SUSTAINABILITY 84 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2024 CHICKENS (BROILERS) 1950s • Average Yield per Bird: In the 1950s, broiler chickens typically reached a market weight of about 1.5 to 2 kilograms (3.3 to 4.4 pounds) over a growth period of 10 to 12 weeks. Present Day • Average Yield per Bird: Today, broiler chickens reach a market weight of about 2.5 to 3 kilograms (5.5 to 6.6 pounds) in just 5 to 7 weeks. Increase in Yield: The average weight of a broiler chicken has increased by approximately 1 to 1.5 kilograms (2.2 to 3.3 pounds) per bird. Additionally, the time to reach market weight has been nearly halved. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO YIELD INCREASES Genetic Improvement: • Selective Breeding: Focused breeding programs have developed chicken strains with rapid growth rates and high feed efficiency, significantly increasing meat yield. Nutrition: • Optimized Feed: Advances in poultry nutrition have led to feed formulations that promote faster growth and better health, using balanced diets rich in energy, protein, and essential nutrients. Management Practices: • Housing and Environment: Improved housing conditions, including temperature and humidity control, have reduced stress and disease, enhancing growth rates. Technological Advancements: • Automation: Automation in feeding, watering, and waste management has improved efficiency and bird health. • Health Monitoring: Advances in health monitoring and veterinary care have reduced mortality rates and supported faster growth. Feed Conversion Efficiency: • Improved Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR): The amount of feed required to produce a unit of meat has decreased significantly, making production more efficient. WHY FEED CONVERSION RATIO IS A SUSTAINABILITY METRIC Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is a critical metric in livestock production that measures the efficiency with which animals convert feed into body mass. It is expressed as the amount of feed required to produce a unit of meat, milk, or eggs. Advances in nutrition and precision feeding allow producers to tailor diets that optimize FCR, reducing waste and improving nutrient uptake. Also, breeding programs focused on improving FCR can lead to livestock that naturally convert feed more efficiently, supporting long-term sustainability. Poultry (Broilers): From the 1950s, improved from approximately 4.75 kg/kg to 1.7 kg/kg. Pigs: From the 1950s, improved from about 4.5 kg/ kg to 2.75 kg/kg. Cattle (Beef): From the 1950s, improved from around 7.5 kg/kg to 6.0 kg/kg. FCR is crucial for livestock sustainability for several reasons, as shown below. 1. Resource efficiency • Feed Costs: Feed is one of the largest operational 1950 Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in kg/kg 7 6 5 4 3 2 2023 Year Poultry (Broilers) Pigs Cattle (Beef) Evolution of FCR from 1950 Figure 4.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==