What is a good “rule of thumb” when it comes to estimating final processing weight? I have heard anywhere between 20% and 30%, to me, this sounds like an “educated” guess.
In a 2022 field study of 200 Ross 308’s the findings indicate a good “rule of thumb” is an average of 28.44% weight loss from pasture to processing.
Why is this important? Determining a processing date aligned with the end processing weight can substantially improve consistency. Weighing the broiler(s) in weeks 6 and 7 will provide meaningful data to help make processing decisions. How many times have you had to decide on which broiler to take based on weight? Using 28% of live weight results in a more consistent weight at processing.
Example – The target processed broiler without giblets* (WOG) weight is 4.25#. What is the live weight necessary to achieve the 4.25# WOG? The pasture’s live weight of 5.9# will achieve a 4.25# WOG or 28% of the live weight.
Data Set from April 2022 Field Trial
|
Batch |
Avg Day 48 Live Weight |
Avg WOG Weight |
Weight lost to processing (lb) |
Weight lost to processing (%) |
|
| Orange |
6.350 |
4.501 |
1.849 |
29.11% |
|
| Yellow |
6.828 |
4.826 |
2.002 |
29.32% |
|
| Blue |
7.078 |
5.096 |
1.982 |
28.01% |
|
| Green |
6.863 |
4.988 |
1.875 |
27.32% |
|
|
Avg % of weight lost to processing 28.44% |
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*Giblets Defined – gizzard, the heart, the kidneys, the neck, and the liver.
Written by Gary Hill