The main objective of this study was to verify the safety of mealworm meal in the feed of laying hens from 17 to 42 weeks of age. Therefore, the feed mixtures were tested in terms of microbiological stability, fungal and mycotoxin content and selected parameters of hens’ intestinal morphology and physiology were monitored. The experiment was carried out with 30 Lohmann Brown Classic hens. Hens were divided by body mass into three equal groups with 10 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% and 5% yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group was a control group which had 0% of mealworm meal in the diet. Diets with 2% and 5% of mealworm meals did not affect the length of villi and microbiome of the caecum. The highest digesta viscosity from the ileum was found in the group with 5% mealworm, which may indicate a slower passage of the digesta through the digestive tract. Based on our results, it may be concluded that the proportion of mealworm meals does not deteriorate the quality of feeds. Mealworm meal does not negatively affect microbial stability in experimental feeds. Therefore, it can be recommended the two and (or) five percent of mealworm meal inclusion in hen’s diet.

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The study is focused on how the physical structure of the feed affects the health status of broiler chickens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of feed particle size in broiler diets on gastrointestinal tract morphology, digesta viscosity, and blood biochemical parameters. A total of 90 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into three different experimental groups (with five replicates per pen), with 6 birds per cage. The first experimental group (Coarse) was fed with the coarsest particle size, with feed with a geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 1111.26 µm, the next group (Medium) was fed with a less coarse feed size of GMD 959.89 µm, and the last group (Fine) was fed a diet with a fine feed particle size of GMD 730.48 µm. The use of coarse feed particle size in the diet had a positive effect on the gizzard weight and small intestinal villi height and crypt depth, which increased the surface area intended for digesting nutrients. The use of finely ground particles in the feed increased the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase and at the same time, decreased the level of urea, which could indicate adverse changes in the liver.

The aim of the study was to determine the calcium requirements in preparation period of the sexual mature and egg-laying and evaluate development of calcium retention in the first laying period of the hybrid combination Bovans Brown hens. The experimental trial lasted from 14 to 30 weeks of hens age. The animals were fed ad libitum with a pelleted complete feed mixture with 42 g/kg of calcium content. The amount of calcium retained by pullets gradually increased along with feed intake depending on age and preparation for sexual maturity and was around 0.39 ± 0.19 g Ca in the first period. Ca retention increased up to an average of 0.85 g Ca from 8 day before laying the first egg. Retention dropped sharply on the day of laying the 1 st egg and a negative Ca balance occurred. Shell output was 1.75 ± 0.21 g/day for the beginning of laying and subsequently increased to 2.23 ± 0.08 g/ day during evaluate peak laying. The range weight of the first laid eggs was 45 ± 5 g. Percentage of eggshell move around an average of 10 ± 0.37% throughout the observed period. The daily calcium intake of pullets was 3.56 ± 0.26 g/day. With the beginning of laying, the daily intake increased to an average of 4.51 ± 0.43 g/day Ca. Before reaching sexual maturity, the calcium apparent digestibility of laying hens was relatively low, averaging around 22%, but the moment the hens began to lay, the apparent calcium digestibility began to increase to an average of 50%. Feeding a non-standard feed mixture with a higher calcium content than usual in mixtures for pullets did not have a negative effect on the finishing of animal development, the onset of sexual maturity, or deterioration of the observed parameters of eggs quality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal supplementation in chicken diets on the chemical composition and sensory quality of meat. The experiment was conducted on 120 Ross 308 male broilers from day 12 to day 38 of their age. Broilers were divided into three equal groups with 5 replicates per treatment. The two experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 2% (TM2; n = 40) and 5% (TM5; n = 40), respectively of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) meal. The third group (TM0; n = 40) was control, receiving 0% of mealworms in diet. The addition of mealworm meal to diets in this trial do not worsen the chemical composition or sensory characteristics of the thigh meat of broilers. The control chickens had a higher live weight (P < 0.05) compared to the experimental groups at the end of the trial. The lowest live weight and feed intake was determined in group TM2 (P < 0.05). The highest feed intake (P < 0.05) was found in the control group. The breast meat from the control group was rated better (P < 0.05) in flavour compared to the groups receiving 2% and 5% of yellow mealworms. The primary requirement for the use of any ingredient in feed is that it does not adversely affect food safety and quality. In our study, the inclusion of 2% and 5% mealworm meal in the broiler’s diet had no influence on meat quality.