Effects of Pelleting on the Utilization of Feed by the Growing Chicken

NUMEROUS reports have indicated that pelleting rations for chicks results in increased rate of gain and improved feed efficiency (Heywang and Morgan (1944), Bearse et al. (1952), Lanson and Smyth (1955), Allred et al. (1957), Arscott et al. (1957b), and others); however, it is not clear why improved utilization of feed occurs following the pelleting process. Many investigators have reported that the principal effect of pelleting is to increase the density of the feed, thus allowing greater feed intake and a resultant increase in rate of growth and efficiency of feed utilization. Others suggest that the pelleting process enhances the utilization of nutrients in the feed. Lindblad et al. (1955) observed an increase in rate of growth of chicks fed pelleted rations without increased consumption of feed. Allred et al. (1957b) observed a growth response to pelleting even when the pellets were ground to a particle size and density similar …