The Production Unit and Feed Conversion 



Individual production units within an integrated firm were analyzed 

 to determine whether the integrator had succeeded in standardizing the 

 management of these broiler farms when measured by feed conversion 

 ratios of broiler flocks produced. This analysis was made because if no 

 difference existed between production units of a firm, all units could be 

 considered homogeneous and could be given equal treatment by the in- 

 tegrator. 



A statistical analysis was made using data from 22 growers producing 

 71 flocks for a single integrator during one year. 8 The test revealed that 

 a significant difference existed between these production units. Most of 

 the variation was probably accounted for by differences in the quality 

 of grower managerial ability and physical plants within the integrated 

 firm. It would have been greater had it not been for the service men 

 hired to standardize and improve grower practices within the integrated 

 firm. 



GROWTH RATE AND FINISH WEIGHT OF BROILERS 



The growth rate and live market weight of broilers are the important 

 factors determining potential output of production units. With a given 

 finish weight, increasing rates of growth over time permit growers to in- 

 crease annual output. 



The finish weight at time of marketing, or average live weight, is also 

 often used in contracts as a determinant of feed conversion. It is often 

 the only physical factor used in determining returns to growers. 



Trend and Seasonal Variation in Weight and the Growth Rate 



Figure 4 illustrates the linear trends that have occurred for average 

 weight and age of 678 flocks at time of sale during the 3 years 1956-1958. 

 Average weight increased from 3.274 to 3.555 pounds, an increase of 

 0.281 pounds. Growing time has decreased from 73.45 to 67.58 days, a de- 

 crease of 5.87 days. Using these data a trend was derived for the average 

 daily growth rate for the period. This is illustrated in Figure 5. Accord- 

 ing to these data, the average growing time for a 3.5 pound broiler de- 

 creased from 78.7 to 67.1 days between 1956 and 1958. Assuming that the 

 rate of growth continues to increase, and that consumers will continue to 

 prefer a dressed broiler equivalent to 3.5 pounds live weight, growers 

 have an opportunity to continue to increase flock output per year. 



Seasonal variations in growth rates would influence broiler output and 

 therefore income to producers. To determine whether such seasonal vari- 

 ation exists, a statistical analysis was made on the data. The results 

 indicate no significant variation. 



Breed and the Growth Rate 



Two statistical analyses were made to determine whether differences 

 exist between breeds in their average rates of growth. In the first an- 

 alysis, data were used on seven breeds entered in three trials over a 1- 

 year period. 10 With such things as housing, management, and feed be- 



8 See Appendix Table 4. 



9 Appendix Table 5. 



10 Appendix Table 6. 



