Single Alternative Ingredient Assignment and its Cost Effect to Reformulation of Layer Chicken Feed in Thailand: The Multi-Criteria Approach with Case Study of Banana Peel Application

Abstract

Many nutrients are required to feed layer chickens in the early stages before laying, and feed formulations are assured of the nutrient- required standards. However, some ingredients might be partially or totally replaced by other ingredients with the implication of environmental problems or agriculture extension policies. The multi- criteria approach is presented for the feasible ingredient replacement concurrently with the cost increment restriction. Regardless of cost concerns, the replacement boundary model is firstly proposed as the sub model for a feed reformulation to locate the maximum quantity of alternative ingredients being applied into a feedstuff under a specific replacement rate. Next, the cost-effectiveness model is presented as the main model for the formula revision (derived from the sub model) to gain the minimum cost increment under an acceptable range while nutrient requirements and replacement conditions are still maintained. In the case study, banana peel is selected as the alternative ingredient, and corn is the specific ingredient which must be mainly reduced. The results from the test problems show that banana peel can be significantly applied in the feed formula. In addition, to retain a desirable feedstuff cost, policy pricing for the alternative ingredient can be recommended from consideration of any surplus cost (if any).