1. Why are there so many fines in my chicken feed pellets?
Excess fines are commonly caused by issues in steam conditioning, formulation balance, die compression ratio, or moisture control. These factors directly influence pellet durability and overall feed pellet quality.
2. Can high fat or sugar content cause more pellet fines?
Yes. When the feed formula includes too much oil or sugar, the mixture becomes slippery and cannot form strong pellets. This is one of the top reasons people search for “why my feed pellets break easily”. Reducing fat improves pellet hardness immediately.
3. How does steam conditioning affect pellet quality?
Poor steam conditioning is the most frequent cause of broken pellets.
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If residence time is less than 30 seconds, starch cannot gelatinize properly.
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Weak gelatinization = weak pellet structure = more fines.
Feed mills searching for “how to improve pellet durability (PDI)” often find conditioning is the first place to fix.
4. What is the best conditioning temperature for chicken feed?
The ideal temperature is above 78°C.
Low temperatures lead to poor pellet bonding and higher breakage during cooling and transport. This is a must-check item for anyone researching “low PDI in poultry feed”.
5. Why is post-conditioning moisture so important?
After steam conditioning, the moisture level should be above 14.5%.
If the material is too dry, pellets cannot compress firmly, causing more dust and fines. This is a key factor in many feed mill troubleshooting cases.
6. Does the die compression ratio affect fines?
Absolutely.
Chicken feed works best with a 1:13 die L/D ratio.
If the ratio is too short, compression is weak, producing soft pellets that break easily. This topic often appears in searches for “best die for chicken feed pellets”.
7. What can I do today to reduce fines quickly?
Here are steps that give fast, visible results:
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Reduce excess fat or sugar
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Increase conditioning time
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Raise temperature to >78°C
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Adjust moisture to >14.5%
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Choose the correct die compression ratio
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Ensure stable, dry, clean steam supply
These actions can significantly improve pellet durability without high cost.
8. How do I know if the issue is with the pellet mill or the formula?
A quick rule:
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Soft, powdery pellets → check conditioning + moisture
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Greasy, shiny pellets → reduce fat
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Random breakage during cooling → check die + roller pressure
This aligns with common search questions like “feed pellet problems and solutions.”
9. Where can I find equipment to improve chicken feed pellet quality?
You can check our recommended solutions here:
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