How Size Of Corn Grain Affects Laying Hen Performance

If you are considering milling your own layer feed, or sourcing layer feed from a local miller…

…then, this study teaches is a valuable addition to your reading library.

Now, it’s no news to you that corn contributes the main food source in layer feed.

Until now you might have applied more planning focus on calculating your feed consumption – for cost planning purposes.

However, HOW the corn is prepared can also have a significant impact on your:

• cost-effectiveness
• product regularity
• & ultimately profit

And here’s how…

Quick highlights:

This study features a cohort of caged layer hens who were fed 3 different grades of corn grain within their feed preparation.

Grain sizes were as follows:

• 638 micron/micrometres
• 870 micron/micrometres
• 1079 micron/micrometres

The hens were in 10 cages – 4 hens per cage.

They were monitored for:

• feed intake
• weight gain
• egg production
• egg weight
• mortality
• egg quality

What were the results of the varying sizes of feed?

Interestingly, the lower particle sizes of corn grain resulted in:

• less feed intake
• greater uniformity of – egg weight, egg yolk colour and egg white weight

…but no difference was noted in either body weight gain, egg production, egg weight or mortality rate.

To sum up, by saving roughly 1/3 of the corn particle size (638 – 870 microns vs. 1079 microns), your caged layer hen farm could save on feed consumption and produce more uniform eggs (in weight, egg yolk colour and albumen weight).

Greater profitability all round.

To view this study in detail:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Seksom-Attamangkune/publication/242241027_Effects_of_Corn_Particle_Size_in_Layer_Diet_on_Laying_Performance_and_Uniformity_of_Egg_Quality_under_High_Stocking_Density/links/56eb655a08ae9dcdd82ab4c2/Effects-of-Corn-Particle-Size-in-Layer-Diet-on-Laying-Performance-and-Uniformity-of-Egg-Quality-under-High-Stocking-Density.pdf