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

Abstract

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.