Provisioning of live black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) benefits broiler activity and leg health in a frequency- and dose-dependent manner

Ipema, Allyson F.; Gerrits, W.J.J.; Bokkers, E.A.M.; Kemp, B.; Bolhuis, J.E.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105082

Cited by 42 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In line with this, increasing the frequency to seven times a day or prolonging access to live BSFL by providing them in tubes not only caused a higher increase in foraging behaviour and activity, but also increased activity during more weeks. This is in accordance with previous studies that suggested 25 or showed 26 that prolonging access to insects would increase broiler activity even more. Prolonged access can increase activity in multiple ways.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

“…Stocking densities below 35 kg/m 2 have been linked to reduced incidence of foot pad dermatitis and hock burn 52 , and walking ability can be limited by higher stocking densities 53 . This is in line with the even lower incidence of these health issues in our previous study that applied a lower stocking density (14 kg/m 2 ) 26 . However, in that study live BSFL provisioning did improve leg health.…”

Section: Measure Control A5-s4 A5-s7 A10-s4 A10-tb Sem F-statistic Ansupporting

confidence: 88%

“…All treatments were designed to maintain identical nutrient composition of the total feed plus live BSFL offered, as outlined below. The two most effective treatments from our previous study 26 , i.e. replacing 5 or 10% of the dietary dry matter (DM) intake with live BSFL scattered throughout the pen in four equal portions a day, were included in the current study to determine their effect under commercial stocking densities.…”

Section: Animals and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In our previous study, replacing 5 or 10% of the dietary dry matter intake of broilers with live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and scattering them across the pen twice or four times a day promoted active behaviours. Furthermore, providing live BSFL four times a day reduced the occurrence of lameness and hock burn without affecting performance 26 . While BSFL provisioning successfully promoted activity, the broilers in this study were kept at low stocking densities (4.5 broiler/m 2 ) 26 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Furthermore, providing live BSFL four times a day reduced the occurrence of lameness and hock burn without affecting performance 26 . While BSFL provisioning successfully promoted activity, the broilers in this study were kept at low stocking densities (4.5 broiler/m 2 ) 26 . Stocking density can affect broiler behaviour and welfare 27 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Long-term access to live black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) stimulates activity and reduces fearfulness of broilers, without affecting health

Ipema

Bokkers

Gerrits

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Commercially housed broilers frequently experience limited environmental stimulation and various health issues, compromising their welfare. Providing environmental enrichment can alleviate these problems by facilitating natural behaviour and activity. We investigated the effect of providing live black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) to broilers housed at commercial densities (33 kg/m2) on behaviour, fearfulness, health and performance. One-day-old broilers were distributed over five treatments with eight pens/treatment: a control treatment without BSFL; two treatments where 5% of the daily nutrient intake was replaced with live BSFL, provided four or seven times a day; and two treatments where 10% of the daily dietary intake was replaced with live BSFL provided four times a day or in transparent, movable tubes with holes. In all BSFL treatments foraging behaviour, and thereby broiler activity, was increased. Prolonged access to live BSFL, either by providing larvae seven times a day or in tubes, caused the largest increase in activity while also decreasing the time spend in tonic immobility, indicating reduced fearfulness. Broiler final weight and health were not affected. Overall, long-term access to live BSFL seems most effective in improving broiler welfare by facilitating natural behaviour and reducing fearfulness, without hindering broiler performance and health.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%