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Global Advanced Research Journal of Agricultural Science (ISSN: 2315-5094) Vol. 7(8) pp. 272-280, August, 2018 Issue.
Available online http://garj.org/garjas/home
Copyright © 2018 Global Advanced Research Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Potential of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illuscens) as a
replacement for fish/soybean meal in the diet of broilers
1Anankware P. J., 2Ayizanga R. A., 3Opoku O.,4Obeng-Ofori D.
1Department of Horticulture and Crop Production, School of Agriculture and Technology, University of Energy and Natural
Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
2Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Legon – Accra, Ghana
3Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST),
Kumasi, Ghana
4Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre, Sunyani, B/A, Ghana
Accepted 17 August, 2018
The Ghanaian feed industry imports over 90% of its protein hence making poultry and fish feed very
expensive. This makes it difficult for local farmers to compete with their foreign counterparts, thus
pushing a lot of people out of jobs. This study evaluated the potential of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF)
meal as a replacement for fish/soybean meal in the diets of broilers. The experiment was conducted at
the poultry section of the Animal Science department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology. One hundred and eighty unsexed day old Cobb-500 broilers were grouped into 15 birds per
replicate with four replicates per treatment under three treatments. Three experimental diets for both
starter and finisher phases of broiler production were formulated with T0 (Fish+Soy) serving as control,
T1 (BSFL+Soy) and T2 (BSFL+Fish) as the experimental diets. The crude protein of BSFL (44.82) was
the highest and BSFL+Soy (20.76) recorded the lowest crude protein. The highest feed intake was
recorded from BSFL+ Fish (5.72kg) and the control recorded the highest water intake (12.15 l). In terms
of total weight gain and final weight, BSFL+Fish was superior (p < 0.05) to BSFL+Soy but statistically (p
> 0.05) similar to the control. Conversely, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between feed
conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality rate for all the experimental diets. There were significant (p < 0.05)
differences in all carcass parameters measured except for empty intestine and abdominal fat weights.
Again, (BSFL+Fish) was better (p < 0.05) than (BSFL+Soy) for heart weight and liver weight. Wings,
breast and thigh weights were significantly (p < 0.05) heavier for birds fed on BSF but not for drumstick,
and back weights. Birds fed with BSFL+Soy had relatively lower (p < 0.05) wings compared to those fed
with BSFL+Fish. Haematological parameters were not significantly (p > 0.05) different among
treatments except for white blood cell count and mean cell volume. BSFL can be used as a replacement
for soybean meal and for partial replacement of fish meal to reduce cost of poultry production.
Keywords: Black Soldier Fly; Feed intake; Blood cell; Haematological parameters; Feed conversion ratio;
Carcass and Crude protein
Anankware et al. 273
INTRODUCTION
The high rate of increase in world population has made
advances in agricultural technology imperative. Dairy,
poultry, livestock and fish are the main sources of animal
proteins for human nourishment. It is therefore, important
that the animals and fishes are properly reared with
complete diets formulated by the combination of essential
nutrients in the right proportions (AIFP, 2004). It is well
known that maggots, which appear during the biological
treatment of chicken droppings, improve the growth rate of
broiler chicken (Awonyini et al., 2003). The pollution
problems caused by livestock effluent, and the mass
accumulation of poultry waste, could be solved by using
chicken droppings as a growth medium for certain living
organisms, including house flies (Musca domestica L.)
(Boushy, 1991) as the resulting maggots offer a high
protein feed for poultry and fish (Zuidhof et al., 2003;
Ogunii et al., 2007).
Poultry keeping, according to Abbey et al. (2008) is still
an economically feasible occupation for many Ghanaians.
However, the cost of poultry production keeps rising due to
the high cost of feedstuffs. This has stimulated interest in
the development of non-conventional feeds (Adejuyitan,
2011) which may increase profitability of farmers. The cost
of feed constitutes up to 70% of the cost of producing
broilers (The poultry site, 2007) and this makes broiler
production too expensive for many farmers. Alternatives to
conventional feed ingredients used in formulating broiler
feed will help reduce the cost of production and boost local
chicken production.
Maggot meal has been reported to be a possible
alternative to the expensive protein sources (Sheppard,
2002; Ogunji et al., 2007). Calvert et al. (1971) suggested
the use of maggots as a replacement for some key
ingredients in feeds and this was further corroborated by
Teotia and Miller (1974). It is cheaper, has good nutritional
value, and less tedious to produce than other animal
protein sources. It is also produced from wastes, which
otherwise would constitute an environmental nuisance.
According to Hwangbo et al. (2009), dried house fly
maggots and pupae contain 56.9 and 60.7% crude protein
and 20.9 and 19.2% crude fat, respectively. They have
protein and amino acid compositions similar to fish meal and
can replace 7% of the fish meal in broiler chicken feed
(Hwangbo et al., 2009). Many earlier studies are available on
the utilisation of maggots as poultry feed supplement (Onifade
et al., 2001).
However, the efficacy of the black soldier fly maggot in
*Corresponding Author’s Email: anankware@yahoo.com
broiler chicken production is still debatable. In particular,
the efficiency of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L)
larvae (BSFL) on broiler growth performance is still
unknown in terms of carcass characteristics and the
success of reaching market weight. Therefore, the
objective of this study was to evaluate the use of black
soldier fly larvae as a replacement for fish/soybean meal in
the diets of broiler chickens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted at the Poultry Section of the
Department of Animal Science of the Faculty of Agriculture,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(KNUST), Kumasi spanning eight weeks (February-April,
2015).
Source(s) of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)
The BSFL were obtained from a specially prepared unit for
the growing of the BSFL using the method as described by
Devic et al., (2014). BSFL were reared on3 kg moist spent
grain (brewery waste) + 2 kg dry fish feed factory waste +
0.5 litre yeast (liquid) + 4.5 litres of water. Eggs were
obtained through adults kept in captivity in large cages
(80cmx80cmx150 cm) (Figure 1). These cages are made
of a metallic frame covered with a small mesh net. Each
cage was mounted on a wooden table to prevent
interference by predators (Figure 1). During the night and
on rainy days, the cages were kept in a building roofed with
transparent plastic sheets (to allow more sunlight) and they
were often carried outside to enjoy a direct sunlight.
Temperature and humidity were not controlled and so
depended on the weather. Five thousand adults were
stocked at a time in a cage and they did not require any
food, only water was provided using a water reservoir,
which delivered water on an absorbing paper sheet at
every 30 minutes approximately, water drops were
sprayed.
The oviposition sites were made of an odorous substrate
(usually brewery solid wastes or moist poultry manure)
placed in a bowl, covered with cardboard strips and dried
leaves. In general females prefer laying eggs in dried small
crevices. For this reason, pieces of cardboard were placed
inside the cage for the purpose of oviposition. Eggs were
collected from the oviposition sites every two days.
Masses of eggs were then weighed and transferred into
small plastic containers (approximately 0.15 - 0.2 mg eggs
per container) for 5 to 7 days; duration for the eggs to
hatch.
274. Glo. Adv. Res. J. Agric. Sci.
Figure 1:
After hatching, the small larvae were transferred into
culture boxes (45 cm x 76 cm x 16 cm)
prepared with a
mixture of 3 kg moist spent grain (brewery solid waste) + 2
kg dry fish feed factory waste + 0.5 L yeast (liquid) + 4.5 L
water. Five thousand to si
x thousand five hundred larvae
were fed on this mixture for six to seven
provided ad libitium to allow a
maximised
Throughout
the growth period, the boxes are covered by
nylon net held in place
by an elastic band to prevent other
flies’ oviposition.
Larvae were harvested (separated) from the substrate by
hand collection. In
each box, the substrate was pushed to
one side of the box and left for a few minutes
were then easily harvested (collected) at the bottom of the
box
where they had migrated (the substrate was removed
progressively to allow the larvae migration and
collection). Eight hundred grammes
larvae were collected
on average per box. The larvae were then divided into two,
a large portion representing a
bout 80% to 90% of the
harvest and a small portion representing 20% or 10%. The
large portion was
processed into dried larvae for protein
whereas, the small portion was allowed to pupate and
emerge into adults to continue the cycle.
The large portion larva
e were washed with water and
placed in buckets containing sawdust overnight to empty
their guts. Drying was achieved through gas oven drying
for 2 hours or by sun-drying for two to four
days depending
on the availability of sunshine.
When the small portion larvae (larvae intended to
continue the cycle) had reached the stage of prepupae
(defined by the change of the colour
from white/cream to
Figure 1:
Rearing cage for Black Soldier Fly
After hatching, the small larvae were transferred into
prepared with a
mixture of 3 kg moist spent grain (brewery solid waste) + 2
kg dry fish feed factory waste + 0.5 L yeast (liquid) + 4.5 L
x thousand five hundred larvae
days (feed is
maximised
growth).
the growth period, the boxes are covered by
a
by an elastic band to prevent other
Larvae were harvested (separated) from the substrate by
each box, the substrate was pushed to
one side of the box and left for a few minutes
. The larvae
were then easily harvested (collected) at the bottom of the
where they had migrated (the substrate was removed
progressively to allow the larvae migration and
for easier
larvae were collected
on average per box. The larvae were then divided into two,
bout 80% to 90% of the
harvest and a small portion representing 20% or 10%. The
processed into dried larvae for protein
whereas, the small portion was allowed to pupate and
e were washed with water and
placed in buckets containing sawdust overnight to empty
their guts. Drying was achieved through gas oven drying
days depending
When the small portion larvae (larvae intended to
continue the cycle) had reached the stage of prepupae
from white/cream to
brown), they were transferred into another container
containing sawdust, and kept there
into imagos. The adults were
put into a cage to lay eggs to
continue the cycle. Within a cohort or batch of production
(i.e. larvae produced from the same batch of eggs) one or
two boxes were not harvested in order to get new pupae to
repopu
late the cages. Pupae were usually kept in a small
plastic cage awaiting emergence of adults so as to protect
them against some parasitoids. Adults were transferred
into the large cages when they emerged (Devic
2014).
Experimental Diets
Three experimental diets
were formulated
and finisher phases of broilers as outlined in Tables 1 and
2. In the experimental diets, BSFL replaced fish meal and
soybean meal in T1 and T2, respectively whiles all other
components of the diet remained
treatments.
Experimental Birds and Design
Two hundred unsexed day old Cobb
strai
ns of broiler chickens were purchased
The chicks were obtained from
Akate farms, a commercial
hatchery located in Kumasi, Ghana
common brooder house for the first 28 days (0
One hundred watt electric bulbs were used to provide
continuous light and heat during the brooding stage. One
hundred and eighty birds
were
brown), they were transferred into another container
containing sawdust, and kept there
until they had turned
put into a cage to lay eggs to
continue the cycle. Within a cohort or batch of production
(i.e. larvae produced from the same batch of eggs) one or
two boxes were not harvested in order to get new pupae to
late the cages. Pupae were usually kept in a small
plastic cage awaiting emergence of adults so as to protect
them against some parasitoids. Adults were transferred
into the large cages when they emerged (Devic
et al.,
were formulated
for both starter
and finisher phases of broilers as outlined in Tables 1 and
2. In the experimental diets, BSFL replaced fish meal and
soybean meal in T1 and T2, respectively whiles all other
components of the diet remained
same in all the
Two hundred unsexed day old Cobb
-500 commercial
ns of broiler chickens were purchased
for the study.
Akate farms, a commercial
hatchery located in Kumasi, Ghana
and reared in a
common brooder house for the first 28 days (0
– 4 weeks).
One hundred watt electric bulbs were used to provide
continuous light and heat during the brooding stage. One
were
selected and randomly
Anankware et al. 275
Table 1: Percent ingredients in starter diet used to raise broiler birds
Starter diet % of Formulation
Item
T0 (Control)
T1
T2
Maize 56 56 56
Fishmeal 12 0 12
Soybean meal 15 15 0
Wheat bran 15 15 15
BSF prepupae 0 12 15
Oyster shell 1.25 1.25 1.25
Premix 0.50 0.50 0.50
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25
Total (%)
100 100 100
Table 2: Percent ingredients in grower-finisher diet used to raise broiler birds
Grower-finisher diet % of Formulation
Item (%)
T0 (Control)
T1
T2
Maize 60 60 60
Fishmeal 10 0 10
Soybean meal 13 13 0
Wheat bran 15 15 15
BSF Prepupae 0 10 13
Oyster shell 1.25 1.25 1.25
Premix 0.50 0.50 0.50
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25
Total (%)
100 100 100
assigned to the three treatments with four replicates in a
completely randomised design. From the first day of the
experiment, birds were grouped into 15 birds per replicate
for the three treatments.
Housing
The birds were raised in a deep litter house partitioned into
12 pens measuring 1.82 m x 1.75 m x 0.75m giving a floor
space of 0.20 square meters per bird. The pens were
thoroughly cleaned and washed with disinfectant before
the start of the experiment. Wood shavings were spread on
the floor to about 5cm depth to provide litter for the birds.
Management of Birds
Feed and water were offered ad libitum because the
experiment did not require any form of restricted feeding.
Routine and periodic management practices such as
vaccination, drug administration and maintenance of
cleanliness within and outside the poultry pens were
carried out. Birds were vaccinated against Gumboro, and
Newcastle diseases and medication for Coccidiosis was
provided at three days of age and again in the third week
using Sulfadimidine Sodium 33% (Bremer Pharma GMBH,
Germany) via the drinking water. Besides, all necessary
bio security measures (Traffic control, sanitation and
culling of sick birds) aimed at preventing diseases were put
in place during the experiment. Then again, international
protocols on the use of animals for experiments were
followed using the Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committees guidebook (IACUS, 2002).
Parameters Measured
Among the parameters of interest in the study were daily
feed intake, total feed intake, water intake, live weight gain,
mortality and blood metabolite profile. At the end of the
276. Glo. Adv. Res. J. Agric. Sci.
Table 3: Chemical composition of BSFL, fishmeal and soybean meal
Sample Dry
matter
[g/g]
Ash*
[%]
Crude
protein*
[%]
Crude fat*
[%]
NDF*
[%]
ADF*
[%]
Energy
(Kcal/g)
BSFL 0.92 17.71 44.82 18.03 39.94 15.57 -
BSFL+Fish 0.87 10.92 21.53 7.56 59.74 10.41 331.43
BSFL+Soy 0.87 7.67 20.76 5.94 43.21 10.37 332.97
Fish+Soy 0.87 14.32 22.61 5.45 43.75 8.13 327.42
Table 4: Effect of BSFL larvae on growth performance of birds
Growth performance
indices/bird
Treatments SEM P-value
T0 T1 T2
Daily feed intake (kg) 0.101a 0.084b 0.103a 0.002 0.001
Total feed intake (kg) 5.63a 4.72b 5.72a 0.12 0.001
Initial weight (kg) 0.51 0.66 0.64 0.089 0.483
Daily weight gain (kg) 0.031ab 0.024b 0.037a 0.002 0.002
Total weight gain (kg) 1.70ab 1.32b 2.07a 0.10 0.002
Final weight (kg) 2.35ab 1.98b 2.71a 0.098 0.002
FCR* 3.41 3.60 2.78 0.25 0.111
Daily Water Intake (l) 0.215a 0.18b 0.208a 0.003 0.001
Water Intake (l) 12.15a 10.08b 11.66a 0.13 0.001
Mortality (%) 11.7 5.0 1.7 4.19 0.279
a,b: Mean values in the same row with different superscript are significantly (p<0.05) different.
*FCR = Feed conversion ratio; SEM= Standard Error of Means; T0 (Control), T1 (BSFL+Soy), T2 (BSFL+Fish)
feeding trial, a sample of the birds (5 males and 5 females)
were euthanized and carcass parameters taken. Feed
conversion efficiency was determined as well.
Chemical Analysis
Proximate analysis of BSFL was carried out at the
Department of Animal Science’s Nutrition laboratory,
KNUST-Kumasi and repeated at the International Centre
for Insect Ecology and Physiology (ICIPE) in Nairobi,
Kenya. The metabolisable energy (ME) of BSFL was
determined using the equation of NRC (1994): ME
(kcal/kg) = (35 x %CP) + (85 x %CF) + (35 x %NFE).
Statistical Analysis
Analysis of variance was conducted on the data collected
using GenStat Discovery Edition Version 12, 2012 and the
Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to separate
the means that were found to be significant at the 5%
significance level.
RESULTS
Proximate Composition of Feed
The chemical composition of BSFL, fish meal and soybean
meal is shown in Table 3. BSFL had the highest crude
protein (44.82%), followed by T0 (Fish+Soy) (22.61), T2
(BSFL+Fish) (21.53) and the least being T1 (BSFL+Soy)
(20.76). In terms of crude fat, BSFL had the highest value
(18.03%) followed by T2 (BSFL+Fish), T1 (BSFL+Soy) and
T0 (Fish+Soy) with 7.56%, 5.94% and 5.45%, respectively.
Effect of BSFL on Growth Performance of Birds
Table 4 presents the effect of BSFL formulated meal on the
growth performance of the birds. The highest feed intake
Anankware et al. 277
Table 5: Effect of BSFL on carcass parameters of birds
Carcass Indices (g) Experimental Diets SEM P-value
T0 T1 T2
Live weight 3002a 2290b 3100a 740.00 0.0001
Bled weight 2930a 2230b 3000a 680.00 0.0001
Defeathered weight 2840a 2100b 2820a 630.00 0.0001
Heart weight 11.25ab 9.75b 12.75a 0.85 0.0669
Liver weight 66.5a 44.5b 69.13a 4.67 0.0019
Shank weight 104.88ab 94.38b 113.13a 4.87 0.0414
Head weight 67.13a 51.25b 67.63a 2.00 0.0001
Neck weight 162.38a 143.38b 168.3a 5.34 0.0096
Full gizzard weight 68.25a 48.13b 62.38a 2.53 0.0001
Empty gizzard weight 45.38a 34.13b 45.88a 1.66 0.0001
Full intestines weight 143.25a 117.13ab 123.88a 7.67 0.0065
Empty intestines weight 81.88 77.88 71.88 5.58 0.4563
Abdominal fat weight 35.13 45.13 41.32 3.73 0.1849
Dressed weight 2430a 1670b 2360a 680.00 0.0001
a, b: Mean values in the same row with different superscript are significantly (p < 0.05) different. SEM= Standard error of means
Table 6: Effect of BSFL on primal cuts of birds
Primal cuts/bird/g Dietary Treatments SEM P-value
T0 T1 T2
Wings 264ab 181b 270a 19.00 0.0761
Thighs 323a 204.5b 313a 16.83 0.0268
Drumsticks 345 275 354 40.12 0.4230
Back 508 348.5 429.5 41.72 0.1570
Breast 809a 491.5b 708a 76.1 0.1237
a, b: Mean values in the same row with different superscript are significantly (p<0.05) different.
SEM= Standard Error of Means
was recorded fromT2 (BSFL+ Fish) (5.72kg) and the
control group had the highest water intake (12.15 l). Total
feed intake, daily feed intake, daily water intake and total
water intake followed the same trend. Treatment T0
(control) and T2 (BSFL+Fish) were significantly (p < 0.05)
better than T1 (BSFL+Soy) in terms of the above
parameters. In terms of total weight gain and final weight,
T2 (BSFL+Fish) was superior (p < 0.05) to T1 (BSFL+Soy)
but statistically (p > 0.05) similar to the control. However,
there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between
the treatments with respect to feed conversion ratio (FCR)
and mortality rate (Table 4).
Effect of BSFL on Carcass Parameters of Birds
There were significant (p < 0.05) differences among
treatments in all carcass parameters measured except for
empty intestine and abdominal fat weights (Table 5).
Consistently, T1 (BSFL+Soy) was significantly (p<0.05)
lower than T0 (control) and T2 (BSFL+Fish) for live weight,
bled weight, defeathered weight, liver weight, head weight,
neck weight, full and empty gizzard weights and dressed
weight. Statistically, T2 (BSFL+Fish) was better (p < 0.05)
than T1 (BSFL+Soy) for heart weight and liver weight. For
full intestine weight, the control (T0) was statistically (p <
0.05) superior to T2 (BSFL+Fish) (Table 5).
Effect of BSFL on Primal Cuts of Birds
Wings, breast and thigh weights were significantly (p <
0.05) influenced by BSFL but not for drumstick, and back
weights (Table 6). Birds fed with T1 (BSFL+Soy) had
relatively lower (p< 0.05) wings compared to those fed with
T2 (BSFL+Fish). With respect to thigh and breast weights,
278. Glo. Adv. Res. J. Agric. Sci.
Table 7a: Effect of BSFL on haematology of birds
Haematological
indices
Experimental Diets SEM P-value
T0 T1 T2
HCT (%) 31.6 30.92 30.66 0.96 0.7761
Hb (g/dl) 10.9 9.86 9.65 0.32 0.4930
MCH (pg) 40.5 42.14 40.93 0.68 0.2294
MCHC (g/dl) 32.24 31.89 31.45 0.28 0.1642
MCV (fl) 125.5b 132.19a 129.98ab 1.63 0.0267
RBC (x109/l) 1.90 2.35 2.37 0.24 0.0310
WBC (x109/l) 2.59a 2.32b 2.29b 0.064 0.0076
a, b: Mean values in the same row with different superscript are significantly (p < 0.05) different. HCT=Haematocrit, Hb=Haemoglobin, MCH=Mean cell
haemoglobin, MCHC=Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, MCV=Mean cell volume, RBC=Red blood cells, WBC=White blood cell, pg=pictogram,
g/ld=gram per decilitre, l=litre, fl=Femtolitre, %=Percentage, SEM= Standard error of means.
Table 7b: Effect of BSFL on haematology of birds
Haematological
indices
Experimental Diets SEM P-value
T0 T1 T2
PLT (ul) 1875ab 2500a 1000b 490.23 0.0868
LYM (%) 78.91 74.81 75.0 2.31 0.3833
MXD (%) 16.71 20.46 19.91 1.74 0.2804
NEUT (%) 4.13 4.73 5.09 0.81 0.6992
RDWcv (%) 16.19a 13.96b 17.55a 0.65 0.0030
LYM (ul) 211437.5a 172887.5b 170987.5b 8571.65 0.0044
MXD (ul) 43325 47875 45900 4702.97 0.7923
NEUT (ul) 10725 11100 11912.5 2071.09 0.9180
a, b: Mean values in the same row with different superscript are significantly (p < 0.05) different. SEM= Standard error of means, PLT (ul)= Platelets, LYM
(%)= relative (%) content of lymphocytes, LYM (ul)= the absolute content of lymphocytes, MXD (%)= relative (%) content of mixture, MXD (ul)= the
absolute content of the mixture, NEUT (%)= relative (%) content of neutrophils, NEUT (ul)= the absolute content of neutrophils, RDWcv (%)= the relative
distribution width of red blood cells by volume, coefficient of variation
T1 (BSFL+Soy) was statistically (p < 0.05) lower than the
control and T2 (BSFL+Fish) which were similar.
Effect of BSFL on Haematology of Birds
Values recorded for haematology were not significantly (p
> 0.05) different among treatments except for white blood
cells (WBC) and mean cell volume (MCV) (Table 7a). For
WBC, BSF larvae-supplemented treatments (T1 and T2)
were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control (T0) and
in terms of MCV, T1 (BSFL+Soy) was significantly (p <
0.05) higher than the control (Table 7a).
The mean levels of absolute content of lymphocytes
showed that, the highest value was recorded in the control
with 211437.500ul. Significant differences were recorded
among the treatments with respect to the absolute content
of platelets (Table 7b). The T1 (BSF+Soy) was significantly
(p<0.05) lower than the control and T2 (BSFL+Fish) which
had the highest value for relative distribution width, RDWcv
(%). The mean values of the other indices measured were
not significantly (p > 0.05) different.
DISCUSSION
The crude protein of BSFL was the highest and T1
(BSFL+Soy) the lowest. The crude protein of BSFL as
recorded per the analysis was higher than dried black
soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) meal (42% crude protein and
35% fat) as recorded by Newton et al.(1977). The
differences may be attributable to the differences in the
diets of the maggots. However, our crude protein value
(44.8%) compares favourably with the 45.2% reported by
Hale (1973). Dry matter and ash values for BSFL were
greater than the other formulations. This contradicts the
findings of Newton et al. (1977) who reported that the dry
matter and ash values for soybean were significantly
(p<0.05) higher than the larval diet.
The highest feed intake was recorded from T2 (BSFL+
Fish) and the control recorded the highest water intake.
The high feed intake might be due to the increased
palatability of the BSFL and the fish meal. Generally, there
is a high correlation between feed intake and water intake.
So, it was surprising that, the highest feed intake was
recorded from T2 (BSFL+Fish) whilst the highest water
intake was recorded in the control. From metabolic point of
view, the fibre, proteins and fatty acids in the control
enhanced water intake by the birds compared to the T2
(BSFL+Fish). Then again, the components of the control
T0 (Fish+Soy) tends to be denser than the T2 (BSFL+Fish)
hence, a likely reason for the increased water intake (Lott
et al., 2003). In terms of total weight gain and final weight,
T2 (BSFL+Fish) was superior to T1 (BSFL+Soy) but
statistically similar to the control. The findings of this study
corroborate the findings of other researchers. For instance,
Pretorius (2011) reported that house fly larvae meal
supplementation in a three-phase feeding system
significantly increased average broiler total feed intake,
cumulative feed intake, and average daily gain when
compared with commercial corn-soy oil cake meal diet.
Hwangbo et al., (2009) performed studies using diets
containing 5, 10, 15, or 20% maggots fed to broilers, to
determine their effects on growth performance and carcass
quality. The results showed that feeding diets containing 10
to 15% maggots improved carcass quality and growth
performance of broiler chickens. Atteh and Ologbenla
(1993) and Bamgbose (1999) concluded that inclusion
rates greater than 10% in the diet of broilers decreased
intake and performance, perhaps due to the darker colour
of the meal, which may be less appealing to chickens.
Consistently, T1 (BSFL+Soy) produced significantly
lower live bird weight, bled weight, defeathered weight,
liver weight, head weight, neck weight, full and empty
gizzard weights and dressed weight than T0 (control) and
T2 (BSFL+Fish). The effect of maggot meal on carcass
characteristics of broiler chickens was reported by Teguia
et al. (2002). They observed that broilers fed maggot meal
diets had carcass quality that were similar to the control,
and the liver and gizzard increased in size, but no signs of
toxicity were observed. Indeed, none of the numerous
studies on maggots as animal feed has revealed any
health problems (Sheppard and Newton, 1999). In feeding
broilers, nutritional factors such as the protein and
Anankware et al. 279
energy content of feed can greatly affect carcass
characteristics and fat accumulation (Leenstra, 1989). The
T1 (BSF+Soy) had poor carcass characteristics because it
had the least protein, fat and energy contents.
Wings, breast and thigh weights were influenced by
BSFL meal but not for drumstick, and back weights. Birds
fed with T1 (BSFL+Soy) had relatively lower wings
compared to those fed with T2 (BSFL+Fish). With respect
to thigh and breast weights, T1 (BSF+Soy) was lower than
the control and T2 (BSFL+Fish), both of which were
similar. This might be attributable to the poor nutritional
composition of T1 (BSFL+Soy). However, Awoniyi et al.
(2003) observed that maggot meal supplementation had no
significant influence on dressing percentage and breast
muscle weights. Besides, Hwangbo et al. (2009) reported
that birds from the groups that received maggot
supplementation showed significantly higher dressing
percentage, breast muscle, and thigh muscle (presented
as a ratio to carcass weight) than the control group. The
observed discrepancies between this work and that of the
Awoniyi et al., (2003) and Hwangbo et al. (2009) may be
due to the fact that, whereas they did partial replacement
(supplemented the feeds), our trials had total replacement
of soy in one treatment and fishmeal in the other.
All the haematological parameters measured fell within
the normal physiological ranges of haematological
components of broilers. Similar results were reported by
Aeangwanich et al., (2004). The mean levels of absolute
content of lymphocytes was highest in the control. This
probably improved the immune system of birds fed this
meal since lymphocytes determine the specificity of the
immune response to infectious microorganisms and other
foreign substances. This should have reduced mortalities
in the birds fed on the control diet, unfortunately, the
control recorded the highest mortality.
CONCLUSION
Black Soldier Flies (BSFs) are abundant in Ghana. These
insects do not transmit diseases and so they do not pose
any health threat to man as house flies do. These
convenient converters of waste can also be employed in
the sanitation industry to degrade municipal waste and at
the same time generate cheap protein that can be used in
the feed industries. BSF larvae are capable of out-
competing larvae of other flies and so this could be wisely
used to prevent the proliferation of other fly species in
public wastes. BSFL that are reared on household wastes
(fruits and leftover food) can also be consumed by man.
Furthermore, decomposed waste can serve as a rich
organic manure for the production of vegetable and
ornamental crops. The use of BSFL for decomposing
280. Glo. Adv. Res. J. Agric. Sci.
waste will greatly reduce the eutrophication (leaching) of
nutrients and associated toxins into water bodies. BSFL
can successfully be used as a replacement of soybean and
for partial replacement of fish meal to reduce cost of
poultry production. A major limitation of the study was the
absence of palpability tests for meat from birds fed on the
various diets. Future work should include palatability tests
as well as the cost benefit ratios of the three treatments. It
would also be useful to evaluate the effect of BSFL on
layers.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are grateful to the Association of African
Universities (AAU) for funding this project. Many thanks to
Mr. Benjamin A. Mensah, Dr. Jacob A. Hamidu, Dr. Kwaku
Adomako and Prof. Charity Comfort Atuahene, all of the
Department of Animal Science for the valuable logistical
and statistical support they rendered to us in the course of
this project.
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