Effects of the Incorporation Rate of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meals on Zoo-Economic Performance and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

ABSTRACT The main protein sources used in broiler chicken diets, such as soybean meal and fishmeal, are costly, and one potential alternative is black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM).This study aimed to determine the incorporation rate of full-fat BSFLM in broiler chicken diets for optimum zoo-economic performance. The experiment involved 250 day-old unsexed broiler chickens randomly allocated into 25 batches. Five different levels of full-fat BSFLM incorporation (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%) were tested during a 49-day experiment. Zootechnical data, economics indexes, and carcass quality were determined. Results indicated a significant decrease in feed intake with the increase of full-fat BSFLM. At the end of the experiment, the broiler chickens fed BSFLM4 demonstrated the highest live weight and the best FCR, with no statistical difference. In terms of economic parameters, the control diet showed the highest feed cost and the lowest economic feed efficiency, without a significant difference. Full-fat BSFLM incorporation did not significantly affect carcass yield. However, chickens receiving BSFLM 16% indicated having a lower zootechnical performance. A full-fat BSFLM incorporation rate of 12% into broiler chicken feed could improve zoo-economic performance in the current study. Moreover, BSFLM could serve as a cost-effective protein source.

Keywords

• Black soldier fly
• Broiler chicken
• Incorporation rate
• Zoo-economic performance