Gel based livestock feed, method of manufacture and use

Abstract

A method of making a gel-type livestock feed includes initially forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components, water, alginate, and a calcium component insoluble in water or a sequestrate to inhibit the calcium component from reacting with the alginate. Once the feed mixture is formed, the calcium component is solubilized or the sequestrates affecting the reactivity between the alginate and the calcium component is removed such that a gel feed is formed that includes a gel matrix containing the feed nutrient components. The gel feed may then be fed to the livestock. In another aspect of the present invention, piglets are weaned by feeding the gel feed for at least seven days directly after weaning. The gel feed may also include protein derived from blood with or without egg protein.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A method of making a livestock feed for piglets, the method comprising:
 forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components and a reactive gelling agent, wherein the reactive gelling agent is at least one gum selected from the group consisting of alginate, carrageenan, gellan and pectin, and wherein during the step of forming the feed mixture the reactive gelling agent is non-reacted; and   causing the reactive gelling agent in the feed mixture to react by lowering a pH of the feed mixture such that a gel feed is formed comprising a gel matrix in which the feed nutrient components are retained,   wherein the reactive gelling agent is caused to react with a calcium salt upon lowering the pH to form the gel matrix, and   wherein the feed nutrient components comprise at least one animal-based protein, at least one plant-based protein, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one fat.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the non-reacted gelling agent is at a pH of 6.0 or higher. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein sufficient acid is added to lower the pH to at least about 4.5 or below to cause the reactive gelling agent to react with the calcium salt. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the pH is lowered by adding an acid to the feed mixture. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the acid comprises citric acid, fumaric acid, propionic acid or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the calcium salt comprises dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium iodate, calcium sulfate or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the calcium salt becomes soluble and reactive with the gelling agent at a selected pH and the pH of the feed mixture is lowered to or below the selected pH. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the feed nutrient components further comprise water. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein water comprise about 25 to 90% water. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the gel feed is then fed to piglets. 
     
     
         65 . A method of making a livestock feed for piglets, the method comprising:
 forming a feed mixture by mixing feed nutrient components and a reactive gelling agent, wherein the reactive gelling agent is at least one gum selected from the group consisting of alginate, carrageenan, gellan and pectin, and wherein a pH during mixing of the feed nutrient components is 6.0 or greater such that the reactive gelling agent is non-reactive; and   once the feed mixture is formed, lowering the pH to cause the reactive gelling agent to react and form a gel feed comprising a gel matrix in which the feed nutrient components are retained,   wherein the water is a major component of the gel matrix, and   wherein the feed nutrient components comprise at least one animal-based protein, at least one plant-based protein, at least one carbohydrate, and at least one fat.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the reactive gelling agent reacts with a calcium salt upon lowering the pH to form the gel matrix. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the calcium salt comprises dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium iodate, calcium sulfate or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the pH is lowered to at least about 4.5 or below. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the gel feed is then fed to piglets. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the gel matrix comprises about 25 to 90% water.