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Feed conversion ratio calculator

Keep feed and product totals on consistent mass and time bases. FCR divides feed input by output; lower values mean less feed per unit of output.

Calculator

Feed / output mass ratio
2.0000
Feed required or consumed
100
Product mass or liveweight gain
50
Projected output from available feed
100
Estimated cost (CAD)
$50.00
Feed cost per kg of output (CAD)
$1.00

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How this calculator works

FCR compares feed consumed with product mass over the same period. Liveweight mode uses final minus initial group weight; milk and eggs use produced mass. Feed may be measured as-fed or as dry matter, but comparisons require the same basis. Dairy feed efficiency often uses corrected milk divided by dry-matter intake, the reciprocal direction of this FCR, so do not compare the two numbers directly. Saleable mode reports a separately labelled total-biomass ratio including entered by-products; definitions of technical and economic FCR vary between industries.

Formula

FCR = feed mass/product mass. Liveweight output = final - initial weight. Feed per dozen eggs = feed kg × 12/egg count. Projected output = available feed/FCR. Feed cost = feed kg × CAD/kg.

Worked example

A group consuming 100 kg feed while increasing from 20 to 70 kg has FCR 2 and feed cost $50 at $0.50/kg. With the same FCR, 200 kg available feed projects 100 kg gain. Twenty-four kg feed for 120 eggs is 2.4 kg per dozen.

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Frequently asked questions

Can feed and animal weights use different units?

Yes. The engine converts all mass inputs to kilograms before taking the ratio.

Does projected gain include maintenance and losses?

Only to the extent they are already represented in the measured FCR. A changed ration, animal stage or environment may change the ratio.

Is FCR an economic profit measure?

No. Feed cost is only one expense, and saleable output is not a complete profit model. Use a consistent definition when comparing farms.

Sources

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