How is the feed conversion ratio calculated?

FCR equals total feed consumed divided by total live-weight gain, both in the same mass unit. If an animal eats 300 kg of feed to gain 100 kg of live weight, the FCR is 3.0, meaning it takes 3 kg of feed per kg of gain. Lower is more efficient.

It is species specific. Broiler chickens often achieve 1.5 to 1.8, farmed fish 1.0 to 1.5, pigs around 2.5 to 3.0, and beef cattle 6 to 10. Compare your figure to the benchmark for your species and production stage rather than across species.

How is feed cost per kg of gain found?

Multiply the FCR by the feed cost per kg. Feed cost per kg is the price per tonne divided by 1000. So an FCR of 1.7 with feed at 400 per tonne, which is 0.40 per kg, gives a feed cost of 0.68 per kg of gain.

What does the breakeven feed price mean?

It is the feed price per tonne at which the feed cost of gain exactly equals the sale value of that gain. It equals sale price per kg divided by FCR, times 1000. Buying feed below this price leaves margin to cover other costs and profit; above it, feed alone loses money.

Should I use live weight or carcass weight?

FCR is conventionally calculated on live-weight gain. If you track carcass or dressed weight, be consistent and note that FCR on a carcass basis will look higher because dressing percentage removes part of the gain.

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) Calculator

Feed is usually the largest single cost in animal production, so the feed conversion ratio — how much feed it takes to put on a kilo of gain — drives the whole enterprise margin. This tool computes FCR from feed and gain, then turns it into the numbers that matter financially: cost per kg of gain and the breakeven feed price.

How it works

FCR is a simple ratio, and the economics follow from it:

gain          = finish weight − start weight   (or entered directly)
FCR           = total feed / gain
feed cost/kg  = feed price per tonne / 1000
cost of gain  = FCR × feed cost/kg
breakeven feed price (per tonne) = (sale price per kg / FCR) × 1000

A lower FCR means less feed per kilo of gain and a lower cost of gain. The breakeven feed price tells you the most you can pay for feed before the gain it produces is worth less than the feed itself.

Tips and example

A pen of broilers eating 1.7 tonnes of feed to add 1.0 tonne of live weight has an FCR of 1.7. With feed at 400 per tonne (0.40/kg), the feed cost of gain is 0.68 per kg. If birds sell at 1.30 per kg live weight, the breakeven feed price is 1.30 / 1.7 × 1000 = 765 per tonne — well above the 400 paid, so there is healthy margin to cover chicks, housing, and labour. Track FCR every batch: small improvements compound quickly across thousands of head.