It is obtained from the chopped grain. It can be white or yellow, the latter being a sweeter taste. It is one of the main ingredients of compound feed throughout the world, being particularly appreciated for its high energy value, palatability, low variability of its chemical composition and low content in antinutrient factors.
There are different types of grain: toothed, flint (hard), floury, sweet, pop and ornamental (pod), of which the most used in animal feed is the first.
The breaking or rolling process consists of passing the grain through a set of grooved rollers. Particle size varies from coarse to fine influenced by roller weight, pressure and space, moisture content and grain flow rate.
It is mostly used in diets for fattening animals in conjunction with other products and/or grains.
The benefits of using maize in animal feed are multiplied with results such as increased egg production in poultry and other animals improving the quality of meat, but in addition, aid in milk production in cows and sheep, because it contains a great source of vitamin A and xanthophylls. It also contains mono and dihydroxypigments (lutein and zeaxanthin) that are active to color the chicken meat and egg yolk.