[Effect of water content and particle size on the physical properties of local feedstuff; specific density; compacted specific density and specific weight]
1999
Khalil (Institut Pertanian Bogor (Indonesia). Fakultas Peternakan)
The experiment was carried out to measure three physical properties (specific density, compacted specific density and specific weight) of local feedstuff and to study the effect of moisture content and particle size on the physical properties measured. Twenty five kinds of feedstuff divided in 5 groups according to their nutritional function in the animal diet and obtained from the local producers or market were used as samples in the experiment. The feed samples of about 27 kg each were prepared by grinding into 3 different particle sizes, i.e. normal, medium (screen: 3 mm) and small (1 mm). The particle size was not changed for the meal form feedstuff. The feed of each particle size were then subdivided into 3 groups and their moisture content was adjusted into 3 different levels, i.e. normal, high (2 percent higher than the normal) and low (2 percent lower than the normal). After that, the physical properties were measured for 3 times as replications. The data were analysis statistically analyzed by using variance analysis in the completely randomized design. The mean value were then compared by using least significant different. Results of the experiment showed that mineral feed source in the normal form had the highest value of specific density (938,3 kg/m3), compacted specific density (1196.6 kg/m3) and specific weight (1920.1 kg/m3) with the lowest coefficient variation (28.4 percent; 25.5 percent and 19.2 percent). On the other hand, forages and roughage showed the lowest mean value with the highest variation. Specific and compacted specific densities were significantly affected by both moisture content and particle size, but the intensity and pattern of their effect were not same in different kinds of feedstuff and physical properties. In general, the mean value of compacted specific density increased, while the specific density decreased, when the moisture content and particle size of the feedstuff were reduced
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