Effect of feed particle size on the performance of layers

To evaluate the effect of feed particle size on the performance of layers, one hundred fifty commercial egg type laying pullets were divided into five treatment groups and offered isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets for 100 days with the difference of particle size only. Maize and groundnut cake were ground through a hammer mill using 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm hole sized screens. The dietary treatments were as follows: T₁ (material ground through 2 mm hole sized screen), T₂ (material ground through 3 mm hole sized screen), T₃ (material ground through 4 mm hole sized screen), T₄ (material ground through 5 mm hole sized screen) and T₅ (material ground through 6 mm hole sized screen). Particle size significantly (P<0.05) affected performance traits including, live weight changes, feed intake, hen day production, egg weight, egg mass, egg shell and feed efficiency. The optimum particle size for egg production, in terms of both number and weight was 4 and 5 mm with non significant (P<0.05) difference between them. Total number of egg produced by hens fed the 4 and 5 mm (59 and 57) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the total number of eggs produced by the hens offered the 2, 3, and 6 mm diet. Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed for the egg mass (g/bird/d) produced in different treatments, highest being in T₃ group followed by T₄, T₅, T₂ and T₁. The feed efficiency values (egg mass/feed intake) ranged from 0.202 to 0.303. Highest feed efficiency was observed in T₃ followed by T₄ and T₅ with non-significant differences. It may be concluded that feed particle size had a greater affect on the performance of laying hens and cost of egg production. By grinding the grains through 4 or 5 mm sieve energy and time consumption in grinding can be saved significantly with improved performance of laying pullets.