| abstract |
Weather-resistant mineral and protein supplement feeds for animals and methods of making same are disclosed. A trace mineral premix in the form of free-flowing granules is produced in a series of steps comprising (1) mixing a liquid binder with a relatively coarse granular feed ingredient to provide damp binder-coated cores, (2) while damp, the binder-coated cores are mixed with a trace mineral base mix, (3) the cores with their outer layers of trace minerals are mixed with substances which impart water-resistant sheaths thereto, and (4) dusting powder is applied to complete the formation of trace mineral premix granules. The premix granules are mixed with coarse granular macromineral feed ingredients, iron oxide and a water-resistant coating solution to form weather-resistant mineral feed granules. In a preferred embodiment, the water-resistant sheaths are formed by mixing the product of step (2) with a fatty acid and depositing thereon a metal oxide with which it reacts. Alternatively, the premix granules are mixed with coarse granular macromineral feed ingredients, iron oxide, liquids including a water-resistant coating solution, and one or more of a proteinaceous ingredient to form weather-resistant protein supplement feed granules. |