Effect of the total replacement of soybean by feeds from Black Soldier Fly larvae in egg production

Summary

In this study the utility of insects as ingredients of organic diets for laying hens as a potential novel and more sustainable protein and energy source was investigated. The used insect material (protein meal and larval fat) was obtained from Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae reared on two permitted substrates (primarily grain-based agrifood sidestreams and preconsumer foodwaste, respectively) and then integrated in the diets of laying hens to completely replace soybean cake and oil. Over the feeding period of seven weeks various performance characteristics, protein and energy utilization, as well as egg quality were analyzed. The results show that replacement of soy meal and oil by insect materials did not negatively affect performance of the hens or the quality of the eggs. It remains to be investigated if and to which degree unfavorable saturated fatty acids, characteristic for BSF, are incorporated in the egg