why are feed additives needed?
Plastic will be cheaper and last for a long time.
Copper pipe will last a lifetime, but ensure it is wrapped in a special tape to prevent any corrosion from acid in the soil or concrete. In the Uk it is called DENZO TAPE.
some act as feed conditioner too
It really depends on what you are feeding and what the purpose is. There a lots of feed additives out there for different reasons. Cotton seed hull are often added to boost protein levels in feed. Chlortetracycline is added to creep feed and is used to lightly medicate young cattle that come from livestock auctions that may have come into contact with bacteria that may make the cattle ill. It is beneficial to add this medication to keep the animal alive and in good health and also it is worth the extra cost to protect the investment made to purchase those cattle.
Feed additives are used for several reasons. However they primarily increase levels of required nutrients, enhance storage of feed material (livestock is not the only thing that eats grain), decrease dust, reduce mold, control insect damage to feed and/or deliver required medicines to livestock or people (we're critters too).
