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= 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.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONIn addition to maximizing live performance in poultry production, has allowed a reduction of age to market
Genetic improvement, in addition to maximizing live performance in poultry production, has allowed a reduction of age to market
Birds were grouped into 5 market ages (MA1=
Summary
In addition to maximizing live performance in poultry production, has allowed a reduction of age to market. During the last decades, eating habits have globally changed, with a strong preference for meat cuts and processed meat, and the market of chicken cuts has exceeded the whole-bird market This has lead to later-finishing birds for the production of commercial cuts because larger birds present higher yield (Mendes et al, 1993). Oliveira et al (2003) evaluated 5 different broilers genetic lines, and observed significant differences at 42 days of age for body weight (154g), feed conversion ratio (0.03 units), and carcass yield (1.95%). Within the same genetic line, differences of 492g, 0.14 units, and 3.09% were found for body weight, feed conversion ratio, and carcass yield between 42 and 49 days of age. According to literature, increasing market age affects production efficiency, which may result in higher production costs. Data were analyzed using the statistical procedures of SAS software package (SAS, 1996)
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