How to Make High Quality Feed Pellets?

by Lilian Lee saleman

1. Decrease Particle Size

Smaller particle size increases surface area for feed particle adhesion and improves pellet quality.

2. Slow Down Production Rate

Slower through-put allows for greater retention time of feed in the pellet die that will increase thermal reactions in nutrients and thus feed particle adhesion.

3. Increase Steam Conditioning Temperature

Increasing moisture and heat increases feed particle adhesion and pellet quality.

4. Use a Thicker Pellet Die

Greater die thickness creates improved retention time of feed in the pellet die, thermal reactions in nutrients, feed particle adhesion and pellet quality.

5. Manipulate Diet Formulation

Least cost diet formulation often may not enhance pellet quality. Manipulating diet formulation to increase pellet quality, although potentially increasing diet cost, may decrease overall production cost, if pellet quality and subsequent live performance are significantly improved. However, caution should be exercised not to create diet formulations that increase frictional heat within the die to a degree that reduces nutrient availability.