Livestock Feed Calculator

Plan daily and monthly feed for cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep or poultry.

Animal	Cattle
Number of animals	10
Average body weight	400 kg
Feed dry matter	88 %

Animal

Number of animals

Average body weight

Feed dry matter

Hay and grain ≈ 85–90%; silage ≈ 30–40%; green fodder ≈ 15–25%.

Feed per day

113.6 kg

Cattle: 3,409 kg a month, 41.48 tonnes a year (2.5 % of body weight as dry matter). Provide clean water at all times.

About the Livestock Feed Calculator

Ruminants eat roughly 2–3% of body weight a day as dry matter (goats up to 4%), more when lactating. Divide by the feed's dry-matter content to get the as-fed weight: wet silage or green fodder weighs much more for the same nutrition. Laying hens eat about 100–120 g of feed a day.

The formula

As-fed kg = body weight × DM intake % ÷ feed DM %

Worked example

Example: Feed per day = 124.7 kg

Inputs: Animal: Cattle; Number of animals: 11; Average body weight: 440 kg; Feed dry matter: 97%.
Formula: As-fed kg = body weight × DM intake % ÷ feed DM %
Result: Feed per day = 124.7 kg

Things to keep in mind

Typical figures; lactation, growth, pregnancy, breed and feed quality change needs. Balance rations with a nutritionist or extension officer.

Questions people ask

How much water does a cow drink?

Often 30–100+ litres a day, more when lactating or in heat.

What's dry matter?

What remains after all water is removed: the part that carries nutrients.