The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) measures how efficiently an animal converts feed into meat or milk. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of feed consumed by the total amount of product produced. A lower FCR indicates that less feed was needed to produce each unit of meat or milk, which is better for the farmer. The FCR allows farmers to estimate feed needs, determine profitability, compare animal and feed efficiencies, and prepare budgets.

1. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) is the number of units of feed an animal uses to produce one
unitof product. For animals raised for meat, the product is body mass gained by the animals,
measured in lbs.or kg of meat. For dairy animals, the product is milk, measured in pints or litres
of milk.
The FCR indicated how efficiently the animal converts feed into product. The lower the FCR the
less feed the animal uses to produce a unit of produce, which is good for the farmer. A low FCR
also indicates a good quality feed.
Calculating the FCR
When calculatingthe FCR you must use similar units. The formula for calculating FCR is:
FCR = total amount of feed consumed
total amount of product produced
Example: A chicken farmer produces 1000 lbs. of chicken carcass in six weeks. The birds
consumed a total of 2200 lbs. of feed. Calculate the FCR.
FCR = total amount of feed consumed
total amount of carcass produced
FCR= 2200 lbs.
1000 lbs.
FCR= 2.2
An FCR of 2.2 which means that it took 2.2lbs. of feed to produce 1 lb. of meat.
Importance of the FCR
The FCR allows farmers to:
 estimate the amount of feed required to feed an animal for its growing cycle
 determine if rearing a certain type of animal will be profitable
 determine if an animal is an efficient feed converter or a poor feed converter
 prepare budgets for feed for a complete growing cycle
 compare the efficiency of different feeds.