an animal feed pellet machine in the UK, I knew it was the right solution. The SZLH250 produces 1.2 tons per hour of excellent organic pellets. Our birds are growing well – feed conversion is actually better than with the commercial feed.

The conditioner is essential – 75°C, 17% moisture gives the best pellets. The 4mm die has produced 400 tons and still looks good.

The best part is the cost savings. We're saving £17,500 per month on feed. That's over £200,000 per year. The machine paid for itself in the first month.

Would I recommend this machine? Yes. For any organic poultry farm, owning your own pellet mill is a game changer."

Why Organic Farms Should Produce Their Own Feed

Organic poultry farms have specific challenges. Here's why in-house feed production makes sense:

• Ingredient control: You know exactly what goes into the feed – no mystery ingredients.
• Local sourcing: Use farm-grown grains and buy from neighboring organic farms. Reduce transport emissions.
• Cost reduction: Eliminate the commercial mill's markup and transport costs.
• Freshness: Produce feed weekly – fresher than feed that has been stored for months.
• Traceability: Full traceability from field to feeder – important for organic certification.

The Conditioner – Key to Organic Feed Quality

The SZLH250 broiler poultry feed pellet machine's 1.5kW conditioner adds steam before pelleting:

• Target temperature: 75-80°C
• Target moisture: 16-17%
• Starch gelatinization: 40-50% (improves digestibility)

Proper conditioning improves pellet durability and nutrient availability.

Ring Die Selection – 4mm for Free-Range Broilers

For free-range broilers (slower growing, 42-56 days), 4mm pellets are ideal:

• 3mm: Too small for older birds
• 4mm: Optimal for free-range broilers
• 5mm: Too large

The farm plans to buy a 3mm die for starter feed.

Local Sourcing – The Norfolk Advantage

Norfolk is prime agricultural land. James sources:

• Organic wheat: Farm-grown (200 acres)
• Organic peas: Farm-grown (50 acres)
• Organic beans: From neighboring farm (10 miles away)
• Organic minerals: From a UK supplier

All ingredients are sourced within 50 miles of the farm.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

James calculated the carbon savings:

• Previous: 400 miles round trip per delivery × 12 deliveries/year = 4,800 miles
• Now: Local grain deliveries within 50 miles × 12 deliveries/year = 600 miles
• Reduction: 88% fewer transport miles

This aligns with his farm's sustainability goals.

Shipping – Qingdao to Felixstowe

The SZLH250 shipped from Qingdao to Port of Felixstowe, United Kingdom.

Shipping time from Qingdao to Felixstowe is about 30-35 days. The route goes through the South China Sea, past Singapore, across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, across the Mediterranean, and up the Atlantic to the UK.

The machine was packed in a 20-foot container. Customs clearance in Felixstowe took about 3 days. Total landed cost was about 20% higher than the FOB price.

The truck transport from Felixstowe to Norfolk was about 100 miles – roughly 2 hours.

What James Learned – Lessons for Other Organic Farmers

After six months of running the SZLH250 broiler chicken feed making machine, James shared several observations:

• Lesson 1: In-house feed production is highly cost-effective for organic farms. The savings cover the equipment cost in weeks.
• Lesson 2: Use farm-grown grains when possible. James's wheat cost is much lower than buying organic grain.
• Lesson 3: The conditioner is essential. Pellets without conditioning are weak (85% PDI vs 93% with conditioning).
• Lesson 4: 4mm is the right size for free-range broilers. 3mm is too small, 5mm is too large.
• Lesson 5: Keep spare roller shells. They wear every 800-1,000 hours. James keeps one spare set.

What RICHI Provided Beyond the Machine

RICHI provided several services that helped James get the SZLH250 operational:

• English documentation: The manual and electrical diagram were in English.
• Die selection guidance: RICHI recommended 4mm for free-range broilers.
• Steam guidance: RICHI provided steam conditioning recommendations for organic feed.
• Spare parts kit: RICHI recommended a spare parts kit – roller shells, bearings.
• Remote support: When James had questions about roller gap adjustment, a RICHI technician walked him through it via video call.

Is an Animal Feed Pellet Machine in the UK Right for Your Operation?

For an organic poultry farm producing 500-1,000 tons of feed annually, the SZLH250 is an excellent choice.

Consider the SZLH250 animal feed pellet machine if:

• Your capacity requirement is 1-1.5 tons/hour
• You have access to local organic grains
• You want to reduce feed costs and carbon footprint
• You have a suitable building for a small feed mill

Consider a larger model (SZLH320) if:

• Your capacity requirement is 3-4 tons/hour
• You have 2,000+ tons/year requirement

For James's organic poultry farm, the SZLH250 was the right investment. It reduced feed cost by 40%, cut transport emissions by 88%, and paid for itself in the first month.

Final Thoughts

If you're an organic poultry farmer in the UK, don't settle for expensive commercial feed. Consider producing your own feed using locally grown organic grains. The savings are substantial, and you'll have full control over your ingredients.

The SZLH250 animal feed pellet machine produces 1.2 tons per hour of durable organic broiler pellets. The conditioner ensures good pellet quality. The ring die design provides long life. The result is affordable, high-quality feed for your birds.

For organic farms, the math is simple: own your feed production = lower costs = better control = lower carbon footprint.

RICHI offers documentation in English, die selection guidance, steam conditioning advice, and remote support. Contact RICHI Machinery through the website with your flock size, feed requirement, and power availability for a recommendation. Tell them about your organic operation – they can help you select the right animal feed pellet machine for your farm.