Impact of feed form, liquid application method, and feed augering on feed quality, nutrient segregation, and subsequent broiler performance

Abstract

Summary: Replicated research has not identified the impact of augering feed on the pellet quality, feed segregation, and resulting bird performance; therefore, 2 experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine the effects of pellet-to-fine ratios (P:F; 55:45 or 75:25) and liquid application method (LAM; mixer liquid application method [MLAM] or postpellet liquid application method [PPLAM] addition of fat and phytase) on feed segregation, after augering, throughout a commercial feed line. Samples for each augered diet were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 32, 44, and 58 m on the feed line. After augering, each diet was retained by a feed pan location (FPL) from 0 to 30 and 32 to 58 m for experiment 2, to determine the effects of P:F, segregation, and FPL on day 28 to 56 performance and day 57 processing. Augering PPLAM diets increased percent pellets vs. MLAM diets. An FPL × P:F interaction found decreased percent pellets when augering from 0 to 15 and 44 to 58 m; 55:45 P:F diets had no change from 15 to 44 m; 75:25 P:F diets fluctuated. An LAM × P:F × FPL interaction showed decreased day 28 to 42 BW gain (BWG) for the MLAM and 75:25 P:F diets across FPL vs. PPLAM and 75:25 P:F diets. In addition, an LAM × P:F × FPL interaction demonstrated that the PPLAM affected day 56 BW uniformity by the FPL. The 75:25 P:F diet improved the BWG, as well as carcass and total breast weight. These data verify physical and nutrient (phytase) segregation occurs during augering and subsequently affects performance; future research should examine the specific nutrient segregation due to augering and the resulting impact on bird performance.

Keywords

• pellet quality
• nutrient segregation
• feed manufacture
• broiler performance