Hristo Lukanov, Atanas Genchev, Todor Petrov
Department of Animal Science – monogastric and other animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Lukanov, H., Genchev, A. & Petrov. T. (2023). The Egg Production Efficiency Index (EPEI) as an economic indicator for measuring poultry egg production. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 29(4), 747–751
The aim of the study was to introduce an up-to-date index for evaluation of economic efficiency of egg production in domestic fowl. The proposed egg production efficiency index (EPEI) was calculated using the following equation: EPEI = [(L × DEMP)/FCR)] × 100, where: L – Liveability (%); DEMP – Daily egg mass produced (kg); FCR – Feed conversion ratio (kg/kg egg mass). DEMP = (HDEP x AEW)/t, where HDEP – Hen-Day egg production (number); AEW – Average egg weight (kg); t – period (days). The ideal egg production efficiency index, calculated on the basis of a full production period, equals 310. For a production period of 52-81 weeks, EPEI of 230 may be estimated as a threshold for modern white and brown egg layer hybrids. EPEI may be also applied for monitoring of efficiency of egg production dynamics in a given group of stock layer hens. The index may be also used in other domestic fowl species.