Effect of glauconite and sepiolite together with oil supplementation on pellet quality criteria in broiler and laying hen concentrate

Abstract

The aim of this study was conducted to determine the effect of glauconite and sepiolite together with oil usage on pellet quality criteria in broiler and laying concentrate. In recent years, no study was found in the literature focusing on the use of glauconite in pelleting. Therefore, the effect of sepiolite and glauconite on pellet quality criteria was investigated in pellet production in our study. Concentrated feeds were made by the rations research team, whose raw materials were taken from a commercial feed factory. Pellet concentrate feeds were produced with 7 batch (each batch was 100 kg). Disc that has hole diameter 3.5 mm and wall thickness of 70 mm was used in production. The study was carried out in two different. Firstly, 1% and 2% levels sepiolite and glauconite were added to each concentrate in pellet production without adding oil. Secondly, 1% and 2% levels sepiolite and glauconite and 1% vegetable oil were added to the concentrates during pelleting. In both experiments, the trial consisted of 1 control and 4 trial groups.The end of study, dry matter level of the pellets was statistically influenced by the addition of sepiolite and glauconite in broiler and laying hen pellet concentrates (with or without vegetable oil addition) (p<0.05). Pellet durability index of broiler and laying hens pellet concentrates (with or without vegetable oil addition) were not statistically affected by the addition of sepiolite and glauconite. Pellet water activity of broiler and laying hens pellet concentrates (with vegetable oil addition). were not statistically affected by the addition of sepiolite and glauconite. However, pellet water activity of laying hens pellet concentrates (without vegetable oil addition) were statistically affected by the addition of sepiolite and glauconite (p<0.05). Pellet water activity has the lowest value especially in the groups in which glauconite is added. Consequently, vegetable oil addition did not affect pellet durability and water activity, but it did not adversely affect pellet production by increasing the dry matter level of pellets. Due to the positive effects of glauconite and sepiolite on the dry matter and water activity of pellets, it was concluded that glauconite can be used as feed additive in broiler and laying hens pellets and it can improve the pellet storage conditions.