Factors Affecting Feed Pellet Quality

Different ingredients have their own characteristics. During pelletizing process they need different treatment forms. Familiarity with these characteristics is helpful to produce good quality feed pellets. The ingredient characteristics are mainly determined by the following factors: 

Protein & Density 

Commonly, if the factors of protein and density are considered, the production rate or pellet quality of a formula can be predicted. 

Fiber 

For fiber is hard to compress into a pellet, high fiber creates production rate problems. However, because of the natural binders inherent to fiber, good quality feed pellets are produced. 

Moisture 

Sufficient inbound moisture added prior to pelletizing can be desirable in reaching good pellet durability. 

Starch 

High starch ingredients are difficult to produce a tough, durable pellet. 

Fat

The fat content of an ingredient can mean either natural fat or fat added. Both of them are an aid to increase production rates. 

Texture 

When referring to texture, three general areas need to be considered: coarse, medium and fine.