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

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.

Effects of ZooBioR2 product as feed supplement in laying hens on the morphofunctional state of intestinal mucosa

ABSTRACT Spirulina platensis is a microalga with biological activity used to produce nutritional supplements rich in proteins, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The current study aims to prove the impact of the product ZooBioR2 (obtained from Spirulina platensis) on health, and on the histology of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and cecum in laying hens. The experiment was performed in duplicate on 5 groups of hens (14 birds/group), one control and four experimental, in which the feed was supplemented with ZooBioR2 in different doses (5.0; 10.0; 15.0; 20.0mg active substance/kg of fodder). Inclusion of the supplement in the diet have determined a significant decrease of height of intestinal villi, the depth of the crypts and the thickness of muscular layer of mucosa in the experimental groups receiving 15.0 and 20.0mg/kg. The decrease of crypts depth is an indicator of a higher rate of turn-over of epithelial tissue. The morphological changes of intestinal mucosa could be involved in a better digestibility of the fodder.

Spirulina as Animal Feed: Opportunities and Challenges

Increasing demand for protein, especially animal-based proteins and the large amounts of protein feed inputs required for production, has largely driven the research on spirulina as an animal feed. This short communication summarizes the results from two larger research projects investigating spirulina as an animal feed. Overall, spirulina appears to be a prospective protein source in poultry and pork production, as well as aquaculture. However, spirulina as a feed can have implications for system productivity and end product quality, depending on animal production system. Neither swine productivity nor product quality was negatively affected with spirulina as a feed, which is likely due to the low amounts of protein required in swine finishing diets. Spirulina as a feed does negatively affect poultry and fish productivity as well as alter product quality, primarily raw meat color. Therefore, future research focused on sustainability analysis and product processing and acceptance should investigate the trade-offs of incorporating spirulina into poultry and fish diets.

Does the Optimal Dietary Methionine to Cysteine Ratio in Diets for Growing Chickens Respond to High Inclusion Rates of Insect Meal from Hermetia illucens?

The dietary methionine:cysteine (Met:Cys) ratio (MCR) is an important factor influencing the optimal growth of chickens. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the assessment of the optimal dietary MCR in diets with the complete replacement of soybean meal (SBM) by a partly defatted larvae meal of Hermetia illucens (HM). A growth study with 240 male meat-type chickens (Ross 308) was conducted, also assessing the body nutrient deposition both at the end of the starter (day 21) and the grower (day 35) period. Birds were fed experimental diets based on wheat, maize, and insect meal (23%/21% HM in starter/grower diets). Sulfur amino acids were created as the limiting AA in diets with graded MCR (40:60; 45:55; 50:50; 55:45; 60:40). The control diet contained SBM instead of HM with a MCR of 50:50. The current results based on growth parameters, dietary protein quality, and Met efficiency data gave support to the previous assumption of an ideal MCR of 50:50, which was also valid in diets with a high proportion of insect meal. The lowest MCR of 40:60 led to significantly impaired feed intake and growth of the birds, while the response to the highest MCR (60:40) was moderate.

N Balance Studies Emphasize the Superior Protein Quality of Pig Diets at High Inclusion Level of Algae Meal (Spirulina platensis) or Insect Meal (Hermetia illucens) when Adequate Amino Acid Supplementation Is Ensured

Two age-dependent nitrogen (N) balance studies (average body mass 25 and 60 kg) utilized 16 male castrated piglets and 16 barrows to measure N utilization parameters of diets with complete substitution of SBM by alternative protein sources (SM, HM), but different AA fortifications. Lysine supplementation up to 80% of the recommended lysine (Lys) supply in diets HM (A) and SM (A) yielded similar protein quality data (63.6 ± 2.1 and 63.7 ± 3.4). Surprisingly, only in piglet diet HM (AA) did the extended AA supplementation (Lys, methionine (Met), threonine (Thr)) enhance protein quality (72.8 ± 6.7) significantly (p = 0.004). Similar trends were observed in growing pigs. However, when the level of histidine (His) in diet SM (AA) was increased, feed protein quality (71.8 ± 1.3) was significantly (p < 0.001) improved indicating the importance of adequate His supply in diets with a complete substitution of SBM by the algae meal (SM) under study. AA efficiency data extend the possibilities to explain the observed responses on protein quality. When an adequate AA balancing in the diet is guaranteed, from nutritional point of view both of the alternative proteins may replace SBM in pig diets.