Performance characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed varying levels of soldier fly larvae meal

Abstract

A nine week study was carried out with Avian 3F06 broilers to examine the performance and nutrient digestibility of the birds fed varying levels of soldier fly larvae meal (SFLM). Birds were fed seven experimental diets using fish meal as the reference protein source in control diet A while Diets B, C, D, E, F and G contained 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% levels of SFLM respectively. At the starter phase, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the final live weight of the birds except for the birds on Diet E (20% SFLM). Similarly birds on Diet F (25% SFLM) had a significantly lower (P < 0.05) final liveweight than those on the other diets at the finisher phase. The overall weight gain showed that birds on Diet D (15% SFLM) had the highest daily weight gain (DWG) of 33.50g while birds on Diet F (25% SFLM) had the lowest DWG of (28.84g).The daily feed intake (DF1) increased with increase in the levels of SFLM in the diets at the starter phase while no significant difference was observed at the finisher phase. Over the study period, birds on diet D had the best feed conversion efficiency (FCE). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly reduced beyond 15% SFLM inclusion at both starter and finisher phases. The results of nutrient digestibility at the finisher phase showed no significant differences in the dry matter, crude fat and nitrogen free extract digestibility of the birds. The crude protein digestibility showed that birds on Diet G had the highest value while birds on diet C had the lowest. Significant differences were also observed in the crude fibre and ash digestibility. The study showed that broilers will tolerate up to 15% SFLM in both starter and finisher diets without adverse effects on their performance and nutrient digestibility.

Key words: Performance, Soldier flies larvae meal, nutrient digestibility, and broiler.