Layers’ performance and egg hatchability as affected by the dietary inclusion of two meals of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of the inclusion of 5% partially defatted or full fat meal made of black soldier fly larvae (BSF) as replacement of the soybean meal in the diet of laying hens on their performance and hatchability of the eggs. The trial was carried out with 150 Lohmann Brown Classic layers at 54 weeks of age, mixed with 15 cocks all divided into three treatments. The treatments consisted of a basal diet (CON), and diets containing 5% partially defatted BSF meal (T1) and 5% full fat BSF meal (T2). After 3 weeks of adaptation, the birds started receiving the experimental diets for a period of 6 weeks. During the trial period, the feed consumed and the eggs for each replicate were daily controlled. These parameters were used to calculate the egg production, eggs per hen and feed efficiency (g feed/egg). The hatching traits were measured at the end of the trial in a total of 1,430 eggs, stored for 5, 10 and 15 days prior incubation, and included fertility, total hatchability, hatchability of the fertile eggs, and the percentage of the viable chickens. The dietary inclusion of partially defatted or full fat BSF meals increased the egg production (P=0.0035), improved the feed efficiency (P=0.0009) and also decreased the feed intake of the hens (P<0.0001). The intake of BSF meals affected the hatchability of the fertile eggs when stored 5 days prior incubation (P=0.016), with highest hatchability observed in T2 group. Furthermore, BSF meals in the diet had significant influence on the viability of the chickens that were hatched from eggs stored 5 (P=0.0040) and 10 days (P=0.0275). The fertility and total hatchability were not affected by the BSF meals in the diet of the hens.