Broiler Farming Terminology: Essential Terms for Growers
Understanding broiler farming terminology is essential for effective communication with service representatives, veterinarians, nutritionists, and other industry professionals. This glossary covers the most important terms that broiler growers encounter in daily management, settlement documents, and industry discussions.
Performance Metrics
Feed Conversion Ratio — The ratio of feed consumed to live weight produced. Calculated by dividing total feed consumed by total live weight produced. An FCR of 1.55 means 1.55 pounds of feed produced 1 pound of chicken. Lower FCR is better. FCR is the most widely used performance metric in the broiler industry.
European Production Efficiency Factor — A composite score that combines livability, average weight, age, and FCR into a single number. EPEF = (livability percentage × average weight in kg ÷ age in days ÷ FCR) × 100. Higher scores indicate better overall performance.
Average Daily Gain — The average weight gained per bird per day. Calculated by dividing the final average bird weight by the number of growing days.
Production Systems
All-In All-Out — A production system where all birds are placed in a house on the same day and all are removed on the same day. This system allows complete cleanout and downtime between flocks.
Stocking Density — The number of birds or total bird weight per unit of floor area. Expressed in birds per square foot or kilograms per square meter. Higher stocking density increases production per house but can affect welfare and performance.
Downtime — The period between flock removal and placement of the next flock. Downtime allows for house cleanout, equipment maintenance, and disease break.
Housing and Equipment
Tunnel Ventilation — A ventilation system where fans at one end of the house pull air through the length of the building, creating airflow that cools birds through wind chill effect. Used primarily in hot weather.
Minimum Ventilation — The minimum air exchange rate needed to maintain air quality and remove moisture during cold weather when heating is required.
Evaporative Cooling — A cooling system that uses water evaporation to reduce incoming air temperature. Typically uses cooling pads or fogging systems.
Popholes — Openings in house walls that provide outdoor access for free-range birds.
Health and Biosecurity
Biosecurity — Practices that prevent the introduction and spread of disease-causing organisms on a farm. Includes visitor controls, footbaths, dedicated clothing, and vehicle disinfection.
Serology — Blood testing to measure antibody levels and determine exposure to specific diseases.
Condemnation — Birds or parts of birds that are rejected at processing due to disease, contamination, or quality defects. Condemnation rates affect settlement payment.
Settlement and Finance
Tournament — The system where grower payment is determined by comparing FCR performance against other growers on the same feed program. Growers in the top third of the tournament receive above-average payment.
Base Payment — The starting payment rate per pound of live weight before adjustments for FCR, mortality, condemnations, and energy.
Settlement — The final payment calculation for a flock, including all adjustments and deductions.
Genetics and Breeds
Strain — A specific genetic line of broiler developed by a breeding company. Different strains have different growth rates, feed conversion, and meat yield characteristics.
Ross — One of the most widely used broiler breeds, developed by Aviagen. Known for fast growth and good feed conversion.
Cobb — Another major broiler breed, developed by Cobb-Vantress. Competitive with Ross in growth rate and efficiency.
Red Ranger — A slower-growing broiler breed used in free-range, organic, and specialty production systems.
Other Important Terms
Litter — The bedding material covering the house floor. Common litter materials include wood shavings, rice hulls, and straw.
Brooding — The period immediately after chick placement when supplemental heat is required to maintain chick body temperature.
Cull — A bird that is removed from the flock because it is sick, injured, or unlikely to reach market weight.