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

SUMMARY: 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% (T50), 75% (T75), and 100% (T100). 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 (T3), and thyroxine (T4). 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 T3 and T3/T4 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.

Keywords

• larvae meal
• serum parameters
• thyroid hormone
• laying chicken