💡 Executive Summary: Feed Costs Represent 70% of Farm Overhead
- The FCR Benchmark: Feed represents 65% to 75% of total production cost. Improving FCR by just 0.05 points saves over $1,500 per 10,000 broilers.
- Feeder Lip Height Rule: Adjust pan feeder height daily so the lip of the pan is level with the bird's back. Feeder pans set too low cause 3% to 5% feed spillage into litter.
- Pellet Quality: Ensure crumble/pellet feed contains less than 10% fines (powdery feed). Fine feed increases eating time and reduces energy intake.
1. How to Calculate Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
FCR measures how efficiently birds convert feed into live body mass:
FCR = Total Feed Consumed (kg) / Total Live Body Weight (kg)
2. Broiler Feed Ration Stages
| Feed Phase | Age Range | Crude Protein (CP) | Metabolizable Energy | Key Micronutrients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Crumble | Days 0 – 10 | 22.0% – 23.0% | 3,000 kcal/kg | Digestible Lysine (1.28%), Methionine |
| Grower Pellet | Days 11 – 24 | 20.0% – 21.0% | 3,100 kcal/kg | Balanced Calcium (0.85%) & Phosphorus |
| Finisher Pellet | Days 25 – Market | 18.5% – 19.0% | 3,200 kcal/kg | Added vegetable lipids for energy density |
📊 Calculate FCR & Simulated Feed Savings
Input flock bird count, feed consumed, and live slaughter weight into our live FCR tool.
Launch FCR Calculator Tool ›3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How do you calculate Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in poultry?
FCR is calculated by dividing total feed consumed (in kg) by total live weight gain (in kg). For example, if a broiler consumes 3.2 kg of feed to reach 2.0 kg live body weight, the FCR is 1.60.