For homonymous articles, see IC.
The consumption index (CI) is a criterion used in zootechnics to measure the efficiency of the conversion of a food into a given production (usually a weight increase) by an animal.
In the strict sense, the consumption index is the ratio between a quantity of consumed digestible energy measured for example in forage units (UF) and a quantity of production expressed in kilograms (kg).
In the broad sense, the consumption index is often equated to the conversion rate, which is the ratio between the quantity of food consumed and a quantity of growth. For example, farmed salmon, in their pre-slaughter growth period at commercial weight, have a CI (broadly defined) of 1.2: 1.2 kg of salmon feed is required to obtain 1 kg of salmon ( live weight).
Conversion rate and consumption index in the strict sense have an equal value when a kilogram of food is worth a UF. The consumption index has no unit since it is a ratio between two quantities.
The consumption index depends on the composition of the food and therefore varies according to the food used. The rougher the food, the lower the energy density, the higher the IC.
The consumption index is also a function of the composition of the animal product, and increases in the most frequent case. Body composition changes with age (the water content decreases and the fat content increases) so the energy density of the growth increases with age. As a result, an increasing amount of food is needed as adiposity increases and the animal ages. So the consumption index is generally lower for young animals and it is higher for older animals.
In the area of meat production, it will be lower for so-called lean (naturally low fat) genetic types such as pig and poultry genetic types exploited in intensive farming, or cattle breeds specialized for meat and poultry. French model such as Charolais, Limousine and Blonde d'Aquitaine, providing moreover types of production of young slaughtered animals, which is equivalent to produce less fat and more muscle, therefore more water per unit of growth. . On the other hand, it will be higher for old pig or gallin breeds not selected for intensive meat production and for English-style beef cattle breeds such as the Hereford or Angus breed characterized by earlier fat deposits. and notesedit code
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