Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: Effects on growth performance, blood traits, gut morphology and histological features

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study has evaluated the effects of different inclusion levels of a partially defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; HI) larva meal on the growth performance, blood parameters and gut morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 256 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were reared from d 1 to d 35 and assigned to 4 dietary treatments (8 replicates/treatment and 8 birds/replicate). HI larva meal was included at increasing levels (0, 5%, 10% and 15%; HI0, HI5, HI10 and HI15, respectively) in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated for 3 feeding phases: starter (1–10 d), growing (10–24 d) and finisher (24–35 d). Two birds per pen were slaughtered at d 35 and morphometric investigations and histopathological alterations were performed.ResultsThe live weight (LW) showed linear and quadratic responses to increasing HI larva meal (maximum for HI10 group). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a linear and quadratic responses to HI meal (maximum for HI10 group) during starter and growing periods. A linear decrease was observed for ADG during the finisher period. The daily feed intake (DFI) showed a linear and quadratic effect during the starter period (maximum for HI10 group). Linear and quadratic responses were observed for the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the growing period and for the whole period of the experiment. The FCR showed a linear response in the finisher period (maximum for HI15). No significant effects were observed for the blood and serum parameters, except for the phosphorus concentration, which showed linear and quadratic responses as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the latter of which showed a linear response. The HI15 birds showed a lower villus height, a higher crypt depth and a lower villus height-to-crypt depth ratio than the other groups.ConclusionsIncreasing levels of dietary HI meal inclusion in male broiler chickens may improve the LW and DFI during the starter period, but may also negatively affect the FCR and gut morphology, thus suggesting that low levels may be more suitable. However, no significant effects on the haematochemical parameters or histological findings were observed in relation to HI meal utilization.

Evaluation of black soldier fly larvae oil as a dietary fat source in broiler chicken diets

“…However, the inclusion (150 g/kg) of BSFLM for broiler chickens negatively affect the carcass weight [8]. Dabbou et al [9] observed that the negative effects on growth performance and carcass trait by 15% inclusion level in the broiler diet were caused by reduced villus height:crypt depth. Interestingly, the relative gizzard weight was significantly higher (p = 0.028) in the control group than in other groups (Table 4).…”

“…The inclusion of BSFLM in broiler chicken diets up to 100 g/kg had no negative effects on growth performance and meat quality [8]. Furthermore, Dabbou et al [9] also reported that low level (100 g/kg) inclusion of the BSFLM in a starter broiler diet may improve growth performance. It seems that low-level inclusion of BSFLM may be a more appropriate method as they showed a common result that increasing the level of BSFLM can cause a decrease in body weight [8,9].…”

“…Furthermore, Dabbou et al [9] also reported that low level (100 g/kg) inclusion of the BSFLM in a starter broiler diet may improve growth performance. It seems that low-level inclusion of BSFLM may be a more appropriate method as they showed a common result that increasing the level of BSFLM can cause a decrease in body weight [8,9]. However, the replacement of black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) had no detrimental effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and health, even though the SBO in a diet was fully replaced [6,7].…”

Standardized ileal digestible amino acids and apparent metabolizable energy content in defatted black soldier fly larvae meal fed to broiler chickens

“…Insects have been proposed as a high quality, efficient, and sustainable alternative protein source (De Marco et al 2015;Marono et al 2017;Dabbou et al 2018;Mwaniki et al 2018;Secci et al 2018). Using insects as a protein source can contribute to global food security via feed or as a direct food source for humans (Schader et al 2015).…”

“…The use of BSFLM as a diet component has been reported for poultry (De Marco et al 2015;Marono et al 2017;Dabbou et al 2018;Mwaniki et al 2018;Secci et al 2018). However, in general there is a dearth of information on digestible AA and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) data for BSFLM.…”