Evaluation of the possibility of black soldier fly larvae as a fishmeal substitute on broiler breeder

This study investigated the effect of processed forms (defatted or hydrolyzed) of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens L., BSFL) as a protein substitute on broiler breeders. A total of 54 arbor acre broiler breeders (25-week-old; Average initial body weight = 3.39 ± 0.16 kg) obtained from a local hatchery were used in this study. All birds were assigned to three dietary treatments using a randomized complete block design, and each treatment group had six replicate cages with three broiler breeder per cage. The experiment was conducted for 16 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) CON: basal diet with 3% fishmeal; (2) T1: basal diet without fishmeal and substitute with defatted BSFL; (3) T2: basal diet without fishmeal and substitute with hydrolyzed BSFL. At 8-16 w, the T1 group was significantly higher (P = 0.017) feed intake than the T2 group. The BSFL groups had a significantly higher (P = 0.002) feed-egg ratio than the CON group during 0-8 w. The T2 group had a significantly higher (P = 0.014) than the CON group during 0-16 w. At 16 w, the T2 group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Haugh unit than the CON group. The T1 group showed lower (P = 0.040) crude protein digestibility than fishmeal at 8 weeks, but there was no significant difference from fishmeal at 16 weeks (P > 0.05). During the entire period, the T1 group showed similar amino acid digestibility such as arginine, leucine, alanine, aspartic acid, proline, and tyrosine to fishmeal. There was no difference in laying performance, egg quality, blood profiles, and fecal microbiota, indicating that there was no negative effect on broiler breeders (P > 0.05). This means that defatted and hydrolyzed BSFL has sufficient potential as a protein source in broiler breeders.