The global poultry market is growing at a fast pace, driven by several factors, such as rising demand for affordable and protein-rich food sources, especially in developing countries. The growing preference for white meat over red meat due to health considerations, as well as urbanization and increasing disposable incomes, also contributes to higher consumption of poultry products. Moreover, technological advancements in poultry farming, such as improved breeding techniques and feed conversion ratios (FCR), enhance productivity and efficiency, further boosting market growth. As per IMARC Group, the global animal feed market size reached US$ 518.4 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 674.7 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% during 2024-2032.
The optimization of FCR is one of the major parameters of the poultry market globally. It measures an animal’s efficiency in converting feed into body mass. Specifically, FCR may be defined as weight gain divided by feed intake. The proportion of feed in a broiler’s ratio ranges from 40 to 70% of the cost of production. Achieving an optimal FCR is crucial, as feed costs represent the largest expense in poultry production. Improving FCR can significantly reduce feed costs and enhance overall farm profitability. Some of the key factors are given below by which poultry farmers can improve FCR:
Feed High-Quality Ingredients: High-quality feeds specifically formulated for poultry to provide optimal nutrition can improve the FCR in broilers and layers. These feeds offer a balanced mix of essential nutrients, including high-quality proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Ingredients like oils, processed grains, high-quality soybean meal, and animal protein sources are more digestible, allowing birds to absorb nutrients better and produce less waste. This leads to faster growth with less feed intake. Additionally, the utilization of feed additives like enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics can enhance nutrient absorption and digestion. Moreover, tailoring feed compositions to meet the exact nutritional requirements of poultry at different stages of their growth helps lower the FCR.
Feed High-Quality Ingredients
Ensure Regular Health Check-Ups for Animals: The health management of poultry birds directly impacts the FCR. Healthy birds are more efficient at digesting meals, leading to a reduction in waste production. Regular monitoring and timely medical care help farmers maintain optimal digestive function and overall health. Additionally, minimizing stress by providing a comfortable environment with adequate space, ventilation, and temperature control is essential for optimal feed conversion.
Ensure Regular Health Check-Ups for Animals
Genetic Selection: Genetically improved poultry breeds enable breeders to select birds with desirable traits such as rapid growth, efficient feed intake, and adaptability to diverse farming conditions. By choosing breeds with better feed efficiency, the FCR can naturally improve over time. This process not only enhances productivity but also contributes to more sustainable farming practices, as birds require less feed to achieve the same level of growth, benefiting both the environment and the poultry industry.
Environmental Controls: Poultry birds are sensitive to their environment and thrive within an ideal temperature range, known as the "thermoneutral zone," which is between 60 and 75°F. In this zone, they are most comfortable and efficient at converting feed into body mass. When temperatures fall outside this range, birds must expend extra energy to regulate their body temperature, which can negatively impact their FCR. Proper management of temperature, ventilation, humidity, and lighting can significantly improve the overall FCR of poultry birds.
Environmental Controls
The Global Impact of FCR Improvements: More Chicken, Less Feed, Better Profits
Increase Productivity: A reduction in FCR in poultry farming is expected to significantly increase the overall production of broiler meat and eggs. A lower FCR indicates that a greater amount of feed is being efficiently converted into the body mass of the birds. Effective feed management not only enhances digestibility but also minimizes waste, ensuring that the maximum amount of feed contributes to weight gain. Additionally, a reduced FCR decreases the overall demand for large quantities of poultry feed, further enhancing production and sustainability in poultry farming.
Higher Profitability: A reduced FCR in poultry birds will increase overall productivity and lead to higher profitability for poultry farmers. The proportion of feed in a broiler's production cost ranges from 40% to 70%. A lower FCR means that birds require less feed to gain a certain amount of weight, which will reduce the production costs of broilers and layers. Since feed is the most substantial expense in poultry farming, improving FCR can result in significant cost savings, thereby increasing profit margins for farmers. Various government organizations are providing training on poultry farming to help farmers increase productivity by reducing the production costs of poultry birds. FCR can be the key parameter that allows poultry farmers to achieve better returns at lower costs.
Reducing the Impact on Climate: Poultry manure is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia. Effective manure management can mitigate these emissions. Moreover, optimizing poultry feeds with additives like enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics can enhance nutrient absorption and digestion, which further reduces waste. A lower FCR means less feed is required to produce the same amount of poultry meat or eggs. Since feed production involves the significant use of land, water, energy, and fertilizers, reducing the amount of feed needed directly decreases the demand for these resources. As a result, decreasing the FCR in poultry farming will significantly reduce the environmental impact and contribute to climate change mitigation in the future.
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