Effects of soybean meal replacement by Hermetia illucens larvae meal on growth performance, meat quality and gastrointestinal health in broilers

The growing demand for broilers production is related to environmental and economic impacts worldwide, increasing the urgency to find alternative feed ingredients. Recent studies indicated the productive potential of some insect species, which may serve as a protein and lipid source for animal feeding, as the case of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens). This study aimed at assessing the effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal by BSF larvae meal in broiler diets, in growth parameters, liver and intestinal tract morphology, carcass and meat quality. Forty-eight 1-day old chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to one of four feeding regimes, which consisted of a basal diet in which soybean meal was replaced BSF larvae meal, at levels of 0% (Hi0), 25% (Hi25), 50% (Hi50) and 75% (Hi75). The animals' excreta were collected and registered daily, and half the animals were slaughtered at 28 days of age. The liver, caecum and other portions of the intestines were analysed, and the intestinal tract was collected for histopathological analysis. BSF larvae meal did not affect carcass weight, but it resulted in a lower weight of the right breast of birds when fed with a 75% inclusion level (P=0.049). In addition, all growth parameters, general meat quality and excreta production were similar among treatments, while excreta characteristics were significantly different (P<0.05). Dietary BSF meal resulted in lower liver weight (P=0.03) in comparison to the control. No histopathological lesions were found in the gastrointestinal tract and morphometric traits were similar among treatments. It was concluded that the dietary inclusion of BSF larvae meal for broilers did not significantly affect the animals' growth and gut health. This alternative feed ingredient can be used as a more sustainable option for broilers at up to 75% of soybean meal replacement.