Effect of fish meal replacement by black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal on serum biochemical indices, thyroid hormone and zootechnical performance of laying chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fish meal replacement by black soldier larvae meal on biochemical parameters, thyroid hormone and productive parameters of egg-type chickens from day-old to 68 wk of age. A total of 480-day-old Isa Brown egg-type chickens were assigned to 4 dietary treatments with larvae meal to replace fish meal at 0% (T0:), 50% ( T 50 ), 75% ( T 75 ), and 100% ( T 100 ). Each treatment had 6 replicates of 20 birds. Fish meal was used at the 8% level as the control diet. Data were collected on feed intake, live weight, biochemical parameters, eggs production, serum triiodothyronine ( T 3 ), and thyroxine ( T 4 ). Results showed that there was a similarity in the feed intake of the birds across the treatments. Higher body weights and lower ( P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio ( FCR ) were recorded in the birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal during the rearing period. Overall, egg production was similar in birds fed 100 and 75% larvae meal and significantly higher ( P < 0.05) as compared to other groups. Total protein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, serum T 3 and T 3 /T 4 ratio increased significantly ( P < 0.05) with the increase in the level of larvae meal. It was concluded that fish meal can be replaced with larvae meal up to 100% in layer diet for improved body weights and egg production.