3-4T/H Poultry Feed Pellet Machine for Multi-Species Farming in Vietnam

Before contacting us, the farm owner had looked at small flat-die pellet mills from local suppliers, but those machines were unreliable and could not handle the different formulations required for poultry, pigs, and fish.

A neighbor farmer who had purchased a RICHI SZLH250 poultry feed pellet machine recommended our machines for their build quality and versatility. The farm already had a hammer mill for grinding maize and rice bran, a mixer with molasses addition capability, and a small cooler. What he needed was a medium-capacity pellet mill that could produce 2-3 tons per hour with quick die changes to switch between species.

After reviewing his production requirements – approximately 500 tons per year of poultry feed, 300 tons per year of pig feed, and 150 tons per year of fish feed – we recommended the SZLH320 ring die 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 different dies for various species.

Why Multi-Species Farming Requires a Versatile Pellet Mill

Different livestock species require different pellet sizes, densities, and formulations. Broilers need 3.5-4.5mm pellets that are durable but not too hard. Pigs need 4.5-5.5mm pellets with good hardness to encourage chewing. Tilapia need 2-3mm sinking pellets that stay intact in water for at least 10 minutes.

The SZLH320 feed pellet machine's ring die design allows quick die changes (about 30-40 minutes) and can accommodate die hole sizes from 2mm to 8mm. The mill also features a variable-speed feeder and a conditioner with optional steam injection, allowing the operator to adjust conditioning parameters for each formulation.

The farm owner tested pellets from the SZLH320 for all three species. The broiler pellets had a Pellet Durability Index (PDI) of 93%, the pig pellets achieved 94%, and the floating fish pellets maintained buoyancy for over 12 minutes in water tests – exceeding local market standards.

Machine Selection and Process Parameters for Mixed Species

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

• 3.5mm die (chromium stainless steel): For broiler starter and finisher feed
• 5.0mm die (carbon steel): For grower and finisher pig feed
• 2.5mm die (stainless steel): For tilapia and catfish feed

The production parameters were:

The feed formulations for each species:

Broiler finisher (35-42 days):

• 55% ground maize
• 20% soybean meal
• 10% rice bran
• 8% fishmeal (local)
• 5% vegetable oil
• 2% premix

Pig grower (25-50kg):

• 60% ground maize
• 15% soybean meal
• 12% rice bran
• 8% cassava root meal
• 3% fishmeal
• 2% premix

Tilapia floating feed (28% protein):

• 30% ground maize
• 25% soybean meal
• 20% rice bran
• 15% fishmeal
• 5% wheat flour (binder)
• 5% vegetable oil

One challenge was the fish feed formulation, which requires higher steam conditioning (85-90°C) to gelatinize the starch binder (wheat flour) so the pellets float. The SZLH320 animal feed pellet machine's conditioner length (standard on the 320 model) provided sufficient retention time for this.

What the Pelletized Feed Is Used For

The farm produces feed for their own animals and sells surplus to neighboring farms:

• Broiler feed (3.5mm pellets): Fed to 8,000 birds per cycle (50-day cycles, 5 cycles per year)
• Pig grower and finisher feed (5.0mm pellets): For 500 head (wean to finish)
• Tilapia floating feed (2.5mm pellets): For 12 ponds, each stocked with 5,000 fingerlings twice per year

The owner reported that feed conversion ratios improved significantly:

• Broilers: from 1.75 (mash) to 1.62 (pellets)
• Pigs: from 3.0 to 2.7 (grower phase)
• Tilapia: from 1.8 to 1.65 (using floating pellets instead of mash)

Customer Feedback After 15 Months of Operation

We spoke with the farm owner about 15 months after delivery. Here is what he told us:

This poultry feed pellet machine for multi-species farming has been a game-changer for our operation. We used to make separate mash feeds for each species, mixing them by hand and feeding them as is. The mash was dusty, and the animals wasted a lot. Now we produce high-quality pellets for chickens, pigs, and fish from one machine. The die changes are simple – 30 minutes and we are producing a different feed.

The mill runs about 8 hours per day, 6 days per week during peak season. We have put about 2,500 hours on it. We changed the 3.5mm die at 1,200 hours, but the 5.0mm pig die is still in good condition after 1,500 hours. The rollers need adjustment every 400 hours – we do it ourselves.

The only issue we had was finding a local supplier for the fish die. We bought an extra die from RICHI when we ordered the machine, so we had a spare when the first one wore out. We will order two more for next year.

Other Applications of the SZLH Pellet Mill

Beyond poultry, pig, and fish feed, the SZLH320 can produce:

• Duck feed (4-5mm pellets): For meat or egg production
• Quail feed (2-3mm crumbles): Requires a crumbler attachment
• Rabbit feed (4-5mm high-fiber pellets): Using the 5.0mm die
• Goat and sheep feed (5-6mm pellets): With higher fiber content
• Cattle feed (6-8mm pellets): Requires a larger die (if the mill can be fitted with a 6-8mm die
• 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 an integrated farm that keeps multiple species, the SZLH320 is an excellent starting point – large enough to produce 20-30 tons per week, yet flexible enough for frequent die changes.

Logistics: Shipping from Qingdao to Ho Chi Minh City

The SZLH320 was shipped from Qingdao to the Port of Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai Port), Vietnam's busiest seaport – about 10 days at sea. The port serves the entire southern region, including Dong Nai province. From Cat Lai, the owner arranged truck transport to the farm in Dong Nai, approximately 60 kilometers northeast.

The total transit time was about 16 days – one of the shortest shipments in RICHI's export history. The pellet mill was shipped in three crates: the gearbox and motor assembly, the pelleting chamber with die and rollers, and the feeder/conditioner assembly.

Pre-Sale Services We Provided

Before the farm placed their order, we offered:

• Die specification consultation for multiple species: We helped select the optimal die hole size, compression ratio, and material for poultry (3.5mm, chrome stainless), pig (5.0mm, carbon steel), and fish (2.5mm, stainless steel).
• Steam conditioning analysis for floating fish feed: We calculated that the farm needed a boiler capable of producing 100-120 kg of steam per hour for the fish feed conditioning. They purchased a suitable boiler locally.
• Crumbler recommendation for the future: We suggested that if the farm decides to produce crumbled feed for starter chicks or small fish, they could add a crumbler after the pellet mill.
• Spare parts kit: We supplied a starter kit including three spare roller shells, two sets of die screws, two drive belts, and a set of conditioning paddles.
• Video installation guide in Vietnamese: We provided a step-by-step video narrated in Vietnamese, which the farm workers could follow.

The farm owner later told us that the multi-die consultation was the most valuable part – he had not realized that fish feed required a different die material (stainless steel for corrosion resistance) than poultry or pig feed.

Plans for a Larger Mill

The farm is now planning to expand its aquaculture operation with 10 additional ponds. To supply the increased fish feed demand (projected at 600 tons per year), the owner is considering a second pellet mill – a SZLH350 with 55kW motor – dedicated to fish feed only. The existing SZLH320 will then be used exclusively for poultry and pig feed, eliminating die change downtime entirely.

For integrated farms across Southeast Asia, a poultry feed pellet machine for multi-species farming is an investment that pays dividends every day. The ability to produce species-specific pellets on demand – without relying on commercial feed mills – gives farmers control over their feed costs and quality.

RICHI Machinery – with our factory in Jiaozuo, Henan Province, and our shipping from Qingdao – is proud to support diversified farms worldwide. From poultry and pigs to fish and ducks, RICHI has a pellet mill to match your species mix. For more information or to discuss your specific needs, contact RICHI Machinery today.