Insect meal as a feed ingredient for poultry

A recent research paper summarizes the nutrient profiles of insect meals and reviews their efficacy when included in poultry diets. Due to the differences in insect meal products and poultry breeds, inconsistent results were noticed among studies.

Shortage of protein feed resources is the major challenge to the world farm animal industry. Insects are known as an alternative protein source for poultry.

A wide range of insects is available to be used in poultry diets. Insect larvae:

• thrive in manure and organic waste
• produce antimicrobial peptides to protect themselves from microbial infections, and
• these peptides might also be functional in poultry feed.

The feed containing antimicrobial peptides can improve the:

• growth performance,
• nutrient digestibility,
• intestinal health, and
• immune function in poultry.

Insect meal contains a higher amount of essential amino acids compared to conventional feedstuffs.

• Black soldiers fly,
• mealworm, housefly,
• cricket/Grasshopper/Locust (Orthoptera),
• silkworm, and
• earthworm

These are commonly used insect meals in broiler and laying hen diets.

To fully exploit insect meal as an alternative protein resource, and exert their functional effects, modes of action need to be understood. With the emergence of more accurate and reliable studies, insect meals will undoubtedly play a more important role in the poultry feed industry.

• Insects can consume animal manure and food wastes, reduce pollution, and provide protein (larvae), and fertilizer (frass).
• Insects convert waste into proteins and reduce total nitrogen excretion, odors, and methane emission, thus reducing up to 80% of waste mass.

The use of insects in poultry feed is a potential solution to improve the sustainability of poultry diets. A wide range of insects is available for use in poultry diets.

Insect meal contains a greater amount of essential amino acids compared to

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