Best Day-Old Broiler Breeds in Iran from the Perspective of Feed Efficiency and Profitability
1. Introduction
In the cost structure of Iranian poultry farms, over 70% of production costs are related to feed. With the price of feed reaching 50,000 Tomans per kilogram, the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) becomes the most important indicator of profitability. A reduction of just 0.1 units in FCR, under current market conditions, can increase profit per bird by 5 to 7 percent.
Based on the practical experience of Iranian poultry farmers and technical data from parent companies, the three dominant breeds in the country are Cobb 500, Ross 308, and Cobb 700, each exhibiting different behaviors in feed consumption, growth rate, and tolerance to climatic conditions.
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2. Optimal Economic Weight in Iran
The common misconception that heavier chickens yield more profit is completely incorrect under Iran’s current economic conditions. With feed priced at 50,000 Tomans, excessive weight gain causes feed costs to skyrocket and severely reduces profit margins.
Field experience shows that the live weight range of 1.5 to 1.8 kilograms is the golden economic point for Iran’s poultry industry. Within this range, the actual FCR is approximately 1.45 to 1.6, resulting in the most efficient conversion of feed to meat. Weights above 2.3 kilograms essentially enter the zone of hidden loss, and even with increased selling prices, covering costs becomes impossible.
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3. Breed Comparison Under Iran’s Actual Conditions
For a target weight of 1.7 kilograms:
- The Cobb 500 breed typically achieves an FCR of about 1.45 to 1.55 and reaches selling weight in 32 to 34 days. This breed shows very good resistance to heat stress and records low mortality.
- The Ross 308 breed is slightly slower. Its FCR reaches about 1.50 to 1.60, and under Iran’s hot conditions, it requires more precise management.
- The Cobb 700 breed has higher meat quality. However, due to its slower growth, higher FCR, and greater sensitivity to heat stress, it is economically justified only in very well-equipped farms.
The practical conclusion is clear: The best breed in Iran for real profit and feed consumption is Cobb 500.
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4. Economic Analysis with Feed at 50,000 Tomans
To produce a 1.7 kg chicken with an FCR of 1.48, each bird consumes approximately 2.51 kg of feed.
- Feed cost per bird:
2.51 kg × 50,000 Tomans = Approx. 125,800 Tomans
Adding non-feed costs—including the chick, medicine, energy, labor, and slaughter—estimated at a total of approximately 58,000 Tomans, the total cost per bird reaches about 183,800 Tomans.
The marketable carcass weight from this chicken is about 1.258 kg, making the production cost per kilogram of carcass close to 146,000 Tomans.
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5. The Formula for Economic Success in Iran
Field experience and numerical analysis show that the following three golden principles are the only way to survive in today’s Iranian poultry market:
- Choosing the appropriate breed, which in Iran is undoubtedly Cobb 500.
- Stabilizing the target selling weight within the 1.5 to 1.8 kg range.
- Exiting at the right time at 32 to 35 days of age and avoiding pushing the flock to heavier weights.
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6. Final Conclusion
Under the real market conditions in Iran, with feed at 50,000 Tomans:
- The best breed in terms of growth speed and profitability is Cobb 500.
- The real economic market weight is between 1.5 to 1.8 kg live weight.
- Every extra gram above this range increases feed costs and erodes profit.
Raising heavy chickens in Iran today does not bring more profit, but rather guarantees hidden losses.
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