Insects as a source of nutrients in animal feed

Abstract

Global production of compound feed in 2018 was 1.103 billion tonnes, which was an increase of 3% compared to 2017. To meet the needs of the growing livestock population, a further increase in compound feed production is necessary. The need for new, alternative nutrient sources for feed production, in order to meet the anticipated consumer demand for animal products, has led to an increase in research on the potential uses and effects of insect-derived products, such as whole insects or insect meals and oils. Insects appear to be one of the most promising alternatives to nutrient sources such as soybean and fish meal, commonly used in feed for livestock and aquaculture. The purpose of the review was to present the currently available literature on the use of insects as feed in livestock production and to systematize it in one easy-to-read document. Particular focus has been placed on the use of insect products for animals such as poultry, rabbits and pigs, as well as their effect on productivity, nutrient digestibility, performance, and product quality. The results of numerous studies suggest that insects can be a source of nutrients in feed for poultry, rabbits and pigs.