Feed Conversion Ratio Calculator
Understand feed efficiency. Measure the cost of every kilogram.
Reference ranges are illustrative and editable; compare like-for-like.
Feed & Production Inputs
Result & Efficiency Review
FCR Performance vs Reference Range
Reference window: 1.50–1.90 • Editable broiler example
Target feed budget
At target FCR 1.60, for the same 2,000 kg gain
Arithmetic scenario, not a guaranteed saving. Do not restrict feed below nutritional needs.
Production & Feed Cost Breakdown
| Item | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|
Understanding your FCR
FCR = feed consumed ÷ recorded live-weight gain
Example (broiler): 3,400 ÷ 2,000 = 1.70
For eggs and milk, output units change. Dairy ratios are not ECM-based feed efficiency.
Measurement basis & comparison limits
Record feed intake and net output from the same batch and time period. Live-weight gain is final biomass minus initial biomass on the stated accounting basis; it is not final weight alone. Distributed feed including waste gives an apparent ratio; keep this consistent between comparisons.
Feed moisture can change the ratio without changing nutrition. Dry-matter mode applies the entered DM percentage to as-fed feed mass. Feed costs always use the actual as-fed mass and its price.
Ranges are editable examples, not universal species standards. Genetics, age, diet, environment and output definition matter. Dairy milk volume is not milk mass or energy-corrected milk. Technical/biological and economic FCR conventions vary; this report explicitly states its denominators.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good FCR?
Compare the same species, age, production stage, moisture basis and accounting method. Lower feed per unit output may indicate greater efficiency, but an unusually low number can signal missing feed records or incorrect output units. Do not use this arithmetic comparison to prescribe a ration.
Does moisture matter?
Yes. Comparing as-fed wet forage to a dry ration can be misleading. Enter feed dry matter to compare a consistent mass basis. A dry-matter numerator still uses wet live-weight gain as the denominator unless your records state otherwise.
How are mortality and saleable output handled?
Economic FCR here is total feed on the selected basis divided by recorded saleable net gain. Mortality counts are reported separately. A death percentage cannot reveal the body weight or feed consumed before death, so the tool does not fabricate a corrected FCR from that percentage.
Sources & References
FAOOn-farm feeding, feed management and interpretation of aquaculture feed conversion.
USDALivestock production practices, farm productivity and the economics of feed use.Independent references, not endorsements. Additional method reference: University of Nebraska–Lincoln: beef performance and dry-matter feed conversion. Species windows are illustrative inputs, not FAO/USDA-certified thresholds.
Understand feed efficiency. Measure the cost of every kilogram.