Technical Efficiency in Poultry Production Systems
Summary
Technical efficiency in poultry production systems refers to the capacity of poultry farms to convert inputs such as feed, labour, housing and capital into outputs—meat and eggs—at the lowest possible cost and with minimal waste. It encompasses both the maximisation of output from given inputs and the optimal allocation of those inputs to minimise production costs. Drivers of efficiency include genetic selection for fast-growing and feed-efficient strains, precision nutrition strategies, housing design that improves bird welfare and reduces mortality, and data-driven management practices. Variations in scale, from smallholder flocks to fully integrated commercial units, influence attainable efficiency levels and the adoption of emerging technologies such as automated feeding, environmental control systems and real-time performance monitoring. Enhancing technical efficiency contributes to economic viability, reduces environmental footprints by lowering resource use and greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output, and supports global food security by making poultry products more affordable and accessible.
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Technical Efficiency in Poultry Production Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in technical efficiency in poultry production systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Technical Efficiency: The degree to which a farm converts inputs into maximum possible output, given current technology and management practices.
Allocative Efficiency: The extent to which resources are deployed in optimal proportions, so that the cost of producing a unit of output is minimised.
Input Distance Function: A measure from production theory that assesses the slack in input usage relative to a reference technology frontier, indicating potential reductions in inputs without reducing output.
Feed Conversion Ratio: The amount of feed required to produce a unit of bodyweight gain in poultry, a key indicator of production efficiency.
References
- Inefficiency of laying hens farms in Benin: an input directional distance function approach. Agriculture & Food Security (2024).
- An Assessment of Economic Sustainability and Efficiency in Small-Scale Broiler Farms in Limpopo Province: A Review. Sustainability (2023).
- Broiler production systems in Ghana: economics and the impact of frozen chicken imports. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review (2022).
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