Gravimetrical and frictional properties of broilers diets

Abstract

Abstract: Information on physical properties of broiler chickens diets is not available in literatures and such information is important for design and construction of poultry equipments.  Some physical properties of starter, grower and finisher diet of broiler chickens, namely: gravimetrical (bulk density, true density and porosity) and frictional properties (coefficient of friction filling angle of repose, empting angle of repose and pouring angle of repose) were studied.  Effect of height of falling diets to the containers at 150, 250 and 350 mm and volume of the containers at 500, 600, 1,100 and 2,000 mL on bulk density and porosity of diets were studied.  Results indicated that true density of the starter; grower and finisher diets were 1,442.574, 1,512.694 and 1,541.320 kg m³, respectively.  A comparison between the three levels of height of falling for three diets indicated that with increasing height of falling, bulk density were increased and porosity were decreased.  The coefficient of friction of starter, grower and finisher diet on different surfaces changed from 18.033 to 26.743°, 18.083 to 27.193° and 18.293 to 27.570°, respectively.  The values obtained for pouring angle of repose of starter diet on iron, plywood and galvanized surfaces were 34.40°, 36.05° and 30.22°, respectively.  The corresponding values for grower and finisher diets were 38.71°, 39.62°, and 33.72° and 36.66°, 38.21° and 33.62°, respectively.

Keywords: broilers diet, bulk density, true density, coefficient of friction, angle of repose