Optimization of Ground Corn Particle Size in the Diet to Improve Physical Pellet Quality in Native Chicken Feed Production

Abstract

This research evaluated the effect of ground corn particle size on the physical and chemical quality of pelleted feed for native chickens within the framework of developing strategies for the poultry feed industry to optimize corn-based formulations.The experimental material consisted of dry shelled corn (12% moisture) obtained from a commercial corn drying facility.The corn was cleaned to remove impurities and classified into three particle size categories: coarse (mesh 10-18, >1000m), medium (mesh 20-30, 500-1000m), and fine (mesh 40-100, <500m).The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design with three dietary treatments (P1: coarse, P2: medium, P3: fine), each replicated ten times, resulting in 30 experimental units.Each unit consisted of a mash diet and its corresponding pellet form.Parameters measured included physical quality (particle size distribution, angle of repose, bulk density, pellet durability, pellet hardness, and pellet dimensions) and chemical quality (moisture, crude protein, amino acids, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, and calcium).The results demonstrated that particle size and feed form primarily affected physical rather than chemical quality.Finer particles reduced flowability and storage efficiency, thereby impairing mash quality without altering nutrient composition.In pellet feed, medium-sized particles produced the most favorable outcomes, characterized by the highest pellet durability index, balanced hardness, and the lowest fines.Coarse particles increased hardness, whereas fine particles reduced pellet durability.Overall, pelleting consistently improved physical quality compared with mash feed, while nutrient composition remained stable.These findings suggest that pelleting with a medium particle size is the most effective strategy for enhancing feed efficiency without compromising nutritional value.

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