Open Access Review Article Samuel Olugbenga et al., J Nutr Food Sci 2015, S14 DOI: 10.4172/2155-9600.S14-002 J Nutr Food Sci ISSN: 2155-9600 JNFS, an open access journal Food Hydrocolloids Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences J o u r n a l o f N u t r i t i o n & Fo o d S c i e n c e s ISSN: 2155-9600 *Corresponding author: Olusegun Abayomi, Department of Industrial & Production Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria, E-mail: olabayor@gmail.com Received August 26, 2015; Accepted September 24, 2015; Published September 28, 2015 Citation: Samuel Olugbenga O, Olusegun Abayomi O, Adebimpe Oluseye A, Akinbowale Taiwo T (2015) Optimized Nutrients Diet Formulation of Broiler Poultry Rations in Nigeria Using Linear Programming. J Nutr Food Sci S14: 002. doi:10.4172/2155-9600.S14-002 Copyright: © 2015 Samuel Olugbenga O, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Optimized Nutrients Diet Formulation of Broiler Poultry Rations in Nigeria Using Linear Programming Samuel Olugbenga O, Olusegun Abayomi O*, Adebimpe Oluseye A and Akinbowale Taiwo T Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria Abstract The diet problem is a classic problem, one among the earliest problems formulated as a linear programming. The goal of the diet problem is to select a set of nutrients that will satisfy a set of daily nutritional requirement at minimum cost. Poultry being simple stomached species, cannot synthesize most of the nutrients required for them and so the nutrients become dietary essentials. Chicken has to be fed adequate quantities of balanced diet for its growth, livability and to exhibit its genetic potential to the full extent. Maximizing live bird proftability is similar to minimizing feed cost per kg live weight. The nutrient diet model formulation is a combination of different feed ingredients needed for a balance diet of the bird. The generic mathematical model which is applicable to each type of ration nine decision variables and ten parameters is constructed as subject to a set of twelve obtained constraints from a local farm. The model was solved using an excel solver package for easy accessibility. Model solution and post-optimality test results were obtained and compared with existing practice of the case study farm. The proposed optimal formulation of the linear programming model gives about 7.48% and 9.96% reduction in feed formulation costs compared to the existing formulation in case of broiler starter and fnisher respectively on the farm. The model also reduced the amount of fat contained in the existing ration but adding more fesh by signifcantly increased the metabolisable energy needed for physiological structure. Post-optimality test or Sensitivity analysis also gave useful insight into the impact of changes in costs of feed inputs. Keywords: Broiler rations or feed; Nutrient diet; Formulation; Linear programming; Post-optimality test Introduction Feed is a major component of the total cost of broiler production [1]. Broiler rations should be formulated to supply the correct balance of energy, protein and amino acids, minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids to allow optimum growth and performance. It is widely accepted that the choice of dietary nutrient levels should be an economic decision to be made for each company or enterprise. Maximizing live bird proftability is similar to minimizing feed cost per kg live weight [1]. Linear programming will enable us to make a productive decision in optimizing nutrient diet required of broiler at minimal cost, bearable risk and optimum satisfaction of minimum requirements of each diet nutrient types per day. As the feed cost represents an expensive input (70-80% of broiler production cost), the poultry producer should be aware of the dynamics of the feed in its infuence on fnal product quantity and quality [2]. Formulating feed ideally requires in-depth knowledge of several parameters such as the energy level to be maintained in the diet, balancing the amino acid profle and electrolytes of feed etc., which, otherwise, if not properly monitored, could negatively infuence the performance and proftability of the business. Further, in light of environmental challenges and disease outbreaks, it is even more challenging to extract the total genetic capability of the birds [2]. Nutritionists should look at several critical parameters whilst formulating broiler feed. Important amongst these are: • Nutritive value of raw materials • Amino acid digestibility • Amino acid and calorie ratio • Selection of suitable fat source • Calcium requirement of birds • Electrolyte balancing • Immuno-modulation • Summer management Poultry feed is composed of 60-65% Energy giving materials, 30-35% of Protein source, 2-8% Minerals source. And above all water, which is considered as the principal nutrient should be pure, wholesome, and free from physical impurities, toxic substances and bacterial contamination. Te poultry contribute a good quota to Nigeria economy and employment opportunities creation [3-5]. It is therefore important that poultry farming be carried out efciently for high productivity and sustainability of the industry in Nigeria. It has been established that feeding constitutes over 70% of the total cost of egg and broiler production [6], which implies that eforts to increase poultry industry productivity should be directed towards improving