3-4T/H Goose Feed Pellet Machine for Waterfowl Feed in Egypt

Before contacting us, the farm owner had looked at flat-die pellet mills from local manufacturers, but those machines could not produce durable pellets large enough for geese (which prefer 5-6mm pellets) and often broke down under continuous use.

A feed industry consultant who had visited RICHI's factory in Jiaozuo recommended our SZLH series for its durability and ability to produce large-diameter pellets. The farm already had a hammer mill for grinding maize and wheat, a ribbon mixer for blending ingredients, and a hand-fed cooler. What they needed was a medium-capacity pellet mill that could produce 1.5-2.5 tons per hour of goose feed pellets.

After reviewing his production requirements – approximately 200 tons of goose feed per month (2,400 tons per year) – we recommended the SZLH320 ring die feed pellet mill with a 37kW main motor. This model offers the flexibility to produce 3-4 tons per hour of poultry feed and can be equipped with larger die holes (5-6mm) specific to waterfowl. The farm purchased one unit as a standalone machine.

Why Waterfowl Need a Special Pellet Design

Geese and other waterfowl have different feeding behaviors than chickens. Geese are grazing birds that naturally eat grass, aquatic plants, and grains. In captivity, they are often fed pellets that should be large enough to prevent them from swallowing them whole and choking.

A 4-5mm diameter pellet is ideal for adult geese. Additionally, geese feed near water, so pellets must be durable enough to withstand some moisture exposure without disintegrating. The SZLH320 poultry feed pellet machine's ring die design produces dense, durable pellets that hold together even when damp. The 5.0mm die with a compression ratio of 1:11 produced pellets with a Pellet Durability Index (PDI) of 94% during testing.

Machine Selection and Process Parameters for Goose Feed

The owner selected the SZLH320 with a 37kW motor. He purchased two ring dies:

• 5.0mm die (chromium stainless steel): For grower and finisher geese (4 weeks to market)
• 6.0mm die (carbon steel): For adult breeding geese

The production parameters for goose feed were:

The feed formulations, typical for Egyptian waterfowl operations (using locally available ingredients):

Gosling starter (0-4 weeks, use a 3.0mm die - optional):

• 45% ground maize
• 20% soybean meal (imported)
• 15% wheat bran
• 8% fishmeal (local from the Mediterranean coast)
• 5% fresh clover (dried and ground)
• 5% vegetable oil
• 2% premix

Growing goose feed (4-12 weeks, 5.0mm pellets):

• 50% ground maize
• 18% soybean meal
• 12% wheat bran
• 8% rice bran (local byproduct)
• 5% fresh clover (dried)
• 4% vegetable oil
• 3% premix

Breeder goose feed (adult, 6.0mm pellets, higher calcium):

• 45% ground maize
• 15% soybean meal
• 12% wheat bran
• 10% rice bran
• 8% fresh clover (dried) or alfalfa meal
• 5% oyster shell and limestone (calcium for eggshells)
• 5% premix

One of the challenges with goose feed is the inclusion of fresh clover (or duckweed in some Egyptian farms), which must be dried and ground before pelleting. The farm built a simple solar drying shed to dry the clover during the summer months. The dried clover is then ground through a hammer mill before being added to the mixer.

What the Pelletized Goose Feed Is Used For

The farm produces goose feed for their own 8,000 breeding geese and for sale to other waterfowl farmers in the Nile Delta region, including Kafr El Sheikh, Gharbia, and Beheira:

• Gosling starter pellets (3.0mm): For birds 0-28 days (produced occasionally using a 3.0mm die)
• Growing goose pellets (5.0mm): For birds 4-12 weeks
• Finishing goose pellets (5.0mm, higher energy): For birds 12-16 weeks before processing
• Breeder goose pellets (6.0mm): For adult breeding geese
• Duck pellets (4.0mm): Produced using a 4.0mm die for a growing duck customer segment

The owner reported that after switching to pelleted feed, feed conversion improved from 3.2:1 to 2.7:1 (kg feed per kg gain). The geese reached market weight (5-6 kg) 10 days earlier than before. Mortality in goslings dropped from 12% to 6%, largely because the pellets were more digestible and reduced the risk of impacted crops (a common issue with mash feed).

Customer Feedback After 18 Months of Operation

We spoke with the farm owner about 18 months after delivery. Here is what he told us:

This goose feed pellet machine for waterfowl feed has transformed our operation. We were losing too many young birds to digestive problems caused by the mash feed. Now the goslings thrive on the pellets. The breeder geese produce more eggs, and the hatch rate has improved from 70% to 80%. Our customers (other goose farmers) also prefer the pellets – they say the birds gain weight faster.

The mill runs about 5-6 hours per day, 6 days per week. We have put about 2,500 hours on it. The 5.0mm die lasted 1,200 hours before we needed to replace it. The 6.0mm die is still in good condition after 1,800 hours. The rollers need adjustment every 400 hours – our mechanic does it.

The only issue we had was drying the clover. In the humid season, it takes longer to dry. We built a larger drying shed with better air circulation, and now the clover is consistently dry enough for grinding and pelleting.

The farm has since recommended the SZLH320 to two other waterfowl farms in the Kafr El Sheikh region.

Other Applications of the SZLH320 Pellet Mill

• Poultry feed (broiler and layer pellets): 3.5-5.0mm pellets
• Pig feed (grower and finisher): 4.5-5.5mm pellets
• Rabbit feed (4-5mm high-fiber pellets): Requires a formulation with higher fiber content (alfalfa meal, etc.)
• Fish feed (2-3mm sinking pellets): For tilapia or catfish, requires a 2.0-2.5mm stainless steel die
• Sheep and goat feed (5-6mm pellets): For small ruminants
• Cattle feed (6-8mm pellets): For feedlot calves (requires larger die)
• Organic fertilizer pellets: Compressed agricultural waste (rice hulls, clover residue)

RICHI animal feed pellet machines are used in feed manufacturing operations of all sizes around the world. Our SZLH series includes models from 22kW to 315kW, with capacities from 1 ton per hour to 40 tons per hour. For the waterfowl farmer – whether geese, ducks, or other aquatic birds – the SZLH320 is an excellent choice, offering the pellet size flexibility and durability needed for these unique birds.

Logistics: Shipping from Qingdao to Alexandria

The SZLH320 was shipped from Qingdao to the Port of Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest seaport and the primary gateway for the Nile Delta – about 32 days at sea. Alexandria serves the Kafr El Sheikh region via well-established road networks. From Alexandria, the owner arranged truck transport to the farm, approximately 120 kilometers east.

The total transit time was about 40 days. The feed pellet machine was shipped partially disassembled: the main gearbox and motor in one crate, the pelleting chamber and ring die in a second crate, and the feeder/conditioner in a third. The owner assembled it with help from a local mechanic and our video instructions.

Pre-Sale Services We Provided

• Die specification consultation for waterfowl: We helped select the optimal die hole size (5.0mm for grower and finisher, 6.0mm for breeders) and recommended compression ratios (1:12 for grower, 1:10 for breeder feed with higher calcium content).
• Clover drying recommendation: We advised the farm to build a solar drying shed to dry fresh clover from 85% moisture to 12-14% moisture before grinding and pelleting.
• Steam requirement calculation: We calculated that the farm needed a boiler capable of producing 150-180 kg of steam per hour for the SZLH320. They purchased a suitable unit from a local manufacturer.
• Die material selection: We recommended chromium stainless steel for the 5.0mm grower die (for durability) and carbon steel for the 6.0mm breeder die (less expensive, adequate for the lower production volume).
• Spare parts kit: We supplied a starter kit including two spare roller shells (stainless steel), a set of die screws, two drive belts, and a set of conditioning paddles.
• Video installation guide in Arabic: We provided a step-by-step video narrated in Arabic, which the farm workers could follow easily.

The farm owner later told us that the clover drying recommendation was crucial – he had not realized how much moisture fresh clover contains and how that affects pelleting.

Plans for a Second Pellet Mill

The farm is now planning to expand its goose breeding flock to 15,000 birds. To supply the increased feed demand (projected at 500 tons per month), the owner plans to purchase a larger mill – an SZLH350 with 55kW motor – dedicated to grower and finisher feed. The existing SZLH320 will then be used exclusively for breeder feed and for duck feed production, eliminating die change downtime entirely.

Along the Nile Delta, a goose feed pellet machine for waterfowl feed is an investment that pays dividends every season. The ability to produce custom pellets from local ingredients – maize, rice bran, clover, fishmeal – gives waterfowl farmers control over both quality and cost. RICHI Machinery – with our factory in Jiaozuo, Henan Province, and our shipping from Qingdao – is proud to support waterfowl farmers across Egypt and the Middle East.

For more information or to discuss your specific waterfowl operation – geese, ducks, or other aquatic birds – contact RICHI Machinery today. A RICHI feed pellet mill can help you reduce feed waste, improve bird health and growth, and increase your farm's productivity. Our experienced team can guide you through die selection for waterfowl, steam requirement calculations, and on-site installation support. RICHI – your partner in sustainable waterfowl feeding.