Broiler growth performance and carcass production as affected by feeding larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) may substitute soy bean meal in chicken diets at cheap cost. The feed intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of broilers given a diet with different BSFLM levels were studied. In a totally randomised design, 60 day-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks fed a beginning commercial diet for three weeks were assigned to one of the three broiler grower dietary treatments. The control broiler grower diet (T1) had no BSFLM, T2 had 5%, and T3 had 10% replacing soybean meal. With a substantial difference (p < 0.05) in feed intake, the control had the greatest intake followed by 5% BSFLM inclusion. A substantial difference (p < 0.05) in ultimate live weight was observed, with the 5% BSFLM treatment having the greatest and the control the lowest. The addition of BSFLM significantly (p < 0.05) affected carcass and thigh weight, with the greatest mean for 5% BSFLM inclusion and the lowest for the control treatment. The slaughter weight, wings, drumstick, and breast muscles did not alter between treatments (p > 0.05). The research found that 5% BSFLM improved broiler chicken development, carcass production, and characteristics.