Farm & Producer
Chicken Feed Conversion
Broiler finish math and layer feed-per-dozen — with break-even egg pricing.
Chicken Feed Conversion
Inputs
Results
Days to finish
45 days
Total feed per bird
9.0 lb
Feed cost per bird
$2.70
Feed cost per finished lb
live weight, feed only
$0.54
How to use this
Broiler FCRs are astonishingly efficient — a modern Cornish Cross converts 1.8 lb of feed to 1 lb of bird in six weeks. Heritage and pastured birds run 2× longer and eat 2× more per finished pound.
For layers, feed is the dominant cost. A standard hen eats about 0.25 lb of feed per day; multiply by flock and days and you have your real cost per dozen. Add housing and replacement pullets on top.
Formula
Broiler: days = finish_weight ÷ ADG; total_feed = finish_weight × FCR
Layer: eggs_per_year = hens × breed_rate; cost_per_dozen = (hens × feed_lb_per_day × 365 × feed_cost) ÷ dozens_per_year
Related calculators
Egg Production Forecast
Project weekly, monthly, and annual egg output from flock size, breed lay rate, and seasonal drop-off.
Pork Feed Conversion
Feed pounds and cost from weaner to finish weight — conventional and heritage pasture systems.
Cattle Feed Conversion
Days to finish, feed pounds, and cost per gained pound for grass, mixed, or grain finishing.
Formula
broiler: feed = finish × FCR; layer: feed = flock × 0.25 lb/day