Performance is very important in broiler breeding. Various calculations are made to determine performance all over the world. The most used performance criteria in broiler farming are the values called FCR and EPEF. Performance is calculated and efficiency is evaluated according to these values, which are an important criterion for many companies in the world.
In our country, broiler breeding is mostly done according to the type of production we call contract production. Firms provide chicks, feed and other services to breeders. At the end of the term, he pays the grower based on performance. FCR and EFEF are very important in evaluating this performance.
EPEF is the abbreviation of European Efficiency Productivity Factor.
It was translated into Turkish as the European Productivity Index. It is also an important value in broiler breeding. As a matter of fact, it is a criterion that emerged with the detection of the FCR value being insufficient in calculating the efficiency.
While calculating productivity by looking at the FCR, criteria such as average body weight, average slaughter age, and mortality rate were not taken into account. As a result, a flock with an FCR of 1,600 but an average body weight of 1,750 kg seemed to be more productive than a flock with an FCR of 1,700 but an average body weight of 2,450 kg. However, for the company, the 2nd option was more profitable despite the high FCR. Mortality rates and mean slaughter age were also important. With these in mind, EPEF emerged.