HERFS/AUTUMN BONUS TYDSKRIF 2026

Both the diameter and length of the pellets can be increased as chickens get older. Coarse particles can be provided not only in mash feed, but also in a crumble or pellet. By paying attention to the microstructure of the mash feed before pelleting, the internal structure of a pellet can provide coarse particles to stimulate the gizzard. For fast- growing broilers, a crumble and/or pellet is preferred since the aim is to stimulate feed intake and maximise growth, efficiency, carcass weight, and ultimately profitability. The advantages of pellet versus mash are faster intake, possibly improved hygiene due to heat treatment, a fixed composition and reduced feed wastage. Spillage is reduced by feeding pellets and may be preferable in a free-range farm where chickens often tend to scratch and spill their feed. Fast feed intake is important for fast-growing broilers, and under certain circumstances, such as heat stress, when intakes would typically be lower. No segregation of raw materials occurs with pelleted feed. A disadvantage of pellet versus mash is the higher production costs. Pellets are also typically not suitable for young chicks in the starter phase, as they are too large to be consumed. The durability of pellets affects the quality – the effects of low pellet quality are somewhere between responses with mash and pelleted feeds. Crumbled feed Crumbles are produced by breaking pellets with a crumble machine. Particle size distribution in crumble feed is important and depends on age. Younger chicks prefer smaller crumble particles than older birds. The picture on the left shows a fine crumble (top right) typically suited to a pre- starter ration for the first few days after placement, while a coarser crumble (left) may be better suited for a starter ration once the chickens have adapted. Both can be suitable depending on the farm and animal requirements. The particle size of the crumble is typically larger as the bird increases in age. For a crumble, particle size distribution is important for optimal results, as all crumble rations are expected to have a mixture of finer and coarser particles in a batch. Advantages of crumble versus mash are a faster intake, improved feed safety and digestibility due to heat treatment, and a fixed composition. Crumbled feed intake time is between mash and pellets. A disadvantage of crumble versus pellet is that there is a chance of selective eating by the birds. The picture above shows an example of a poor-quality crumble where the pellets were not properly broken down into crumbles, resulting in selective feeding as the young chicks are not able to consume the large pellets. The opposite can also occur, where crumble or pellet durability is too low, and the particles break down in the feeding system, negatively impacting feed intakes and growth in broilers. Production cost is also higher for a crumble versus a pellet and mash due to extended production time. Conclusion Animal nutritionists can design and produce the best feed in terms of nutrients and raw materials, but when the feed structure is not good or consistent, it does not make sense. Feed intake is important to fulfil nutritional needs; no intake means no nutrients. The micro- and macrostructure of feed plays a crucial role in the intake, digestion, efficiency, and ultimately performance of the feed and chickens. Knowing the influence of feed structure characteristics will help determine the best choice for the breed of chicken, environmental conditions, management and production goals of each specific farm. The correct feed structure choice can make the difference between struggling to meet goals and achieving optimal production performance in chickens. Should you requiremore information relating to feed structure for chicken, please contact your nearest De Heus technical specialist – https://www. deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com