Optimizing Broiler Performance: Evaluating Hemoglobin, Blood Chemistry, and Immune Response with Graded Levels of Dietary Black Soldier Fly Larvae

Abstract

     Edible insects, a diverse class of arthropods, provide nutritional sustenance as part of traditional diets worldwide. Their consumption offers a substantial source of protein, vitamins, and amino acids. This experiment aimed to explore the optimal dietary inclusion level of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) in broiler diets while evaluating their potential impact on animal health and immune response. The study focused on assessing various blood parameters, including Hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, PCV as well as liver and renal function markers (AST and ALT enzymes) alongside antibodies against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Kumboro disease. A completely randomized design was employed in a 35-day trial conducted within the university's poultry facility. Two hundred and twenty-five unsexed, day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed across five dietary treatments (n=3 replicates/treatment, n=15 birds/replicate). The treatments included: T1: Control - Commercial broiler starter diet (no additions) T2: 25% replacement of imported protein concentrate with BSFL larvae T3: 50% replacement of imported protein concentrate with BSFL larvae T4: 75% replacement of imported protein concentrate with BSFL larvae T5: 100% replacement of imported protein concentrate with BSFL larvae. The results revealed a significant increase in blood hemoglobin levels within treatments T3 (11.733), T4 (11.4433), and T5 (11.9300) compared to the control (T1) and T2 groups. Notably, other measured blood parameters (RBC, WBC, PCV, Heterophils, and H/L ratio) were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments, with all observed values remaining within the established physiological range. Additionally, the study found no significant differences in the concentrations of AST and ALT enzymes, uric acid, and creatinine across the various treatments with BSFL inclusion compared to the control group. Interestingly, a significant increase in Kumboro disease antibody levels was observed in comparison to the control (T1) and the 25% BSFL inclusion (T2) groups.