Broiler Feed Chart by Age: Starter, Grower and Finisher
What to feed, when to switch, and how much a broiler should consume week by week — with the FCR maths that decides whether a batch makes money.
Feed is roughly 65–70% of the cost of producing a broiler, so the feeding programme is where most of the profit is won or lost. The three-phase system matches nutrient density to what the bird can actually use at each stage.
The three phases
| Phase | Age | Crude protein | Energy (kcal/kg) | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-starter | Day 0–10 | 22–23% | 2,950–3,000 | Crumb |
| Starter | Day 11–20 | 21–22% | 3,000–3,100 | Crumb |
| Finisher | Day 21–market | 19–20% | 3,150–3,200 | Pellet |
Protein falls and energy rises across the phases. Early on the bird is building frame and muscle and needs amino acids; later it is depositing weight and needs energy. Feeding a high-protein starter all the way to market wastes money and increases nitrogen in the litter.
Expected intake and weight
| Week | Body weight | Feed / bird / week | Cumulative FCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 170–190 g | 150–165 g | 0.85–0.95 |
| 2 | 430–470 g | 330–360 g | 1.10–1.20 |
| 3 | 850–950 g | 560–600 g | 1.25–1.35 |
| 4 | 1,350–1,500 g | 780–840 g | 1.40–1.50 |
| 5 | 1,900–2,100 g | 950–1,050 g | 1.50–1.60 |
| 6 | 2,400–2,650 g | 1,100–1,200 g | 1.60–1.75 |
The FCR arithmetic
Feed conversion ratio is total feed consumed divided by total live weight produced. At a live weight of 2 kg:
- FCR 1.60 → 3.20 kg of feed per bird
- FCR 1.75 → 3.50 kg of feed per bird
That 0.15 difference is 300 g of feed per bird. Across 5,000 birds it is 1.5 tonnes of feed per batch — often the entire margin. FCR is the number to track, not weight alone.
Practical points that move the number
- Feed form matters. Crumbs and pellets outperform mash because birds waste less and eat more efficiently. Excessive fines in a pellet erase the benefit.
- Do not switch phases abruptly. Blend over two or three days to avoid a digestive check.
- Water is the limiting nutrient. Broilers drink roughly 1.8–2 times feed intake by weight. Restricted or hot water depresses feed intake immediately.
- Feeder and drinker space. Crowding at the feeder produces uneven weights regardless of ration quality.
- Heat. Above about 32°C intake falls sharply. Feed during cooler hours in summer and consider raising nutrient density rather than expecting the bird to eat more.
- Storage. Feed older than about four weeks loses vitamin potency, and damp feed grows mould. Aflatoxin suppresses growth and immunity long before it is visible.
Withdrawal before slaughter
Any coccidiostat or medication in the finisher ration has a mandated withdrawal period — commonly five to seven days, depending on the product. Observe it. Residues in meat are both a food-safety failure and a regulatory one.