Technical and Economic Efficiency of Laying Hen Farms in Konya, Turkey

ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine the technical and economic efficiency levels of laying hen farms and factors affecting the efficiency scores. For this purpose, a personal interview was carried out. Technical and economic data of 39 laying hen farms consisting their inputs and outputs over the period 2013-2015 was formed the material of this study. Efficiency levels were estimated by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Mean technical efficiency score of the enterprises were determined as 98.6%. Also 48.7% of the enterprises were determined fully technical efficient. On the other hand, mean economic efficiency of the enterprises was determined as 88.8%, while only 17.9% of the enterprises were fully economic efficient. In order to determine the factors affecting efficiency scores, Tobit regression analysis was performed. According to the analysis results, chick mortality rate, hen mortality rate and feed conversion ratio had negative effects on technical efficiency scores, while education level of the farmer and capacity utilization ratio had positive effects. Egg cost, chick mortality rate, feed conversion rate and production length had negative effect while egg yield had positive effect on economic efficiency. As a result, enterprises would increase their technical and economic efficiency scores by decreasing the mortality rate, feed conversion rate, production length. Furthermore, increasing capacity utilization ratio, education level of the owner and egg yield/hen would help to increase efficiency levels of the farms.