Post-pellet liquid application fat disproportionately coats fines and affects mixed-sex broiler live performance from 16 to 42 d of age

Abstract The effect of 2 fat application sites (FAS) and 2 levels of fines on feed manufacturing parameters and broiler live performance from 16 to 42 d was studied. The FAS included mixer-added fat (MAF) and post-pellet liquid application (PPLA) of fat. While the MAF diets had all fat added to the diet prior to pelleting, the PPLA diets were pelleted with 0.5% MAF, and the remaining 3.5% fat was added subsequent to pellet cooling. The levels of fines included 0 and 30%. A total of 32 pens was placed with 8 males and 8 females (mixed-sex) in each pen. Broiler chicks were fed a common crumbled starter for approximately 16 d and then transitioned to one of the 4 dietary treatments. The PPLA pellets were more durable than were MAF pellets (P