broiler
Cobb 500 in Zimbabwe, Complete Management Guide
The most common broiler in Zimbabwe. Performs well on National Foods Pfuma starter/grower ration. Heat stress management is the main challenge for Lowveld producers.
2,400g
Day-42 Target
2.27
Target FCR
74%
Dressout %
moderate
Heat Tolerance
Zimbabwe Availability: Widely available, Irvines Zimbabwe, Crest Broilers, independent hatcheries
Strengths
- Best feed conversion globally
- Adaptable to varying feed quality
- Forgiving of management errors
- Wide availability of day-old chicks in Zimbabwe
Challenges
- Sensitive to heat stress above 32°C
- Higher leg disorder risk if protein is insufficient
- Requires consistent day-length management
Weekly Performance Benchmarks (Zimbabwe Conditions)
| Day | Avg Weight (g) | Weekly Feed/Bird (g) | Cumulative Feed (g) | FCR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 180 | 170 | 170 | 0.94 |
| 14 | 430 | 430 | 600 | 1.4 |
| 21 | 800 | 750 | 1,350 | 1.69 |
| 28 | 1,260 | 1,050 | 2,400 | 1.9 |
| 35 | 1,780 | 1,350 | 3,750 | 2.11 |
| 42 | 2,400 | 1,700 | 5,450 | 2.27 |
FarmIQ Platform
FarmIQ tracks your Cobb 500 batch against these benchmarks automatically.