Development of a manual scissors-operated machine for producing feed blocks for small ruminants

Abstract

This study addressed the need for affordable and nutritious feed by developing a cost-effective and user-friendly, manually-operated feed block-making machine specifically designed for small-scale farmers. The newly designed machine prioritizes affordability, with a production cost of approximately $130.00 USD. It features a simple design with a chamber, pistons, and a user-friendly, scissors-operated mechanism. The machine’s effectiveness was evaluated using two different feed mixtures and various compaction times. Mixture 1 (10% molasses) produced blocks at a rate of 12 blocks per hour with a 15-minute compaction time. These blocks exhibited low Post-Compression Expansion (PCE) (19.7%) and high durability (99.6%). Mixture 2 (5% molasses, 5% cement) produced blocks even faster (16 blocks per hour) with a 10-minute compaction time. These blocks also demonstrated good physical qualities, with a PCE of 16.3% and exceptional durability (99.8%). On storage stability, packed feed blocks maintained their colour, texture, and showed no signs of fungal growth after 30 d while unpacked blocks showed signs of deterioration and excessive cracking, highlighting the importance of using sealed containers to maintain feed block quality. This affordable technology empowers small-scale farmers to produce high-quality feed blocks for an improved small ruminant production and increased food security in the region.