Productive performance and blood profiles of laying hens fed Hermetia illucens larvae meal as total replacement of soybean meal from 24 to 45 weeks of age

Abstract

The aim of the research was to study the effects of an insect meal from Hermetia illucens larvae (HILM) as complete replacement of soybean meal (SBM) on productive performance and blood profiles of laying hens, from 24 to 45 wk of age. A total of 108 24-week-old Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens was equally divided into 2 groups (54 hens/group, 9 replicates of 6 hens/group). From 24 to 45 wk of age, the groups were fed 2 different isoproteic and isoenergetic diets: the control group (SBM) was fed a corn-soybean meal based diet, while in the HILM group the soybean meal was completely replaced by Hermetia illucens larvae meal. Feed intake, number of eggs produced, and egg weight were recorded weekly along the trial. At 45 wk of age, blood samples were collected from 2 hens per replicate. The use of HIML led to a more favorable (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio in hens but lay percentage, feed intake, average egg weight, and egg mass were higher (P < 0.01) in hens fed the SBM diet. Hens fed insect meal produced a higher percentage of eggs from small (S), medium (M), and extra-large (XL) classes (P < 0.01) than SBM, while the SBM group had a higher percentage of eggs from the large (L) class (P < 0.01). The levels of globulin and albumin to globulin ratio were, respectively, higher and lower (P < 0.05) in HILM than the SBM group. Cholesterol and triglycerides were higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) in hens from SBM than in the HILM group. Blood levels of Ca were higher (P < 0.01) in hens fed insect meal, while creatinine was higher (P < 0.01) in blood of hens fed SBM. Hermetia illucens larvae meal can be a suitable alternative protein source for laying hens even if the complete replacement of soybean meal needs further investigation to avoid the negative effects on feed intake.

Insect-based diet, a promising nutritional source, modulates gut microbiota composition and SCFAs production in laying hens

“…illucens had no negative effects on laying hen health status as reported in the same experimental design previously published 18 (Table 1). The insect meal was also able to affect some nutritional characteristics of the eggs (Table S1).…”

“…(2017) 18 was probably promoted by increased of satiety. It has been suggested that SCFAs, derived from bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers, stimulate the production and secretion of satiety-related hormones associated with fed or fasted state (GLP-1 and PYY) 46 .…”

“…Lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels and a reduction of feed intake and body weight were observed in the ID group with respect to SD group, as also reported by Marono et al . (2017) 18 . Moreover, ID group showed a lower cholesterol content in the egg yolks produced (Table S1) according to Noguiera et al .…”

“…A total of 24 Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens, representing a subgroup of those employed in a previous study 18 and obtained from a commercial hatchery, were randomly and equally divided in two different diet group (12 hens per group), each divided into 3 replicates of 4 hens each. The experiment was conducted on hens from 24 to 45 weeks old, housed in modified cages (800 cm 2 /hen), under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.…”

“…(2017) observed that H . illucens larvae administration has good effects on laying hen health status, reducing serum and eggs cholesterol and triglycerides levels 18 . These beneficial effects may be due to the chitin amount provided by diet.…”