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Work out the capacity you really need, pick the right power source and blade system, and avoid the five most common chaff cutter buying mistakes.
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Pellet Die Size Guide: The Right Pellet Diameter for Every Animal
Recommended pellet diameters for chicks, layers, broilers, rabbits, pigs, sheep, cattle and fish — plus how die thickness affects pellet hardness.
Quick answer
Use 2–2.5 mm pellets for chicks and fish fry, 3–4 mm for layers and broilers, 4–5 mm for rabbits, 4–6 mm for pigs and sheep, and 6–8 mm for cattle. Thicker dies (higher compression ratio) produce harder pellets.
Recommended pellet sizes
| Animal | Pellet diameter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicks, quail | 2–2.5 mm | Often crumbled after pelleting |
| Broilers, layers | 3–4 mm | 4 mm for finisher |
| Ducks, geese | 4–5 mm | |
| Rabbits | 4–5 mm | High-fibre formula, firm pellet |
| Pigs | 4–6 mm | |
| Sheep, goats | 4–6 mm | |
| Cattle | 6–8 mm | |
| Fish | 1.5–6 mm | Grow with fish size; stainless mill preferred |
Compression ratio and hardness
The compression ratio is die thickness divided by hole diameter. Higher ratios press longer and make harder pellets but reduce throughput and need more power. High-fibre materials such as grass meal need lower ratios; starch-rich grain formulas tolerate higher ratios.
Changing dies on a flat-die mill
Flat-die mills let you change dies in under 30 minutes. Many customers keep two or three dies — for example 3 mm for poultry and 6 mm for cattle — and switch according to orders.
