ANALYTICAL STUDY OF SOME ECONOMIC, TECHNICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS OF BROILER PRODUCTION IN EGYPT

The poultry industry plays a vital role in meeting the global demand for animal protein however, differences among broiler strains in terms of growth performance, economic efficiency, and environmental impact represent a major challenge for sustainable production. Addressing these variations is essential for optimizing productivity and profitability under specific regional conditions. The present study aimed to evaluate the production performance, feed efficiency, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability of four fast-growing broiler strains: Cobb, Hubbard, Ross, and Indian River. A total of 240 days-old chicks were randomly and equally distributed among the four strains (60 chicks per strain). The experiment lasted 35 days, during which the birds were reared under optimal health and management conditions. Feeding programs were divided into three growth phases: starter, grower, and finisher. Data were collected on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and economic efficiency, with additional emphasis on environmental sustainability through recycling poultry waste. The results indicated that the Ross strain achieved the highest growth rate, while both Ross and Hubbard strains exhibited superior feed conversion and profitability. These findings highlight the advantage of selecting Ross and Hubbard strains for broiler production under Egyptian conditions. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights to poultry farmers, showing that appropriate strain selection can enhance production performance and economic returns, while adopting waste recycling practices contributes to environmental sustainability.