Estimation of optimum slaughter age in broiler chicks

Abstract

In this study, optimum slaughter age of the commercial broilers was estimated regarding maximum net income. Study materials were average target performance (live weight gain and feed consumption) of Cobb 500 and Ross 308 commercial hybrids, prices of feed, chicks and broiler meat. The optimum slaughter age was estimated by a mathematical function (y = f (x) = a+bx-cx2) that reflects the quadratic (parabolic) relationship. According to this function, the optimum slaughter age was calculated as 5.62 weeks (39.34 days). As a result, it can be said that genetic improvement positively affects the correlation between live weight gain and feed consumption of broilers. However, prices of feed, chicks, and broiler meat have more decisive role on slaughter age.