
We designed our roller mills to deliver a consistent, high-quality grind, but using a roller isn’t the only option for grinding poultry feed. Another choice is to use a hammer mill. Here, we discuss the differences, and why many producers are changing out their hammer mills for a feed roller mill.
Poultry Feed Mill Equipment: Roller Mills and Hammer Mills
Hammer mills and roller mills, or roll mills, are two different types of equipment used for poultry and other types of livestock feed as well as many other applications. Hammer mills work by hammering grains. They use a crushing motion to break larger pieces into smaller particles. Different screen sizes are used to control particle size.
Instead of hammers, roller mills use pairs of cylindrical corrugated rollers. They spin against each other, crushing and using shear force to break the grains into smaller sizes. To change particle size on a hammer mill, the machine must be stopped to change out the screen. With roller mills, you simply adjust the space between the two rolls to get different sizes.
Our VersaMill® takes this variability a step further. As a more advanced roller mill, it allows you to change the speed of each roller individually. Variable roller speed differentials allow for greater control and the finest possible grind.
What Are the Benefits of a Roller Mill for Poultry Animal Feeds?
We’ve noticed that a lot of producers are switching from hammer mills to roller mills for their poultry feed mill. Hammer mills do have benefits. For instance, they are appropriate for a broader range of applications. But when it comes to making feed from poultry, the roller mill has more important advantages.
“There is a push for roller mills in PA now vs the hammer mills. We recently installed a triple-pair roller mill in one of our smaller mills and saw the electrical bill for the mill decrease by 54%. It is a small mill with minimal other electrical usage but it shows that the electrical savings will more than make up for the annual maintenance costs.”
– Larry H. Wenger Feeds
Consistent Particle Size and Less Fines
Roller mills have become the leading choice in most grain milling for their consistency and uniformity. They are much better at producing uniform and desired particle sizes than hammer mills.
Another important advantage of using a roller mill for feeds for poultry animals is the reduction in fines. A hammer mill can produce particles of a certain size, but it also creates a lot of dust as it smashes the grains against a screen.
Fines can be particularly problematic in poultry feed. Proper particle size is essential for the growth, nutrition, and health of poultry. Pieces that are too big will simply pass through digestion with minimal nutrient absorption. Particles that are too small, called fines, can cause health problems, including ulceration and respiratory issues. Other issues with fines include moisture loss and reduced flowability in the mill and in silos.
Roller mills offer a more consistent grind to produce the desired particle size while also reducing the amount of fines compared to a hammer mill.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Getting a consistent, quality grind is vital, but roller mills can also offer cost-savings. Roller mills are operationally more efficient than hammer mills. This is becoming increasingly important for mill owners wanting to remain competitive in the market.
“The consistency of the feed is bound to improve the quality of the feed and therefore bird health and egg quality.” – Kent W. MPS Eggs
Roller mills can be 25% to 30% more efficient than traditional hammer mills, which lose more energy and heat during operation. The RMS VersaMill® is even more efficient than standard roller mills. It does not use belts, which reduces energy lost to friction.
Hammer mills are typically less expensive than roller mills to purchase and install. However, the cost lost to energy consumption eventually catches up with operations using hammer mills. Ultimately, the added cost of a roller mill is covered and exceeded by its greater efficiency, especially in larger facilities.
RMS Roller-Grinder offers a range of equipment for the ag feed industry. If you’re thinking of switching from a hammer mill to a roller mill for your poultry feed, we would love to talk to you about it. We can answer your questions, discuss the options, and give you all the information you need to make a decision. Contact us today to chat or request a quote.