Table 4 Comparisons of some key production metrics in livestock production systems.

From: Python farming as a flexible and efficient form of agricultural food security

Variable

Endotherms

Ectotherms

Poultry60,61

Pork62,63,64

Beef65,66

Salmon67,68

Cricket18,69

Python *70

Feed conversion ratio (DM feed : dressed carcass)

2.8

6.0

10.0

1.5

2.1

1.2

Protein DM in feed (%)

22

16

12

50

22

51

Protein conversion ratio

20.5

37.5

83.3

3.0

9.5

2.4

Fasting yield loss per hour (%; with access to water)

0.22

0.21

0.15

0.0055

No data

0.0002

  1. “Feed conversion ratio” = total dry mass in food consumed by the animal divided by total dry mass of the carcass (so lower value represents higher efficiency of conversion). “Protein DM in feed” = dry mass of protein as a proportion of total dry mass of food. “Protein conversion ratio” = total dry mass of protein consumed in food divided by total dry mass of protein in carcass (so lower value represents higher efficiency of conversion). “Fasting yield loss per hour” = mass loss per hour over period when animal has access to water but no food.
  2. *Calculated from this study. Based on whole pig waste protein diet, wet weight to dry mass conversion rate of 28.970.
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