The broiler industry is the process by which broiler chickens are reared and prepared for meat consumption. Worldwide, in 2005 production was 71,851,000 tonnes. From 1985 to 2005, the broiler industry grew by 158%.[1]
A key measure of performance is the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the ability to convert feed into edible product. In 2018 the FCR of broilers is about 1.5, or 1.5 kg of feed to produce 1 kg of meat.[2] This compares very favorably with other sources of meat.
It is estimated that broilers produce 6 kg of greenhouse gas per 1 kg of meat, as compared to 60 kg GHG /kg for beef cattle.[3]
In the 1980s, it was typical to produce a 2 kilogram chicken in 70 days. By 2018, this had reduced to just 29 days to produce a bird of the same weight.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Profile of the Canadian Chicken Industry 2006was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "How do you measure performance in the poultry industry?". Alltech.com. March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ Neufeld, Dorothy (February 10, 2020). "The Carbon Footprint of the Food Supply Chain". Visual Capitalist. Retrieved March 29, 2020.