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A Computer Program to Standardize Feed Efficiency Data for Broilers of Different Body Weights

Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2772; Phone: (706) 542-1351; FAX: (706) 542-1827

Correspondence: Gene M. Pesti

Experiments with broiler chickens usually compare the effects of treatments when birds are killed at the same time. However, producers need to know the value of treatments on birds killed at the same weight, since their goal is to produce birds for a certain market. The curve expressing body weight as a function of feed consumption is described very well by a second-order polynomial (quadratic curve). Given an observed body weight and feed intake and a standard curve, it is possible to produce a curve that describes the relationship of body weight to feed consumption for any flock. Once this curve is estimated for a flock, it is possible to estimate the feed consumption (and therefore feed conversion or efficiency) for any weight of bird that could be slaughtered.

This paper describes an electronic spreadsheet template for Microsoft Excel that predicts feed efficiency for any weight of broiler based on the observed body weight and feed consumption of a flock. The prediction may be valuable in comparing research results and rewarding contract growers for truly superior performance.

Key Words: Broilers • feed efficiency • response functions