5 T/H Chicken Feed Pelletizer for Agricultural Feed Process in Ukraine

The cooperative already had an animal feed hammer mill (90kW) for grinding wheat and maize, a ribbon mixer (2,000 kg batch capacity), but no pelleting equipment. They did not need a complete feed line. What they needed was a chicken feed pelletizer that could be integrated with their existing equipment.

After a detailed review of their feed requirements—approximately 40,000 tons of broiler feed annually—we recommended the SZLH350 ring die pellet mill with a 55kW main motor. This model is ideally sized for agricultural feed processing at the cooperative level, producing 5-6 tons per hour. The cooperative purchased one unit as their first pelleting equipment.

Why Agricultural Feed Process Requires Pelletizing

In agricultural feed processing, mash feed is often wasted by birds and animals through selective eating and scattering. Pelletizing compresses all ingredients into a uniform, dense particle that animals cannot sort. The pelleting process also gelatinizes starches, improving digestibility by 5-10%. For the cooperative, switching from mash to pellets reduced feed waste by an estimated 12%.

The cooperative's farms reported that broilers reached market weight 2-3 days earlier with pelleted feed, and the laying hens produced 5% more eggs. The cooperative also reduced medication costs because the uniform pellets could carry vaccines and medications more effectively.

Machine Selection and Process Parameters for Agricultural Feed Process

The cooperative selected the SZLH350 feed pellet machine with a 55kW motor. They purchased multiple ring dies:

• 3.5mm die (chromium stainless steel): For broiler starter (0-14 days)
• 4.0mm die (chromium stainless steel): For broiler finisher (28-42 days)
• 4.5mm die (chromium stainless steel): For layer feed (18+ weeks)

The production parameters for broiler feed were:

The feed formulations, using locally available Ukrainian ingredients:

Broiler starter (0-14 days, 3.5mm pellets):

• 45% ground maize (Ukrainian-grown)
• 20% ground wheat (Ukrainian-grown)
• 15% soybean meal (imported)
• 8% sunflower meal (local byproduct)
• 5% vegetable oil
• 4% fishmeal
• 3% premix

Broiler finisher (28-42 days, 4.0mm pellets):

• 50% ground maize
• 20% ground wheat
• 12% soybean meal
• 8% sunflower meal
• 6% vegetable oil
• 4% premix

Layer feed (18+ weeks, 4.5mm pellets, calcium - 8%):

• 40% ground maize
• 20% ground wheat
• 12% soybean meal
• 10% sunflower meal
• 8% limestone
• 5% vegetable oil
• 5% premix

Integration with Existing Agricultural Equipment

The SZLH350 was installed alongside the cooperative's existing equipment:

• Hammer mill discharges to bucket elevator
• Bucket elevator feeds to ribbon mixer
• Ribbon mixer discharges to pelletizer surge bin
• Pelletizer produces pellets
• Pellets drop into existing cooler
• Cooled pellets go to storage

The cooperative used a small steam boiler (500 kg/hour) for conditioning. For the layer feed, which requires lower conditioning temperature (70-75°C), they found that less steam was needed.

Customer Feedback After 16 Months of Operation

We spoke with the cooperative's feed production manager about 16 months after delivery:

"This chicken feed pelletizer for agricultural feed process has transformed our operations. We were feeding mash to our broilers and layers, but the waste was significant—about 12% of the feed was being scattered on the floor. With pellets, the birds eat everything. Our feed conversion has improved, and our egg production is up.

The pelletizer runs about 8 hours per day, 5 days per week. We have put about 2,500 hours on it. The 3.5mm starter die lasted 1,000 hours, the 4.0mm finisher die is still in good condition after 1,200 hours, and the 4.5mm layer die has produced about 6,000 tons.

The only issue we had was with the sunflower meal. It is more fibrous than soybean meal, which can reduce pellet durability. We learned to add a bit more steam (6-7% instead of 5-6%) when using sunflower meal, and the pellets are now durable. We are planning to purchase a second SZLH350 for our other farm location."

Other Applications of the SZLH350 Pellet Mill

Beyond chicken feed, the SZLH350 poultry feed pellet machine can produce:

• Duck feed (4.0-5.5mm pellets)
• Turkey feed (4.0-5.0mm pellets)
• Pig feed (4.5-5.5mm pellets)
• Rabbit feed (4.0-5.0mm pellets)

Important note on aquafeed: The SZLH350 is not suitable for floating fish feed, sinking shrimp feed, or pet food.

RICHI feed pellet mills are used in feed manufacturing operations worldwide. Our SZLH series includes models from 22kW to 315kW.

Logistics: Shipping from Qingdao to Mykolaiv

The SZLH350 was shipped from Qingdao to the Port of Mykolaiv on the Black Sea—about 30 days at sea. Mykolaiv serves the Cherkasy region via road and rail networks. From Mykolaiv, the cooperative arranged truck transport to Cherkasy, approximately 300 kilometers inland. Total transit time was about 40 days.

Pre-Sale Services We Provided

Before the cooperative placed their order, we offered:

• Ukraine feed process consultation: We reviewed their existing equipment and confirmed that the SZLH350 could be integrated.
• Sunflower meal handling advice: We recommended higher steam addition (6-7%) for sunflower meal-based formulations.
• Steam system analysis: We determined that a 500 kg/hour boiler was sufficient.
• Spare parts kit: Comprehensive starter kit including roller shells, die screws, and belts.
• On-site commissioning: A RICHI engineer for two weeks.

The feed production manager later told us that the sunflower meal advice was critical—it prevented pellet durability problems.

Plans for Additional Mills

The cooperative has now ordered a second SZLH350 for their pig feed production line and is evaluating the SZLH420 for a future expansion into feed sales to other farms.

Across Ukraine, a chicken feed pelletizer for agricultural feed process is an essential investment for farming cooperatives seeking to reduce feed waste, improve animal performance, and increase self-sufficiency. RICHI Machinery—shipping from Qingdao, China—is proud to support Ukraine's agricultural sector. RICHI—your partner in agricultural feed processing.