Technical Performance and Cost Analysis of Broiler Production in Turkey

In this study, the live performance and costs of broiler production was examined and cost analysis were assessed in the Balikesir, Bolu and Sakarya Provinces, which are the most important broiler-producing regions of Turkey. Annual (years 2012-2013) production data of 125 broiler farms were analyzed. Farms were scaled according to the irrearing capacities as small (1-10,000 broilers), medium (10,001-30,000) and large (30,001 and above). Cost and performance differences among farm scales and research centers were tested by one-way analysis of variance. Average live weight (LW), livability (LA), slaughter age (SA), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and production efficiency factor (PEF) values were calculated as 2.436 +/- 0.006 kg; 93.502 +/- 0.133%; 42.293 +/- 0.079 days; 1.805 +/- 0.004 kg; 298.802 +/- 1.298, respectively. Feed and chicks accounted for 80.3% of the total cost per kg live weight (TLWC). There were no statistical differences among farm scales and provinces in terms of technical indicators and production performance (p>0.05). Farm size affected the TLWC (p<0.05). The results showed that broiler production in Turkey achieved similar performance levels as the main global broiler-producing countries; however, the cost of producing 1 kg live weight is 13%-60% more expensive in Turkey.