Supplementing broiler diets with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) as a protein source: Performance, carcass traits, viscera organ, and economic perspectives

Abstract

Black soldier fly (BSF) larva meal has the potential to become an alternative source of protein for broiler rations due to its high protein content. This study aimed to evaluate broiler chicken performance, carcass characteristics, viscera organs, and economic aspects when substituting poultry concentrate protein with different levels of BSF larva meal. A total of 200 Cobb broiler chicks were randomly put into four treatments and five replications, with ten birds per replicate then reared for 35 days. The treatment diets given in the finisher period consisted of R0 (a commercial finisher diet), R1 (R0+0% BSF larva meal), R2 (R0+7.5% BSF larva meal), and R3 (R0+15% BSF larva meal). The result showed that the treatment diet had a significant effect (P<0.05) on BW, ADG, and FI during the finisher period, while FCR did not have a significant effect (P>0.05). No significant differences in carcass characteristics and income over feed cost were observed among treatments. However, the inclusion of BSF larva meal (7.5% and 15%) significantly increased (P<0.05) gizzard weight compared to the R0 treatment. The use of 15% BSF larva meal in the finisher diet is a viable alternative protein source for broiler chickens, positively impacting gizzard percentage while maintaining comparable carcass characteristics and feed conversion efficiency. Additionally, it offers cost-saving potential compared to non-BSF diets.