Impact of on-range choice feeding with black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on flock performance, egg quality, and range use of free-range laying hens

Abstract

Semi-intensive free-range farm systems are common in Australia, and these systems frequently practise on-range feeding. The objective of this study was to investigate the benefit of on-range choice feeding on flock performance, egg quality, and range use of free-range laying hens using black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, BSF). A total of 160 mature ISA brown laying hens, previously determined to range daily, were allocated to a control group (control) or a treatment group (BSF) with various replicates depending on the parameter investigated. All hens were fed ad libitum indoors with a wheat-soy based diet formulated according to breed requirements. Black soldier fly hens were offered dried BSF larvae ad libitum on the range. Body weight, feed intake, BSF intake, egg production, feed conversion ratio, internal and external egg quality parameters, and individual range use using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology was evaluated. Black soldier fly hens consumed on average 15 ± 1.7 g BSF larvae/hen per day. There were no differences between BSF and control hens for any of the performance parameters obtained (P > 0.05). Egg weight, shell weight, and shell thickness of eggs from BSF hens were significantly lower (P = 0.003, P = 0.001, and P = 0.004, respectively) than those of eggs from control hens. Egg yolk colour was significantly paler in eggs from BSF hens (P < 0.001). No significant ranging differences between the BSF and control hens were observed (P > 0.05) except for BSF hens showing longer total maximum time for a single visit to the range (P = 0.011). In conclusion, the average intake of BSF larvae indicated a good level of acceptance. Feed formulation should be adjusted for the intake of the choice fed source. The impact of choice-feeding on range use was minor.

Quality of Eggs and Albumen Technological Properties as Affected by Hermetia Illucens Larvae Meal in Hens’ Diet and Hen Age

“…Our hypothesis is that the significantly (p = 0.032) augmented length of the jejunum found in the HI25 and HI50 hens, being respectively 4.68 and 4.64 (as percentage of the live weight), compared to the C one (3.45% live weight), [14] could have promoted the absorption of the amino acids, hence resulting in a higher assumption of these nutrients. This possible explanation strongly needs the support of other comprehensive studies, since the effect of HI meal on hen egg weight is still scarcely investigated and conflicting in results [13,24]. The increased egg weight found with the HI meal inclusion in the hens' diet may require an increase in eggshell weight because of a rising in calcium deposition.…”

“…Although the egg production and quality as affected by H. illucens in laying hen diets have been recently examined [11][12][13]24], the focus areas were the egg deposition and quality characteristics as the albumen height, the yolk color and its chemical composition. Nonetheless, the albumen has relevant importance for the egg industry mainly because of its unique functional properties, such as foaming that promote its extensive use as an ingredient in several processed food.…”

Animals Fed Insect-Based Diets: State-of-the-Art on Digestibility, Performance and Product Quality

“…The same results were obtained by Secci et al [97], who recently tested the effects of the total replacement of SBM with HI larva meal in laying hen diets (Lohmann Brown Classic) and they have reported a higher proportion of yolk in the eggs, as well as higher amounts of γ-tocopherol, lutein, β-carotene and total carotenoids in HI-fed birds. Ruhnke et al [98] instead showed a decrease in egg weight, shell weight and thickness, as well as a decrease in the intensity of the yolk color in free-range laying hens fed HI larva meal.…”

Evaluation of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae and Pre-Pupae Raised on Household Organic Waste, as Potential Ingredients for Poultry Feed

“…The use of defatted BSF larvae meal as feed for laying hens has been previously reported [2,3,4,9]. Indeed, feeding defatted BSF meal to laying hens was shown to either increase [10,11] or decrease [12,13] eggshell thickness and eggshell strength. Moreover, BSF larvae meal has been found to contain chitin [14,15], an indigestible substance.…”