YielixFeed Conversion Ratio (FCR) Calculator — Feed Efficiency & Cost Per Kg of Gain
Calculate your livestock feed conversion ratio and cost per unit of gain with species-specific benchmark comparisons. Enter total feed consumed, total weight gained, and optional feed cost to see how efficiently your animals convert feed into body weight. Lower FCR means less feed per unit of gain and better profitability.
Inputs Explained
- Total Feed Consumed
- The total amount of feed delivered to the animals over the feeding period, minus refusals or waste. Enter in kg or lb.
- Total Weight Gained
- The difference between ending and starting weight of the animal or group. Weigh at the start and end of the feeding period for accuracy.
- Species
- Select your species for benchmark comparison. FCR benchmarks differ dramatically between species — poultry broilers (1.6-2.0) vs. beef cattle (6-10).
- Feed Cost per Unit
- Optional. Enter your feed cost per kg or lb to calculate cost per unit of gain — the metric that matters most for profitability.
How This Calculator Works
Worked Example
Finishing beef steer consuming 1,200 kg of feed over a period with 150 kg of weight gain, feed cost $0.30/kg
- 1. Calculate FCR
FCR = 1,200 kg feed / 150 kg gain = 8.0
- 2. Compare to benchmark
Beef cattle benchmark is 6-10. An FCR of 8.0 is mid-range — average performance.
- 3. Calculate cost per kg of gain
Cost per kg gain = 8.0 x $0.30 = $2.40 per kg of live weight gain.
- 4. Evaluate improvement potential
Reducing FCR from 8.0 to 7.0 would save $0.30 per kg of gain, or $45 total on 150 kg gain.
FCR = 8.0 (average for beef). Each kg of gain costs $2.40 in feed. Improving to FCR 7.0 saves $45 per head.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Condition | What It Means |
|---|---|
| FCR below species benchmark low end | Excellent feed efficiency. Your animals are converting feed very well — likely a combination of good genetics, nutrition, and management. |
| FCR within species benchmark range | Average performance. There may be room for improvement through nutrition optimization, health management, or genetic selection. |
| FCR above species benchmark high end | Poor feed efficiency. Investigate possible causes: disease, parasites, poor feed quality, environmental stress, or suboptimal genetics. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Comparing FCR across different species
A beef FCR of 8 and a broiler FCR of 1.8 reflect completely different biological systems. Only compare within the same species.
Not accounting for feed waste in the "consumed" figure
Feed consumed should be feed delivered minus waste and refusals. Including wasted feed inflates your FCR and makes efficiency look worse than it actually is.
Weighing animals only once
Individual weights fluctuate with gut fill. Weigh multiple times and average, or weigh at the same time of day (e.g., before morning feeding) for consistency.
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Related Guides
Understanding Dry Matter and Feed Rations
Learn why dry matter basis matters for comparing feeds, how to read feed test results, and how to build a basic ration for your livestock.
Feed Conversion Efficiency: Measuring and Improving FCR
Understand feed conversion ratio, what affects it, how to track it, and species benchmarks for evaluating your herd performance.