Detrimental Effect of Corn of Coarse Particle Size in Rations for Chicks

IN A recent field trial it was observed that starting chicks fed a balanced, experimental, corn-soybean mash preferred to consume the corn particles when the corn was coarsely ground. Trials were then conducted in our laboratory to find out if chicks did have a preference for corn when it was made available to them in several ways. Recommendations for particle size in poultry rations generally suggest that coarsely ground ingredients are to be preferred in a ration rather than finely ground ingredients. However, there have been some conflicting statements in this regard but very few data have been presented (see review by Ewing, 1947). A report by Roberts and Carrick (1938) showed no difference in weight gains with chicks at 10 or 12 weeks of age with a ration containing 41 percent medium (one-eighth inch screen) or fine (one-sixteenth inch screen) cracked corn. However, coarse cracked corn using a one-fourth . . .