Live Black Soldier Fly Larvae Ingestion In Broiler Chickens Growth Performance and Carcass Quality Characteristics
Authors
-
Brah, Nouri
National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN), BP: 429, Niamey, Niger
- Moussa, Hassan Ousseini Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Environmental Sciences, Dan Dicko Dankoulodo University of Maradi, P.O. Box 465, Maradi, Niger
- Zounon, Felix National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN), BP: 429, Niamey, Niger
- Abdoulaye, Ousseina National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN), BP: 429, Niamey, Niger
- Amadou, Laouali National Institute of Agricultural Research of Niger (INRAN), BP: 429, Niamey, Niger
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3923/ijps.2025.85–90Keywords:
Broiler chickens, carcass quality, growth performance, live BSF larvaeAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the gradual ingestion of live Black Soldier Fly Larvae (LBSFL) prior to feed distribution on the growth performance and carcass quality characteristics of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 unsexed COBB 500 broiler chickens, 21 days of age, were used in a 4-week feeding trial. Birds were randomly assigned to 20 batches (4 birds per batch) housed in a 50 m² (10 m×5 m) poultry facility. Four dietary treatments were formulated: a control group without LBSFL supplementation (LBSFL0) and three experimental groups receiving 3 g (LBSFL3), 6 g (LBSFL6), or 9 g (LBSFL9) of live larvae per bird per day, administered prior to the distribution of the commercial feed. Each treatment was randomly allocated to five replicate batches. Growth performance parameters included feed intake, live body weight, Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). Carcass characteristics measured were carcass weight and yield, viscera weight, full intestine weight, empty gizzard weight and liver yield. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were applied to evaluate linear and quadratic effects of increasing LBSFL ingestion levels on growth and carcass parameters. Results: Feed intake and FCR were not significantly influenced by LBSFL supplementation (p>0.05). However, live body weight and ADG significantly increased (p<0.05) with higher levels of LBSFL ingestion. Among carcass characteristics, only the empty gizzard weight was significantly affected (p<0.05), while other organ and carcass yields remained unchanged (p>0.05). Conclusion: The inclusion of live Black Soldier Fly Larvae at levels up to 9 g per bird per day can be safely incorporated into broiler diets without adverse effects on growth performance or carcass quality. Further economic evaluation is recommended to determine the most cost-effective inclusion rate for commercial production.
References
Nieto, J., J. Plaza, J. Lara, J.-A. Abecia, I. Revilla and C. Palacios, 2022. Performance of slow-growing chickens fed with Tenebrio molitor larval meal as a full replacement for soybean meal. Vet. Sci., Vol. 9. 10.3390/vetsci9030131
Murawska, D., T. Daszkiewicz, W. Sobotka, M. Gesek, D. Witkowska and T. Bakuła et al, 2021. Partial and total replacement of soybean meal with full-fat black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae meal in broiler chicken diets: Impact on growth performance, carcass quality and meat quality. Animals., Vol. 11. 10.3390/ani11092715
Shah, T.M., J.G. Patel, T.P. Gohil, D.P. Blake and C.G. Joshi, 2019. Host transcriptome and microbiome interaction modulates physiology of full-sibs broilers with divergent feed conversion ratio. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes, Vol. 5. 10.1038/s41522-019-0096-3
Dörper, A., H.M. Berman, G. Gort, J.V. Harn, M. Dicke and T. Veldkamp, 2024. Effects of different black soldier fly larvae products on slow-growing broiler performance and carcass characteristics. Poult. Sci., Vol. 103. 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103481
Myers, H.M., J.K. Tomberlin, B.D. Lambert and D. Kattes, 2008. Development of black soldier fly (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae fed dairy manure. Environ. Entomol., 37: 11-15.
Huis, A.V, 2013. Potential of insects as food and feed in assuring food security. Annu. Rev. Entomol., 58: 563-583.
Spranghers, T., M. Ottoboni, C. Klootwijk, A. Ovyn, S. Deboosere and S.D. Smet et al, 2016. Nutritional composition of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae reared on different organic waste substrates. J. Sci. Food Agric., 97: 2594-2600.
Ruhnke, I., C. Normant, D.L. Campbell, Z. Iqbal, C. Lee and J. Roberts et al, 2018. Impact of on-range choice feeding with black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) on flock performance, egg quality, and range use of free-range laying hens. Anim. Nutr., 4: 452-460.
Ewald, N., A. Vidakovic, M. Langeland, A. Kiessling, S. Sampels and C. Lalander, 2020. Fatty acid composition of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) – possibilities and limitations for modification through diet. Waste Manage., 102: 40-47.
Moula, N., M.-L. Scippo, C. Douny, G. Degand, E. Dawans and J. Detilleux et al, 2018. Performances of local poultry breed fed black soldier fly larvae reared on horse manure. Anim. Nutr., 4: 73-78.
Chang, S., M. Song, J. Lee, H. Oh, D. Song and J. Cho et al, 2023. Effect of black soldier fly larvae as substitutes for fishmeal in broiler diet. J. Anim. Sci. Technol., 65: 1290-1307.
Sajjad, A., Q. Zhang, F. Asmi, M.A. Anwar and M. Bhatia, 2024. Identifying the motivating factors to promote socially responsible consumption under circular economy: A perspective from norm activation theory. J. Retailing Consum. Serv., Vol. 76. 10.1016/j.jretconser.2023.103544
Fruci, M., M. Kithama, E.G. Kiarie, S. Shao, H. Liu and M.S. Diarra et al, 2023. Effects of partial or complete replacement of soybean meal with commercial black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal on growth performance, cecal short chain fatty acids, and excreta metabolome of broiler chickens. Poult. Sci., Vol. 102. 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102463
Fiorilla, E., M. Gariglio, F. Gai, V. Zambotto, V. Bongiorno and A. Schiavone et al, 2024. Breaking down barriers: Live or dehydrated dietary whole black soldier fly larvae supplementation in slow growing chickens preserve meat quality and sensory traits. Poult. Sci., Vol. 103. 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104120
Tognoli, C., S.B. Oddon, L. Zaniboni, I. Biasato, N.G. Zeni and A. Schiavone et al, 2025. Growth performance and meat quality of medium-growing chickens fed with live black soldier fly larvae. Ital. J. Anim. Sci., 24: 539-549.
Seyedalmoosavi, M.M., M. Mielenz, S. Görs, P. Wolf, G. Daş and C.C. Metges, 2022. Effects of increasing levels of whole black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae in broiler rations on acceptance, nutrient and energy intakes and utilization, and growth performance of broilers. Poult. Sci., Vol. 101. 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102202
Wang, X.J., S.H. Xu, L. Liu, Z.G. Song, H.C. Jiao and H. Lin, 2016. Dietary fat alters the response of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y to subsequent energy intake in broiler chickens. J. Exp. Biol., 220: 607-614.
Makkar, H.P., G. Tran, V. Heuzé and P. Ankers, 2014. State-of-the-art on use of insects as animal feed. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 197: 1-33.
Hu, X., X. Li, C. Xiao, L. Kong, Q. Zhu and Z. Song, 2021. Effects of dietary energy level on performance, plasma parameters, and central AMPK levels in stressed broilers. Front. Vet. Sci., Vol. 8. 10.3389/fvets.2021.681858
El-Kaiaty, A.M., A.-E.M. Atta, D.T. Dawa and T.R. El-sayed, 2022. The impact of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as feed supplementation on productive and physiological performance of broiler chickens. World's Vet. J., 12: 133-140.
Bongiorno, V., E. Fiorilla, M. Gariglio, V. Zambotto, E.E. Cappone and A. Schiavone et al, 2025. New horizons in live and dehydrated black soldier fly larvae usage: Behavioral and welfare implications in “Bianca di Saluzzo” cockerels. PLoS ONE, Vol. 20. 10.1371/journal.pone.0318793
Dabbou, S., F. Gai, I. Biasato, M.T. Capucchio, E. Biasibetti and A. Schiavone et al, 2018. Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: Effects on growth performance, blood traits, gut morphology and histological features. J. Anim. Sci. Biotechnol., Vol. 9. 10.1186/s40104-018-0266-9
Alqazzaz, M., A.A. Samsudin, L.H. Idris, D. Ismail and H. Akit, 2019. Effect of energy to protein ratio using alternative feed ingredients on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in broilers. Indian J. Anim. Res., 53: 1069-1073.
Fanatico, A.C., L.C. Cavitt, P.B. Pillai, J.L. Emmert and C.M. Owens, 2005. Evaluation of slower-growing broiler genotypes grown with and without outdoor access: Meat quality. Poult. Sci., 84: 1785-1790.
Brickett, K.E., J.P. Dahiya, H.L. Classen and S. Gomis, 2007. Influence of dietary nutrient density, feed form, and lighting on growth and meat yield of broiler chickens. Poult. Sci., 86: 2172-2181.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Brah, Nouri, Moussa, Hassan Ousseini, Zounon, Felix, Abdoulaye, Ousseina, Amadou, Laouali
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
