Feed conversion is undoubtedly key to optimising poultry farming ROI. Whilst genetic potential often takes center stage when considering the primary levers for increasing feed conversion, genetics (within the rearing process) will always be secondary to uptake and utilisation.
Are your birds eating all the feed? And is the feed being used optimally in their bodies?
So great a temptation it is to look for the answers to our problems in things outside of our immediate control. Yet always the wisest and most prudent question to ask is: “Am I doing everything I can to make this situation optimal?”
And commonly, when we examine the details, our answer is “…no.”
Diligence will often lead us to see things that as unseen, were robbing us. Areas of blindness within our scope or field of vision. Spots that we overlooked. Stones left unturned and therefore penalties received.
In the case of poultry feed conversion there is a simple equation that at its foundation holds untold value for those persuaded to study:
Feed + Uptake + Utilisation + Cofactors = Results (i.e. feed conversion)
Yes, genetic potential is important (as far as the bird having the physically encoded capacity to reach desired weight and quality of meat). However, this is the job of the breeder.
But, for the results to arrive on the farm, we need to focus on these things:
- The feed given is the right COMPOSITION that suits the birds ability to convert for results.
- The birds are successfully EATING the feed.
- The nutritional value is being USED optimally within the bird’s body for growth & production.
- All other biochemical and physiological factors SUPPORTING feed conversion are in play.
And the aforementioned points require deep study and investigation. From this, we gain evidence to support our assessment. The idea is to establish confidence beyond all doubt that the equation above is tweaked to perfection.
And once it is, then we can reasonably expect the documented genetic potential as found within the breeder management manual to be attained.
If we still fall short by benchmarking against the standard (beyond the scope of tolerable variation), this requires more observation, deeper study and examination to assess matters further, until we identify and isolate the root cause.
Only then can you gain dominance over or battle to achieve the optimal feed conversion ratio (FCR) underlying the success of your poultry farm.
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