On Day 33, broilers reach ~2,225g and enter the peak economic decision window. Each bird now consumes ~221g of feed per day (~80-90g daily weight gain), making feed conversion efficiency the single largest determinant of flock profit. Farmers must model growth projections to determine the optimal harvest date (e.g., thinning on Day 35 at 2.4kg vs full clearing on Day 42 at 2.9kg), track local live-bird market prices, and coordinate with catching crews, transport logistics, and processing plants.
Holding birds past their economic optimum increases FCR sharply as maintenance energy demands overtake growth efficiency. Furthermore, risk of heat mortality and leg defects escalates every extra day heavy birds remain in the shed.
•Holding heavy birds indefinitely waiting for a higher market price while feed costs and mortality wipe out profits.
•Failing to inspect access roads and shed doors before catching trucks arrive, causing loading delays and bird heat stress in crates.
•Neglecting biosecurity checks on incoming catching trucks and crates, risking late-stage disease introduction.
•Changing feed brands or formulas during the final 7 days before slaughter.
•Femoral Head Necrosis (FHN) and bacterial synovitis peak in heavy birds over 2.2kg due to excessive mechanical load on the growth plates. Cull severely lame birds promptly to prevent suffering and downgrades.
•Veterinary escalation trigger: If daily culling for severe leg weakness exceeds 0.15% or sudden mortality in heavy birds spikes, obtain veterinary consultation and review vitamin D3/mineral nutrition.
•The Golden Rule of Harvest Timing: When the cost of 220g of feed exceeds the market value of 90g of live weight gain, your flock has reached its financial peak. Every extra day past this point eats away your profit margin.
•Walk your farm driveway and load-out ramp today. Fill any potholes and ensure trees are trimmed so heavy live-haul trucks can enter smoothly without jarring or delaying crates.
Multiply expected daily weight gain (e.g. 0.09 kg) by live sale price per kg. Then multiply daily feed intake (e.g. 0.22 kg) by feed price per kg. If revenue gained exceeds feed cost plus a margin for mortality risk (0.05%), holding is profitable.
Live-haul trucks and crates travel between multiple farms and processing plants daily, carrying high pathogen loads. Disinfecting truck tires and keeping outside crews isolated protects remaining birds in split-harvest systems.
