Effects of dietary inclusion of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal on growth performance and carcass yield of broilers

Abstract

Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has been proven as a potential low-cost protein source that can replace soy bean meal in poultry diets. A study was conducted to determine the feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed a diet varying in inclusion levels of BSFLM. Day-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks (n = 60) reared on a starter commercial diet for the first three weeks were randomly allocated to one of the three broiler grower dietary treatments using a completely randomised design. The broiler grower diets were the control diet, which contained no BSFLM (T1), T2 contained 5% BSFLM and T3 contained 10% BSFLM replacing soybean meal. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the feed intake, where the control had the highest intake followed by 5% BSFLM inclusion. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the final live weight where the 5% BSFLM had the highest among the treatments and the control was the lowest. The inclusion of BSFLM had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the carcass weight and thighs weight with the highest mean for the 5% BSFLM inclusion and the lowest with the control treatment. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the slaughter weight, wings, drumstick and breast muscles among the treatments. The study concludes that the inclusion of BSFLM at 5% had a positive effect on the growth performance, carcass yield and characteristics of broiler chickens.