What physical characteristics distinguish pellet feed from extruded feed
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From appearance to hardness and water solubility, the physical properties of pelleted and extruded feeds differ significantly. These intuitive characteristics not only impact the user experience but are also closely related to the storage and feeding environment of the feed.
Specific differences
Pelleted feed has a dense, hard texture with a low expansion rate. The pellets are compact (density around 1.2–1.4 g/cm³) and have high hardness (5–10 kg/cm²), but they lack flexibility and are prone to breaking during transportation. Since there's no Maillard reaction (a chemical reaction between sugars and amino acids) during low-temperature processing, the feed has little aroma-only the natural smell of raw materials. This makes it less appealing to picky eaters like weaned piglets or pet dogs.
Extruded feed has a porous, slightly expanded structure with better texture. The sudden pressure release during extrusion creates tiny pores in the pellets, giving them a lighter density (0.8–1.1 g/cm³) and moderate hardness (3–8 kg/cm²)-easy for animals to chew and less likely to break. The high-temperature processing triggers the Maillard reaction, producing a roasted, nutty aroma that strongly stimulates animals' appetites. Post-extrusion coating (with oil, molasses, etc.) can further enhance taste, increasing feed intake by 5–10% compared to pelleted feed. Additionally, extruded feed can be made into diverse shapes (spherical, cylindrical, floating) via die replacement, while pelleted feed is mostly limited to cylindrical forms.
The following are pictures of pellet production line and extruded feed production line




Finished product display


FAQ
1. What is the prices of poultry pellet production lines and extruded feed production lines?
The price ranges from approximately $15,000-$60,000
2. Do you provide maintenance services for your customers?
Yes, we offer comprehensive after-sales maintenance services to our customers.
For more information on process flow design, equipment layout, factory construction plans, individual equipment pricing, or turnkey project proposals, please feel free to contact us!!!







