Mastering feed efficiency for a sustainable operation in poultry industry

Feed efficiency (FE) is a key determinant of economic performance and environmental sustainability in the poultry industry, as feed constitutes approximately 60–70% of total production costs. Unlike previous reviews that have examined feed efficiency through isolated disciplinary lenses, this review presents an integrated framework synthesizing precision farming technologies, gut microbiome modulation, and circular economy principles with traditional genetic and nutritional strategies. This multidisciplinary approach addresses the complex interplay between efficiency optimization, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare in contemporary poultry production. Enhancing FE enables reduced feed consumption, improved nutrient utilization, and lower environmental emissions, thereby supporting sustainable poultry production systems amid rising global demand for animal protein. This review comprehensively examines the major factors influencing FE in poultry, including genetic selection, nutritional strategies, management practices, gut health, and emerging technological innovations. Genetic advancements have substantially improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in modern poultry strains; however, optimal expression of genetic potential depends on appropriate nutritional and management interventions. Nutritional approaches such as precision diet formulation, phase feeding, use of alternative and sustainable feed ingredients, and supplementation with feed additives including enzymes, probiotics, organic acids, and phytogenic compounds are discussed for their roles in enhancing nutrient digestibility and feed utilization. The review also highlights the influence of housing conditions, environmental management, feeding systems, health status, and biosecurity on FE. Furthermore, the role of gut health and the intestinal microbiome in regulating nutrient absorption and metabolic efficiency is emphasized, along with the increasing application of precision poultry farming technologies for real-time monitoring and optimization of feed intake and growth performance. The economic, environmental, and animal welfare implications of improving FE are critically evaluated, while current challenges such as climate stress, escalating feed costs, and adoption constraints in diverse production systems are addressed. Overall, the review underscores that mastering FE through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach is essential for achieving sustainable, resilient, and efficient poultry production.