BAMBIS

100% BICOL-SOURCED | ORGANIC | LOCAL

FEED OPERATIONS MANUAL

Formulas, Storage, Milling & Infrastructure

Goat | Pig | Cattle | Chicken | Duck | Rabbit

CONFIDENTIAL

March 2026 | Companion to the Corridor Strategy Briefing

1. Feed Ingredient Library

Every ingredient used in Bambis feed formulations is sourced within the Bicol Region. No soybean meal, no synthetic vitamin premix, no imported additives. The table below catalogues each ingredient, its nutritional function, quality standards, storage requirements, and corridor source location.

Key principle: 8 of 12 ingredients are either waste products (copra meal, darak, fish scraps, banana culls, rice hull), wild-harvested (ipil-ipil), or farm-grown (malunggay, azolla). Only corn, molasses, salt, and crushed shells require cash purchase, and all are locally available at low cost.

2. Goat Feed Formulas

Bambis goats are raised on pasture. The concentrate feed below supplements grazing — it is not the complete diet. Goats on good pasture get most of their fibre and base nutrition from grass and browse. The concentrate provides the protein, energy, and mineral boost needed for commercial growth rates.

2.1 Goat Grower Concentrate

Target: 18–20% crude protein. Fed at 1–1.5% of body weight daily alongside free grazing.

Kidney Stone Prevention Protocol

Castrated male goats (wethers) are highly susceptible to urinary calculi (kidney stones) caused by excess phosphorus from rice bran and copra meal. The Bambis protocol manages this through:

• Calcium-to-phosphorus ratio: Maintain at least 2:1, ideally 3:1. The ipil-ipil and malunggay in this formula are calcium-rich and naturally offset the high phosphorus in darak.
• Salt at 2–3%: Stimulates water intake, dilutes mineral concentration in urine, and helps flush stones before they form.
• Clean water access: Unlimited, clean, fresh water at all times. This is non-negotiable.
• Monitor castrated males: Watch for signs of straining to urinate, dribbling, or belly kicking. These indicate stones forming.

2.2 Lactating Doe Concentrate

Higher protein for milk production. Fed at 1.5–2% of body weight daily during lactation.

Target: 20–22% crude protein. The increased ipil-ipil and malunggay drive the higher protein level without adding cost.

3. Pig Feed Formulas

Pig feed is the highest-volume product in the Bambis feed operation. The key innovation is fermentation: a two-week sealed fermentation process using EM-1 (effective microorganisms) that boosts digestible protein, improves gut health, and reduces feed costs. All formulas below are designed for fermentation.

3.1 Pig Starter (Weanling, 6–8 weeks, up to 20 kg)

Young pigs need higher protein and lower fibre. Copra meal and rice bran are reduced; fish meal and malunggay are increased.

Target: 18–20% crude protein. Ferment for 2 weeks in sealed drums.

3.2 Pig Grower (20–60 kg)

Target: 16–18% crude protein. This is the formula that Philippine operations have produced at 14–15 pesos per kilo using fermentation — well below commercial feed prices of 25–30 pesos per kilo.

3.3 Pig Finisher (60–100 kg)

Lower protein, higher energy for final weight gain and fat cover.

Target: 14–16% crude protein. Ferment for 2 weeks.

3.4 Fermentation Protocol

All pig feeds are fermented before feeding. This is the single most important processing step in the Bambis system.

• Step 1 — Pre-mix dry: Combine all dry ingredients (darak, corn, copra meal, leaf meals, fish meal, banana meal) on a clean concrete floor or in a large mixing trough. Mix thoroughly like cement.
• Step 2 — Add greens: Mix in chopped fresh azolla, kangkong, or other greens so that the dry material coats the moist vegetation.
• Step 3 — Add liquid: Dilute 100ml EM-1 concentrate and 100ml molasses in 10 litres of water. Pour over the mix and blend thoroughly.
• Step 4 — Moisture test: Perform the Ball Test: take a handful and squeeze into a ball with moderate pressure. If it holds together without dripping liquid, moisture is in the target range (30–50%). Too dry = add water. Dripping = add more dry mix.
• Step 5 — Seal: Pack tightly into clean 200-litre drums or sealed plastic bags, pressing out all air. Seal completely. Label with date and formula type.
• Step 6 — Ferment: Store sealed drums in shade for a minimum of 14 days. Do not open during fermentation.
• Step 7 — Feed: After 14 days, open and feed within 5–7 days. The feed should have a pleasant, slightly sour/yeasty smell. Discard any batch that smells rancid, putrid, or has visible mould.

EM-1 production: Effective Microorganisms can be cultured on-farm from rice wash water (the cloudy water from rinsing rice before cooking) combined with molasses and left to ferment for 7–10 days in a sealed bottle. This eliminates the need to purchase commercial EM-1 products.

4. Cattle & Carabao Feed Formulas

Cattle and carabao are ruminants with a highly efficient digestive system that ferments fibrous material in the rumen. Like goats, they are primarily grazers. The concentrate supplement provides protein and energy to boost growth rates above what pasture alone can deliver. Philippine cattle fattening operations typically achieve market weight in 120–180 days with proper supplementation.

4.1 Cattle Fattening Concentrate

Fed at 1–1.5% of body weight daily alongside grazing or chopped forage (napier grass, rice straw, corn stover). Target: 14–16% crude protein.

This formula can be fed dry (no fermentation needed for ruminants — the rumen is its own fermenter). Mix thoroughly and serve in feed troughs morning and afternoon alongside forage.

Roughage Sources (Fed Alongside Concentrate)

• Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum): Grows rapidly in Bicol climate. Chop to 3–5cm lengths. Can provide 60–70% of total diet.
• Rice straw: Chopped rice straw can be fed up to 40% of total ration. Low protein (3–4%) but provides rumen-filling bulk. Free from rice farms post-harvest.
• Corn stover: Ground corncobs can be fed up to 45% of total ration. More digestible than rice straw.
• Fresh ipil-ipil browse: Cattle can browse leucaena hedgerows directly — protein-rich and free.

5. Chicken & Duck Feed Formulas

The following formulas are adapted from the proven Bicol Regenerative Feed System Blueprint, modified to use 100% corridor-sourced ingredients. Three feed types are produced: pelleted dry feed for penned chickens and layers, coarse feed for free-range birds and ducks, and wet fermented feed for ducklings and young chicks.

5.1 Pelleted Dry Feed (Native/Semi-Commercial Chickens, Layers)

Target: 16–18% crude protein. Pellet size: 6–8mm. All ingredients dried to <12% moisture before mixing.

Process through semi-industrial pellet machine (300–500 kg/hour, 6–8mm die, 5–10 HP). Input mix must be <12% moisture and 1–3mm particle size.

5.2 Coarse / Seconds Feed (Free-Range Chickens, Ducks)

Same ingredients as pelleted feed. Minimal grinding — coarser 5–8mm chunks. Target: 12–15% crude protein. Encourages natural scratching and foraging behaviour. Ducks prefer this over fine pellets.

5.3 Wet Fermented Feed (Ducklings, Young Chicks)

Mix the pelleted or coarse feed 1:1 with water and ferment for 24–48 hours. Target: approximately 15% crude protein. Feed immediately after fermentation. Discard any unused portion after 2 days. This format improves gut health and is easier for young birds to digest.

Layer-Specific Notes

• Calcium: Laying hens need 3.5–4% calcium in their diet. Provide crushed oyster or snail shells free-choice alongside feed. Do not mix into the feed — some birds need more than others and self-regulation is more efficient.
• Protein: Layers need 16–18% CP during lay. During moult, temporarily increase fish meal inclusion to 15% to speed feather regrowth.

Daily Production Estimates (per 1,000 birds)

Material per 1,000 kg feed: Corn/cassava 500 kg, rice bran 200 kg, copra meal 100–150 kg, dried fish 100–150 kg, dried azolla/malunggay 50 kg, crushed shells 10–20 kg.

6. Rabbit Feed Formulas

Rabbits require high-fibre diets with moderate protein. Their digestive system (hindgut fermentation) is efficient at extracting nutrients from fibrous plant material. Moringa leaves have been extensively studied as rabbit feed — research shows inclusion up to 70% of the pellet (by weight) is beneficial for growth performance, while 3% moringa supplementation in post-weaning rabbits gives the best results for weight gain. Ipil-ipil leaf meal has also been evaluated and found palatable to rabbits.

6.1 Rabbit Grower Pellet

Target: 15–17% crude protein, 14–18% crude fibre. Pellet size: 3–4mm.

Rabbits should also receive fresh forage daily: malunggay leaves, kangkong, sweet potato vines, banana leaves, and napier grass tops. The pellet is a supplement to fresh browse, not a complete diet.

Breeding Doe Adjustment

Increase malunggay leaf meal to 25% and add 5% fish meal during gestation and lactation for additional protein and calcium. Reduce grass hay to 30% to accommodate.

7. Storage Best Practices

Bicol’s tropical humidity (80–90% relative humidity year-round) is the single greatest threat to stored feed. Mould growth begins at 65% relative humidity and above 25°C — conditions that exist in Bicol virtually every day of the year. The Bambis storage system is designed around this reality.

7.1 The Golden Rules

• Dry to <12% moisture before storage: All ingredients must be thoroughly dried before mixing or storing. Target 10–12% moisture for cereals and leaf meals. Fish meal must be dried to <10%.
• Seal hermetically: Hermetic (airtight) storage is the gold standard for tropical conditions. It prevents moisture absorption from humid air and creates a modified atmosphere (high CO₂, low O₂) that arrests both mould and insect growth without chemicals.
• Use it fast: In tropical conditions, even properly stored feed should be used within 2–4 weeks. Mix in small batches matched to consumption rate. Do not stockpile.
• FIFO (First In, First Out): Always use oldest stock first. Label every drum and bag with mix date.
• Off the ground: All bags and drums must sit on pallets, never directly on concrete floors (which transmit moisture).

7.2 Storage Methods

7.3 Shelf Life Guidelines

8. Grinding, Mixing & Bagging

8.1 Grinding

All dry ingredients must be ground to the correct particle size before mixing. Correct particle size ensures even mixing, proper nutrient absorption, and (for pelleted feeds) good pellet formation.

Grinding Best Practices

• Clean between batches: Run a small amount of the next ingredient through first to flush residue. Critical when switching between fish meal and leaf meals.
• Check screen integrity: Worn or holed screens produce inconsistent particle sizes. Replace when holes show visible wear.
• Grind only what you need: Ground material has much higher surface area and goes rancid faster than whole ingredients. Grind daily or every 2 days maximum.

8.2 Mixing

Thorough mixing is essential — every scoop of finished feed should contain the correct proportion of every ingredient. Poor mixing means some animals get too much protein and others not enough.

Mixing Protocol

• Step 1 — Weigh accurately: Use calibrated scales. Weigh every ingredient. Do not estimate by volume — density varies hugely between corn (heavy) and leaf meal (light).
• Step 2 — Small ingredients first: Mix all low-volume ingredients together first: salt, malunggay meal, fish meal, azolla. This pre-mix ensures even distribution.
• Step 3 — Add to bulk: Add the pre-mix to the rice bran and corn (the bulk ingredients) and mix for 10–15 minutes in a mechanical mixer, or 15–20 minutes by hand on a concrete floor.
• Step 4 — Add liquids last: Molasses and water (for fermented feeds) go in last. Mix for an additional 5 minutes.
• Step 5 — Check uniformity: Take samples from three different points in the batch. Visual inspection — colour and texture should be consistent throughout.

Batch sizing: Mix in quantities that will be consumed within the shelf life window. For a farm with 50 pigs, a 200 kg batch (one fermentation drum) is consumed in approximately 3–4 days at 2–3 kg/pig/day. For chickens, a 500 kg batch serves 1,000 birds for one day.

8.3 Bagging & Labelling

• Bag size: Standard 10 kg and 25 kg polypropylene sacks for sale. 50 kg for on-farm use.
• Sealing: Heat-seal or tie with wire. Do not leave bags open. Even 30 minutes of exposure to Bicol humidity begins moisture absorption.
• Labelling: Every bag must show: product name (e.g. “Bambis Goat Grower”), mix date, batch number, net weight, ingredients list, target species, and feeding rate.
• Storage after bagging: Stack on pallets inside covered, ventilated shed. Maximum 8 bags high. Leave 30cm gap between stacks and walls for air circulation.

9. Machinery & Infrastructure

The Bambis feed operation is designed as a semi-industrial setup — larger than backyard, smaller than a commercial feed mill. The equipment list below supports production of 500–1,000 kg of mixed feed per day, sufficient for the farm’s own livestock plus barter and sale along the corridor.

9.1 Core Equipment

Estimated core equipment total: $5,600–$12,900 USD (₱315,000–₱725,000 at 56:1). This is a fraction of the cost of a commercial feed mill line ($18,000–$38,000+ for automated systems).

9.2 Supporting Infrastructure

Estimated infrastructure total: $7,200–$15,500 USD (₱400,000–₱870,000).

TOTAL SETUP COST (equipment + infrastructure): $12,800–$28,400 USD (₱715,000–₱1,590,000). This establishes a complete semi-industrial feed operation capable of producing 500–1,000 kg/day of mixed feed in multiple formulations for six livestock species.

9.3 Power Requirements

The milling shed requires a reliable 220V single-phase power supply capable of running the hammer mill, mixer, and pellet machine (not simultaneously — rotate equipment use). Total connected load approximately 15–20 HP (11–15 kW). A diesel generator (15–20 kVA) is recommended as backup for typhoon-related power outages. Estimated cost: $2,000–$4,000 for a quality unit.

9.4 Scaling Up

The equipment list above is Phase 1. As volume increases beyond 1,000 kg/day, the following upgrades become necessary:

• Ring-die pellet mill: Replaces flat-die for commercial-scale pellet production. 1–2 tonnes/hour. $7,000–$15,000.
• Automated batching system: Weighs and dispenses ingredients automatically. Reduces mixing errors. $5,000–$10,000.
• Pellet cooler: Counter-flow cooler for hot pellets exiting the die. Required above 500 kg/hr pellet production. $2,000–$4,000.
• Bagging machine: Semi-automatic weighing and bagging. 300–500 bags/hour. $3,000–$6,000.
• Additional storage containers: One container per satellite hub along the corridor. $2,000–$3,500 each.

10. Summary

This manual provides complete, science-backed feed formulations for six livestock species — goats, pigs, cattle, chickens, ducks, and rabbits — using exclusively Bicol-sourced ingredients. Every formula has been cross-referenced against published Philippine and international livestock nutrition research.

The key principles throughout:

• 100% local: No soybean meal, no synthetic premix, no imported additives. Ipil-ipil replaces soya as the primary protein source. Malunggay replaces synthetic vitamin-mineral premix. Azolla provides additional protein, amino acids, and B-vitamins from an on-farm renewable source.
• Waste-to-value: Copra meal, rice bran, fish scraps, banana culls, and rice hull are all waste products from industries already operating along the Ragay–Daet corridor. Bambis turns discarded material into balanced animal nutrition.
• Fermentation: The two-week sealed fermentation process for pig feeds boosts digestible protein, improves gut health, and reduces feed costs to levels no commercial feed manufacturer can match.
• Tropical storage: Hermetic storage in sealed drums and modified shipping containers, combined with strict shelf life management and FIFO rotation, overcomes Bicol’s humidity challenge.
• Appropriate scale: The equipment and infrastructure specified are semi-industrial — affordable for a single operation, expandable as volume grows. Total setup cost under ₱1.6 million.

This manual is a companion to the Bambis Corridor Strategy Briefing, which details the market gap, barter model, target businesses, and two-way logistics strategy for deploying these feed products across the corridor.

End of Manual