Economic Aspects of Reducing Stocking Density in Broiler Chicken Production using the Example of Farms in Southern Poland

The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of reducing stocking density to the level recommended by Council Directive 2007/43/EC on broiler production profitability. The study was carried out using the example of three broiler-only farms located in southern Poland. The farms with production area of 950 m², 3 400 m² and 5 040 m², had fully automated systems for feeding, watering and ventilation. In total, the research covered 54 production rounds in the years 2009–2011. research material included data concerning production costs and achieved production results, as well as income obtained in individual rounds. Net income from broiler production was calculated for three variants differing in stocking density: variant 1 – actual stocking density in farms in 2009 (47–45 kgm^–2), variant 2 – stocking density of 42 kg m^–2, variant 3 – stocking density of 33 kg m^–2. the study results indicate that reducing stocking density increases total production costs, and decreases broiler production income. Production profitability depended primarily on the relation between prices of broiler livestock and feed. Reducing stocking density to the level recommended by the European commission (33 kg m^–2) in 2009 would result in decrease of income from €2.40 to 0.77 per m^–2, whereas in 2011 production carried out at this stocking density would result in losses. To maintain the current income level of farmers, it would require an increase of 5–6% in meat prices.