Effects of calcium lignosulfonate, mixer-added fat, and feed form on feed manufacture and broiler performance

Pelleting technique can affect feed form and nutrient availability. Increasing mixer-added fat (MAF) decreases frictional heat and pressure within the pellet die, but reduces pellet quality (PQ). The use of calcium lignosulfonate (CaLS) may enable use of moderate inclusions of MAF while maintaining PQ. A series of experiments with treatments consisting of CaLS (0, 0.5, or 1%), MAF (1 or 3%), and feed form (pellet or ground pellet) were performed to explore feed mill efficiency, PQ, broiler performance, digesta viscosity, and true amino acid digestibility (TAAD). Increased MAF and CaLS independently reduced energy use of the pellet mill, pellet temperature postextrusion, and decreased and increased PQ, respectively. A 3-way interaction of main effects for FCR demonstrated that the 0.5% CaLS + 3% MAF treatment improved pelleted treatment FCR. The 0.5% CaLS + 3% MAF treatment combination also increased digesta viscosity, demonstrated by a CaLS by MAF interaction effect. Additionally, a 3-way interaction of main effects demonstrated that the 0.5% CaLS + 3% MAF treatment maintained a high level of TAAD in pelleted treatments. The ratio of CaLS to MAF was found to be important to PQ, as well as broiler performance, digesta viscosity, and TAAD. Adding 0.5% CaLS to treatments containing 3% MAF improved PQ, and feeding these pellets improved FCR and increased TAAD.