Feed procurement glossary
Grinder / hammer mill
Definition
A hammer mill reduces raw materials to a target particle size before mixing. Screen size, tip speed and moisture determine fineness and throughput.
Why it matters
Particle size affects pellet quality, digestibility and energy consumption throughout the plant.
When it affects procurement
When specifying screens for different species, since aqua and shrimp feed need much finer grinding.
Example
A 2 mm screen for poultry feed versus micro-pulverisation for shrimp feed.
Frequently asked questions
Does finer grinding always help?
No. Excessive fineness raises energy cost and can cause handling and animal health issues.