What is the role of feed particle size (mash vs. crumble vs. pellet) in the egg production of brown layers?

The physical structure of feed is just as important as its chemical composition. For adult commercial layers, coarse mash feed (with a mean geometric particle size of 800 to 1,000 microns) is highly recommended. If the mash is ground too fine, it becomes powdery, which irritates the respiratory tract, reduces feed intake, and leads to selective feeding where birds pick out large corn particles and leave behind essential fine minerals (calcium/phosphorus) and vitamins. Conversely, feeding pellets or crumbles to adult layers is too energy-dense, causing hens to consume feed too quickly and become overweight, which triggers fatty liver syndrome (FLHS). Farmers can study milling physics in the Poultry Encyclopedia, purchase automated feed mill grinders and mixers on Poultry Plaza, track daily grain prices on Poultry Rates, and trade bulk egg stocks on Murghi Mandi.