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%

*Giblets Defined – gizzard, the heart, the kidneys, the neck, and the liver.

Written by Gary Hill