Animal feed is processed into pellet form for several key reasons, all aimed at optimizing feeding efficiency, animal health, and production benefits:

1. Enhanced Digestibility and Nutrient Absorption
   • Heat Treatment: The pelleting process often involves steam conditioning at high temperatures, which can inactivate certain antinutritional factors (e.g., trypsin inhibitors) and gelatinize starch, improving the digestibility of nutrients.
   • Uniform Mixing: Ingredients are thoroughly blended before pelleting, ensuring each pellet contains a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, and additives, preventing selective feeding and nutrient imbalances.
2. Reduced Feed Waste
   • Discourages Selective Eating: Powdered feed is prone to being picked apart by animals, leading to uneven nutrient intake. Pellets force animals to consume the entire particle, minimizing waste.
   • Precise Feeding Control: Pellets are easy to measure accurately, facilitating automated feeding systems in large-scale operations.
3. Improved Storage and Transportation
   • Increased Density: Pellets are compact, reducing storage space and transportation costs.
   • Moisture and Mold Resistance: The heat generated during pelleting kills some microorganisms, and the dense structure of pellets reduces moisture absorption and mold growth.
4. Adaptation to Animal Feeding Habits
   • Poultry and Pigs: Pellets suit the pecking or rooting behavior of these animals, increasing feeding speed.
   • Ruminants: While roughage (e.g., hay) is typically left in long-fiber form to stimulate rumination and rumen health, concentrate supplements can be pelletized to prevent selective intake and control ruminal acidosis risks.
5. Extended Shelf Life and Safety
   • Sterilization Effect: High-temperature pelleting can eliminate pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, reducing disease risks.
   • Additive Stability: Pelleting protects heat-sensitive additives (e.g., vitamins) from degradation during storage.
6. Economic Efficiency and Scalability
   • Automation Compatibility: Pellets are ideal for mechanical feeding systems, enhancing farm efficiency.
   • Cost Optimization: Although pelleting equipment requires initial investment, long-term savings come from reduced waste and improved growth performance.

Context-Specific Adaptations:

• Ruminants: Roughage is often kept in long-fiber form to promote rumination and rumen function, but concentrate pellets may be used for supplementation.
• Aquaculture: Pellets may be designed to float or sink to accommodate feeding behaviors at different water depths.

In summary, pelleted feed balances nutritional, efficiency, and economic considerations through physical, chemical, and process optimizations, making it a standard choice in modern animal husbandry.