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That's an interesting point. It is simplifying, but quite interesting, to look at the steps in the consumption chain -- the crops, chickens, and pigs -- as stores of energy, basically as batteries. I would think that the author's point that "the organisms must expend energy to stay alive" would be more significant than the inefficiency of conversion from consumed to consumer flesh. Adult organisms continue to consume but do not significantly change their body chemistry. I suppose this is mitigated by the goal in commercial farming to fatten up the products as quickly as possible and then slaughter them without wasting any more resources on them. I always thought the corresponding process in cars interesting.