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Effects of Marker Selection and Mix Time on the Coefficient of Variation (Mix Uniformity) of Broiler Feed¹

P. M. Clark^*, K. C. Behnke^*,2 and D. R. Poole

^* Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506; and Degussa Corporation, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Correspondence: ² Corresponding author: kbfeed{at}ksu.edu

An experiment was conducted evaluating several markers to determine mix uniformity. Treatment diet was a corn-soybean meal-based diet formulated for broiler chicks fed from 0 to 17 d posthatch. Dietary nutrients or tracers evaluated included the following: 1) DL-Met (99%), 2) L-Lys-HCl (78%), 3) CP, 4) mixing salt (chloride ion), 5) P, 6) Mn, 7) Fe particles (#40 Red, count), 8) Fe particles (#40 Red, absorbance), 9) Fe particles (RF-Blue Lake), 10) roxarsone, and 11) semduramicin. All minor and microingredients were individually hand-weighed and added to the mixer to insure accuracy and were added at the same location for all treatments. Diets were mixed using a double ribbon mixer for 3 different mix times (0.5, 2.5, and 5.0 min). Overall, from 0.5 to 5.0 min, all markers evaluated showed a numerical reduction in percentage of CV. Crude protein and P should not be considered as markers, because many different components in the batch of feed contribute some level of CP or P, and results can be confounding. DL-Methionine (99%) and L-Lys-HCl (78%) were the only markers that statistically reduced over time and had a CV < 10% (23.86 to 9.47% and 19.75 to 8.70%, respectively). These data suggest that mixer uniformity results can be influenced by the particular marker that is chosen for mixer uniformity analysis.

Key Words: mixer uniformity • marker selection • coefficient of variation

¹ Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely to provide specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Kansas State University.