1-1.5T/H Pigeon Feed Pellet Machine for Bird Farming in Thailand

Before contacting us, the farm owner had tried feeding whole grains without mixing. That was even worse – the birds would eat only the maize and leave the peas and sorghum.

He had also looked at small flat-die pellet mills from local suppliers, but those machines could not produce durable pellets from the high-fiber pigeon feed formulation (which contains up to 15% peas and other legumes). A feed consultant who had worked with another pigeon farm in the region recommended RICHI's small ring die pellet mills for their ability to handle legume-based formulations.

The farm already had a small hammer mill for grinding maize and a hand-operated mixer. He needed a reliable, small ring die pellet mill that could produce 200-300 kg per hour – enough for his 2,500 breeding pairs and their squabs.

After reviewing his production needs and the available electrical supply (three-phase 380V, standard in Thai industrial areas), we recommended the SZLH250 ring die pellet mill with a 22kW main motor. This model is the smallest in the SZLH series but is perfectly sized for a pigeon farm of this scale, producing 1.0-1.5 tons per hour – significantly more than his requirements, allowing for future expansion.

Why Pigeon Feed Pelleting Improves Bird Performance

Pigeons are selective eaters. When fed a mash or whole grain mix, they will pick through the feed, consuming preferred particles first and often leaving behind the smaller particles that contain essential vitamins and minerals.

Over time, this leads to nutritional deficiencies, especially in breeding birds that have high calcium and protein requirements for egg production and chick rearing. Pelleting solves this problem by compressing all ingredients into a uniform, dense particle that birds cannot sort. The pelleting process also gelatinizes starches, improving digestibility by 5-10% for grains and up to 15% for legumes.

The SZLH250's ring die design creates a strong, durable pellet that holds together during handling and feeding. The farm owner tested the first batch of pellets and found that the pigeons consumed them completely – no selective feeding. The pellets also had a Pellet Durability Index (PDI) of 91%, which is excellent for a legume-based formulation.

Machine Selection and Process Parameters for Pigeon Feed

The owner selected the SZLH250 with a 22kW motor. Pigeon feed requires a smaller pellet size than chicken feed – typically 3-4mm for adult birds and 2-3mm for young squabs. He purchased two ring dies:

• 3.0mm die (stainless steel): For squab feed (0-4 weeks)
• 4.0mm die (stainless steel): For breeding adult pigeons

The feed formulations, developed with input from a poultry nutritionist:

Squab starter feed (0-2 weeks, 2.5mm pellets):

• 40% ground maize
• 20% ground wheat
• 15% ground peas (protein)
• 10% soybean meal
• 8% fishmeal
• 5% vegetable oil
• 2% premix (vitamins, minerals, probiotics)

Breeding pigeon feed (adult, 4.0mm pellets):

• 35% ground maize
• 20% ground wheat
• 15% ground peas
• 12% sorghum
• 8% soybean meal
• 5% oyster shell (calcium for eggshells)
• 5% premix

One of the challenges with pigeon feed is the inclusion of peas and other legumes, which are more fibrous than maize and can reduce pellet durability. The SZLH250's conditioner allowed the operator to add sufficient steam (4-5%) to soften the legumes before pelleting, resulting in durable pellets.

What the Pelletized Pigeon Feed Is Used For

The farm produces pigeon feed for their own 2,500 breeding pairs and sells a surplus to other pigeon farmers in the Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Kanchanaburi provinces:

• Squab starter pellets (2.5mm): For birds 0-14 days, hand-fed by parents
• Squab grower pellets (3.0mm): For birds 14-28 days, weaning transition
• Breeding pigeon pellets (4.0mm): For adult breeding pairs
• Maintenance pellets (4.0mm, lower protein): For non-breeding birds

The owner reported that squab mortality dropped from 15% to 8% after switching to pelleted feed. The breeding pairs also produced more eggs per cycle (from 2 eggs every 45 days to 2 eggs every 38 days). The squabs reached market weight (500-600g) three days earlier than before, saving feed costs.

Customer Feedback After 16 Months of Operation

We spoke with the farm owner about 16 months after delivery. Here is what he told us:

This pigeon feed pellet machine for bird farming has been a game-changer for our operation. We were losing too many young birds because they were not getting balanced nutrition. Now the pellets are uniform, and every bird gets the same nutrients. The squabs are healthier, and the breeding pairs are more productive.

The mill runs about 3-4 hours per day, 5 days per week. We have put about 1,000 hours on it. The 3.0mm die needed replacement at 700 hours – the peas wore it out faster. But the 4.0mm die is still in good condition after 1,000 hours. We have learned to use stainless steel dies for legume-based feeds.

The only issue we had was finding a local source for the 2.5mm die. We ordered an extra die from RICHI when we bought the machine, so we had a spare when we started producing the squab starter feed. We will order two more for next year.

The farm has since recommended the SZLH250 to three other pigeon breeding operations in central Thailand.

Other Applications of the SZLH250 Pellet Mill

• Quail feed (2-3mm crumbles): Requires a crumbler attachment and a 2.5mm die
• Chicken feed (3.5-5.0mm pellets): For broilers, layers, or breeders
• Duck feed (4-6mm pellets): For meat or egg production
• Rabbit feed (4-5mm high-fiber pellets): Requires a formulation with higher fiber content (alfalfa, etc.)
• Fish feed (2-3mm sinking pellets): For tilapia or catfish, requires a 2.5mm stainless steel die
• Goat and sheep feed (4-5mm pellets): Using the 4.0mm or 5.0mm die with a higher fiber formulation
• Parrot and pet bird feed (3-4mm pellets): For specialty pet bird markets
• Organic fertilizer pellets: Compressed poultry litter or composted manure

RICHI feed pellet mills 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 specialty bird farmer – whether pigeons, quail, or parrots – the SZLH250 is the ideal entry point, offering the flexibility to produce multiple pellet sizes from a single machine.

Logistics: Shipping from Qingdao to Laem Chabang

The SZLH250 feed pellet machine was shipped from Qingdao to the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand's largest and most modern seaport – about 14 days at sea.

Laem Chabang serves the eastern region, including Ratchaburi province via truck routes. From Laem Chabang, the owner arranged truck transport to his farm in Ratchaburi, approximately 150 kilometers west. The total transit time was about 22 days.

The pellet mill 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 using our video instructions.

Pre-Sale Services We Provided

• Die specification consultation for pigeon feed: We helped select the optimal die hole size (2.5mm for squab starter, 3.0mm for squab grower, and 4.0mm for adults) and recommended stainless steel dies for legume-based formulations (peas, beans, sorghum).
• Steam requirement calculation: We advised that a farm of this size needed a small electric boiler capable of producing 40-50 kg of steam per hour for the SZLH250. The owner purchased a suitable unit locally.
• Die material selection: We recommended stainless steel dies (instead of carbon steel) for the legume-based pigeon feed, as the peas and other legumes are more abrasive than maize.
• Pellet size testing: We provided guidance on testing pellet durability and sink/float characteristics for the pigeon feed.
• Spare parts kit: We supplied a starter kit including two spare roller shells (stainless steel), a set of die screws, one drive belt, and a set of conditioning paddles.
• Video installation guide in Thai: We provided a step-by-step video narrated in Thai, which the farm workers could follow easily.

The farm owner later told us that the die material recommendation was the most valuable part – he had not realized that legume-based feeds require stainless steel dies for longevity.

Plans for Expansion

The farm is now planning to expand its breeding flock to 5,000 pairs. To supply the increased feed demand (projected at 10-12 tons per week), the owner is considering a second pellet mill – a dedicated SZLH250 for squab starter and grower feeds (using 2.5mm and 3.0mm dies) and using the existing machine for adult pigeon feed. This will eliminate die change downtime entirely.

Across Thailand, a pigeon feed pellet machine for bird farming is an investment that pays for itself quickly. The ability to produce custom feed for different age groups and bird types – using locally available ingredients – gives 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 specialty bird farmers worldwide.

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