The efficiency index of European production is an important indicator for evaluating broiler farms. It has been increasingly considered in recent years to accurately assess the economic and productive performance of poultry farms. This article will introduce this index and discuss the factors that affect it.
Broiler Chicken Welfare
The broiler breeding environment plays a significant role in their performance and well-being. Many management factors, such as the number of birds per unit area, the quality of the substrate, the temperature of the environment, the quality of ventilation, and light, are effective in the performance of the flock. These factors have different effects depending on genetics and management.
In recent decades, due to genetic and management advances, poultry has made a major contribution to providing human protein. Poultry meat has attracted the attention of consumers due to its low fat content, high protein levels, and higher yield per surface unit compared to other animals.
Most growers producing poultry are considering increasing the number of birds per unit area to improve efficiency. However, if the increase in density leads to functional disorders, changes in intestinal microbial flora, and affects poultry welfare, observing welfare standards can help enhance the herd’s performance.
Factors Affecting Profitability in Poultry-Farming
Factors affecting profitability in poultry farming include the goal of all manufacturers to reduce costs and increase profitability. Various indicators provide useful information to managers and offer the opportunity to assess the performance of breeding farms. In general, productivity is the result of doing things correctly.
In breeding systems, variables such as inputs, equipment, and management factors play an effective role in productivity. Productivity can be increased by identifying the most important effective factors and strengthening them based on priority. Age, gender, health, temperature of the poultry breeding environment, quality of feed, and technical knowledge are the most important factors affecting the efficiency of poultry farming. It should be noted that accurate recording of performance information is essential to achieve higher productivity.
In broiler flocks, growth and performance parameters, such as average body weight gain, uniformity percentage in broiler flock, coefficient of variation, conversion coefficient and survival percentage, are accurately recorded and checked.
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
In the poultry industry, the primary goal is to achieve optimal weight gain and increasing the production of high-quality eggs. One of the key indicators for evaluating performance is the calculation of the feed conversion ratio (FCR), which is determined by dividing the feed intake by the weight gain. This ratio reflects the efficiency of feed utilization in breeding farms and indicates the amount of feed required to convert meat into poultry. By aiming for the lowest possible FCR, it is feasible to enhance feed efficiency.
Production Efficiency Factor (PEF) in the Poultry Farming
, the primary goal is to achieve optimal weight gain and maximize the production of high-quality eggs in the poultry industry. One of the key indicators for evaluating performance is the calculation of the feed conversion ratio (FCR), which is determined the ratio between feed intake and weight gain. By improving FCR within a species, feed intake can be reduced for the same amount of growth, thus reducing feed costs and environmental impacts. This ratio reflects the efficiency of feed utilization in breeding farms and indicates the amount of feed required to convert meat into poultry. By aiming for the lowest possible FCR, it is feasible to enhance feed efficiency.
In fact, poultry farmers in the breeding do their the best to maximize yield per unit area and time in order to increase the viability of broiler chickens (with minimum feed consumption and minimum age of bird slaughtered) in Iran. The production efficiency index is calculated according to the following formula.
PEF=BW/ FCR
PEF = Production efficiency factor
BW = Body weight of the bird
FCR = Feed conversion ratio
European Production Efficiency Index (EPEF) in Poultry
According to the following formula, , to calculate Production Efficiency in Europe, the parameters are include:
EPEF= (Viability (%) × BW(kg)/age(d)×FCR )×100
Viability (%) = percentage of survival
BW (kg)/ age (d) = Daily weight gain (grams)
FCR = Feed conversion ratio
How to Calculate Production Efficiency
PEF and EPEF indexes are less known in Iran. According to the aforementioned variables and results obtained, PEF and EPEF in Iran’s breeding farms are less than 260; while, the goal of breeders is to reach more than 300 in Europe.
Higher numbers indicate good farm management, suitable rearing conditions, humidity control, good veterinary services and higher profitability of poultry farming.
Factors Affecting Production Efficiency
These indicators are influenced herd management, environmental conditions, feed pollution and quality. Overall, the higher numbers of production efficiency indicate an increase in live weight and high uniformity of the herd, a reduction in the percentage of poultry losses, along with meeting the nutritional needs and maintenance broiler chickens.
Feed is the largest economic cost for farmers. As a result, increasing performance, efficiency and reducing feed cost are effective in improving the production efficiency index. Another important parameter affecting the European production productivity index is viability. By increasing the uniformity of the flock, managing the number of birds per area and providing high-quality day-old chicks, the percentage of losses can be minimized and the survival percentage of the flock can be increased.
Preventing of breeding farms problems requires careful planning and good management. Any factor that reduces feed waste, poultry losses, increases body weight and feed efficiency in broiler farmers can have an effect on the production efficiency index.
The effect of feed additives on improve Production Efficiency
Feed additives are compounds that have beneficial effects on bird performance. These compounds by reducing the adverse effects of environmental, microbial or toxic stresses, increase performance through improving the health of the digestive system, reducing the effects of stresses and better digestion and absorption of feeds.
