Inclusion of live black soldier fly larvae in poultry diet: impact on growth performance

The use of insects in animal feed has the potential to reduce the demand for soybean production and to reduce the deforestation and the loss of natural resources. In particular, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI) larvae have received great attention due to their ability to convert organic waste into high-value biomass and to provide high quality nutrients for monogastric animals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of HI live larvae in the diets of chickens on their growth performance. Male slow-growing chickens (n=84, Label Naked Neck) of 14 days of age were randomly allotted to 12 pens. Each pen was randomly assigned to a dietary treatment (4 pens/treatment, 7 chickens/pen) as follows: (1) control diet (C), commercial feed; (2) HI10, C + HI live larvae (g) corresponding to 10% of the expected daily feed intake (DFI); and (3) HI20, C + HI live larvae (g) corresponding to 20% of DFI. The commercial diet was distributed ad libitum in all the treatments. At 82 days of age, the chickens were slaughtered. Analysis of variance was performed using the software SAS 9.4. All growth performance parameters (body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) were significantly affected by the dietary treatment and age (P<0.0001). The diet × age interaction significantly (P<0.0238) affected feed conversion ratio, with the lowest value recorded in the HI20 treatment from 21 to 82 days of age. The diet significantly affected the slaughter performance parameters (P<0.05): the lowest values were recorded in the C treatment, whereas no difference was recorded between HI10 e HI20. In conclusion, growth and slaughter performances were positively affected by the administration of HI live larvae, even if with some differences between HI10 and HI20 treatment. The CELLOWFEEP research (Project n. 2019-1944) received the support of Fondazione Cariplo (Italy).