Intake, growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chicken fed diets containing black soldier fly larvae meal

The effects substitution of soya bean meal with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in iso-nitrogenous diets on the growth performance, apparent ileal nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens were investigated in this study. Black soldier fly larvae produced on fruit and vegetable wastes were harvested on the 14^th day. The larvae were oven-dried and milled into a meal. The insect meal was included at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% in broiler chicken starter diets and 0%, 10%, 20% and 27% in broiler chicken finisher diets. A total of 204 broiler chicks (Cobb-500 strain) were randomly selected and divided into four treatment groups of 51 birds. Each treatment group was further divided into three replicates of 17 birds in a completely randomised design. From the age of 8 to 49 days, the birds were fed with the experimental diets. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Feed intake, digestibility and body weight gains were measured Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and significant differences among means separated using the Student-Newman Keuls (SNK) test. The results showed that the inclusion of black soldier fly larvae meal up 20% did not have any adverse effects on feed intake, growth performance and profitability of broiler chickens. However, the inclusion of more than 20% black soldier fly larvae meal resulted in poor apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract. It was concluded that black soldier fly larvae meal can be included in broiler chicken diets up to 20% without any adverse effects on growth performance and nutrient digestibility.