Coarse corn particles cause a negative effect on eggshell quality of semi-heavy laying hens.

One of the possible ways to optimize the productive performance of poultry is through the physical processing of ingredients, which can improve the use of nutrients in these animals. In this context, this study was to evaluate the effects of different corn particle sizes in diets on the productive performance and egg quality of semi-heavy laying hens. Sixty naked neck laying hens were used from 24 weeks of age and distributed in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets in different treatments contained corn grain ground into sieves with a diameter of 2, 4, or 8 mm to provide corn particles with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 605 (fine), 1,030 (medium), and 2,280 µm (coarse), respectively. The feed and leftovers were weighed daily throughout the experimental period to determine the feed intake and feed conversion. Different corn particle sizes did not affect any aspect of the productive performance of hens, except for feed intake. Hens fed fine and medium corn particles exhibited higher values for egg yolk color, eggshell weight, and eggshell thickness. It is suggested that semi-heavy laying hens should be fed mash diets containing corn particles with GMD from 605 to 1,030 µm, because coarse corn particles cause a negative effect on eggshell quality.

Effects of corn particle size and physical form of the diet on the gastrointestinal structures of broiler chickens

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different particle sizes, expressed as Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) of corn (0.336mm, 0.585mm, 0.856mm and 1.12mm) of mash and pelleted broiler chicken diets on the weight of the gizzard, duodenum and jejunum+ileum; on the pH of the gizzard and small intestine and on the characteristics of the duodenal mucous layer (number and height of villi and crypt depth) in 42-day-old broilers. The physical form and the particle size of the diet had no significant effect on gizzard and intestine pH (p > 0.05). A greater gizzard weight was seen in the birds receiving pelleted diet and particle size of 0.336mm (p 0.008). However, for the particle sizes of 0.856 and 1.12 mm, a greater weight was found in birds that received mash diet (p 0.039 and p 0.006, respectively). Also, gizzard weight was greater with increasing corn GMD independent of the physical form of the diet. In the mash diet, the increase in particle size promoted a quadratic response in the weight of duodenum and jejunum + ileum. The pelleted diet promoted a greater number of villi per transverse duodenum cut (p 0.007) and greater crypt depth (p 0.05). As the particle size increased, there was a linear increase of villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, irrespective of the physical form of the diet.

Effects of corn particle size and physical form of the diet on the gastrointestinal structures of broiler chickens

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different particle sizes, expressed as Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) of corn (0.336mm, 0.585mm, 0.856mm and 1.12mm) of mash and pelleted broiler chicken diets on the weight of the gizzard, duodenum and jejunum+ileum; on the pH of the gizzard and small intestine and on the characteristics of the duodenal mucous layer (number and height of villi and crypt depth) in 42-day-old broilers. The physical form and the particle size of the diet had no significant effect on gizzard and intestine pH (p > 0.05). A greater gizzard weight was seen in the birds receiving pelleted diet and particle size of 0.336mm (p 0.008). However, for the particle sizes of 0.856 and 1.12 mm, a greater weight was found in birds that received mash diet (p 0.039 and p 0.006, respectively). Also, gizzard weight was greater with increasing corn GMD independent of the physical form of the diet. In the mash diet, the increase in particle size promoted a quadratic response in the weight of duodenum and jejunum + ileum. The pelleted diet promoted a greater number of villi per transverse duodenum cut (p 0.007) and greater crypt depth (p 0.05). As the particle size increased, there was a linear increase of villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum, irrespective of the physical form of the diet.

Tamanho da Partícula do Milho e Forma Física da Ração e Seus Efeitos Sobre o Desempenho e Rendimento de Carcaça de Frangos de Corte

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different corn particle size, expressed as geometric mean diameter (GMD)(0.336 mm, 0.585mm, 0.856 mm and 1.12 mm) and two diet forms (mash-M and pellets-P) on performance and carcass yield of broilers from 21 to 42 days of age. M diets, produced with 0.336 mm of GMD resulted in lower feed intake (FI) (p 0.001), lower weight gain (WG) (p 0.001) and worse feed efficiency (FE) (p 0.001) than 0.336 mm P diets. M and P diets with other GMD did not show differences in performance. When particle size was evaluated itself, increments in GMD resulted a linear increase on WG and a quadratic increase on FI and FE. Neither form of diet nor particle size influenced carcass and leg+drumstick yields, although breast yield decreased with M diet,0.336 mm GMD (p 0.001).

Este experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar os efeitos de diferentes granulometrias, expressa em Diâmetro Geométrico Médio (DGM) do milho (0,336mm, 0,585mm, 0,856 mm e 1,12 mm) de dietas fornecidas na forma farelada (FAR) e peletizada (PEL), no desempenho e no rendimento de carcaça e de cortes de frangos de corte de 21 a 42 dias de idade. Dietas FAR, produzidas com DGM de 0,336 mm resultaram em um menor consumo (p 0,001), ganho de peso (p 0,001) e pior conversão alimentar (p 0,001) do que as PEL de mesmo DGM. Os demais DGM não mostraram diferenças entre ração FAR e PEL. Quando avaliada somente a granulometria, observou-se que o aumento no DGM melhorou o ganho de peso linearmente e de forma quadrática o consumo e a conversão alimentar. Não houve influência da forma física ou DGM em rendimento de carcaça e rendimento de perna+coxa. Porém foi verificada uma redução em rendimento de peito com DGM 0,336 mm (p 0,001), na forma FAR.

Tamanho da Partícula do Milho e Forma Física da Ração e Seus Efeitos Sobre o Desempenho e Rendimento de Carcaça de Frangos de Corte

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different corn particle size, expressed as geometric mean diameter (GMD)(0.336 mm, 0.585mm, 0.856 mm and 1.12 mm) and two diet forms (mash-M and pellets-P) on performance and carcass yield of broilers from 21 to 42 days of age. M diets, produced with 0.336 mm of GMD resulted in lower feed intake (FI) (p 0.001), lower weight gain (WG) (p 0.001) and worse feed efficiency (FE) (p 0.001) than 0.336 mm P diets. M and P diets with other GMD did not show differences in performance. When particle size was evaluated itself, increments in GMD resulted a linear increase on WG and a quadratic increase on FI and FE. Neither form of diet nor particle size influenced carcass and leg+drumstick yields, although breast yield decreased with M diet,0.336 mm GMD (p 0.001).

Este experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar os efeitos de diferentes granulometrias, expressa em Diâmetro Geométrico Médio (DGM) do milho (0,336mm, 0,585mm, 0,856 mm e 1,12 mm) de dietas fornecidas na forma farelada (FAR) e peletizada (PEL), no desempenho e no rendimento de carcaça e de cortes de frangos de corte de 21 a 42 dias de idade. Dietas FAR, produzidas com DGM de 0,336 mm resultaram em um menor consumo (p 0,001), ganho de peso (p 0,001) e pior conversão alimentar (p 0,001) do que as PEL de mesmo DGM. Os demais DGM não mostraram diferenças entre ração FAR e PEL. Quando avaliada somente a granulometria, observou-se que o aumento no DGM melhorou o ganho de peso linearmente e de forma quadrática o consumo e a conversão alimentar. Não houve influência da forma física ou DGM em rendimento de carcaça e rendimento de perna+coxa. Porém foi verificada uma redução em rendimento de peito com DGM 0,336 mm (p 0,001), na forma FAR.