Applied Research Note: The impact of retention time during the conditioning process of a broiler starter diet on performance, apparent metabolizable energy, and apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients

Understanding the influence of feed processing on early broiler growth is essential for maintaining production and increasing profit. The purpose of this research was to assess the effects of 3 retention times (RT) during the conditioning process prior to pelleting on broiler performance, AME, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of nutrients from 1 to 21 d of age. During 2 repeated studies, broilers were fed crumbled starter diets differing only in RT (40, 80, or 120 s). Targeted RT were achieved by utilizing a variable speed feed hygieniser. Varying RT did not influence AME during early broiler growth. Early FCR (d 7–14) was decreased with RT of 40 and 80 s compared to 120 s. Opposingly, phosphorus digestibility was observed to increase with longer RT (80 and 120 s). Overall, RT during the conditioning process did not substantially influence broiler growth nor nutrient AID during the starter phase.