The effect of broiler market age on performance parameters and economics

Abstract

In the present study, 35 farmers contracted by an integration company were selected. Each farmer owned an average of seven poultry houses, and housed six flocks per year, with a total of 4.0 million housed broilers. Birds were grouped into 5 market ages (MA1=<43, 43<MA2=<44, 44<MA3=<45, 45<MA4=<46, MA5>46 days), and the following parameters were measured: average flock body weight (AFW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), livability (L), production efficiency index (PEI), production cost, and farmer's gross margin. MA significantly influenced all parameters, except production cost/kg broiler. The effects of farm and farm*MA interaction were not significant. Each day of MA increase resulted in increases of 68.43g and 0.039 units in AFW and FCR, respectively. PEI was 4.0% lower in MA5 as compared to MA1, thereby reducing farmer's compensation in 11.89% per reared broilers. Production costs were not different among market ages, partially due to a reduction from 16.86 (MA1) to 14.62% (MA5) in the farmer's participation in the total cost. The results show that a new farmer's compensation index that included MA is necessary to calculate farmer's margin.

Economic issues of broiler production length

“…During the last decades, eating habits have globally changed, with a strong preference for meat cuts and processed meat, and consequently the market of chicken cuts has exceeded the whole-bird market (Schmidt, 2008). Popp (2014) claims that in the coming ten years chicken meat will remain the most favourite and cheapest meat, satisfying consumer demands in the form of chicken cuts.…”

“…Popp (2014) claims that in the coming ten years chicken meat will remain the most favourite and cheapest meat, satisfying consumer demands in the form of chicken cuts. This has led to later-finishing birds for the production of commercial cuts because larger birds present higher yield and higher added value (Schmidt, 2008). …”

“…Goliomytis et al (2003) made a study to investigate the growth pattern of chickens beyond the common slaughter age of 42 days to maturity. Schmidt (2008) carried out a study in an integrated company to evaluate live and economic performance of broilers as a function of market age. Baéza et al (2011) made a study to evaluate the effects of increasing slaughter age on technical and economic factors, including production efficiency and environmental costs, bird welfare, and breast meat quality in a modern heavy broiler line.…”

“…However, estimation of the net gain based on the amount of chickens produced in relation to feed and other production costs was optimal at 42 days of age. According to Schmidt (2008), the net gain reached a maximum between 42 and 49 days of age, and then decreased. It highlights the limitations of increasing broiler age beyond 49 days, mainly because of increased mortality and decreased feed efficiency which both affected the economic efficiency of broiler meat production.…”

“…EP 2014 (61) 3 (633-646) László Szőllősi, István Szűcs, András Nábrádi Schmidt (2008) summarized the findings and claimed that increasing market age significantly affects production efficiency, which may result in higher production costs. Taking into account the main aspects of sustainability (economic and environmental), Baéza et al (2011) recommended slaughtering chickens at 42 days of age.…”