Effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meals in the diet on the growth performance and carcass composition in broilers

Abstract

The aim of the work was to assess the effect of dietary inclusion of meals derived from black soldier fly (BSF) larvae on the performance and carcass composition in broilers. The trial was carried out with Ross 308 broilers divided in three groups according to the formulated diets: control, receiving standard diet, DFBSFM (receiving 5% partially defatted BSF meal), and FFBSFM (receiving 5% full fat BSF meal during the growing-finishing period, 14 to 35 days of age). The performance parameters controlled included body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, as well as the growth rate for each week of the trial. At 35 days of age, 10 broilers from each group were slaughtered and subjected to carcass analysis. The inclusion of 5% DFBSFM and FFBSFM in the diet improved performance of the broilers at the age of 21 and 35 days. The carcass weight and dressing percentage were higher in the groups receiving the insect meals. The results indicate potential of the DFBSFM and FFBSFM to alter the carcass composition of the broilers. Their inclusion in the diet of the birds tended to increase the percentage of the breast cuts, whereas the thigh muscles significantly decreased. The results of the study suggest good prospective for further research with the examined BSF meals, for their application as feed components in broiler nutrition that will not have adverse effect on the carcass composition and quality.