10-12T/H Turkey Feed Pellet Machine for Growth Performance in Poland

A technical consultant who had visited RICHI's factory in Jiaozuo recommended our SZLH series for their robust gearbox design and ability to produce high-quality pellets at capacities of 10-15 tons per hour.

The company already had a complete upstream system: hammer mills for grinding maize and wheat, a ribbon mixer for blending ingredients, and a cooler. They needed a high-capacity pellet mill that could produce 10-12 tons per hour of turkey feed with consistent pellet quality.

After reviewing their production requirements approximately 60,000 tons of turkey feed per year we recommended the SZLH420 ring die feed pellet mill with a 110kW main motor. This model is the ideal size for a large-scale turkey operation, producing 10-12 tons per hour.

Why Turkey Feed Pelleting Improves Growth Performance

Turkeys have different nutritional requirements than broiler chickens. They need higher protein levels during the starter phase, and finisher turkeys require larger pellets (6-8mm diameter) to encourage feed intake and reduce sorting.

The pelleting process also gelatinizes starches, improving digestibility by 5-8%, and eliminates fines that turkeys tend to waste. The SZLH420's robust ring die design produces dense, durable pellets that maintain their integrity during handling and transport.

The company's production manager tested pellets from the SZLH420 and found that the Pellet Durability Index (PDI) averaged 95% significantly higher than the 88-90% from their old mills.

Machine Selection and Process Parameters for Turkey Feed

The company selected the SZLH420 with a 110kW motor, which is configured for heavy-duty continuous operation. They purchased three ring dies for different production phases:

• 4.5mm die (chromium stainless steel): For turkey starter (0-4 weeks)
• 6.0mm die (chromium stainless steel): For turkey grower (4-12 weeks)
• 8.0mm die (chromium stainless steel): For turkey finisher (12-20 weeks)

The feed formulations, typical for the Polish turkey market:

Turkey starter (0-4 weeks, 4.5mm pellets, high protein):

• 35% ground maize
• 30% soybean meal (48% protein)
• 15% wheat
• 8% fishmeal
• 5% vegetable oil
• 4% wheat bran
• 3% premix (vitamins, minerals, coccidiostat)

Turkey grower (4-12 weeks, 6.0mm pellets, medium protein):

• 45% ground maize
• 25% soybean meal
• 10% wheat
• 8% rapeseed meal (local)
• 5% vegetable oil
• 4% wheat bran
• 3% premix

Turkey finisher (12-20 weeks, 8.0mm pellets, lower protein, higher energy):

• 50% ground maize
• 20% soybean meal
• 10% wheat
• 8% rapeseed meal
• 6% vegetable oil
• 3% wheat bran
• 3% premix

One challenge with turkey finisher feed is the large pellet size (8mm). Large pellets require higher compression ratios and more steam conditioning to achieve durability. The SZLH420 chicken feed making machine's extended conditioner (2.5 meters standard) provided sufficient retention time (25-30 seconds) to properly condition the mash before pelleting.

What the Pelletized Turkey Feed Is Used For

• Turkey starter pellets (4.5mm): For poults 0-28 days
• Turkey grower pellets (6.0mm): For birds 4-12 weeks
• Turkey finisher pellets (8.0mm): For birds 12-20 weeks before processing
• Turkey breeder pellets (6.0mm, higher calcium): For breeding stock

The company's production manager reported that after switching to pellets from the SZLH420, feed conversion improved from 2.8:1 to 2.6:1 (kg feed per kg gain).

The turkeys reached market weight (20-22 kg for toms, 12-14 kg for hens) 7 days earlier than before, significantly reducing production costs. Breast meat yield increased by 2.5%, which improved the company's revenue from processing contracts.

Customer Feedback After 18 Months of Operation

This turkey feed pellet machine for growth performance has exceeded our expectations. The pellet quality is consistently high, with PDI values above 94% across all pellet sizes. The 8.0mm finisher pellets are particularly durable we had concerns about large pellets breaking during transport, but the SZLH420 produces pellets that hold together.

The mill runs about 16-18 hours per day, 6 days per week. We have put about 7,000 hours on it. The 4.5mm die lasted 1,500 hours, the 6.0mm die is still in good condition after 3,500 hours, and the 8.0mm die shows minimal wear after 2,000 hours. The gearbox has been trouble-free. We change the oil every 2,000 hours as specified.

The only issue we had was with the steam system. Our boiler was undersized for the 8.0mm die, which requires more steam conditioning. We upgraded to a higher-capacity boiler, and the pellet quality improved further.

The company has since installed a second SZLH420 for a new poultry feed production line dedicated to turkey breeder feed.

Other Applications of the SZLH420 Pellet Mill

• Broiler feed (3.5-5.0mm pellets): For chicken meat production
• Layer feed (4.0-5.0mm pellets or crumbles): For egg production
• Pig feed (4.5-6.0mm pellets): For grower and finisher pigs
• Duck feed (5-6mm pellets): For waterfowl operations
• Cattle feed (6-8mm pellets): For feedlot calves
• Aquafeed (2-4mm pellets): For trout and salmon (requires specialized dies)
• Organic fertilizer pellets: Compressed poultry litter

RICHI poultry feed pellet machines are used in feed manufacturing operations of all sizes around the world. Our SZLH series includes models from 22kW to 315kW, with capacities from 1 ton per hour to 40 tons per hour. For the large-scale turkey producer, the SZLH420 is a proven workhorse, offering the durability and capacity needed for year-round operation.

Logistics: Shipping from Qingdao to Gdańsk

The SZLH420 was shipped from Qingdao to the Port of Gdańsk on the Baltic Sea about 35 days at sea. Gdańsk is Poland's largest seaport and serves the Wielkopolska region via well-established rail and road networks.

From Gdańsk, the company arranged truck transport to the feed mill in the Poznań region, approximately 300 kilometers south. The total transit time was about 45 days.

The pellet mill was shipped partially disassembled: the main gearbox and motor in one heavy crate, the pelleting chamber and ring die in a second crate, and the feeder/conditioner and control panel in additional crates.

The company's maintenance team assembled the mill in five days using our detailed installation guide and video instructions.

Pre-Sale Services We Provided

• Die specification consultation for turkey growth phases: We helped select the optimal die hole sizes (4.5mm for starter, 6.0mm for grower, 8.0mm for finisher) and recommended chromium stainless steel dies for wear resistance.
• Compression ratio selection for large pellets: We recommended a compression ratio of 1:12 for the 4.5mm die, 1:11 for the 6.0mm grower die, and 1:10 for the 8.0mm finisher die.
• Steam conditioning analysis for large pellets: We calculated that the 8.0mm die required 25-30 seconds of conditioning time and 5-6% steam addition. The company upgraded their boiler system accordingly.
• Pellet durability testing: We provided a PDI target of 94% for all pellet sizes and advised on testing protocols.
• Spare parts kit: We supplied a starter kit including two spare roller shells for each die size, a set of die screws, two drive belts, and a set of conditioning paddles.
• On-site commissioning: We sent a RICHI engineer to Poland for 14 days to oversee installation, train operators, and optimize pelleting parameters.

The production manager later told us that the on-site commissioning was invaluable—the engineer identified a problem with the steam distribution in the conditioner and fixed it within hours.

Plans for Additional Mills

The company is now planning to install a third feed pellet machine—an SZLH508 with 160kW motor—for a new turkey processing facility in the Lublin region. The SZLH420 will remain in service for standard turkey feed production, while the larger mill will handle the increased volume from the new facility.

Across Poland and Central Europe, a turkey feed pellet machine for growth performance is a critical investment for commercial turkey producers seeking to improve feed efficiency, growth rates, and meat quality.

The ability to produce species-specific pellets for each growth phase gives producers control over both performance and profitability. RICHI Machinery is proud to support the large-scale turkey industry across Europe.

For more information or to discuss your specific turkey operation contact RICHI Machinery today. A RICHI SZLH series pellet mill can help you produce high-durability pellets that improve turkey growth performance, reduce feed waste, and increase your bottom line. RICHI your partner in sustainable turkey feeding.