EFFECTS OF BLACK SOLDIER FLY (Hermetia illucens L.) ON NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY, GROWTH PERFORMANCE, AND BLOOD PARAMETERS OF DARAG NATIVE CHICKENS

Layka A. Servidad, Jay Ronel V. Conejos, Christine B. Adiova, Veneranda A. Magpantay, Mariam C. Recuenco, Celma G. Casiple

Abstract


Rising feed costs constrain native chicken production. Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) are a biologically suitable alternative, but their use is limited by insufficient digestibility data for diet formulation. This study evaluated the effects of 0, 5, 10, and 15% BSFLM on growth performance, blood traits, and income over feed cost (IOFC) of Darag chickens during the grower stage, and determined its nutrient and energy values. Sixty birds were assigned in a randomized complete block design to four diets with five replicates of three birds per cage for 42 days. Growth performance was optimal at 15% BSFLM. Overall feed intake, body weight gain, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake increased linearly, whereas feed conversion ratio decreased linearly as BSFLM inclusion increased. The 15% diet also yielded the highest IOFC. Serum biochemical and hematological parameters were unaffected. Using the total collection method, apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash, and gross energy was 72.54%, 88.37%, 56.95%, 34.70%, and 80.47%, respectively. Apparent metabolizable energy and nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy were 5,012.80 and 4,199.12 kcal/kg DM, respectively. Thus, 15% BSFLM improved growth performance and economic returns in Darag grower chickens.

Keywords


apparent total tract digestibility, black soldier fly larvae meal, blood, Darag, growth performance

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