Hannah Facey's MSc Defence

This study investigated the effects of partial to complete replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) in broiler chicken feeding programs. The diets included a corn-SBM based control diet (0%BSFLM) fed with and without coccidiostats and antibiotics (AGP), and four BSFLM diets formulated to replace SBM by 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%. Growth performance was recorded at the end of each phase (d 10, 24, and 49). Metabolic and physiological parameters were sampled on d 24 and 49 to obtain comprehensive data resulting from a wide range of BSFLM inclusion levels. Low levels (12.5 and 25) of BSFLM may provide some growth promoting effects similar to AGP diets. In higher amounts (50, 100), BSFLM causes a depression in growth likely due to an Arg deficiency resulting in reduced protein synthesis. Further research is required to unravel post-absorptive AA utilization of BSFLM.