Fish and Black Soldier Fly Meals as Partial Replacements for Soybean Meal Can Affect Sustainability of Productive Performance, Blood Constituents, Gut Microbiota, and Nutrient Excretion of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

One hundred and twenty, one-day-old male broiler chicks were used to investigate the effects of supplementation with different dietary protein sources on their performance and immune systems. Chicks were randomly divided into four equal experimental groups (six replicates, each of five chicks). The first group served as a control and was fed a standard corn–soybean meal diet. The second, third, and fourth groups were fed diets in which the soybean meal (SBM) was partly replaced by fish meal (FM), black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), and black soldier fly prepupae (BSFP), respectively. Throughout 1–14 and 15–42 days of age, FM, BSFL, and BSFP were added at 3 and 5%, respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the FM group was the best among the tested groups. Feeding BSFP decreased final body weight (BW), BW gain, feed intake, and impaired the FCR compared to the other treatments for the entire experimental period. The BSFP group had significantly lower cecal Salmonella counts compared to the control group and lower total bacterial counts compared to the other groups except for BSFL. BSFL can be fed to broiler chickens at 3% during the starter period and 5% during the grower-finisher periods without negative influences on growth performance, red blood cell characteristics, blood lipid profiles, and nutrient excretion, while BSFP can improve the chickens’ gut ecosystem.

Effects of Partial Replacement of Soybean with Local Alternative Sources on Growth, Blood Parameters, Welfare, and Economic Indicators of Local and Commercial Broilers

“…An increase in the blood ALT and AST levels due to the inclusion of BSF larvae meal was also reported in [47,60]. In contrast to these findings, Dabbou et al [49] and Attia et al [61] reported that a soybean-based diet partially substituted with BSF larvae did not affect the serum ALT, AST, triglycerides, or uric acid levels. ALT and AST are specific indicators of liver health.…”

Flight toward Sustainability in Poultry Nutrition with Black Soldier Fly Larvae

“…A comprehensive analysis of past research reveals varying outcomes regarding the impact of BSFL on broiler chicken growth as shown in Table 2. In conducting a comprehensive literature review, particularly studies by Dabbou et al [21], Facey et al [112], Fruci et al [113], Mat et al [114], Nampijja et al [115], Bellezza Oddon et al [116], Ipema et al [117], Seyedalmoosavi et al [118], Attia et al [119], Heita et al [120], and Murawska et al [121], a detailed understanding emerges regarding the impact of both defatted (DF) and full-fat (FF) BSFL on the growth performance of different broiler chicken breeds. The earlier set of studies, focusing on DF BSFL, provides insights into how varying inclusion levels of this alternative protein source affect broiler chickens.…”

“…Some levels resulted in a decrease in FI and an improvement in BWG, whereas others, particularly at higher inclusion rates, suggested potential negative impacts. Furthermore, in recent studies by Attia et al [119] and Heita et al [120], the effects of 5% and 10% FF BSFL inclusion in the diets of Arbor Acres and Ross-308 broiler chickens were examined over 42 days. Attia et al [119] reported that a 5% inclusion level of FF BSFL in Arbor Acres chickens did not significantly alter FI, FCR, or BWG.…”

“…Furthermore, in recent studies by Attia et al [119] and Heita et al [120], the effects of 5% and 10% FF BSFL inclusion in the diets of Arbor Acres and Ross-308 broiler chickens were examined over 42 days. Attia et al [119] reported that a 5% inclusion level of FF BSFL in Arbor Acres chickens did not significantly alter FI, FCR, or BWG. Conversely, Heita et al [120] observed significant changes in Ross-308 chickens at the same 5% inclusion level, with a notable decrease in FI and a substantial increase in BWG.…”

“…Commensal populations, including Bacillus spp., C. leptum subgroup, and C. coccoides-Eubacterium rectale group, were also restricted [142]. In a study conducted by Attia et al [119], the influence of different protein sources, including BSFL, on cecal microbial counts in broiler chickens was examined, yielding significant results on the effects of BSFL. The study found no substantial differences in the counts of clostridial, total coliform, and Escherichia coli among the groups fed with fish meal (FM), BSFL, and black soldier fly pupae (BSFP) at both 3% and 5% inclusion levels during the starter and growing-finishing phases.…”