Black Soldier Fly larvae reared on different substrates as novel protein source in poultry nutrition

Summary

The demand for animal products and, therefore, protein and energy to feed livestock is expected to increase in the next 30 years. Currently one of the main protein sources is soybean, especially processed to soybean meal (cake in case of organic agriculture) and soybean oil. Their use in animal nutrition is controversially discussed due to potentially negative environmental and social impacts. For this reason, an intensive search for dietary protein sources is ongoing which are more sustainably produced and do not compete with human food production. Among the alternative feeds discussed, there is a great interest in the integration of insects into animal feeding as a replacement for soybean, but research on the feeding value of insect protein meal and fat of larvae grown on different substrates is scarce. Among the insect species, the greatest potential is seen in the Black Soldier Fly larvae (BSF). So far, studies have focused only on the defatted larval meal whereas the large amount of fat in the larvae is only used for industrial purpose. Therefore, the aim of the doctoral project is to investigate the possibilities and limitations of including both types of insect materials into organic diets for laying hens and broilers. For this purpose, two work packages will be carried out at the ETH research station AgroVet-Strickhof, Lindau, Switzerland, both tested in an organic broiler type and in layers. In the first work package, soybean protein and oil in the diet will be replaced by insect protein and fat that was produced on two different legally permitted substrates. In the second work package, the transfer of contaminants (heavy metals, mycotoxins) from substrates, e.g. household waste, to larval protein meal and fat and further to meat and eggs will be analysed. In both work packages, traits of performance, protein and energy utilization, as well as carcass, meat and egg quality are measured. For this purpose the animals are kept in special cages, that make the sampling per animal (laying hens) or per two animals (broilers) possible. This allows to provide information about the value of larval protein and fat compared to soybean protein and oil, as well as the degree of transfer of contaminants through the production chain.