Effects of different black soldier fly larvae products on slow-growing broiler performance and carcass characteristics

ABSTRACT: Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae have gained significant attention as ingredients for poultry feed to improve value chain circularity and sustainability. Black soldier fly larvae contain bioactive compounds which can potentially improve broiler health and thereby performance. However, the functionality of bioactive compounds likely depends on how larvae are processed prior to feeding and to which extent larvae products are included in the diet. This may explain the variable results reported in literature on broiler performance and carcass characteristics when feeding them different types of BSF larvae products at different inclusion levels. Therefore, the present research aimed to investigate the effects of different BSF larvae products and inclusion levels in diets on performance and carcass characteristics of slow-growing broilers. The experiment started with 1,728 one-day-old slow-growing male broilers (Hubbard JA757). Nine dietary treatments were used, each replicated eight times. One group of broilers was given a control diet. The following BSF larvae products were investigated: live larvae, a combination of BSF larvae meal and oil mimicking the nutritional composition of the live larvae, and BSF larvae meal and oil separately. All insect products were tested at two inclusion levels. All diet programs were nutritionally comparable (isoenergetic and based on balanced levels of digestible essential amino acids). During the 7-wk trial, several performance parameters and carcass characteristics were measured. The results show that comparable or better broiler performance was achieved with the inclusion of BSF larvae products in the diets compared to the control. Based on the feed conversion ratio (FCR), the unprocessed larvae product and the highest inclusion level led to the most favorable results. Carcass characteristics remained unchanged when BSF larvae products were used in the diets compared to the control group, indicating favorable production output. The BSF larvae products investigated seem suitable feed ingredients for broilers at the current levels tested, generating performance benefits.