Feed presentation in broilers is a factor determining consumption and digestibility. Pellets have become a very popular feed form, since it reduces wastage and improves consumption. However, the fine particle size required to obtain a good pellet quality may have some negative effects in gut finction. This paper discusses those issues.
Possible effects of pellet presentation
In order to understand the possible benefits of feeding pellets or meal, it should be considered that the granule is finely ground while the meal is coarsely ground. Although they are commonly confused, the effects of feed form and particle size are completely different in poultry, and to a large extent explain the advantages and disadvantages of each presentation type.
The major advantages of the pellet are observed prior to consumption, from the beginning of the manufacturing process to the moment when the feed is ingested by the bird. Several studies have demonstrated that broilers from 0 to 21 days of age, receiving feed in the form of crumbs or micropellets, showed better voluntary feed intake compared with birds fed diets in the meal form. This resulted in improved growth (+ 15-20%), but the advantages tend to diminish with age, particularly when the birds are fed a common pelleted diet.
The advantages of pellets are much more important for daily weight gain than for feed conversion, suggesting that the increase in feed intake and the reduction of feed wastage are the main advantages of feeding pellets, with little effect on nutrient digestibility.
Prior to pelletisation, the ingredients are finely ground in order to improve the quality of the final product.
Feed wastage is more relevant in old farms, with poor management or badly designed feeders. The pellet form facilitates feed intake by the bird, reducing maintenance needs since the bird eats more quickly and spends more time resting. Also, if the pellet falls to the litter the bird can take it, while this cannot happen in the case of a meal form. Therefore, the pellet form improves feed conversion during this “pre-consumption” phase.
After the bird eats the feed, it goes to the crop, and then to the gizzard, where it loses its structure. So, after ingestion it is difficult to determine whether the bird ate mash or pelletised feed. From then on, there is no effect of presentation form, and the main factor is the fine grinding.
The effect of particle size
After ingestion, particle size could be more im...
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