Optimizing Hammer Mill Speed Improves Broiler Growth Performance

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan, have conducted a study to evaluate the effect of varying hammer mill speeds on growth performance, pellet quality, and gene expression in broiler chickens. The study, published in Veterinary World, found that reducing hammer mill speed to 75% optimized broiler growth performance, pellet quality, and intestinal development, while 50% speed promoted IGF2-mediated gizzard hypertrophy. This research has significant implications for the poultry industry, as it provides a practical strategy to balance feed efficiency and targeted tissue growth in broilers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used 1,500 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks, divided into three groups: HMS100 (control), HMS75, and HMS50, each with five replicates of 100 birds.
  • Birds were fed isocaloric, isonitrogenous pelleted diets for 28 days, and performance metrics, pellet durability and hardness, gizzard morphology, and intestinal length were assessed.
  • The study found that broilers in the HMS75 and HMS50 groups exhibited significantly lower feed intake and higher body weight compared to HMS100.
  • Reducing hammer mill speed to 75% optimized growth performance, pellet quality, and intestinal development, while 50% speed promoted IGF2-mediated gizzard hypertrophy.
  • The study concluded that hammer mill modulation provides a practical strategy to balance feed efficiency and targeted tissue growth in broilers.
  • Funders for this research include Deanship of Scientific Research, University of Jordan.
  • Authors of the study include Taha M. Taha, Mohammad A. Jalal, Hana A. Zakaria, and Hosam H. Titi.

Statistics:

  • 1,500 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were used in the study.
  • The birds were divided into three groups of 500, with five replicates of 100 birds in each group.
  • The study found a 4.03% and 3.99% reduction in feed intake in the HMS75 and HMS50 groups, respectively, compared to the HMS100 group.
  • The HMS75 and HMS50 groups exhibited a 5.29% and 3.53% increase in body weight, respectively, compared to the HMS100 group.
  • The study found a 75% and 50% reduction in hammer mill speed, respectively, optimized growth performance and pellet quality.

Sources:

  • Optimizing hammer mill speed: Impact on growth performance, pellet quality, and gizzard gene expression in broilers. Veterinary World, 2025,18(8):2542-2552. (Veterinary World - http://www.veterinaryworld.org)
  • NewsRx. Research from University of Jordan Reveals New Findings on Veterinary Research (Optimizing hammer mill speed: Impact on growth performance, pellet quality, and gizzard gene expression in broilers). Life Science Weekly. September 16, 2025; p 5165.