Insect and legume-based protein sources to replace soybean cake in an organic broiler diet: Effects on growth performance and physical meat quality

Abstract

Protein sources other than soybean for the diets of poultry are needed for agricultural systems in temperate regions to help avoid some negative social and ecological impacts of large-scale soybean imports from overseas. The aim of the present study was to test the suitability of alternative protein sources in diets for slow-growing organic broiler chicken. Four experimental broiler diets were tested against a commercial feed for organic broiler chicken fattening (control), containing 255 g kg−1 soybean cake. Each experimental diet was based on the control diet, but 130 g kg−1 of soybean cake was replaced with alternative feeds. The diet ‘HermAlf’ contained 78 g kg−1 Hermetia meal (dried larvae of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens) and 52 g kg−1 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) meal. Diet ‘HermPea’ contained 78 g kg−1 Hermetia meal and 52 g kg−1 pea (Pisum sativum) groats. Diet ‘AlfPea’ contained 78 g kg−1 alfalfa meal and 52 g kg−1 pea groats. Diet ‘PeaAlf’ contained 78 g kg−1 pea groats and 52 g kg−1 alfalfa meal. Both diets containing Hermetia meal had the same amount of crude protein (CP) concentration as the control, while CP concentration was lower in diet AlfPea (by 2.7%) and in diet PeaAlf (by 3.5%) compared with the control. Over the course of the experiment, 15 broilers each (slow-growing Hubbard S757) were fattened with one of the five diets ad libitum from days 7 to 82. Additionally, all broilers received water and wheat grains (Triticum aestivum) ad libitum. Feed intake was measured by group. Daily gains, live weights, carcass weights and meat quality were analyzed individually. Compared with the control, feed intake, daily weight gain, carcass weights and feed efficiency were equivalent for all experimental diets. Regarding quality parameters, only cooking loss was increased with the HermPea diet compared with the control. The results indicate that the alternative feeds tested could replace part of the soybean products in broiler diets while achieving equivalent feed efficiency and product quality.

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitorL.) larvae inclusion in diets for free-range chickens: effects on meat quality and fatty acid profile

“…Given, however, the potential ecological advantages and a good acceptance among producers and consumers (Verbeke et al ., 2015), it seems likely that the political legal frameworks may change in the near future, making the utilization of insect protein possible. This would imply a valuable potential also for organic systems (Leiber et al ., 2017). Among insect species, yellow mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor L.; TM), belonging to the Tenebrionidae family, is currently considered one of the most promising insect species to be used as an innovative protein source for fishmeal and soybean meal (SBM) substitution in fish (Belforti et al ., 2015; Gasco et al ., 2016; Iaconisi et al ., 2017; Piccolo et al ., 2017) and poultry (Bovera et al ., 2015, 2016; Biasato et al ., 2016, 2017, 2018; Schiavone et al ., 2017a) feeds.…”

Cultivation of black soldier fly larvae on almond byproducts: impacts of aeration and moisture on larvae growth and composition

“…Another potential use of byproducts is for the cultivation of insects . Interest in insect production has grown recently due to concerns regarding the sustainability of feed sources for fish and poultry . There is also growing evidence that current methods of livestock production will be incompatible with the natural resources needed to support both livestock and a projected 2050 world population of 9 billion people .…”

“…11 Interest in insect production has grown recently due to concerns regarding the sustainability of feed sources for fish and poultry. [12][13][14][15] There is also growing evidence that current methods of livestock production will be incompatible with the natural resources needed to support both livestock and a projected 2050 world population of 9 billion people. 16 Insects have nutritional quality that is similar to, or exceeds, existing sources of protein and can use less water, land, and energy to produce.…”

Use of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) to substitute soybean meal in ruminant diet: An in vitro rumen fermentation study

“…Apart from their high protein contents, insects contain relatively good and balance amino acid profiles [ 2 ] and have been fed to some animal species particularly the monogastrics such as fish, poultry, and swine [ 3 ]. Insect species that have been evaluated as feed resources included locust, grasshopper, cricket, silkworm, house fly maggot [ 4 ], mealworm [ 5 , 6 ], and black soldier fly (BSF) larvae [ 7 , 8 ].…”