Evaluating the Growth and Cost–Benefit Analysis of Feeding Improved Indigenous Chicken with Diets Containing Black Soldier Fly Larva Meal
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Date
2022-09
Authors
Mwangi, K. Waithaka
Osuga, Isaac M.
Kabuage, Lucy W.
Subramanian, Sevgan
Muriithi, Beatrice
Wachira, Ann M.
Tanga, Chrysantus M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Insect Science
Abstract
The high cost of feed has been the major hindrance to a hindrance to the
growth, sustainability, profitability, and expansion of poultry production. Black
soldier fly larva (BSFL) meal is one of the most promising alternative protein
sources widely accepted globally. This study evaluated the growth
performance of improved indigenous chicken (IIC)-fed diets containing
different inclusion levels of BSFL meals. The BSFL meal inclusion rates
included 0% (Diet0), 5% (Diet1), 10% (Diet2), 15% (Diet3), and 20% (Diet4) as
replacement to the expensive fish meal in chick and grower diets. Our results
showed that diet significantly affected the average daily feed intake, feed
conversion ratio, and average daily weight gain of the chicks. The average
daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, except average daily feed intake of
the growers, was not significantly affected by diets. The gross profit margin,
cost–benefit ratio, and return on investment of feeding birds with BSFL meal
varied significantly. The highest cost–benefit ratio of 2.12 was recorded for
birds fed on Diet4. Our findings demonstrate that insect-based feeds can
successfully and cost-effectively replace fish meal up to 20% without
compromising the growth performance of the birds. Therefore, BSFL meal
could be incorporated as an essential part of poultry feed production for IIC,
potentially reducing the total feed cost while maintaining optimal production
and reducing the cost of meat and egg products.
Description
article
Keywords
insects, alternative protein ingredients, poultry feed, feed intake, cost-effectiveness, improved indigenous chicken, food security
Citation
Waithaka MK, Osuga IM, Kabuage LW, Subramanian S, Muriithi B, Wachira AM and Tanga CM (2022) Evaluating the growth and cost–benefit analysis of feeding improved indigenous chicken with diets containing black soldier fly larva meal. Front. Insect Sci. 2:933571. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2022.933571