Evaluation of Innovative Approaches to Monogastric Animal Nutrition: Insect Larvae Inclusion in Feed

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal (BSFLM) as a replacement for
conventional protein source on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens over a
42-day feeding period. A total of broiler chickens were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments designated
T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, representing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% replacement of the conventional protein
source with BSFLM, respectively. The experimental diets were fed to the birds from day 1 to day 42. Growth
performance parameters evaluated included initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, average daily
weight gain, feed intake, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, while carcass characteristics
assessed included live weight, slaughter weight, de-feathered weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and
relative weights of selected carcass parts. The results showed that initial body weight did not differ significantly
among the treatment groups. However, final body weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed
conversion ratio were significantly affected by dietary treatment. Birds fed T5 (100% BSFLM replacement)
recorded the highest final body weight (1990.00 g), weight gain (1792.50 g) and average daily weight gain (42.68
g), while T3 recorded the lowest values for these parameters. Feed intake and average daily feed intake were not
significantly affected by dietary treatment. The best feed conversion ratio was recorded in T5 (2.18), compared
with 2.42, 2.38, 2.44 and 2.40 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Carcass evaluation showed significant
differences in live weight, slaughter weight and de-feathered weight, with birds on T5 recording the highest
values. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, head, breast, thigh, wing, neck, shank and back percentages were
not significantly affected by dietary treatment, except drumstick percentage, which differed significantly among
treatments. The study concluded that BSFLM can serve as an effective alternative protein source in broiler diets.
Under the conditions of the present 42-day study, complete replacement of the conventional protein source with
BSFLM resulted in superior growth performance and feed utilization while maintaining generally comparable
carcass characteristics. The use of BSFLM may therefore contribute to reducing dependence on conventional
protein ingredients and provide a potentially sustainable alternative for broiler production.

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