A simple change in feed form can deliver a 15.1% boost in broiler body weight. That’s pure profit sitting on your production floor, but most operations are leaving it on the table.
Recent research from Kansas State University reveals the dramatic economics hiding in your feed form decisions. When broilers received micro-pellets instead of mash, body weight jumped from 891g to 1,049g at 21 days. Feed conversion improved significantly, and daily gain increased across the board.
But here’s the real game changer: quality crumbles delivered nearly identical performance to micro-pellets without the expensive die changes. The secret? Feeding crumble with the fines removed boosted body weight by 3.5% minimum, essentially giving you micro-pellet results at crumble costs.
The critical window is those first 7-10 days. Feed intake during this period determines your entire production cycle success. Chicks in their early stages of development naturally struggle to consume fine feed particles, greatly decreasing FCR. When fed higher-quality feed that maintains its structure better, chicks are able to consume more, setting the stage for superior performance throughout the grow-out.
The data reveals something fascinating about gizzard development too. Mash-fed birds developed significantly heavier gizzards, but this came at the cost of overall performance. The improved digestibility from proper feed processing more than compensated for reduced gizzard activity.
For feed mill operators, this research proves that investing in crumble quality pays immediate dividends. Adjusting roll gap width and removing fines transforms ordinary crumbles into profit drivers.
Success depends on precise monitoring. Automatic weighing systems provide the frequent data points needed to detect these performance improvements quickly. When you can measure 15% body weight differences reliably, you can optimize feed form decisions with confidence.
The economics are clear: proper feed form isn’t just about nutrition, it’s about maximizing return on every ton processed.
Sources
Idan, F., et al. (2023). Effects of pellet diameter and crumble size on growth performance and relative gizzard weight of broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32:100331.