Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator

What Is Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)?

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is a measure of how much feed an animal needs to gain one unit of body weight.

FCR Formula

FCR = Total Feed Intake ÷ Total Weight Gain

For example:

• Total feed intake = 1,000 kg
• Total weight gain = 400 kg

FCR = 1000 ÷ 400 = 2.5

This means the animals needed 2.5 kg of feed to gain 1 kg of body weight.

Why Lower FCR Is Better

A lower FCR means:

• Less feed used per kg of gain
• Lower feed cost
• Better feed efficiency
• Higher farm profitability

Since feed is often 60–70% of production cost, even small improvements in FCR can make a big financial difference.

How a Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator Works

A Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator simplifies the math and gives you instant results. Based on the calculator code you provided, it works using four main inputs:

1. Animal Type

You can select:

• Broiler Chicken
• Pig / Swine
• Cattle (Beef)
• Fish (Tilapia/Catfish)
• Turkey
• Custom / Other

Each animal type includes built-in performance benchmarks.

2. Total Feed Intake

Enter the total amount of feed consumed during the production cycle.
You can use kilograms (kg) or pounds (lbs), but keep the unit consistent.

3. Net Body Weight Gain

Enter the total weight gained by the animals during the same period.

4. Mortality or Culls (Optional)

If animals died or were culled, you can enter their total weight.
This allows the calculator to generate a Mortality-Corrected FCR, which gives a more realistic picture of feed cost.

Standard FCR vs Mortality-Corrected FCR

The calculator provides two FCR values when mortality is entered.

Standard FCR

Standard FCR = Feed ÷ Weight Gain

This is the most common formula used across the industry.

Mortality-Corrected FCR

Corrected FCR = Feed ÷ (Weight Gain + Mortality Weight)

Why does this matter?

Because animals that die still consume feed. If you ignore mortality weight, you may overestimate inefficiency. A mortality-corrected FCR gives a more accurate cost reflection.

FCR Benchmarks by Animal Type

Here are typical performance benchmarks included in the calculator:

What These Numbers Mean

• Excellent: Highly efficient feed conversion
• Good: Acceptable performance with room for minor improvement
• Fair: Average efficiency; review management practices
• Poor: Inefficient conversion; likely economic loss

If you select “Custom / Other,” the calculator will compute the FCR without rating it, allowing you to compare against your own benchmarks.

Example: Broiler Chicken FCR Calculation

Let’s walk through a real scenario.

• Animal: Broiler chicken
• Total feed intake: 10,000 kg
• Total weight gain: 6,000 kg
• Mortality weight: 300 kg

Step 1: Standard FCR

10,000 ÷ 6,000 = 1.67

Step 2: Mortality-Corrected FCR

10,000 ÷ (6,000 + 300) = 1.59

Now compare to broiler benchmarks:

• Excellent: 1.5
• Good: 1.8

An FCR of 1.59 is between excellent and good. That’s strong performance.

Why Feed Conversion Ratio Matters

FCR directly impacts:

• Feed cost per kg of meat
• Profit margins
• Production efficiency
• Environmental sustainability

Better FCR means fewer resources used for the same output. That reduces feed waste and lowers your carbon footprint.

Common Factors That Affect FCR

Many variables influence feed conversion ratio. Here are the main ones.

1. Feed Quality

Poor nutrition leads to poor growth. Balanced protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals are critical.

2. Genetics

Some breeds convert feed more efficiently than others.

3. Health Management

Disease reduces appetite and growth. Biosecurity and vaccination programs protect FCR.

4. Environment

Temperature, ventilation, and housing conditions affect feed intake and weight gain.

5. Water Quality

Clean water improves feed digestion and nutrient absorption.

How to Improve Your Feed Conversion Ratio

Improving FCR does not require drastic changes. Small, consistent improvements often bring the best results.

Here are practical steps:

• Monitor feed intake daily
• Reduce feed wastage
• Maintain optimal housing temperature
• Use high-quality feed ingredients
• Ensure constant access to clean water
• Manage stocking density
• Track mortality closely

Most importantly, measure regularly. What gets measured gets improved.

Who Should Use a Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator?

This tool is useful for:

• Poultry farmers
• Pig producers
• Beef cattle operations
• Fish farmers
• Turkey growers
• Agricultural consultants
• Feed companies
• Students in animal science

Whether you manage 500 birds or 50,000, knowing your FCR helps you make better decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good FCR?

It depends on the species. For broilers, around 1.5 to 1.8 is strong. For beef cattle, around 5.5 to 6.5 is considered good.

Can FCR be less than 1?

Yes, especially in aquaculture. Some fish species may have FCR close to 1.0 or slightly below due to high digestibility and moisture differences.

Is lower FCR always better?

Generally yes. But extremely low FCR values may indicate measurement errors. Always verify feed and weight records.

Should I include mortality in FCR?

For accurate cost analysis, yes. Mortality-corrected FCR provides a more realistic economic picture.