Feed Conversion and Feeding Behaviour in Laying Hens

T_e high proportion of feed costs in total operating expenses (1,2,6) indicates that the utilization of feed by the birds is closely related to the profitability of >oultry operations. The relationship between feed conversion (expressed as a ratio between weight units of feed consumed per weight unit of product) and profitability (defined as an increment .of total income over total costs) is especially important in circumstances where the total labour costs and fixed costs approach the essential minimum. The same is true where supply controls are applied and total profit cannot be raised by production expansion.