Friction compacting is a relatively new milling technology that preconditions feed for pelleting, using higher temperatures and pressure than conventional steam conditioning. Four trials were conducted with male broiler chickens to 49 days of age using pelleted or compacted pelleted feeds. In all trials there was increase in body weight of broilers fed compacted diets at the end of the 17- to 21-day starter period, with this effect being significant (P < .05) in two of the trials. However, this effect was lost over time, and an all trials there was no diet effect on either 49-day body weight or feed efficiency. The same general effects were seen in diets composed essentially of corn and soybean, those containing more by-product ingredients, and diets of lower nutrient density. There is a slight indication of increased breast meat yield in birds fed compacted feeds.