UPGRADING THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF FULL-FAT SOYABEAN MEAL FOR BROILER PRODUCTION WITH EITHER FISHMEAL OR BLACK SOLDIER FLY LARVAE MEAL (HERMETIA ILLUCENS)

Abstract

An experiment was concluded using Anak Red broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of upgrading the nutritive value of full fat soya bean meal diet based with either fishmeal or Black soldier fly larvae meal for broiler production, The average live weight gains of broilers fed an all-vegetable protein, fishmeal and larvae meal diets at 10 weeks of age were 1465g, 2015g anda2015g respectively. The corresponding feed consumption values for same period were 4140g, 4878g and 5075g respectively. While the figures for the feed gain ratio were 2.8 2.4 and 2.6 respectively. Significant ( P<0.05) treatment effects in favor of diet upgraded with the larvae        meal were obtained in the carcass yield, internal organ measurements (licensee, gizzard and liver) and the income final fat. The amino acid profile of the larvae meal compared favorably with that of fishmeal and also found to the sulk~erector that of soybean meal. The study suggests that inclusion of protein of animal or insect origin to an all-vegetable diet was very desirable for better nutrient utilization. The results also revealed that under the conditions of the experiment, larvae meal scull replace fish meal to upgrade the nutritive value of soya bean meal in the broiler starter and finisher rations without any adverse effect on the rate of gain, feed consumption and feed gain ratio.