Assuming all other factors are optimized (Nutrition, management, and safety) and by using the best breed available what is the lowest FCR that you think can be attained? Do you think that a FCR of less than 1.3 or even 1 can be attained?
During the brooding period, chicks have an excellent FCR around 0.88, but as they old they convert feed to live-weight less efficiently. Having a lower FCR has a major impact on the total cost of production (feed costs about 60-70% of total cost of production).
So I just wanted to hear your opinions on this subject.
scientifically its impossible to achieve fcr as low as 1 . but if want to have lowest fcr in broilers you should consider slaughtering them as young as possible when their fcr at lowest point . fcr came from a combination of factors . the most important ones are the physiological response of the body and the hormone status .
An FCR of 1.3 would mean an efficiency of conversion of around 75 %.
Remember that digestion of the food, absorption of the nutrients, maintaining the body temperature, movement all require energy that is not stored. Furthermore digestion of feedstuffs is not at all complete in young broilers so a considerable portion is excreted unused. Also the (bio)chemical processes within the animal do not at all have a 100 % efficiency.
So all in all that 75 % efficiency is probably an illusion. An FCR between 1.4 and 1.45 seems more realistic. Already some 20 years ago we obtained 1.48 for the male broilers in one trial (see attachment)
The FCR value isn't constant ,but varying with age. So, you can get 1.3 and lowest at younger ages and at oldest ages you'll not get it accordingly. As you mentioned above, many factors could affecting FCR trait. However, the value of FCR around 1.5 to 1.6 at marketing age of 35 d is reasonable and recommended from wide range of performance objective guidelines.
Attempts made at formulating feeds for efficient protein utilization up tp 3 weeks subsequently followed by high energy rations for utilizing true metabolizable energy between 3-5/6 weeks may be helpful to have FCR of 1.5 to 1.6 at maketing age.
Familial selection in pedigreed PLs for faster FCR and high FE will contribute also in stages for commercial production to improve FCR.
lnathgubbi
I agree that FCR is not constant throughout the life span and FCR of 1.5 to 1.6 at 35 days seems appropriate for marketability.
i have FCR 1.3 in private poultry farm in Egypt with use of organic feed additives
To achieve FE R of 1.2 or 1.3 at a given age in broilers, it must be specified w.r.t. energy and protein levels in the type of feed used and also conduct survey on palatability and acceptability in the market, while not forgetting health hazards.
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