Background and Aim: The meat supply of local poultry for human consumption is greater than that of fast-growing poultry in Niger. However, meeting the protein needs of these local chickens is a major challenge due to the availability of protein sources and their cost. Nowadays, insect larvae such as houseflies are used and even recommended as animal feed; hence, the need to evaluate the effect of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae on the growth performance of local chickens. This study investigated the feeding effects of housefly larvae on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of local Nigerien chickens and determined the rate of fish meal substitution, in fresh or dry larvae form, whichever would be preferable. Materials and Methods: A total of 165 3-week-old local unsexed chickens of the salmon variety, weighing 120.3 ± 15.43 g, were used to evaluate the effect of housefly (M. domestica) larvae on their growth performance and carcass yield (CY). The experiment consisted of five treatments with three replicates, that is, 15 batches of 11 animals each. Five iso-protein-caloric diets were developed with 25%, and then 50% fish meal substitution with fresh and dried housefly larvae. The chicks were reared together during the first 3 weeks for their adaptation, during which they were fed an imported starter commercial feed, ad libitum. After that, they were weighed weekly for 12 weeks. Next, the body weights (BWs) were taken weekly for all chicks, feed daily intake and mortality were recorded daily, and average daily gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and viability rate were calculated. In the end, four chickens (two males and two females) per batch were slaughtered for the CY evaluation, breast meat, drumstick and tight (legs), and wings. Statistical analyses were performed using a linear mixed model for repeated data. Results: The weight, FCR, and carcass traits were unaffected by either the rate or larvae state. Conversely, the growth rate was improved, and feed consumption was increased. Notably, the chickens consumed more feed but grew faster with fresh larvae and at a higher substitution rate. Conclusion: This study reported that 50% fresh or dried housefly larvae substituted into the fish meal in growing local chicken's diets had no effect on their BW, FCR, and carcass traits but increased the growth rate and feed consumption.

L’alimentation de la volaille nécessite un apport essentiel en protéine. Ces protéines sont introduites aux animaux à travers des ingrédients alimentaires comme les légumes à graines et leurs tourteaux (arachide, soja, etc.), les farines de poisson, etc. Ces sources protéiques bien qu’étant indispensables en alimentation de la volaille, sont assujetties à une flambée de prix et sont peu ou pratiquement non durables. Les asticots des mouches constituent une solution durable en alimentation animale mais sont classées dans les sources méconnues de protéines animales en Afrique de manière générale et au Niger en particulier. La production de ces asticots n’est pas onéreuse et n'implique pas pour le moment une compétition alimentaire avec l’alimentation humaine. Les asticots des mouches domestiques (Musca domestica L. 1758) et des mouches soldats noires (Hermetia illucens L. 1758) sont privilégiés en raison de la facilité de leur production et de l’importance de leur biomasse. Les larves de ces deux types de mouches sont souvent produites avec des déchets de toute nature (substrats) disponibles gratuitement ou cédés dans le cas marchand à un prix dérisoire. Les compositions chimiques de ces asticots sont similaires voire meilleures que celles des ingrédients alimentaires conventionnels utilisés en alimentation avicole, et leur utilisation dans l’alimentation de ces volailles induit de bonnes performances zootechniques aux animaux. En plus de la protéine, le processus de production d’asticots permet d’un coté de recycler les déchets organiques qui constituent un véritable problème environnemental et de l’autre côté il permet de générer un résidu biofertilisant riche en nutriment qui peut être valorisé en agriculture. Plusieurs études ont montré qu’il n’a pas de dans danger sanitaire lié à l’utilisation des asticots en alimentation animale en général et celle de la volaille en particulier. En effet l’évaluation de plusieurs éléments-traces métalliques (ETM) au niveau des asticots avait révélé ces ETM sont à des seuils inferieur à ceux recommandés par les organismes internationaux (Union Européenne, organisation mondiale de la santé). Quelques rares études ont affirmé qu’une transmission de Salmonelles est possible aux consommateurs. Toutefois il est admis à l’unanimité que les asticots peuvent être introduits en alimentation animal sans induire des effets néfaste sur leur santé et que les contaminations éventuelles sur toute la chaine alimentaire peuvent être contrôlées.

Enjeux des exploitations avicoles modernes et semi-modernes de la ville de Niamey au Niger : caractéristiques, innovations et projet d'introduction des asticots dans l'alimentation des poulets Mato et al., J. Appl. Biosci. 2020 Enjeux des exploitations avicoles modernes et semi-modernes de la ville de Niamey au Niger : caractéristiques, innovations et projet d'introduction des asticots dans l'alimentation des poulets 14994Challenges of modern and semi-modern poultry farms in the city of Niamey in Niger: characteristics, innovations and plans to introduce maggots to chickens ABSTRACT Objective: This article describes, in a prospective and interdisciplinary approach, the characteristics, innovations and the project of introduction of maggots in poultry feed in the Niamey region in the Republic of Niger. Methodology and results: This prospective and summary work therefore offers a socio-economic, socioanthropological and entomological perspective on the challenges of these poultry farms and on the project to introduce maggots into poultry feed. The poultry activity in the region is characterized by two main types of farming; traditional and modern. The first type combines pure traditional poultry with improved traditional poultry. The second is made up of modern and semi-modern farms. The region's poultry sector is booming. He has known deep and light innovations that are so ingrained in the daily practices of poultry farmers that they appear as mere progress. Among the latter there is talk of an improvement in techniques of breeding, complementation with insects and a permanent quest for better yields. Conclusion and application:This study offers a state of knowledge that can better optimize poultry production through the production and use of fly larvae in modern and traditional poultry farming.

Poultry farming, because of its many potentialities (i.e. short duration of reproduction and production cycle, rapid return on investment), occupies a place of choice in development strategies and the fight against poverty in most African countries. In Niger, West Africa, poultry are fed specific protein-providing feed ingredients (such as fishmeal); however, these ingredients are very expensive and unsustainable. Larvae represent a potential alternative source of protein for poultry. Here, we investigated different substrates to optimise housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758) maggot production and nutritional composition. Eight dry substrates were tested. The highest larval biomass (larval biomass produced by 10 mg of house fly egg placed on 50 g dry substrate) and mean weight (individual house fly larvae 5 days after the incorporation of eggs on the substrate) were observed on millet and wheat bran (3,446.67±134.16 mg and 24.00±1.01 mg, respectively). However, larvae produced on Brewer’s spent grains had the highest protein and lipid content (53.79±1.04% and 24.13±5.20%, respectively). Ash content was highest for larvae produced on cow dung and a mixture of 50% wheat bran and 50% cow dung (15.01±0.32% and 15.41±0.09%, respectively). Maggots produced on rumen contents had the highest water content (80.89±0.22%). The profile of produced larvae included palmitic acid (30.99±0.48% on grain), palmitoleic acid (30.26±2.84% on cow dung), oleic acid (27.93±0.31% on rice hulls), and linoleic acid (26.41±0.18% on millet bran + rumen contents). For all substrates, Maggots contained more unsaturated fatty acids (57.59-66.52%) than saturated fatty acids (26.54-46.34%). This study, offers to farmers a wide variety of substrates that could be used to produce maggots, providing a sustainable source of protein that has not been previously available in Niger. We recommend the farmers to use the cow dung to produce maggots without cost.

Amaranth is one of the most consumed vegetables in Niger Republic because of its nutritional values. However, the production of this plant requires nutrient-rich soils that are becoming scarce in most agricultural soils in Niger. This study aims to evaluate the fertilizing potential of the maggot production residue of Musca domestica L.

The amount of waste produced by the population creates general health problems in terms of public health and hygiene. In recent years the common housefly (Musca domestica L. 1758; Dipteran: Muscidae) has been widely used in the treatment of organic wastes. This study aims to assess the effect of egg loading of the common housefly on maggot development and waste reduction. Housefly larvae were reared at four egg loads (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 mg) under three different diets (wheat bran, millet bran, cow dung). Two-factor ANOVA (α = 0.05) was used to test the effect of two fixed factors (egg load and substrate) on larval biomass, the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, number of larvae and substrate reduction rate. The comparison of means based on Duncan’s test was performed to compare the means of the different variables measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the relationship between the measured variables (larval biomass, the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, number of larvae, and substrate reduction rate) on the discrimination of the egg load factor. The results showed that under the same nutritional conditions, the yield of housefly larvae, the number of larvae and the reduction of substrates increased with increasing egg load. Indeed, at each of three substrates, the rearing egg load of 10 mg resulted in the maximum larval yield, maximum number of larvae, and maximum substrate reduction rate. At this optimum load, wheat bran generated greater biomass, greater number of larvae and greater reduction of substrate compared to millet bran and cow dung. The egg load as a whole had no effect on the survival rate from egg hatching until the last larval instar, unlike substrate type. The high egg load for the survival rate (from egg hatching until the last larval instar) for millet bran was 1.25 while there was no difference for the other two substrates. These results can help to make the waste treatment process efficient with the subsequent production of a large larval biomass that can serve as added value in animal feed. The egg load of 10 mg and the wheat bran were superior respectively to the other egg load and substrates type for all parameters tested excepted for the survival rate (from egg hatching until the last larval instar). Ours study indicated that larval biomass, larval number, egg viability and substrate rate reduction of Musca domestica are affected by the egg load, substrate type and their interaction.